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Keeping a Watercolor Journal – Umbria, Italy

Keeping a Watercolor Journal – Umbria, Italy

I am teaching a watercolor workshop in Orvieto, Italy, Sept. 7 – 13, 2014, with Adventures in Italy.   It is filling up fast and there are just a couple of openings left in this workshop.

Dates: September 7 – 13, 2014;  Cost – $2995 

Create a visual diary of watercolor painting, journaling, and mixed media as you slow down, observe, and savor your time in Italy. Learn how to make on-the-go paintings with watercolor washes, water-soluble pens and pen-and-ink. Enhance your journaling style with maps, Italian book pages, pockets, tags, and more. You will discover how much fun it is to record your life journeys with watercolors. Umbria is rich with sights, sounds, and colors–all wonderful inspiration for developing your artistic eye. Exploring the streets of this historic hilltop village, we will discover stone archways, alleyways and Italian piazzas, the Duomo of Orvieto, Gothic and medieval designs, and colorful flowers cascading from windows — every corner a possible painting.  The Etruscan palette will inspire us as we experiment with luscious ochres and rich gem-tone colors from the past.

We will not just be observing and painting our week in Orvieto, but we will be experiencing it in a new, invigorating, lasting way. When you return home, you will have your watercolor journal as a lasting keepsake more unique than any photo album, and new skills to continue watercolor journaling on your next adventure!

This workshop is for all levels – beginners welcome! • Create a watercolor art journal about your stay in Orvieto, Italy • Take drawing and watercolor painting lessons • Learn how to keep your colors fresh and lively • In studio and en plein air painting • Add interest to your journals by incorporating mixed media

The Moon was but a Chin of Gold

The Moon was but a Chin of Gold

Here is my post for this month’s Sketchbook Challenge:
  This month’s theme is about those captivating celestial bodies – the moon and the stars.  They remind me of a much-loved poet, Emily Dickinson and her lovely poem, The Moon was but a Chin of Gold.  I often include snippets of her poetry on my watercolor journal pages.  I love how she puts her words together to form sparkling strands of lyrics.  Here is a peek in one of my journals where I used parts of this poem.  If you would like to read her poem in its entirety, I posted it below. 
Do you have a poet or poem that inspires your art?
THE MOON was but a chin of gold
  A night or two ago,
And now she turns her perfect face
  Upon the world below.
  
Her forehead is of amplest blond;
  Her cheek like beryl stone;
Her eye unto the summer dew
  The likest I have known.
  
Her lips of amber never part;
  But what must be the smile
Upon her friend she could bestow
  Were such her silver will!
  
And what a privilege to be
  But the remotest star!
For certainly her way might pass
  Beside your twinkling door.
  
Her bonnet is the firmament,
  The universe her shoe,
The stars the trinkets at her belt,
  Her dimities of blue.
                                 By Emily Dickinson

   
Keeping Organized

Keeping Organized

Occasionally I get questions from people asking about products that I used during the filming of my DVD, Art Journals on-the-go.  Several of you have wondered about the zippered bag that I like to use to keep my journal and supplies in.  I buy them through Daniel Smith Art Supplies and here is the link to my favorite size:  Clear Vinyl Art Bag.  They are very handy if you are traveling.  I prepare a bag before I get on the plane and then it is easy just to pull the bag out and it has my pencil, eraser, journal, small palette, a couple brushes and whatever else I may need to do a little project.   I do believe that I have every size, but this is the one I use the most.

 Clear Vinyl Art Bag, 10in x 13in Content Size

Just recently they have several that have handles and a pocket.  I just bought the one below and think it will be very handy too.  Vinyl Art Bag with Handles:
Alvin Deluxe Clear Mesh Bag with Handles, 12 in x 16 in

This page shows all the different sizes:  http://www.danielsmith.com/Item–i-G-479-015

WARNING – the larger bags are really big!  I suggest getting out your measuring tape before you order to see which size fits your needs.

