Watercolor Walks

As an artist who craves change, artistic improvement, and growth I wanted to share these warmup painting tips with anyone who this might resonate with —

I like to do morning “watercolor walks” where I snap a photo (always hunting for beauty in nature). And here is how this morning practice usually works:

After a morning walk, I will grab one of my many watercolor journals, watercolor paints and sketch with a brush only and quickly a few watercolor responses/ideas/sketches onto the watercolor paper. I use my super large iPad so I can see a photo I took, and I can sink into my painting practice.

Using the word “sketch” is important for me because it takes away any pressure to make a finished picture.

I always do a few quick sketches of the same subject (like 3) because doing at least 3 frees me! I have noticed over the years, that there are certain patterns or habits re: how I approach painting. Giving myself reflection time after I warm-up opens my learner brain up — gently — where I can be aware of my habits, release the ones I don’t want to use, and have more fun in the studio. Many of my students tell me they notice the same thing in their paintings, and that they have benefited from warm-ups like this and a post reflection time.

My first painting or sketch tends to have a lot happening all at once. I DON’T need or want to change this over-done habit — I just appreciate noticing it. I have learned that it is an integral part of how I warm up. At Artaluma (my brick and mortar community) and online, I am committed to sharing my inner “perfectly imperfect process :)” of making art with others. When I start painting, I become so enthusiastic and fast paced about my brushstrokes that I will add more colors, lines etc…on top of each other. These first paintings tend to get busy really fast.

1st Painting: Many elements

My internal artist brain is always trying to do so many things at the same time:

• composition/design
• perspective: warmer/bigger in front, etc…
• color — light/dark

2nd sketch painting: Quick and Loose

This is a “less fussy” version, less marks — less everything…

• I enjoy working on the brush strokes
• I am simplifying my ideas as I look at the source photo
• It feels like a good start

My third and final warm up

• I like this sketch the most
• I like how I simplified the shapes and began building color
• I am excited to work on a bigger version of this with shape/color variations abstracted

Part 2: Reflection

Here are the questions I will ask myself after a warm up session like this:

What do I like about each sketch?

• I like the overall composition of the 1st watercolor sketch
• I like the loose wet feel of the 2nd sketch
• I like the idea of the 3rd sketch — the simplification of shape and color for an abstracted landscape

What habits did I notice? (NOT ALL HABITS ARE BAD, I have trained myself to be aware of them…)

• Sketch 1 — getting into a rhythm and not pausing
• Sketch 2 — wet on wet, keeping everything watery
• Sketch 3 — finding a shape and wanting to repeat it

Which sketch might I want to do more work on today?

• The last sketch for shape simplification
• The 2nd sketch — wet on wet — have some fun later

Summary “Good for Me” session thoughts:

• Felt great to do my 3 quick watercolor sketches
• I love the feeling of being alone and making these
• This practice feels like the best type of self-care I can do for myself

Your turn…Try it? Let me know how it goes?