Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Sunny and Cloudy Days in CA














SUNNY DAY. Painted in the car on the way from Scotts Valley
to Monterey.  What a beautiful drive through the farms,  fields
and layers of hills as a backdrop. Every so often a bump in the
road would make a loop or mark not needed.











GRAY DAY. In the car and on our way to Capitola, near Santa Cruz.
It would drizzle and clear up, drizzle and clear up,
but the sun never did come out.
Still beautiful, but in a whole different way.













Sketching only. Sometimes I just sketch the simple shapes I see.

Artist Note.

I took my watercolors with me on vacation and was happy
to get some painting done.
Traveling with watercolors is easier than oils.
I have this little box I have owned for over 30 years.
















I have a round and flat travel brush. Both sable. I love the way
you slip them in and out ot the tube.
A use Holbein water spray to moisten my paints and
sometimes the paper.  I also fill the bottle which
comes with the box. You can see it cleverly doubles as
a palette surface.. There was another little flap too, but it broke
off years ago so I pack the plastic lid off my greek yogurt. Nice
and flat - it slips into the bag which is a neat 8x 10". and it fits
easily into my purse.












The two small sketching/watercolor
books I like. They both have a
system for closing tight to stop a
curl in paper. The Holbein and
moleskin
The Moleskin I get is a good size
for landscapes
It can pop into a 5x7' opening
of an 8x10 readymade  mat.
Notice my name and phone
in a large size. Same inside the
Moleskin.
I lost one once but never again!
Oops... I just noticed my
area code has changed since then.
Good I am doing this.



Below is a painting my granddaughter, Caroline Oliver did.
She has just turned 6 and loves to draw and paint.













I was teaching her the different ways to hold the brush in
this one. Start with the tip of the brush then push down to make
leaves and petals.  And make centers to the flowers.
It is lovely - proud grandmother!

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40 comments:

  1. How fun to see someone else's images of places in CA that I have been to many times. It's so pretty in that area and like you said, it really does have its own beautiful charm. Thank you.

    Great little travel kit you have there-wish mine was a little smaller like that. And please tell your grand daughter she is doing a great job and to keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky you getting to travel those beautiful areas. I love the farming areas as well as the ocean scenes.
      Thanks for the neat message for Caroline.

      Love your latest painting of the boy in the tire.

      Delete
  2. Love the watercolors and your graphite sketch, Julie!
    Thanks for the peek at your traveling gear!
    From the looks of Caroline's floral, she's ready for the galleries!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dean. Talking about galleries I was in Carmel for a couple of days and saw a lot of art. It appears the real estate market is coming back but not the art sales. Caroline will have time!

      Love the Spotlight Cow. Your cool shadows really make it powerful.

      Delete
  3. Love your compact travel set up with watercolors. Simplifying really is key, with oils I stick with just primaries plus white.Look the work you did, especially that grey day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your painting of the ocean was so spot on with the values and color after just seeing being out there and seeing the real thing.
      I have a hard time on your blog with the different format. I hope you got my comment.

      Delete
  4. Welcome home, I hope you had a pleasant trip. I love the sketches. I know I should do some color sketches to find new ideas and approaches, but for now it is enough to have one of my inspiration back online.

    Educational as usual. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the neat comments, Roger. They are very much appreciated.
      So... pine cones are your new inspiration. Amazing how you can take a simple object like that and make it sparkle and move. Looking forward to seeing the rest.

      Delete
  5. Two beautiful paintings and I love the sketch.
    It sounds like you had a wonderful time, Julie!.I have a watercolor set that belonged to my Dad..and I look at it all the time and wonder if I can paint with water...like you said it would be wonderful for traveling!!! and it looks like Caroline is walking in your footsteps with her beautiful painting..I can see you'll be such an inspiration to this future artist!!!

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  6. Hilda dear, you should first try dry brush work with your dads watercolor kit. It is pretty similar to using pastel. Andrew Wyeth was a master of drybrush. You mix your watercolor with less water than what you would use for the washes. Most artist do a color wash underneath - just like a lot of pastel artists do. After that you blot your brush before dipping it into the damp paint. You draw with the brush like using a stick of pastel.
    Different shaped brushes produce different effects.
    Thanks for the sweet comment about Caroline.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your watercolor sketches are stunning Julie!I love your well used watercolor pans and thanks for sharing your traveling gear with us.Your granddaughter is surely walking in your footsteps- beautiful brushwork!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice of you to write such a positive comment. Thanks. I enjoyed seeing your powerful entry in the DPW Challenge.

