Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
It is a spiritual thing to walk in the woods while it rains. You are alone with your thoughts, the drops echoing under your hood, and the Lord walks by your side… The other day I awoke to a fresh blanket of snow on… Continue Reading “When snow turns to rain – watercolor”
An impromptu picnic at the East Branch Off-Leash Dog Park, part of the DuPage County Forest Preserves near Chicago. I was not planning on visiting here, but our semi was being serviced a few blocks away. Taking advantage of such an unusually warm autumn… Continue Reading “October Picnic watercolor sketch”
I took my bike on a nice long ride. When riding, I become a child again. Downhills are my favorite, uphills not so much. The wind races through my hair and I feel rather bird like…soaring effortlessly. On this particular day, I packed a… Continue Reading “Leisurely Bike Path Break Watercolor”
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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… Continue Reading “Stream and Bridge Watercolor Sketch – Waterfall Glen”