Pam Carriker’s New Book, Creating Art at the Speed of Life

Pam Carriker’s New Book, Creating Art at the Speed of Life

It is filled with easy to understand lessons with step-by-step guidelines on how to do fun journaling ideas such as create a journal page of random shapes, making layers of textures and colors, and how to make the page cohesive with monochromatic colors. 

I love how she introduces and explores the elements of design with a series of exercises and the completes the lesson with a worksheet to help you evaluate your work to make it more successful and satisfying. 

As I sat down to look through Pam’s book, I could hardly sit still to read it as I wanted to jump up and do each and every activity that was presented in this colorful and lesson-filled book!

I especially loved the chapter entitled, Trompe l’oeil – fool the eye.  Pam teaches us how to take a photo and change its settings to “fool the eye” using shading.  I cannot wait to try this in watercolor art journal!

Thank you, Pam for giving us this beautiful, artistic gift.  I highly recommend it for the adventurous artist.

Up Close – Castles and Such

Up Close – Castles and Such

I think it is fun to take photos from odd angles and of things up close.  Here are some that I took as we toured castles, chateaus and medieval villages in the southwest of France.

Art Journaling Magazine

Art Journaling Magazine

The autumn 2013 issue of Art Journaling Magazine by Stampington & Company has hit the stands.  I am so excited that my article, A Watercolor Travel Art Journal, is included in this issue!

This is my bare all story of how I got started painting and how it led to keeping an art journal.  I hope you will find this an encouraging story about my struggle from not knowing the first thing about painting, drawing and art in general to where I have ended up today.  I wrote this article for those of you that struggle with being a beginner artist.  I hope that you will find it inspiring.

Here is a description of this issue:  
Dive into a world of heartfelt art with the Autumn 2013 issue of Art Journaling. The vibrant and emotional artwork of Traci Bunkers graces the pages of the Artist Portfolio, and you’ll learn how to build a visual vocabulary with Kelly Kilmer. For ideas on documenting those memorable summer vacations, the gorgeous travel journals of Jacqueline Newbold and Chrisanne Robertson are sure to fill you with inspiration. This issue will also help you get a head start on the holidays: Follow Tori Weyer’s lead, and create a Christmas box journal filled with your thoughts and memories of the season.

Castles, Gargoyles and Such

Castles, Gargoyles and Such

Part of the fun of going on a trip and keeping a watercolor journal, is the excitement of finding new things to paint and and record in colorful ways.  We have seen castles, Chateau towers, gargoyles, river barges, and met some lovely people.  I did the exact same river trip down the canal DU Midi with my parents 30 years ago. Here is the only photo I have of that fun time.  To bad I was not an artist back then as it would be fun to see what I would have put in my journal.

here are a few pages from my journal that I have been working on during this trip.

if you are interested in joining me and doing a watercolor European style Journal, my next trip is to Orvieto, Italy. space is limited as there are just a few spots left for this fantastic watercolor trip.  – September 7-13,2014. we have a great group sign up!
Flip Flaps and Fold-outs on the Canal du Midi

Flip Flaps and Fold-outs on the Canal du Midi

When planning a trip and preparing my watercolor journal, I often make some of my favorite things that I call Flip, Flaps, and Fold-outs. I  am teaching this workshop at the Portland Art and Soul Art Retreat. I will be providing lots of goodies for my students.

These are items that I can easily find in the office supply stores. I use gesso and water colors to create a beautiful, color filled background. My family is traveling down the Canal du Midi in the south of France. I love having these easy tools to create quick paintings on the go and embellish my journal. Here are a few photos from my journal as I am painting on our barge.

How I start
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Post from Sarlat France

Post from Sarlat France

Pages from my watercolor journal…

I am in the Dordogne area of France, famous for its pate fois gras, truffles, figs and nuts.  The medieval town is a maze of winding streets and picturesque alleyways.   We toured the Chateau Castel Naud, knocked down seven times during the Hundred Years War.  Not only was it a fascinating history of ancient weaponry but a painter’s delight of texture and charming buildings.

Here is the winding street that I painted in my watercolor journey.