Hi Lynne, I love your painting of the pond and boat. Your tutorials have helped me a lot. I am currently taking a class from the Smithsonian on "Establishing a Sketching Practice" and it's very challenging. But fun. What holds me back with making art is my reluctance to draw (I wear out the paper erasing my lines) and my lack of patience with detail! So I'm learning to be comfortable with those stumbling blocks -- and I try not to be self-critical and just do "me." Landscape tutorials help a lot, and one of my other favorite of yours a while back was the pears. Loved the pears, and mine came out very well under your tutelage. Best to you, and thanks for all of your generous teaching! --Margo
Oh, gosh! I feel you on the drawings issue. For years, I hated my drawings, and the whole process of drawing. Then one day I realized I didn’t hate them anymore. I actually kind of liked my drawings. They aren’t any better (maybe worse), so I don’t know what changed. Maybe I just did enough drawing that I got used to the look of what my hand likes to do, like getting used to the sound of your own voice on a recording. And now, when I look at a drawing, what I think of is the pleasure of that day, instead of how bad the drawing is. That’s my theory anyway. Kudos to you for taking a drawing class with the Smithsonian! I would be totally intimidated!
Hi Lynne and everyone! Wow! So wonderful! I'll explore more when I'm not so tired- henna at bachelorette party in Napa today- oh my. But fun. Did anyone else see the "painting" of a dog directly in the mixing puddles on the palette at the end of section two in the mark making video? Or was it a...?
Hello Lynne, it’s nice to meet you. I’m working my way through your sketchbook course- rather slowly because I’ve been unwell for some time - but I’m enjoying it and learning a lot.
Hi Sandi! Always a pleasure to hear from you! I hope the new Friday afternoon (here) delivery schedule works better for your time zone. (Can't believe how long it took me to realize that by Sunday morning here, the weekend is pretty much done for my Australia and New Zealand subscribers.) :P
Hi Lynne, I love your teaching methods. I've learned a lot from watching your tutorials. Thank you. I love the outdoors and nature and take zillions of photos. Then I paint the scenes in watercolor but don't change much because I love the whole scene. I know there has to be a star of the show, and that's my trouble point. I know it and still don't do it. I'll probably never change and that's discouraging.
Hi Brenda! Why do you feel there "has to be" a star of the show? I hope I didn't give you that impression. I'm not the Art Police. :) That's just one strategy for designing a painting. It's usually the one I emphasize for beginners, because it can help people simplify a scene so it's easier to handle when they don't have a lot of watercolor experience. But there are other ways to design a painting. If you're good at composing with the camera, you may be one of those artists who designs your paintings by capturing a well-composed reference photo that doesn't need many changes. I'm a terrible photographer, which is why I don't paint from photos, but if you're good at it, why not just embrace what's working for you?
Love your painting - so calming... wish I was there.
Glad I found you on your earlier website. Thank you for so generously providing your free lesson series. It's been a great way for me to get my feet wet learning to paint with watercolours after many years of hobby painting with Acrylics. I enjoy your easy teaching style and the fact that you're not shy about sharing your struggles and mistakes.
Thanks too for your other recommendations. Ditto re your comments about Ian Roberts. Appreciate the introduction to Alex Ffrench. One of my favorites musicians is the cellist, Stjpan Hauser.
Looking forward to spending more time with you in future.
Love the new location/format - works well on website. I am a bit reluctant to download the app for my Mac given the reviews. Getting the creative juices flowing with this 'turned around' approach which makes ultimate sense to me. Also love the suggestions for music/other YT folks to watch for.
The app is only for tablets and phones, anyway. I'm using it, and I haven't had any problems, but it doesn't have all the features of Substack on the web. You can always just read in a browser (even on a tablet or phone), so there's no need to download the app.
Hi Lynne, thanks for your reply. Almost every artist I was interested in following a learning from suggested, at one time or another, to emphasize the star of the show. I have been painting for a few years now and while that is in the back of my mind when I'm painting, I have just come to the realization that I'll never change! And...the best part....I'm now happy with that decision. It did take a long time to get to this decision. I love your work, your method of teaching (so articulate and easy to understand). Thanks for your generosity. Brenda
I'm glad you are happy doing what works for you! Sometimes I feel like there is nothing at all I can say as a teacher that won't be exactly the wrong advice for some people. Even if I try to be careful to say "here's one strategy to try", people tend to hear "here's THE strategy". And it's even worse if it's a widely-used strategy and you're hearing it from multiple sources, as you did with this one. So "rules of thumb" mentally turn into just "rules". But at the same time, if I try to talk about all the possible exceptions to every strategy I present, it's information overload and people get completely confused. When should I try this? When is it not helpful? It's super-hard to put out information that will hopefully be useful to many people much of the time, but not damaging to some people because they get the wrong idea. Ultimately, each artist has to learn to trust their own instincts, but most of us find that an ongoing challenge!
I value your advice and welcome the suggestions of all the teachers I have followed at one time or another. I always think of myself as a Beginner! You always make more than one suggestion (I, for one, appreciate it) which is very helpful. As I said earlier, you are so clear, concise and articulate. Anyway, a funny thing happened today. I just came across the term “Realism". I immediately thought - “Hey, I think that fits me to a "T". I've been wondering if I even have a 'style' and what it might be. Now I know (I think, therefore I am, I think!). Thanks again Lynne.
