Saturday Morning Adventures With Paint

I spent a few hours this morning as a student in a couple of on-line watercolor workshops. Although I might prefer to be face to face in a workshop setting, still it’s a treat to be able to learn from artists all over the world from the comfort of your very own studio.

Thanks to Dillman’s Art Workshop Retreat in Wisconsin for sponsoring a live one hour demo paint-along with Colorado watercolorist, Janet Nunn. 

Janet works with Dr. Martin’s Hydrus Liquid Watercolors, but I improvised with my own tube paints. She demonstrated techniques featuring crumpled wax paper and a credit card. 

• Here’s my version of her winter scene. I love the energy in the sweep of the sky and the snowdrifts.

Dillman’s regularly sponsors online demonstrations with all kinds of artists. Follow their Facebook feed to be alerted to upcoming programs and enjoy replays of past sessions.

Immediately on the heels of that session, I spent two hours in another paint along workshop with UK urban sketcher, Ian Fennelly. Ian is known for his lively, detailed, colorful sketches created with Tombow markers, permanent ink liners, and watercolors. 

• Even though I live in the middle of the prairies, it was fun to imagine myself seaside as I recreated this rickety beached boat and its sentinel seagulls.

Fennelly’s session was sponsored by EtchrLab, maker of fine sketchbooks. They offer an extensive range of online mini-lab workshops at extremely reasonable prices.

There’s lots of online learning to be had if you keep your eyes and ears open. Have fun!