Watercolor Sketching in San Francisco
You’ve read about the wonderful European trips I returned from recently, but did you know that I’ll be teaching in some just-as-awesome places right here in the US in the coming year? No jet lag, no endless lines at customs, and everyone speaks English! Sound good? Well, let me tell you about one trip that I’m particularly excited about…
Next spring I’ll be teaching a 5-day workshop in fabulous San Francisco, and I’m looking forward to learning why so many people say it’s their favorite city in the US. San Francisco has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I’m finally going to have a chance to ride a cable car and see the Golden Gate Bridge – and you can, too!
We’ll be sketching the famous painted ladies on “Postcard Row”…
and I’ll show you how to capture the essence of those ornate homes without getting bogged down in all the details.
We’ll visit iconic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge…
Fishermans Wharf,
Golden Gate Park,
and other beautiful spots that will have you sketching furiously to get everything down on paper.
For a change of pace, we’ll head out of town on day five to visit the wine country of Sonoma. (The area we’ll be visiting wasn’t affected by the recent fires.)
The scenery in Sonoma is filled with panoramic views,
classic mission-style architecture, and vineyards stretching off to the horizon. I’ve been told it will remind me of Tuscany.
And a little wine tasting is sure to help us loosen up our sketches! 🙂
During our time together, I’ll be teaching you how to sketch on location and capture your memories on the pages of your travel journal. You’ll learn how to enhance your journal through the use of creative design, and I’ll help you find the perfect lettering style to fit each sketch. We’ll pull border ideas from the architecture, signage, and patterns that most people pass by without a glance, and use them to create unique frames for our watercolor illustrations.
I’ll share the watercolor painting techniques that work best for plein air sketching and give you specific lessons for painting the subjects we encounter during the workshop. And you’ll receive lots of one-on-one help throughout the sketching process, so there’s no need to worry about challenging subject matter.
In an immersion workshop like this, you’ll learn new techniques and glean fresh ideas from the instructor, your fellow students, your surroundings, and just from the experience of painting each day. You’ll take what you’ve learned and make it your own in ways that will surprise you, and your sketching will never be quite the same.
So why not join us? All the logistics will be taken care of – all you have to do is relax and enjoy recording the sights, sounds, and tastes of San Francisco in your sketchbook journal.
Reserve your place before December 31 and you’ll qualify for a reduced rate at our host hotel.
Cost: $1490.00
all art classes, transportation during the workshop, studio use, tour leader
to read more about the workshop,
And now, to get you in the mood for travel sketching, I have a fantastic giveaway that should make any sketcher’s heart race….
+
Joe Miller Signature Series
Travel Watercolor Brush
 |
| Thanks to Cheap Joe’s for donating these supplies for the giveaway! |
 |
| Keep all three palettes or be a good friend and surprise a sketching buddy with one for Christmas! |
travel painting set
by leaving a comment below.
171 Comments
Gotta love Cheap Joes!! …and you 😉
Love you, too, friend. 🙂
You should get an extra entry for being the first person to comment!
On the wrong coast. Are you going to be on the east coast next year?
I looked through your course, looks fantastic. I'm sure you will be overbooked.
I have mini-workshops at my home in western PA every month and occasionally offer two-day weekend workshops, but I don't have any of those scheduled yet for next year. I have to fit them in around my travel workshops. Also, I'll be teaching two workshops at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff in Boone, NC, in 2018. You can always find the latest workshop postings here on my blog on the US Workshops page, above. My European workshops are listed separately on their own pages.
This is a beautiful and wonderful opportunity. I just had a friend ask me this week to teach her what I know about watercolor, we could have a lot of fun with these.
Would love to join you in SF, I've been reading your blog and drooling over your adventures for awhile. I'm a history buff, so one of my favorite sites is taking the tour of Alcatraz Island. If I win, I would like you to fill the tins with your favorite colors – so I can try a new palette of colors!
Wonderful giveaway! As for San Francisco…what can I say!!! It is my hometown and full of beautiful sights to see. I don't go into the City as much as I'd like so I may have to look into signing up with your trip…it would be a sort of staycation.
Great idea! Hope it works out for you to join us. 🙂
Looks like a wonderful trip!
Glad to hear that you’ll be in San Francisco. Perhaps I’ll be able to join you.
