Steve’s garden
Posted: June 19, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized 14 CommentsIn Steve’s garden the pink peonies are almost finished, yellow centres now visible within the drooping, curling fuchsia petals. Peonies are easy to grow but one good rain can wash them out, sending them toppling into soggy heaps. I wanted to paint them once before I pack up my paints and brushes for summer travel.
I’ll be leaving soon for workshops in Provence and Porto, so this will likely be my last post for the next few days, until I land and get settled in France. I apologize in advance if I can’t always answer comments during my weeks away. I do travel with an iPad and little keyboard, but sometimes there are just not enough hours in a teaching day to respond! I will still be posting here on the blog and you can also follow my Europe journey on Instagram @sharisketcher. Even when I don’t have time to write, I always find a few moments to upload workshop photos there. Until then, au revoir et à bientôt!
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Awesome, what is your opinion on leaving the pencil sketch in watercolor pieces? I have heard a lot of preferences in this area, some say you should erase, others not so much.
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HI Bonnie, I always leave in the pencil. For me it is part of the structure of the piece. The only time I erase is when the pencil goes through the white areas because I prefer those to be pristine.
It is harder to erase when the pencil is under paint. I have never been successful at that, so it’s a good thing it doesn’t bother me.
Thanks for writing!
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Hope you have a great summer Shari. Looking forward to revisiting Provence through your sketches. Happy travels.
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Thanks so much Tony! I am so excited about revisiting Provence too. I was looking at a map last night and remembering all the places I saw so many years ago. Can’t wait for the smell of the herbs that grow wild in the fields. Seems like an odd thing to remember but I never forgot that when I was biking in the south of France.
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Another yummy painting! Your greens are always to lively. I still struggle with this (mixing great greens). I guess it’s just a matter of practice, practice, practice… Bon voyage!!!!
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Those greens are made from Hansa Yellow Light and Prussian Blue. Try that! Thanks for the good wishes. See you in August.
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Have a wonderful trip Shari…I will look forward to seeing your posts and will follow you on Instagram! I am curious about how you ended up packing, and whether you will indeed be traveling with only your art bag and a carry on.
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So beautiful. Your painting is now my desktop background at work. Reminds me of my grandmothers garden, she loved peonies. It reminds me to breathe, and most importantly, it reminds me that you have to paint everyday to produce work like this. Safe travels Shari.
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Thanks so much and sorry for the late reply. It’s been a busy few weeks!
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I wonder as I look at your lovely painting…..did you paint the peonies first and greens surrounding after
Or….did you paint the greens first and leave space for the peony….lAs always your work is so clean and fresh. It is always what I strive for but somehow come up with more strokes and paint than needed! Thanks for your daily sharing of inspirational work.
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I too have the same questions, Shari…
Pity I can’t be there in Porto! My loss! Enjoy your European travels and adventures!
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Enjoy your trip Shari! I enjoy reading your blog and am excited to follow your travels.
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See you in Porto, Shari!!
– Tina
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Wonderful negative painting! This is great! Enjoy Provence and see you in Porto.
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