Jacqueline’s Blog

So Much Fun

So Much Fun

We had so much fun last year in the Watercolor Fun online workshop that it is being offered again.  Today is the first day of 6 weeks of full access to the painting videos and online classroom with the Artful Gathering Online Workshop.  I have often been asked to offer online classes so this is it!   It is not too late to sign up.
I take you from start to finish for three different paintings.  I also have a warm-up exercise with each painting.  As a bonus, I show you how to fix problem areas in your paintings.  Here are some photos of the paintings we will do as well as a couple of examples from what the students did:

Helpful Drawing Tips

Helpful Drawing Tips

Hi everyone! Artful Gathering starts June 6th! In my Watercolor Toolbox 2 workshop you will learn how to do a contour drawing, make a color-mixing chart, and how to get volume and depth in your paintings.

 I go into detail on how to use your pencil as a drawing tool to get the proportions correct.

Here is my list of DRAWING TIPS:

1.  Start drawing and keep drawing – you will get better! 

2.  Observe instead of imagine, at least in the beginning.  Buy a sketchbook that you can devote to drawing.  No one has to ever see it but you.  

3.  Use your pencil as a measuring tool.  You can use it to compare, multiply, divide and create angles.

4.  The closer objects are to you, the lower they will be on your paper.

5.  For a watercolor painting, draw just the contour or outline of the objects.  Don’t put in a lot of detail.  It just gets more lead on your paper that can muddy your painting.

6.  Try to break up complicated objects into simple shapes: squares, circles, rectangles… A pear can be made by drawing a triangle for the top and a circle on the bottom.

7.  Overlap shapes to create the illusion of distance.

Pets and Art

Pets and Art

Bring your favorite pet into your studio!  I have been teaching watercolor classes in my studio in Tumalo.  My four legged friends enjoy being with us while we get creative.  Jan took time out from her painting to give Olive some love!

Online Classes – Watercolor Toolbox Two

Online Classes – Watercolor Toolbox Two

Online classes are starting soon with the Artful Gathering Online Workshop.  I am teaching a follow up to last year’s beginners class – Watercolor Toolbox.

Watercolor Toolbox Two is the perfect way to help you improve your beginning watercolor painting skills.  You will learn how to do a contour drawing, make a color mixing chart, and how to get volume and depth in your paintings.  I will share my easy drawing techniques that will make drawing fun and easy.  This online class is the perfect complement to Watercolor Toolbox, now available as a DVD!

Wine Tasting and Painting

Wine Tasting and Painting

On a recent wine tasting trip to Yamhill Valley, I found breathtaking views as the scenery opened up into rolling hills, vineyards and orchards.  Our morning was greeted with rising fog as the blue mountains in the distance started to show through.

The day brought dappled sunlight and warmth.

 It was fun to slow down and take it all in while savoring some of Oregon’s best wines.  I even learned how to blend my own Pinot Noir and came home with a bottle with my name on it!

I am Teaching at Art Unraveled, Phoenix

I am Teaching at Art Unraveled, Phoenix

Join me for the fabulous Art Unraveled Retreat in Phoenix, Arizona, August 4-11, 2015.  You deserve to treat yourself and immerse yourself in art!  Last year was my first year teaching with Art Unraveled and I had so much fun.  I am thrilled to be returning to teach three new workshops:

Friday August 7, 2015
Sunday August 9, 2015 
Monday, August 10, 2015

What’s on your Wish List? Part 3

What’s on your Wish List? Part 3

Here is a fun find for the traveling watercolor artist!  This is a lovely, tiny watercolor palette.  It is the size of a business card holder and can hold up to 14 colors- perfect for someone who likes to travel light.  It is metal and the pans are magnetic so that you can easily remove them if you want to change the colors.  Thank you Nancy for telling me about this great little palette!  I just had to order one to see how cool it was.   They are designed and sold by Maria Coryell Martin.  What a great stocking-stuffer this would be!

What’s on your Wish List, Art Ideas Part 2

What’s on your Wish List, Art Ideas Part 2

An Artist Wish List
My wonderful friend and fabulous artist, Pam Carriker, has come out with her own line of acrylic paints and inks!  She has also written several books, Art at the Speed of Light and Creating Art at the Speed of Light and has a brand new book coming out soon.
Her new line is called Matisse and is available for purchase with Jerry’s Artarama Art Supplies.  I was fortunate enough to be able to play around with some of her luscious acrylic colors and inks.
They are highly pigmented, light-fast and are perfect for working on watercolor paper and in your journals.  There are 12 colors with yummy names such as Poppy, Nightfall and Mustard.  The inks are washable while wet making them perfect for washes and calligraphy.  Pam is a very talented artist and continues to bring us new art play things to try.  Check them out!

What’s on your Wish List? Art Ideas

What’s on your Wish List? Art Ideas

An Artist Wish List

I thought it would be fun to share some ideas that you may want to add to your wish list.  I am going to review a few art supplies over the next couple of weeks.  I would love to hear what is on your art wish list!
Today I want to tell you about a little printer that my CREATE student, Michelle, showed me.  I couldn’t wait for Christmas so I treated myself to an early Christmas present.  It is fun!
It is the – 

Fujifilm Instax Share Smartphone Printer SP-1

It is a smart phone printer.  It prints using images sent wirelessly.  I have used it with my phone as well as my tablet.  It  uses batteries so no cords or chargers to worry about.  The photos are cute miniature versions of the old Polaroid prints.  The photos are 3.5″ x 2.3″.  I have been adding them to my journals.