The host hotel offers a discount if you register for the workshop before the first of the year, and you're assured of a spot in the class by signing up early. Hope it works out for you to come along!
I would love to attend one of your workshops someday!
The traveling paint set would be very handy to have!!
Looks so beautiful up there, it's on my bucket list! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway 🙂
Wish you could join us!
Oh how I wish I had the finances to attend this workshop in S.F.! LOVE that city! Thanks for the chance to win a palette!
I'm really looking forward to my visit. Wish you could come along.
Sounds like a great trip , and a great giveaway, too ! Thanks
Looks like a terrific trip. I believe you taught with The Blue Walk – I went on their Greece trip in 2016. What a magnificent experience. Your SF trip looks really nice.
Thank you for this chance to win the travel painting sets. I am always trying to figure out ways to add color to my plein air sketches on my nature walks. I usually add color after I get home. It would be so cool to try them in the field. Right now I use a water soluble graphite pencil or a sketch pen. I have never been to San Francisco, looks wonderful.
Sounds like a great trip and a great giveaway, thanks !
Wish I could win!! don't see my other comment. I am Marina from New Orleans. Went to San Francisco 25 years ago. Loved the architecture there. I am an urban sketcher, and also do travel sketchbooks.
Sounds like it's time for a return visit! I'd love to have you join us.
Lovely!
Starrfineart@live.com
Such a great place for a workshop…and the paint tin set would be a priceless little gem to take along.
it is all so beautiful, my heart is racing at the idea of the painting the 'painted ladies' the beautiful city and the potential of those travel cases!
The workshop in San Francisco is very inticing! I truly left my heart in San Francisco when I attended college nearby. I fell in love with the City, but was never able to live there. Your giveaway is truly a gift that I would enjoy.
Looks like a fabulous trip to SF. And a super giveaway too! Thanks for the opportunities! I live in NE Ohio – wondering if you ever teach closer to home?
I teach monthly mini-workshops here at my home, about an hour south of Pittsburgh. I also offer a few two-day workshops, usually related to sketchbook journaling, here at my place each year. Watch the listings on my US Workshops page (above) to see the latest workshop listings. I'm still working on my 2018 schedule, so I'll be adding more to what's there now. You can also get on my email list to be notified of upcoming classes. Just write to me at ljfehling@gmail.com.
What a wonderful opportunity! Love your teaching and materials!
Would love to go to your workshop. Alas, it is pretty far away. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you.
Love following you.
I visited San Francisco for the first time in September, loved it. Your art looks fabulous.
SanFrancisco what a magical place to paint! If…I had some lovely travel palettes … maybe I could zip down there and join you! Wish me luck on the draw! Thank you for sharing your passion for painting ! Carla from Vancouver Island BC
You're so close – you should come! Good luck on the drawing. I'd love to visit British Columbia someday. It must be so beautiful.
The workshop looks wonderful. 😀 So does the giveaway. Thanks for the chance to at least win one of these sets.
An amazing give-away! One can never have too many palettes. The travel brush is stunning.
Awesome news that you are doing a workshop in SF!! I so wish I can join – still figuring out the timing and finances. Those travel sets look awesome too! Would love to be entered in the giveaway.
You're entered. I'd love to have you join the party in San Francisco. Hope you can work things out to come.
Very generous Leslie!
I'd love to attend an event like this! It will be an amazing experience!
I wish you good luck. 🙂
I'm really excited for the give-away! 🙂
Thanks for a chance to win. There are so many good places to sketch in San Francisco. Washington Square is a good two fer: both St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and Coit Tower can be sketched from that location. Mission Delores Park is a fun spot as well with palm trees and the city skyline from the upper slopes.
Thanks for your input – I hope to make it to some of those spots. Can't wait!
Love your blog and the giveaway! Count me in. 🙂
Love your blog 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea! Thanks for the contest. Now, I need to check out your San Francisco workshops!
Leslie,,,,,,oh I love San Francisco! I lived one hour north in Sonoma County–the city is so fascinating with its variety of architecture, the natural setting, the views! and Sonoma County–it can't be beat, the best of California. I can show you around–it makes my heart happy just thinking about it! xox, Sandy
It sounds wonderful. When I was offered the chance to do this workshop, I jumped at it. I've wanted to see SF for years.
Thanks for the opportunity to own new supplies! Gotta love Cheap Joe's, too. Your workshop sounds fabulous and might have to put it on my short list 🙂
I'd love to have you join us – sign up soon to make sure you get a spot! You can always ask Santa……:)
Wow, how beautiful is your work (!) and how I wish I could join you — this looks absolutely magical. And what a gorgeous collection, the travel-set!!! xo
I remember looking at this San Francisco workshop earlier. Very tempting! So nice of you to add this giveaway.
Evalyn from Vancouver
Give in to temptation! Life is short – take the workshop. 🙂
Looks like a wonderful time! I love the idea of recording a memorable trip with brush in hand….although I haven’t had much luck implementing that idea! I hope to enjoy more free time soon. Love the little travel palettes!
What a wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance!!
This giveaway is wonderful. I have been to San Francisco twice and love it so much. Fisherman's Wharf has the best food. There is a dynamic bookstore called City Lights and China town is a must see. This is a city you need to visit more than once. I so with I could afford to attend your class; but it is not in the cards.
I appreciate your taking the time to give me your suggestions. Wish you could join us!
Love the giveaway…. hope your workshop goes well… thanks
San Francisco would be wonderful, but I'll even be happy if I could make it to one of your workshops in Prosperity, PA! That is a westward trip for me from Eastern PA. Hope to make it in 2018.
I hope you do get a chance to pop in for a workshop in 2018. It's a pretty drive from the eastern part of the state. When I drive to Maine, half the trip is getting through PA!
What a beautiful workshop idea! Thank you for the chance to win the watercolor set
Thanks for sharing this delightful blog as well as the chance to win the prize. How fun!
San Francisco will be a fabulous place to paint!
I love reading your informative blog!
Wow! Those palette sizes are great. Thank you for offering such a generous giveaway. Best wishes on your San Fransisco workshop!
very cool!
Would love to attend your workshop and thanks for the give-away!
Any chance you might be able to join us?
I've been wanting a paint kit just like these😉 your workshop sounds amazing.
Amazing…would love to be able to use these when I'm out and about aswell as at home… an artists dream! 👩🎨💚🙏🌱
Those tins are adorable! Your workshop sounds fantastic too…
You are going to be in my city- will try to participate-
I'd love to have you join us for the workshop. Should be a fun five days. 🙂 If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ljfehling@gmail.com.
Take #5…sheesh!!!
Look very forward to the next time our paths cross, maybe in SF?!?!
‼️😘‼️
Finally! Glad you persevered with your attempts to post. You're such a FABULOUS sketcher after all the painting you did in your Greece sketchbook, San Francisco would be pure fun for you. I think you've had a breakthrough!
You’ve helped me open many new “aha” moments!!!
Count me in for this wonderful giveaway! And thanks for introducing me to these travel palettes. They look like just what I need.
This looks such an amazing set. I would use it for field sketchbooks, painting on the go, plein-air.
Wow love the travel palettes! I will be checking out the blog and the workshops 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win.
Never been to SF – wish it weren't so very far away. Would love to participate.
Really cool blog. Thanks for posting the give away to draw attention to it. It should be a great one to follow. Cheers!
I'd love to win! If you are into small batch chocolate makers and sipping chocolate go to Dandelions in San Francisco!
Sounds yummy!
Such great detail into planning! All the places are great sketching spots, and although I've personally never visited, my friends who did told me they had a fabulous time in San Francisco.
Thank you for the raffle and chance to win!
I Love plein air, especially if it's in San Francisco!
Boys are allowed. 🙂 Think about joining us for the workshop.
I would enjoy sketching in SF!!
What a fantastic give-away! sign me up.
Would it be considered stalking if I turn up at all of your workshops? Don't worry, I can't afford to do that. 😀 But I am considering the San Francisco one. The palettes are cute, and I'd love to win one.
Do you remember Candy talking about how many of my workshops she's attended? Every European one and most of my US ones. And she even went to Tuscany twice with me. So you're not even close to being my biggest stalker. Come to San Francisco, so you can give Candy a run for her money. 🙂 I haven't asked her if she's coming to SF yet. Maybe you guys could even room together if she decides to come.
Good luck with the giveaway!!
Trying once more! Would love to try that 50/50 brush!…….. ~Aeron Elizabeth
Thank you for thinking of us and clarifying!
Oh to be near San Francisco. Maybe another time when time and money are available. Thanks for the giveaway Leslie. Very kind of you!
Thanks for offering this give-away! Hae never been to San Francisco but your wkshp would be a perfectly fun time to visit with other artists.
It's the best way to travel. Great people, wonderful locations, and enough time to do what we love – sketch! Do come – you'll love it!
Wow! Great giveaway!
Wow! What a nice giveaway! Thank you!
What a great giveaway! Thanks for a chance to win!
Good luck everyone….looks like a cute set to own.
Thank you for the lovely giveaway! I wish I could take your workshop but I'll be attending a wedding in England at that time. I'll mark it on the calendar though, in case there is a change in plans.
What a great giveaway! I actually live just outside of Sacramento. I wish I got to San Francisco more than I do now, it's such a gorgeous spot!
I have been meaning to get more serious about watercoloring. Thank you for the chance
I'll be in SF a couple of weeks before your workshop. Wish I could be there then!
Interested.
Joan Brown
Interested in the workshop? Click on over to the French Escapade website for all the details. The link is in the post above. Hope you'll be joining us!
That's a great place to be sketching. More to see than you would ever have time for.
Oooh! I'm not very good at watercolor (yet) but I'd love to keep learning. I LOVE SF, so maybe I will come to this. This looks like such fun!
Do think about coming, it's going to be so much fun, and I always pack my workshops with a ton of great information. I share my approach to sketchbook journaling plus lots of helpful watercolor techniques. And I guarantee you'll meet the nicest people. Visit the French Escapade website to register. Hope to see you there!
Also, I love the little travel set! So cute! The contest is what got me here, but I'm surprised to find myself interested in the workshop!
What a fabulous give-away – so generous of you! Your workshops look fabulous too ��
What an amazing giveaway! Love Cheap Joe's! Your pictures are beautiful. Blessings!
That travel set is calling me! I have a new 7 month old granddaughter who is half way across the country. Would love to be able to take a set like this with me each time I visit her! Your workshops look amazing! That would be a bucket list trip for me! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!
I would love to see you at the Palace of Fine Arts. I'm about an hour south of SF. Not sure I can do the whole week. The travel paletts are supper!
Love to enter for the draw. Can Canadian's enter? We don't have a Cheap Joe's here unfortunately.
Sure, I can ship the set to Canada if you win. You'll have to leave your email in the comments, so I can get in touch with you if you get lucky, or just check back on Friday when the winner is announced.
The San Francisco workshop sounds fabulous! I love your blog and your work!
Sounds like an amazing trip
Wonderful workshop coming up, I would love to join you so will check my schedule. Super giveaway, thanks for giving us the chance to win.
Hope you can make it, Debra!
I cannot think of a more wonderful place to have a workshop with you than San Francisco! How exciting!
Thank you for this opportunity! I love your artwork and Cheap Joes too.
What an exciting workshop! I loved walking through China Town, such bright colors and fun architecture… I wish I would’ve taken the time to paint while I was there.
I live in Berkeley across the Bay so I am dazzled by the magic City every morning while walking my dog at Point Isabel (when the fog hasn’t rolled in). I would love to join your workshop and learn how to put a Painted Lady in my sketchbook.
Hope you will join us for the workshop, Susan. It's going to be a fun week. 🙂
love painting, love cheap joe's, and love, love, love your work!
Cant wait to join u on May at Cheap Joes!!
That's such a fun workshop, and being at Cheap Joe's is a great experience. They treat their students like royalty! See you there!
This looks like such a wonderful workshop…I wish I was able to attend. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great give-a-away!
I live right outside San Francisco too, I would love to attend, am checking it out. Thank you for the giveaway, the tins are so cute!
I hope you'll be able to join us in SF. Should be a fun week.
The trip sounds wonderful and so does your giveaway! I love your art journaling style and all of your beautiful posts. Thank you for the information on the travel brush – looks like a future investment!
I have found that I use that brush alomst exclusively when I'm painting on location. Let me know how you like it.
The workshop looks wonderful! Thank you for your generous giveaway.
Any workshop you teach is filled with knowledge, inspiration, and fun, wish I could join you.
Thanks, Pat. See you in Maine!
