A new spot
Posted: May 12, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized 32 CommentsFor years it’s been a running joke in the comments area of this blog that all I do is sketch my wheelbarrow but never use it to haul stuff in the garden. Not true. I move it around, occasionally. Yesterday I put it to good use to move some river rocks from one place to another, but it was so rusty and squeaky that it quickly went back to its corner, albeit to a new spot leaning up against the shed instead of the oak tree.
We’ve had so much rain and cold weather this week in Montreal but the sun made an appearance today and I was SO happy to be outdoors that I just kept sketching outward from the wheelbarrow, right across two pages of my sketchbook. Looking at this scene with sharp and quite dark shadow areas, I was more interested in capturing values than colour so I worked in a limited palette of Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson and Hansa Yellow Medium. It’s amazing that with only these three primary pigments, I can obtain the secondary colours that I want — the bright greens of the spring trees, the orangey rust of the wheelbarrow and the purple of the shadows on the shed. I’ll be giving a demo of this primary triad at the Urban Sketchers Symposium in Chicago this July.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Geez Shari, your wood looks like you could actually drive a nail into it.
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Thanks Richard. I wasn’t really focusing on rendering the wood at all, just a few light washes and some knots!
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Interesting detail and texture in this sketch. Very nice
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Thanks so much.
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When I get time I’m going to research which has appeared most …. the wheelbarrow or Alice. Meanwhile I’ve made a mental note (again) to work more with just three colours.
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Well, there is a new Alice post so if you have already counted dog pictures you will have to add one. Let me know the totals too.
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YES!
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Oh, I forgot to tell you about my artist son’s book…Jewels in the Junkyard. He illustrated it and it sells on Amazon. Take a look when you have time.
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Oh, I know he is a good painter Dee, so thanks for this. I am going to have a look.
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It’ll be a sad day if ever you decide to put that old workhorse down! We’ve all grown so attached to it LOL! It may not be able to carry rocks, but man! it sure carries a lot of inspiration.
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that is so nicely said Gayle. Thanks!
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Another wheelbarrow hit. The color looks like it is getting brighter. I love your comments on a limited palette as it is my goal right now.
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I guess the colour is brighter with this combo than when I use a lot of Burnt Sienna. I hope you give the limited palette a try Judy.
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Finaly this wheelbarrow is enjoying some sun. The wole scene is vibrating with the light.
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Yes, we all need a little sun these days, don’t we? but it is going to get warm starting tomorrow. I am looking forward to that.
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The next time that you sketch the wheelbarrow, sketch a can of WD-40 along with it. Maybe that will help!😃
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Phil, yes. I know this wheelbarrow needs a little love.
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Really nice. You’ve captured the light so well.
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Thanks Chris!
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So much harmony it sings!
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Thanks Laurie!
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love
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thanks Tracy!
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Moi..j’aime tes brouettes!
The weather is awful..ok today nice..but for the whole month so far?
My garden is way behind..
however…peanuts compared to all the floods.
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I agree Monique. We have nothing to complain about, not even the weather or the lateness of the garden.
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Beautiful! Ok, i love the wheel barrel – we all need a little oil after the long cold winter. Will you paint the area you put the lovely river rocks?? Thanks for sharing all you do, it helps. God bless.
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Thanks so much for writing Diane. In answer to your question, I won’t paint the area with the river rocks because it’s at the side of the house on not very pretty. But I will certainly be painting more in the garden this summer.
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Your rusty wheelbarrow has such character, and looks great in this new spot. Love the shadows and the texture of the wood.
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Thanks so much Joan.
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I like your wheelbarrow’s new resting spot. I’ll look forward to the seasonal series of this scene (grin).
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I know this wheelbarrow needs a little love. But I will certainly be painting more in the garden this summer.
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I know this wheelbarrow needs a little love. I know this wheelbarrow needs a little love.
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