“Grapevines and Birds”, 9″ x 12″ watercolor
by Evy Okerstrom
“The scene was painted when I visited my Aunt Lennie Richardson last month. The grapevine attracted so many birds, it was fun to watch as well as paint.”
In June, our Wednesday Sketching with Watercolor, Pen & Ink class continued to study basic techniques. We used Sarah Simon’s watercolor workbook. One Lesson included exercises on controlling where your paint goes. Called boundaries, there are 3, we tried out. Defined, Loose and undefined. Most of us tend to paint realistically so we favored the defined style. However, it was good to try some of the other styles, and discover painting out of the box is a new adventure. The Wednesday classes at Trinity Lutheran Church are from 1 to 4 pm.
Painting Example:
Defined Boundary
Painting Example:
Loose Boundary
Painting Example:
Undefined Boundary
I took a week off to visit family in Bedford, VA. Bedford has a lively art scene, especially at the Bower Center for the Arts. The Arts Center was originally a church from 1874. It opened in 2006 and now has artist studios, a gallery and classrooms. (https://www.bowercenter.org) Next door, the Bedford Library features a beautiful garden for children.
I have new cards available, and I am working on my 2025 Calendar, which should be ready by September. I will keep you updated next month. I will be teaching on Thursdays at the Hub starting September 19th until November 14th, 2024. Classes will be 1 to 4 pm. The theme will be Urban Sketching. I will have more on what book and supplies will be needed next month.
Thank you for reading, and Happy 4th of July!
“French Village” and “Potted Plant”
“Boat at Night”
Pablo Picasso. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind.