After three days in Paris, we were finally heading for Provence! We all met our tour director, Jackie (from French Escapade) and her assistant, Marie, at the train station in Avignon. It was a relief to finally turn over all the decision-making to someone else! I knew they would have things well in hand, but […]
Category: Sketching
“Fickle February” Sketch + Step-by-Step Swirly Vine Border
Last month it seemed like the weather just couldn’t make up its mind. We experienced snow, rain, ice, fog, sleet, high winds, and warm sunshine here in western Pennsylvania. After the weeks of extended cold in January, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw crocus leaves pushing their way up through the melting […]
Super Simple Slip-On Sketchbook Cover
Have you ever heard of oilcloth? It’s a finely woven cotton fabric that has a waterproof vinyl coating applied to one side. I happened to spy some cute oilcloth on the clearance table at Hobby Lobby the other day and thought, “Wouldn’t that make a great sketchbook cover?” So, I snapped up a half yard […]
How to Paint a Snow-Covered Evergreen Tree – Technique #2
(This is the second in a series on how to paint a snow-covered evergreen tree. Read about Technique #1 in this post.) Snow-covered evergreen trees are a complex subject to paint. There are so many branches and layers and angles – how do you know where to start? This technique breaks the painting process down […]
How to Paint a Snow-Covered Evergreen Tree – Technique #1
It’s been snowing and blowing for weeks here in western Pennsylvania, with temperatures below zero some nights and highs in the teens. What better time, then, to paint snow-covered evergreens? I have two different techniques for painting snow on evergreen trees. Here’s a condensed version of the instructions for Technique #1 – click to enlarge […]
Travel Sketching Supplies
I’ve done a lot of traveling in the past few years, and I’m happy to say that I think I’ve finally figured out what sketching supplies to pack, whether I’m heading down the road or across the Atlantic. I thought you might like to see what’s in my bag…. My travel sketching supplies (click to […]
The Greek Isles: Naxos and Santorini
Blue Domes of Santorini – 6″ x 5″ ink & watercolor sketch on Kilimanjaro 140 lb. watercolor paper After leaving quiet, laid-back Amorgos (read about it in this post), we moved on to the island of Naxos. It was a place that seemed “just right”. Not too big and touristy but with more shopping and […]
Tuscany Review
It seems like a year ago when my mother and I posed for this picture at Pittsburgh International. We hoped the next four weeks would bring wonderful new people and places into our lives. And they did! Me and my mother, Saundra, ready for another travel adventure! We were keeping our fingers crossed that there […]
Catching Up Before I’m off Again
It’s been pretty quiet around the Everyday Artist blog lately, hasn’t it? With three trips to Europe in three months, I’ve been a tad busy. I’m leaving on trip #3 tomorrow (3 1/2 weeks of teaching in Florence, Tuscany, Athens and the Greek Isles), but I’ve missed talking with you all and thought it would […]
Family Fun in the Sun!
Ahhhh, the beach! It’s one place where I can truly veg out and relax. I park myself in the shade with a good book and the hours pass without even noticing. Granted, when you add four grandchildren to the mix, there’s less uninterrupted quiet time, but that’s okay, too. They love the beach as much […]
