21 September, 2012

Drawing outdoors–a few tips

Fishing Village

Plein air drawing is fun. Here are some recent discovery that I would love to share:

How many sketchbooks do you carry?

While I usually have one small sketchbook with me in my bag all the time, I have at least 2 when I go out to draw. That way, when the paint on one sketchbook is still wet, I can continue to draw or paint using my 2nd sketchbook, without having to wait for the paint to dry.

Too much information

When drawing outdoors, what is in front can be daunting at times when there is a lot of information. Look another way and there is more information. Know that you don’t have to draw everything. Start small, visually crop a section of the scene. And if you cannot really see the details, leave them out. For example, while drawing in the city, I sometimes select a building, then only draw a small section such as a dome or a window.

Remember that drawing is fun

Even if your drawing doesn’t turn out as you imagined, you are on the path to becoming a better artist. Enjoy the journey.

Happy Paint Party Friday.

 

A bit of news:

DottedSquareBooks

On a totally different topic, here is a bit of exciting news. I have been working on a range of journals, and I launched the website today. I am road testing one of them by doing lots of drawings and applying watercolour. I am very pleased (really!)– the paper stock is great and my supplier has done a good job putting the book together.

Oh, I also started a Facebook page, so if you visit and click the “LIKE” button, you will receive updates. If you do visit the links, please let me know what you think.

By the way, please meet my business partner at DottedSquare.com (below)

LyonDottedSquare

I wish you all a Happy Weekend.

22 comments:

  1. Great tips and gorgeous work!
    Especially like the tip about having 2 sketchbooks while working outside in case one is wet with work!
    Never thought of that! :)
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  2. great tips and love that drawing... like Mary I never thought to have another ready to go while it the other is wet ...xx

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  3. Your illustrations are wonderful!! I appreciate you sharing the little art lesson!! Congratulations on those art journal, very pretty. Hope you sell lots!! Happy ppf!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Thanks Giggles. Re the journals, yes, I hope so too :). Happy weekend, Ev

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  4. beautiful art, thanks for the drawing tip and good luck with your venture!

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  5. That is a great drawing -expressive and yet detailed. I like your advice - well said. Also I would also like to add the use of a picture frame to isolate sections (your fingers or a piece of paper with a square hole). I am sure you have used that too:)

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    1. Hi Lorik
      Yes, I agree with yu. Fingers for me :). Thanks.

      Ev

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  6. Loving your ink drawing, such a wonderful scene with loads of detail. Happy PPF, Annette x

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    1. Thanks Netty. Hope you are having a nice weekend, Ev

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  7. Thanks for the wonderful hints, Evelyn. Your drawing is beautiful.

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    1. THanks Faye. Hope you are having a great weekend. Ev

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  8. That's a great idea to carry two sketchbooks, your work is great. Saludos

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    1. Thanks La Abela
      Hope you are having a good weekend, Evelyn

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  9. Hi Evelyn, found you! Good luck with your new ventures. Carole.

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  10. Good grief that's what my daughter tells me, You don't have to draw it all, just pick out what you like. . . I carry two (different sizes) even though I'm not using anything wet. Pencil sketching/drawing AND prismacolor. Sketching fast (as the group leader and definitely the best artist) is a way to become more effect in my work. Blessings, Janet PPF

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    1. Janet, sometimes I think I am too ambitious and carry too much. I think I should get a smaller bag.

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  11. I forgot to mention your painting is wonderful. You have so much on those 2 pages and they are fantastic. Blessings, Janet PPF

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