Your San Francisco trip sounds fabulous. I am taking your May class at Cheap Joe's in Boone, NC — looking forward to it!
I'm looking forward to meeting you, Katherine. I love teaching at Cheap Joe's – everyone has such a good time. We really seem to bond over paint and paper (and shopping in the outlet store that's VERY conveniently located next to the classroom!)
Wow! This is awesome!!!
San Fransisco is both a big city and extremely intimate… Like Portland Oregon, you can get to know it within a short time and feel comfortable. the architecture is amazing, the food is better, and the people are sublime!
I've looked forward to seeing San Francisco for a long time. And experiencing it with a group of sketchers should make it even better!
Sounds fabulous! Wish I could make it. Will you be having any other workshops in northern or central California?
I'm afraid not, Billie. I'll be in San Clemente in November, but that's at the other end of the state. I hear flights inside California are very inexpensive, though, so you may want to look into it. Details are on my US Workshops page.
I'm signed up for your Florida workshop, though SF sounds wonderful, too. I can't wait to meet you.
I'm looking forward to teaching at Keeton's in January. Their new classrooom looks so nice, and I think you'll love the workshop.
I love the square tin and look forward to your trip to SF.
How generous of you! Thanks for doing this. Your workshop looks wonderful, too.
Love these!!!
Looks like another fabulous trip!!! Very interesting!
How fun would this be!! Thank you for the giveaway Leslie, and for reminding me of this upcoming adventure. It looks like so much fun, and in one of the best cities in the country. I don't know if there is a more scenic location than San Francisco!
What fun! I love the views and bridges of San Francisco. All the downhills to the water.
What a wonderful trip that would be! I'm on the East Coast and as an earlier commenter asked: will you be doing a workshop on our side of the country any time soon?
I'll be in Florida, Maine, and North Carolina, plus my home in western PA, in 2018. I don't have my home classes on the schedule yet but will in a week or so. You can see my upcoming schedule on the US Workshops page above.
Sounds like a dream trip and a very fun give-away. I love following your adventures and artwork. 😉
Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Ooh, what fun! I wish i could go on all of your adventures, dear friend! It is sure to be a great time. Me,me, me for the adorable box set! Joe is So great…can i get an extra entry for being the LAST to comment. 😉 xoxo
You silly girl!
Sounds like a wonderful adventure. Maybe I can join you. All depends on my husbands health.
I hope your husband's health improves and it works out for you to come.
LOVE San Fran! Thanks for hosting the give away! Hope I win! 🙂
Congratulations! You're the lucky winner, Tracy. Email me at ljfehling@gmail.com to claim your prize. 🙂
Hi Leslie,
Everything about the San Francisco area looks so beautiful. Those Victorian homes are gorgeous. I can't wait to hear what instructions you give about painting something so detailed. I hope you have a great trip and I'd love to win your giveaway!
With a couple of mini-travel pallets it's nice to have a variety of sizes. Haven't tried these from #CheapJoes.In case I am not the lucky winner it would be valuable to know which paints/colors you would use to fill the pallets. Which "must have" colors for the mini? Which luxury colors in the largest? And then how do you arrange your selection for mixing?
Sounds like a good topic for a blog post!
A wonderful giveaway which fits perfectly with the trip to San Francisco and the workshop!
Do you ever have workshops in the midwest?
I don't have any scheduled at this time. I've had lots of people drive from Ohio for two-days workshops, though.
The post is so inticing, San Francisco is so colorful!
Sounds like a wonderful event. April should be a great time of year in San Francisco. My fondest memories of San Francisco are a bit dated. When I was younger and living in the East bay of California, we used to sneak off to the "big city". I was dating a boy in the army who was stationed at the Presidio. We had great times. My Mom hated me going to the city saying my car would break down. One time it did, but I wasn't going to let my Mom know. Luckily my date was handy with tools! I've visited a few times since then and still remember the good times. The City is still as lovely as ever, with perhaps a little more traffic.
Such great memories you have, Stephanie! Thanks for sharing.
Love your art. You are inspiring!!!
Deanna
Thanks so much, Deanna.
Would love to win the set. Hope it's not too late to enter but as I'm in London, perhaps the 5 hour time difference may help. Will look out for your next workshops on this side of the pond. Maria
I'll have workshops in Sicily and Northern Italy in 2018. See details on this website. Hope you can join us!