Drawing, Painting, Experimenting, Learning, Sharing

It's mid-June, 2020. Since my last post, I've been drawing, painting, experimenting, learning, studying the work and philosophy of other artists — from Leonardo da Vinci to Milton Avery (and beyond) — working with various media including Procreate on my iPad, sharing work on Facebook and Instagram, teaching workshops and private classes. 

To quote Cheng-Khee Chee, "I am a perennial student."

In 2019, we moved into a new house, me into a new studio. I resolved to draw and/or paint in watercolor every day. I did, with few exceptions. I can't say every painting was a keeper but each was a learning experience. 

It would be challenging to go back and describe all that I've learned, experimented with. I will start with what is going on 

today. 

One of my most recent paintings (above) is titled I Will Sing My Song For You.

Jimmy (Finnish Boy in Overalls) • Work in Progress

Jimmy (Finnish Boy in Overalls) • Work in Progress

Drawing and painting people is irresistible to me. All the faces I see tell a story. This painting (in progress) was inspired by an old black and white photograph of a young boy named Jimmy sitting on the tailgate of his grandfather's car. His dog parked in front of him, ready for whatever might happen next.

I was drawn to this photo.

My first drawings were modified blind sketches in ink (one shown). I made adjustments of shape, size, direction, and detail along the way by re-drawing rather than erasing. I added color with Berol Prismacolor pencils. 

I pulled out an eighth sheet of 140 lb. cold press paper, soaked it, towel-rolled it, and drew shapes of this boy with a #8 round brush using Stephen Quiller's watercolor in Cobalt Blue. Then I proceeded to paint with SQ's paint, mixing skin tone along the way. I will paint this young boy again by re-drawing with the brush on paper. 

We artists have been told by other artists before us ("those with finer minds," as Ed Whitney would often say) to "paint what you feel; paint with love; and to paint the apple you must be the apple." For me, it is truly wonderful to draw and paint a subject I love — people. 

As many of your know, I relish painting birch trees too — because they are like figures and family; also apple, basswood, and other blossoms because their petals remind me of a baby's cheek.

Upcoming Watercolor Class • "Fall Color" at the Borealis Art Guild in Hibbing, MN

Here's an ad for my upcoming 4-session class.

DESCRIPTION: Four sessions of watercolor filled with the rich (sometimes neutral and subtle) color of Northern Minnesota's fall season. Class starts Monday, September 18 and continues October 2, 9, and 16 from 1—3:30 pm at the Borealis Art Guild in Hibbing, MN. Painters of all levels are welcome.

Students will explore how to translate nature into shapes — how to view, draw, compose, and paint shapes inspired by Northern Minnesota's fall season — and mix colors that sing (and avoid making mud).

Louise will start each session with a demonstration painting as she explains the "what, how, and why" of watercolor, and work with painters along the way. At the end of each class, students will share thoughts and ideas during a short, gentle, and helpful critique. This class is designed for painters (of all levels) who want to re-charge (and/or keep the charge in) their creative batteries.

To register, please call the Borealis Art Guild at 218-263-8482.

Pink and Purple Iris in Watercolor

Hello, everyone! I've been painting a lot since I did the Seven Paintings in Seven Days but (you know this) I haven't posted since then. Currently, I've been drawing and painting IRIS in my flower garden. Here is one I painted this morning.

Pink-Purple Iris • Watercolor on Arches 140 lb. Cold Press

METHOD: I began by doing a value sketch—2 x 3 inches in size—to establish placement of subject and values. I drew light lines of my subject on the dry paper, I soaked the paper, placed it on the board, sponged excess water out, then painted an abstract underpainting. When some of the water evaporated, I started adding color—positive and negative shapes. I can't wait to start on the next painting . . . then the next . . . Happy painting, my fellow artists and art lovers.