Category Archives: sketchbook in the field

Sketch Class Results October 2011

Posted on October 29, 2011 | 4 Comments

A perfect midwest autumn scene: blazing reds, golden yellows and subdued browns. That’s what greeted us this crisp (downright cold) autumn morning as we met to converse with nature.

Our mission was to take a short hike and find at least three different leaves which spoke to us. We met at the fire pit circle and sketched our leaves, step-by-step.

For some, it was their first time. I’m always amazed when people say they don’t paint with watercolors…their artwork comes out so wonderful!!!

And others who regularly practice, fill their beautiful sketchbooks with vibrant memories to last.

What a fantastic spread! Such colorful delectables.

Collectively we gathered to celebrate a fleeting season and each in our own way, suddenly find ourselves connected to autumn. As time slipped out of our consciousness we reached a deeper place, a place where stress isn’t allowed, nor concerns for the realities of life. What a wonderful place to be.

Not wanting to waste this beautiful color, the idea was put to the group to walk some more and do a landscape sketch. A 2-for-1, yesssssss!

To be students of nature, what a blessing, may we never graduate but continue to be mesmerised by nature’s awe.

We captured this moment in time, autumn’s garment…how fast it changes!

my Long John Slough October watercolor

Here is a close up of my slough watercolor sketch.

my October leaves watercolor sketch

And lastly, a close up of my leaves.

I hope you enjoyed this review of October’s watercolor sketch class at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs, IL. Maybe you would like to join us in November?

→ 4 Comments

Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, Landscape, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, sketching class, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, Artwork, autumn, Christine Kane Art, ckane, forest preserve of cook county, free art class, free sketch class, hiking and sketching, how to watercolor sketch, IL, journal, little red schoolhouse nature center, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, willow springs

A Year in Review – The Little Red Schoolhouse Sketch Class

Posted on October 23, 2011 | 4 Comments

I am happy to present:
A Year in Review…the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center Sketch Classes.

I am so very proud of every single person who showed up to paint.
Some were afraid, not having painted ever in their lives. Some were confident being seasoned artists. All were one however, not viewing one as better than the other, we were of course there for nature not ourselves.

Speaking of ourselves, I never would have guessed how important this class would become. The friendships I have gained and the new artists I have met…this class was truly bigger than myself.

If I, being a nobody, can create something positive for nature, celebrating creation and artistic fellowship…think of what you can do in your area! Yes you! Go ahead start something wonderful. If you do, please contact me and tell me all about it…I would LOVE to hear about it!

If you are in the Chicago area, our next free sketch class at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is going to be this Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 9AM, meet in the parking lot. Get ready to hike first. Our assignment will be to find 4-5 different autumn leaves to paint. When we are done hiking we will sit and paint our leaves. I will show you how step by step. Now that I think of it…I’m sure we’ll have time for a quick landscape sketch too!

Click here to view supply list and address.

→ 4 Comments

Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, sketching class, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, Artwork, chicago art, Christine Kane Art, ckane, forest preserve district of cook county, free art class, free sketch class chicago, hiking, hiking and sketching, IL, journal, little red schoolhouse, little red schoolhouse nature center, nature, sketchbook, watercolor painting, watercolor sketch, watercolor sketch class, willow springs

Sketch Class Results Sept 2011

Posted on September 26, 2011 | 3 Comments

Beating the rain, the sketch class went forward to celebrate the autumn trees and the nature center which brought us together.

Sitting under a tree as the chickadees watch, they are the audience and we are the performers.

Versatile, we adapt to any situation and make ourselves comfortable.

The groups artwork...a work in progress.

Penwork was finished at home. The moisture in the air made drying difficult.

Now that we are finished, it’s time for a hike! What will we discover?

Tiny yellow cup-shaped fungi growing on the fence. Very cute.

Puff ball mushrooms were also found. These are growing on a decomposing log.

Last but not least, this fuzzy white caterpillar was right off the trail. I love finding treasures in the woods. Each hike contains new discoveries.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s sketch class and hike. Maybe next month you would like to join us?

→ 3 Comments

Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, sketching class, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, Christine Kane Art, ckane, free sketch class, hiking and sketching, IL, little red schoolhouse artwork, little red schoolhouse nature center, nature sketches, painting, sketchbook, watercolor sketch class, watercolors, willow springs

August 2011 Sketch Class Results

Posted on August 28, 2011 | 4 Comments

The group, 10 including myself, was the biggest we’ve ever had and on a morning like this one, it couldn’t have gotten any better; The sky: pure blue, the temps: perfectly mild, and the artistic fellowship while connecting with nature: magnificent!

We decided to hang out by Long John Slough and sketched the trail and background.

It always amazes me how beautiful everyone’s artwork turns out and how uniquely different they all are. I couldn’t say a negative thing about any one of them!

Here is a close up of my sketch. I try to emphasize quick and loose watercolor work, it helps to free yourself from being too rigid and it’s a lot of fun!

After our class we had enough time, so some of us decided to hike the White Oak Trail. On our hike we discovered this unusual looking mushroom. Someone commented that it looked like brains…ewww…yes it does! I’m not sure which type of mushroom this is and cannot make a positive match in my field guide book.

I have to admit, when I see a large group of students before starting class, I tend to get nervous. The “what if’s” start racing through my head…what if I can’t find a good spot to paint…what if they don’t like my sketch…what if I say something wrong? But after a few minutes in nature all of the worry melts away, like only nature can do, and we have a wonderful time as usual. This month was no exception, we had a splendid time playing in nature!

→ 4 Comments

Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, sketching class, watercolor painting, watercolor sketching

Tagged Chicago, Christine Kane Art, ckane, forest preserve district of cook county, free art class, free sketch class, hiking and sketching, IL, little red schoolhouse nature center, painting nature, plein air painting, willow springs

July 2011 Sketch Class Results

Posted on July 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

Kathy, Mary Ann, Alanna

July’s sketch class was a success. We had such a wonderful artistic fellowship while discovering nature. After a short walk from the nature center, we settled in by the slough to take in the amazing view.

The dead trees across the slough caught my eye, so some of us decided to paint this scene.

Alanna's beautiful watercolor sketch

Here is Alanna’s artwork. Great job! I love the pink dots of swamp rose mallow growing across the slough.

Kathy's terrific watercolor sketch

Kathy decided to sketch the geese in the slough. These geese kept us company for a long time. What a beautiful reminder of this day.

my artwork

Sometimes it is hard to sketch summer because it seems that everywhere you look it is green. If you can include different variations of green (yellow-green, blue-green, sap green, ochre green) it helps to ease the green frustration.

After our sketch, we decided to take a hike on the Black Oak Trail.

We found little treasures on our trail. This is Two-colored Bolete mushroom (I believe). During the summer when everything is green, this red and yellow mushroom pops out!

This is a male Ruby Meadowhawk. He just happened to stop on a blade of grass right next to me. I was glad to meet him. We also spotted a male scarlet tanager in the woods, but did not get a picture.

We stopped at this swamp rose mallow hibiscus and commented on its imperfection (several holes). We discussed how lovely imperfections are and what character it brings. We agreed that none of us wanted perfectionism and the holes in this flower and in our own lives are perfect the way they are.

I’m glad you joined us on our sketch class and I hope you are able to get out and try some nature sketching for yourselves!

→ 2 Comments

Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, Dragonfly, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, sketching class, watercolor sketching, wildlife