Landscape sketching in Boston
Posted: June 29, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized 22 CommentsIt seems like a landscape sketching workshop in an urban setting like Boston would be unlikely, but I am just back from two days of teaching with the Newton Watercolor Society. The first day of the workshop took place in Auburndale Cove, a bucolic setting in a suburb of Boston, complete with a shaded park, Canada geese, waterlilies and great river reflections.
Even though it was a day for sketching landscape, for my first demo I couldn’t resist drawing a house across from us on the Charles River. The shadows cast by the awnings on the white clapboard were so remarkable, so dramatic and so sharp that I had to paint them first. That’s not my usual way of working. In fact in my online class Sketching the City I go into quite a bit of detail about how to add these in near the end of the sketch. But since they were likely to change quickly and they were on a white surface, I painted them first and then proceeded to paint the rest of the page.
During a long workshop day I like to do a second demo, and I’ve discovered lately that a good time to do that is at the end of the afternoon when students are tired and quite happy to sit and watch. This second demo is usually something less complex, perhaps a smaller vignette or a closeup view — on this day some waterlilies. If I had been quicker with my camera I could have also captured a family of ducks that silently swam through the scene while I painted.
The day’s paintings by the group were immensely successful and of course the day ended with the obligatory Urban Sketchers photo of everyone proudly displaying their sketches.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
A white house surrounded by greens, and reflections n the water! it ain’t gonna be better then this!!
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I know Edo. I gasped when I saw this because it was so perfect to draw!
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Looks like it was a great group. Really liked your lillies and the house sketch above. Your colours are so rich and true. The work ‘made me look’. Well done, as always.
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I agree with Chris. Your colors are amazing and really draw me into your paintings. Looks like a lot of talent in everyone in the group.
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Thanks Susan. It was wonderful to teach a talented group with that level of skill.
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Thanks Chris. it was a great group. They paint together all the time and are very skilled!
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Wowzer!
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks!
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Stunning sketch, Shari–like so much of your work. I am so inspired by your blog. May I ask–what is that lovely blue/periwinkle you used in the house’s shadows?
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Many thanks Barb. That blue is a combination of Cobalt Violet and Cobalt Blue with a little grey added in to tone it down.
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Those wonderful dark shadows just make that painting!!! There is such a contrast between the one of the house and the quiet reflections and waterlilies. Lovely job on both!!
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Thanks Joan!
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First of all… wow, what an amazing painting! Seriously. Second of all … did you see my President in your country? With your Prime Minister? We are both lucky to have such fantastic leaders. I hope you agree. Anyway, what an absolutely fantastic painting! You are unbelievable. I don’t think there is a better watercolorist painting today than you. And I know that’s not what you care about … but really, You are good. The reflections in the water… unbelievable.
Tim
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Hi Tim,
I agree with you about our leaders. I am a fan of both of them.
As for my painting, it was so stimulating to have a full week to paint and teach in Rockport and Boston (and New York). When I can focus on my painting, it really helps me. Glad you like the work!
Shari
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Both your pieces are loose/relaxed…I like them! And you look like a friendly bunch!
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It was a very talented bunch! Thanks.
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This brought back fond memories of my workshop time with you at Palmetto Bluff. Great paintings you created for the Boston crowd!
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That was a great workshop too Victoria. I have great memories of our few days together. Hope you are having a good summer of painting!
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Woow! all of them are amazing Shari 🙂
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Thanks!
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Very impressive! Huge inspiration as always 🙂
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Wow those are beautiful!! I just visited Boston and wrote about it here:
https://evmoog.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/the-bay-in-the-back/
Thanks for sharing your work!
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