No Photos Again!

I just can't seem to get my head around the need to take photos when I give a class. This afternoon I again spent some time with the TAPS people and the students from Wildflower. I was so busy talking and teaching that taking photos completely slipped my mind.

I can, however, show you the pieces I did to prepare for the 'class' and outline what was done.

When I first started teaching beginner art, I used the 'basic shapes' method to show people how to draw. People seem to get bogged down and I often heard things like 'I can't draw a circle' or 'I can't draw a straight line'. My response? "Can you print the alphabet?" Thus was born my version of "Alphabet Art".

Life on the Prairies

 Except for the rolling hills, everything in the above picture was drawn using these letters: H, L, B, V, O, T, A (with out the cross bar) and I.

Life in the Valley

For this picture I added a row of K's to make the mountains in the background. I also took an unfair advantage when drawing the barn because I couldn't think of a letter that would give me the right shape. For those of you shaking your head's, in some cases you need to turn the paper sideways to get the right effect.

Life in the City

Today I started by showing everyone how they could draw certain subjects - houses, trees, bushes, windows and doors. Once they all had the idea I invited them to draw a picture of where they grew up or the best place they ever lived and to share their stories with the group. I spent the rest of my time visiting, listening to their stories and offering suggestions of things to add to their drawings (it surprised me to see a few outhouses in some of the pictures- lol). Everyone seemed to have a great time and it was nice to bring back some memories to some of the seniors.

After seeing that some of the kids put stick figures in their drawings I added a few more letters to the lesson.

Not the best photo but I hope you get the idea. The boy starts with an H for his body, V's for the arms, O for the head, and W for the legs. The girl starts with an X and the rest is the same.

Of course, the letters get a bit distorted and the final result is tidied up but the basics are simply letters that we use everyday. I hope this encourages you to think up your own drawings based on the alphabet and if you do please share them!

Painting Day

Every once in a while my friend, Linda, drives the 2 hours from Nelson, BC to spend the day with me so we can paint together.

Linda in my studio

It is always a fascinating time because Linda likes trying new things and every time she visits I end up painting something I never would have painted on my own.

Today she brought a tutorial of a painting by Frank Webb - "Bill's Lumberyard" that she printed from the internet.

my painting

I have a few samples of Frank Webb's art in one of my painting books so I might try this style again just to see if I can.

Over the years, Painting Days with Linda have taken me in a number of different directions that I might not have traveled on my own.

Other Worldly

Sometimes we will use one of our painting books for ideas. For "Other Worldly" we looked at "Watercolor, Pour it on!" by Jan Fabian Wallake.

Master of the Farm

Sometimes we will use something from my files of reference material. I don't remember exactly what I used for this painting but I loved the rooster and hated the rest of the piece. I cut the rooster out and stuck it on another piece of paper and added a new background, creating a watercolor collage.

Wonder & Joy

Linda and I don't always paint the same subject. For "Wonder & Joy", I used a photo from a magazine and Linda painted a picture of a young boy from one of my art books. We both painted people which I would never have done without her suggestion.

Our Painting Days don't happen often because of the distance between us and the fact that we both have pretty busy lives. I don't remember how many we have had over the years but every one has given me new knowledge and ideas. Painting Days are a wonderful way to share and learn from a friend and I am so happy that Linda will take the time to come and share with me.

DAY 18 - Squeezing it in!

My granddaughter has been visiting since yesterday so I have had to squeeze today's painting in where time allowed. I have gone back to the Oriental style  today and admit that a few days off makes a difference in the ease of using the techniques - it was harder - lol!

Weeping Willow

This copy is just a small part of the instruction piece but I felt I really didn't have time for a larger piece. 'Weeping Willow' is a 4.5 x 8 watercolor on rice paper.

All of the paintings I have done for this challenge are for sale and you can find the prices in the Challenge 2015 album on my personal Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/val.vanderpoel. Contact me here or message me on FB.

For those who are following along don't forget http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.ca/ and http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.ca/ for more of the art in the challenge.

This is why my time was limited today!

When my granddaughter visits we often come up with something to create together and this weekend was no exception. We tie-dyed some clothing and fabric and here is a photo of some of the results - Jasmine is very happy with our efforts!


I think they look a bit like PJ's but then I am not 12 years old. There is another t-shirt and some fabric that will be turned into pillows next time  she visits.





There is almost always something happening when you are an artist so one is never bored and life is full of color and creativity!

DAY 10 - If at First You Don't Succeed...

Try, try again! That was one of my mother's favourite sayings and it certainly applies with this painting.

Heavy Snow

I find it extremely difficult to do washes on rice paper! Load up the brush with lots of pale bluey-gray, touch the paper and, suck, it is all absorbed before you can even move the brush. It doesn't move, won't blend and doesn't look at all like the reference photo. Grrr!

Using lots of wet paint also tends to make the paper warp so I thought I would give it a light touch with the iron. Everything that had been painted flattened but the whites all wrinkled. Another grrr!

This is definitely a scene that I will have to try again - and again and again probably - but that is all part of learning something new.

Don't forget to have a look at the other paintings submitted for this 30 day challenge -   http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.ca/ and go and vote for your favourites at - http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.ca/