      Delete
  8. Your granddaughter's piece is lovely indeed and would look awesome framed and hung in the right spot. Love your little watercolors and sketches, Julie. I so wish I could draw like that. I guess I just need way more practice. I just have a hard time finding time and when I have that, I seem to lack energy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sherry - if you just learn to see shapes and not in volume drawing becomes easier. I really liked your textural painting. Hope you do more.

      Delete
  9. Hi Julie, I just bought your fracturing technique. I have to say, that is absolutely the best money I ever spent. I know personally how daunting it is to teach something that you have learned intuitively by yourself. You demonstrated with grace and humility and were extremely generous with your knowledge, thankyou so much, Leesa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a wonderful comment for me to read. Thank you so much Leesa. I hope you have fun developing your own spin on it. I looked at your lovely work and was very impressed with what you do and particularly the dog. I will be following your work.

      Delete
  10. Excellent post--and a super inspiration for me today, because I think I get to visit a very nice area, but I may not be able to have the time to do a full-fledged painting. I have that same winsor newton watercolor kit. It is a brilliant design. -I googled the Holbein water spray (had not heard of it) and I am happy to learn of it and how is is a special fine mist. I will look for one! thanks for the info! Your paintings and sketches and granddaughter painting are all beauuuuutiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Celeste - hope your painting day was great. Will look forward to seeing your painting. The water spray is perfect for travel and small paintings.
      Love your warm umbrella painting. I use one here for the sun daily.
      Thanks for including Miss Caroline in your comment.

      Delete
  11. Hi Julie. I love that you paint in the car! I'll have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim - thanks. Hope you do try it. Time passes so quickly when you do.
      tried to see your work but not sure how to navigate Google circles.

      Delete
  12. Julie, what beautiful sketches! And I love your granddaughter's painting! Is it by any chance for sale? I have a painting of flowers in my hallway that my niece did when she was about 7, she is 14 now. Love the easiness and the bright colors!
    It needs a companion...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How sweet -not a chance I would part with it, but will let her know you liked it so much.
      Tried to navigate to your art through your comment and could not get past Google Circles.

      Delete
  13. lovely jubbly fantastic thanks so much

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    ReplyDelete
  14. Your little granddaughter is very lucky to have a master painter grandmother like you , and you can already see it runs in the family :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a lovely comment. thanks Jane. I enjoyed seeing your new still life and also your two nudes. You can paint everything well.

      Delete
  15. So glad you had a great vacation. Don't you love to watch the little ones create? Even a simple post like this one had so much information for me. thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So am I - it was beautiful in California. You are lucky to live there. The flowers you did for the challenge are really wonderful.

      Delete
  16. Dear Julie, it's nice to share your joy of painting on the go, even with the brilliant granddaughter!

    Your sketchbook sings!!!

    I hung the paintings for my first group exhibition, are small steps of a journey during which I can thank many people who have encouraged me, even from a distance, but close in my heart, as you did!
    Have wonderful days of summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rita. I am excited to hear about your exhibition. I know it will be very successful as your paintings are truly beautiful. You are the master of encouragement and you deserve accolades from us all who have felt your support.

      Delete
  17. I have always considered that your painting, Julie, is a top class, until I saw a picture of your granddaughter. She is maestro di tutti i maestri :)

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    Replies
    1. What a nice thing to say - thanks so much Maga. Your new floral is so strong and beautiful.

      Delete
  18. Once again,a valuable post providing me with the timely and excellent info! Lovely sketches and your granddaughter's is so appealing and lively! She has a rich color sense just like you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think her color sense is better because it is intuitive. I know too much and it takes away that special freshness.
      You did a fabulous job with the water in your new painting. Wow!.

      Delete
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  22. Julie - I think your granddaughter just may follow in her proud grandma's steps. I am amazed that you were able to paint as you traveled. Also thank you for sharing your light set-up. Your work proves that one doesn't need a loaded suitcase of art supplies to create something beautiful. Hope you are enjoying your time with the family. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love this post Julie...glad I looked back and saw it. Your granddaughter's piece is so great! I bet it is such a joy to paint with her.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a wonderful set up for painting on the way. Your latest Farmer's Market paintings are great too.

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  25. brilliant plein air sketches julie it's a treat to see some of your watercolours .... you must have enjoyed time with your grand daughter

    ReplyDelete

I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie