After three days in Paris, we were finally heading for Provence! We all met our tour director, Jackie (from French Escapade) and her assistant, Marie, at the train station in Avignon. It was a relief to finally turn over all the decision-making to someone else! I knew they would have things well in hand, but […]
Category: Sketches
France Sketchbook – Day 3 – Versailles (continued)
I spent ten wonderful days in France last summer, and I’ve been working off and on to finish up my travel journal from the trip ever since then. I posted my sketches from Paris right after the trip but never got around to posting anything from my time in Provence. I’ve been loving working on […]
“Fickle February” Sketch + Step-by-Step Swirly Vine Border
Last month it seemed like the weather just couldn’t make up its mind. We experienced snow, rain, ice, fog, sleet, high winds, and warm sunshine here in western Pennsylvania. After the weeks of extended cold in January, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw crocus leaves pushing their way up through the melting […]
How to Paint a Snow-Covered Evergreen Tree – Technique #2
(This is the second in a series on how to paint a snow-covered evergreen tree. Read about Technique #1 in this post.) Snow-covered evergreen trees are a complex subject to paint. There are so many branches and layers and angles – how do you know where to start? This technique breaks the painting process down […]
How to Paint a Snow-Covered Evergreen Tree – Technique #1
It’s been snowing and blowing for weeks here in western Pennsylvania, with temperatures below zero some nights and highs in the teens. What better time, then, to paint snow-covered evergreens? I have two different techniques for painting snow on evergreen trees. Here’s a condensed version of the instructions for Technique #1 – click to enlarge […]
The Greek Isles: Naxos and Santorini
Blue Domes of Santorini – 6″ x 5″ ink & watercolor sketch on Kilimanjaro 140 lb. watercolor paper After leaving quiet, laid-back Amorgos (read about it in this post), we moved on to the island of Naxos. It was a place that seemed “just right”. Not too big and touristy but with more shopping and […]
Catching Up Before I’m off Again
It’s been pretty quiet around the Everyday Artist blog lately, hasn’t it? With three trips to Europe in three months, I’ve been a tad busy. I’m leaving on trip #3 tomorrow (3 1/2 weeks of teaching in Florence, Tuscany, Athens and the Greek Isles), but I’ve missed talking with you all and thought it would […]
Family Fun in the Sun!
Ahhhh, the beach! It’s one place where I can truly veg out and relax. I park myself in the shade with a good book and the hours pass without even noticing. Granted, when you add four grandchildren to the mix, there’s less uninterrupted quiet time, but that’s okay, too. They love the beach as much […]
France Sketchbook – Day 3 – Versailles
The palace of Versailles began in the early 17th century as a modest hunting camp for King Louis VIII, but around 1661 King Louis XIV decided it just wasn’t quite enough for him. He embarked upon a period of expansion that lasted 33 years, making Versailles the world’s largest royal domain. 6″ x 8″, ink […]
France Sketchbook – Paris Edibles
Summer does get busy, doesn’t it? We were away at the beach in Oak Island, NC, last week, and I barely had time to get the laundry done before I had to start getting ready for a two-day “Sketch It Now” workshop here at Summerhill this weekend. Then on Tuesday I’ll be flying off to […]
