Category Archives: sketchbook in the field

August 2011 Sketch Class Results

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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!

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

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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!

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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!

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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!

July 2011 Sketch Class Results

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

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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!

Sketch Class Results May 2011

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Saturday we woke up to a very threatening sky. Dark and ominous. Ready to unleash buckets of rain? We didn’t know…but we took our chances anyway. And OH BOY I’m glad we did, because the rain held off right up until the end! Whooo Hoooo! Sketch class, here we go!

This is the scene we decided to sketch. This is Long John Slough facing east. On the left hand side of this photo, you might be able to see the bird house which caught our attention. A few birds landed on top of this bird house as we were sketching, however it was too far away to determine which kind of bird. We did recognize a single chorus frog which sang to us for a long, long time and one yelp from a bull frog. I think they enjoyed watching us sketch!

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The weather didn’t stop these nature artists from doing what they love, sketching nature.
Several times we spotted a great blue heron fly back and forth over the slough. It was at this spot also, Michelle pointed out an indigo bunting male chase a female. Wow! What a beautiful blue bird!

It never fails, I am always more excited about whats going on around me than my own painting. Here is how our watercolor sketches turned out:

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Michelle's Artwork

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Rob's Artwork

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My Artwork

It was very humid and very grey. Our paper took forever to dry, but we worked with it and our sketches turned out beautiful!!!

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Behind us in the field, we found shooting stars. Aren’t they amazing!

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We also spotted columbine growing along the fence. What a brilliant color. Other than that the spring wildflowers have all expired.

After our sketch we took a hike on Black Oak Trail and when we finished, it began to rain. We made it.

I hope you enjoyed our adventures at the Little Red Schoolhouse and maybe next time you would like to join us? There will be no class in June, but we will resume July 30, 2011.

Lake Kathrine Spring Sketch

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Lake Kathrine Spring watercolor sketch

Tender.

Tender is the color of spring. Tender is the touch of the gentle breeze on my cheek. Tender are the babies which are born. Tender are the blossoms: pink, white, and blue.
 
Do you know what’s not tender in spring? Males protecting their territories! No tender, gentleness there. Yesterday I had the chance to enjoy nature at Lake Katherine. I observed a male swan threaten several geese by chasing them with his thunderous outstretched beating wings. Holy cow, what a loud sound! What an impressive site.
Stay back geese…stay back. Big white daddy coming after you!

Sketch Class Results April 2011

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Little Red Schoolhouse Sketch Class April 2011

Amanda, Scott, Michelle, Amy, Lori, Alanna (kneeling), myself, and Sue

Wow! What a class!!!
Finally blessed with a perfect warm day to do some watercolor sketching, the group headed out on the White Oak Trail in search for woodland wildflowers…and oh boy, did we find a treasure of them!

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Mesmerized by the blue-violet glow of the bluebells, the group decided to study these wildflowers.

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As we sat on the forest floor painting, the birds above sang, providing music for our enjoyment. Meanwhile, the wind roars through the trees giving a mighty sound and the trees respond with a sway.

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This huge white trillium was found off trail next to the stream. We also found bloodroot, spring beauty (white and pink), toothwort, may-apple, squill, yellow-violet, and some immature jack-in-the-pulpits.

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my bluebell and may-apple watercolor sketch

Here is my watercolor and micron sketch. It was amazing to see all of the beautiful artwork from the group. I’m sorry I didn’t take a photo of more art. Each person had a unique interpretation of what they saw and it was just outstanding!

I thank all of the students for showing up and making class a very memorable event.