Workshops aren't for sissys!

Marker sketch of the mannequin on the right

Last night, I took a workshop at one of my favorite art supply stores, Wet Paint, located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.  Don Colley was the instructor.  From Chicago, he is the representative for Faber Castell Pitt Markers.  He showed us several of his incredible sketch books and talked about his process of sketching for the first hour.  I was so scared to begin sketching when he gave us several items to choose to sketch.  I sketch totally different than he explained to us!  My friend, Janice Morris, came with me, and we had a ball!  Anyway, this sketch was fixed up by Don Colley, so if you think it's good, it's because he did most of it!  I loved watching him work, and learned so much.  I even bought a small woman mannequin, so I could practice perfecting the drawing process.  He usually starts with a tan or grey paper, and then when he needs a lighter color, he used a white pencil or marker.  I really liked the Faber Castell markers.  Now to practice, practice, practice!!!!

Wire Drawings

 

"Flower Child"  watercolor and markers, 11" x 14",  $145

It's been awhile since I've blogged.  Busy with workshops and travels.  This was my demo for a recent home studio workshop. The students did beautiful paintings and were as excited as I was, when they learned how to do these!  It's again the process of what I call, "wire drawings".  I love the imaginative shapes that this process creates.  It's too hard to explain on paper, so you will have to come to one of my workshops to learn the process.  I'm teaching this process in 2 separate workshops coming up.  One is in Watertown, SD on August 26 and 27th.  Contact Jennifer Stone for info on that one:  jstone@wat.midco.net  The other one is  a 3 day workshop from November 3-5th in White Bear Lake, MN. (this is a northern suburb of Minneapolis)  It's packed with info on wire drawings, charcoal pours, and incorporating both these techniques into abstract paintings!  Contact the White Bear Center for the Arts at 651-407-0597.