Often, artists take workshops, read magazines or page through books that suggest new techniques or approaches. It’s inspiring and informative, and I’ll freely admit I learned to watercolor from books. John Pike was my mentor and a lovely man. Zoltan Szabo, Milford Zornes, Rex Brandt, Dong Kingman and so many more sparked my imagination and my desire to pick up a brush and try again.
Later, books by people like Burton Silverman, Andrew Wyeth and John Blockley joined my inspirations. I continue to add favorites today. I didn’t paint what they painted, but I learned from their approaches and techniques, as I hope you will from this book.
Some people enjoy monthly, weekly or daily challenges where they do their own interpretation of a suggested theme. I’m going to suggest something a bit different. Challenge yourself. The exercises in this book are a good way of doing just that.
Try to remain mindful of your own feelings. Give yourself some time to react. When you’re out somewhere, don’t jump right into a sketch, but look around and see what really moves you. Ask yourself what you’re feeling and why.
If you’re at a museum or gathering, or even in your own home, walk around a little until something stops you in your tracks. Hold your hand over it if you wish, or pick it up and see if you can feel any reaction. Does it feel warm and friendly? Uncomfortable? Sweetly sentimental? Do you like or love it? Does it remind you of a wonderful time with a loved one, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip? Sketch that. Explore fully how it makes you feel.
Find a place that speaks to your heart. I’ve painted this old barn any number of times as it slowly returns to the soil. I sat in my Jeep one cold winter day and sketched the barn from the window. As you see, the sketch was both fast and simplified, but it’s one of my favorites. It reminds me of my family, full of farmers, and of my own farm, back in the ‘70s. It recalls history, usefulness, hope, hard work and the simple beauty of these old structures.