Hi Lynne, I love your painting of the pond and boat. Your tutorials have helped me a lot. I am currently taking a class from the Smithsonian on "Establishing a Sketching Practice" and it's very challenging. But fun. What holds me back with making art is my reluctance to draw (I wear out the paper erasing my lines) and my lack of patience with detail! So I'm learning to be comfortable with those stumbling blocks -- and I try not to be self-critical and just do "me." Landscape tutorials help a lot, and one of my other favorite of yours a while back was the pears. Loved the pears, and mine came out very well under your tutelage. Best to you, and thanks for all of your generous teaching! --Margo
Oh, gosh! I feel you on the drawings issue. For years, I hated my drawings, and the whole process of drawing. Then one day I realized I didn’t hate them anymore. I actually kind of liked my drawings. They aren’t any better (maybe worse), so I don’t know what changed. Maybe I just did enough drawing that I got used to the look of what my hand likes to do, like getting used to the sound of your own voice on a recording. And now, when I look at a drawing, what I think of is the pleasure of that day, instead of how bad the drawing is. That’s my theory anyway. Kudos to you for taking a drawing class with the Smithsonian! I would be totally intimidated!
I love getting your emails. I love the way you teach too. I have learned and learning so much from you. Thank you very much 😊
Terrific new newsletter! Thank you for sharing your techniques and even your insecurities!
Hi Lynne and everyone! Wow! So wonderful! I'll explore more when I'm not so tired- henna at bachelorette party in Napa today- oh my. But fun. Did anyone else see the "painting" of a dog directly in the mixing puddles on the palette at the end of section two in the mark making video? Or was it a...?
Hello Lynne, it’s nice to meet you. I’m working my way through your sketchbook course- rather slowly because I’ve been unwell for some time - but I’m enjoying it and learning a lot.
Thanks for chiming in, everyone! It's so great to "hear" other artist voices!!
Hi Lynne, thank you for a wonderful newsletter. I always find the way you teach gives me a fresh approach for the way I look at subjects. Thank you.
Hi Sandi! Always a pleasure to hear from you! I hope the new Friday afternoon (here) delivery schedule works better for your time zone. (Can't believe how long it took me to realize that by Sunday morning here, the weekend is pretty much done for my Australia and New Zealand subscribers.) :P
Hi Lynne, you are most welcome any time! : ) xx
Hi Lynne, I love your teaching methods. I've learned a lot from watching your tutorials. Thank you. I love the outdoors and nature and take zillions of photos. Then I paint the scenes in watercolor but don't change much because I love the whole scene. I know there has to be a star of the show, and that's my trouble point. I know it and still don't do it. I'll probably never change and that's discouraging.
Hi Brenda! Why do you feel there "has to be" a star of the show? I hope I didn't give you that impression. I'm not the Art Police. :) That's just one strategy for designing a painting. It's usually the one I emphasize for beginners, because it can help people simplify a scene so it's easier to handle when they don't have a lot of watercolor experience. But there are other ways to design a painting. If you're good at composing with the camera, you may be one of those artists who designs your paintings by capturing a well-composed reference photo that doesn't need many changes. I'm a terrible photographer, which is why I don't paint from photos, but if you're good at it, why not just embrace what's working for you?
Hello Lynne
Love your painting - so calming... wish I was there.
Glad I found you on your earlier website. Thank you for so generously providing your free lesson series. It's been a great way for me to get my feet wet learning to paint with watercolours after many years of hobby painting with Acrylics. I enjoy your easy teaching style and the fact that you're not shy about sharing your struggles and mistakes.
Thanks too for your other recommendations. Ditto re your comments about Ian Roberts. Appreciate the introduction to Alex Ffrench. One of my favorites musicians is the cellist, Stjpan Hauser.
Looking forward to spending more time with you in future.
Sylvia
Love the new location/format - works well on website. I am a bit reluctant to download the app for my Mac given the reviews. Getting the creative juices flowing with this 'turned around' approach which makes ultimate sense to me. Also love the suggestions for music/other YT folks to watch for.
The app is only for tablets and phones, anyway. I'm using it, and I haven't had any problems, but it doesn't have all the features of Substack on the web. You can always just read in a browser (even on a tablet or phone), so there's no need to download the app.
Hi Lynne, thanks for your reply. Almost every artist I was interested in following a learning from suggested, at one time or another, to emphasize the star of the show. I have been painting for a few years now and while that is in the back of my mind when I'm painting, I have just come to the realization that I'll never change! And...the best part....I'm now happy with that decision. It did take a long time to get to this decision. I love your work, your method of teaching (so articulate and easy to understand). Thanks for your generosity. Brenda
I'm glad you are happy doing what works for you! Sometimes I feel like there is nothing at all I can say as a teacher that won't be exactly the wrong advice for some people. Even if I try to be careful to say "here's one strategy to try", people tend to hear "here's THE strategy". And it's even worse if it's a widely-used strategy and you're hearing it from multiple sources, as you did with this one. So "rules of thumb" mentally turn into just "rules". But at the same time, if I try to talk about all the possible exceptions to every strategy I present, it's information overload and people get completely confused. When should I try this? When is it not helpful? It's super-hard to put out information that will hopefully be useful to many people much of the time, but not damaging to some people because they get the wrong idea. Ultimately, each artist has to learn to trust their own instincts, but most of us find that an ongoing challenge!
I value your advice and welcome the suggestions of all the teachers I have followed at one time or another. I always think of myself as a Beginner! You always make more than one suggestion (I, for one, appreciate it) which is very helpful. As I said earlier, you are so clear, concise and articulate. Anyway, a funny thing happened today. I just came across the term “Realism". I immediately thought - “Hey, I think that fits me to a "T". I've been wondering if I even have a 'style' and what it might be. Now I know (I think, therefore I am, I think!). Thanks again Lynne.