3 Jul 2011

Résumé

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Where to begin? Where to end? I have experienced so much on this trip and all can’t possibly be told.

For me personally the reason for this trip was to step out of my comfort zone and to learn a pastel technique which was unfamiliar to me. That was a real challenge, because the Uart paper is completely different to the La Carte and blending is hardly possible or at least not the way I am used to. But Richard McKinley has proved himself to be a very good teacher who can pass on his knowledge in theory and praxis.

Even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to reach the quality in my painting as I am used to reach in my studio, there where points where I would have liked to skip out back to my old ways. But staying in the game with the new approach has payed off. I didn’t paint the pretty picture (a workshop is never about a pretty picture, I know), but I know now where my journey as an artist will improve.

At the SloughAt the Slough, 15×15 cm, Pastel on underpainting,
(c) 2011, Astrid Volquardsen

The paintings I did I will not show  on the blog, because they have to stay in a  safe place without additional comments, so I can get a clearer picture.

But I will report about some things that went on during this fabulous time I had there. Those of you who are interested in the techniques of Richard: really, everything is in his book Pastel Pointers or on his Dvds.

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1 Jul 2011

Asperaccoli

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Today in the supermarket I thought  I would suffere again under my jetlag and didn’t read correctly. But there was no misunderstanding. Actually, there’s a new vegie on the market and if you would translate it sounds like: »Asperaccoli« (no kidding).

Spargoli
Sketchbook, 19×26 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

It probably is just a matter of time when »Tomarabi«  (or »Tomappage«) will hit the market.

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29 Jun 2011

The three Ps of Plein Air Painting

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I am back now and my mail box shows me that some of you are impatiently waiting.

During a demonstration in class Richard mentioned the three ps of Plein Air Painting.

1.Where to paint?

2. Where to park?

3. Where to pee?

A lady in the front row whispered: »For me it’s just reverse…«

My personal list needs the additional point:

4. What and how much to eat?

19.06.2011 - At the slough
19.06.2011 – In the rain at the slough

Shortly I will give an insight, what we had to put up with during our field trips…

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18 Jun 2011

1st Workshop Day

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Finally we had our first day of the workshop with Richard McKinley. In the morning he taught us all the theorie stuff and in the afternoon h took us outside and did a demo on the spot.

After that it was our turn to lay hands on a field sketch. For the first time I am working on the UART 400 ground and I am forced to work in a completely different way than I am used to. No blending here. But it is o.k, because I am interested in the wet underpainting techniques, which he is going to show us tommorow.

17.06.2011 - Painting Spot
17.06.2011 – Painting Spot

In this workshop I met pastelartist and blogger  Loriann for the first time. We know each other from our blogs. Funny enough we choosed the same painting spot and our paintings couldn’t be more differnt. It was so much much fun and I enjoyed this first day a lot.

Skagit County, Pastell, 2011
Skagit County, Pastell, 2011, © Astrid Volquardsen

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17 Jun 2011

Plein Air Barn

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Scheune in Skagit CountyBarn in Skagit County, Sketchbook, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

On the day of our arrival we came across this beautiful old barn and some days later we came for an evening sketch. We liked this place so much that we did return the following evening to start our PleinAir session and to try out a set up for our easel and the umbrella. With a lot of laughing and joking around we finally had a stable set up and it worked pretty well for us in the wind. Becuase we were in a joking mood we said, wouldn’t it be funny, Richard driving by and seeing us painting.

Scheune in Skagit County
Barn in Skagit County, Plein Air Workplace
© Astrid Volquardsen

After all the laughing we were able to do some nice work and I captured the mood of the landscape around the barn.

Scheune in Skagit CountyBarn in Skagit County, Pastel, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

The next day we finally met Richard for the first time in person and he asked us: Didn’t I see you  Plein Air painting at the barn in the evening?…

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17 Jun 2011

Whidbey Island

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I know some of you are waiting impatiently for a new entry, but this beautiful landscape keeps our days busy.

On Wednesday we went for a trip to Whidbey Island. A resident recommended a hiking tour along the coast. We hiked in this beautiful forest with its big trees left me deeply impressed. Along the trip we stopped for several sketches and tried to get a feeling for the landscape, its shapes and colors.

Not always an easy thing but we immensely enjoys our self and the fact to have all the time we need.

Whidbey Island SkizzeWhidbey Island, Sketchbook, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

On our way back the evening light pushed us to a final sketch at our favourite barn. More about that in the next entry.

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