Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
The air is heavy with humidity, the sun hot on your skin, but the rushing sound of water provides a cool comfort as if there's relief within touch. And there is. The heat did not seem to bother the monarchs flitting in between the leaves of the tree next to the falls. Their wings so … Continue reading Waterfall Glen in Watercolor Pencils
Green Valley Forest Preserves 32°F mostly sunny, brisk wind When my nerves become anxious and I recognize that prickly, edgy feeling in my spirit, I know it's time to distance myself from society. It's my adult time-out. One I most willingly take. I escape to a little corner of nature where I am actually alone. … Continue reading Nature in November Watercolor Sketch
12-14-14 48°F cloud and mist When cloud and mist subtract vivid color, and strips loudness from the landscape, A submissive hush befalls. Nature takes notice. Dried goldenrod, past its prime, quakes tenderly in the silence. A strange tree stands alone. His poetry comes to life. As daylight slips away from my grasp, I bargain, but … Continue reading Hidden Lake and a Strange Tree Sketch
This is Silver Lake at the beautiful Blackwell Forest Preserves in Warrenville, IL. To celebrate nature and soak in all the serene sensations it provides, a few of us met here to create. Just mere pigment, paper, and water, but oh so much more to the artist who connects with nature! And connect we did. … Continue reading Sketch Class Results Blackwell Forest Preserves
After many months of technical difficulties with my camera and such, I am FINALLY pleased to present this video series of Waterfall Glen. This was taken last August and will help you with your summertime watercolor sketches, dealing with that ever dreaded subject of too much "green" color. This was filmed during my MeetUp group: … Continue reading Step by Step VIDEO Waterfall Glen Watercolor Sketch
As a Meet-Up organizer to the Chicagoland Sketchbook Hikers group, I can schedule sketch class where ever and when ever I want, but the best part of the deal is that members can suggest a location all on their own to the Meet-Up site and create a future event. Exciting because it is a place … Continue reading Blind Sketch Location, Great Event Fullersburg Woods
This is down stream from Waterfall Glen. You might remember last year's sketch in the springtime. With this sketch, I tried to get layer upon layer of watercolor distant trees to convey depth. I also love the way the stream is partially frozen, the bright white ice is the paper showing through, very easy to … Continue reading Stream and Bridge Watercolor Sketch – Waterfall Glen
Waterfall Glen is a small gem tucked away in the DuPage County Forest Preserves. It is near a 9 mile trail (that I did not walk) which surrounds Argonne Lab. Chicago is experiencing a very hot winter. Yes, hot. Believe it or not this week we will hit 70°F at least 4 times. Very strange. Anyway, … Continue reading Waterfall Glen Sketch
