Pool house demo
Posted: March 27, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized 32 CommentsApologies for the dark post yesterday. The lack of sun and being confined in the house were not a good combo. Thanks to everyone who sent encouraging comments.
Back to colour today. I just found this little gouache demo from my workshop in South Carolina two weeks ago. This was a very quick one, on the last afternoon of the workshop. I gave everyone a blob of white gouache and showed them how to mix it with watercolour to create more opaque effects on toned paper. Looking forward to more sunny days when I can practice this again in my garden. If you are interested in learning this technique from a pro, have a look at the work of Nathan Fowkes. And look at his book as well. He’s the master.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Dear Shari. I didn’t think your post was dark yesterday (except for the boots :-)), nothing to apologize for. My mood is much darker with my daughter living in New York. People like you brighten the day for everyone – thank you!
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Thanks for writing Edda. I hope your daughter manages to stay healthy! Best of luck to her and you too!
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Shari, most of us are trying hard to cope ourselves so….we understand if you shared with us, your trusted friends a bit of just how you feel. It’s ok. Let your art lift you up today. We always find a rainbow of wonder in your postings. Thanks for you.
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Bernadette, thank you for writing! As with all of us, I’m sure, the moods go up and down these days.
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I agree with Edda. Marking art and appreciating the art of others is such a good way to cope with all the changes and uncertainty that we are facing. I liked the black boots a lot!
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Thanks so much for writing with your kind words.
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Dear Shari, I just want you to know how much it lifts my spirits to see a new email from you. I have been so happy to open them and see what you have each time. Thank you so much for sharing. Really appreciate you. I really like this and am interested to try it. Thank you! Christi
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And I really appreciate reading YOUR comments Christi. Thank you!
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Good Evening,
Indeed this is a marvelous sketch, lovely colors and a pleasant atmosphere you have created.
I always feel like living in such environment with a simple house like that, with a thatched shelter outside to have a couple of drinks viewing the garden and floral beauty.
This reminds me of a quote from,Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
“Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A jug of Wine, a Book of Verse – and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness –
And Wilderness is Paradise enow.”
But I replace ” And thou Beside me”, with ‘An album of Shari sketches. 🙂
I find something very inspiring in all your sketches.
Regards and blessings,
Uma
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Uma, thanks so much for the beautiful Omar Khayyam poem. I have read this before but it was wonderful to be reminded of it again. You are very kind. Thank you again.
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I didn’t mind the dark post, loved the boots and it fit my day. Today I was able to go for a walk in the sunshine… staying a good 6ft behind the mailman that was ahead of me…. so your sketch today fits my mood as well. I do love your sketches.
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Liz, thanks for writing. I guess we had a match between your mood and my sketches. Hope you’re well and staying healthy.
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Earlier you mentioned you might consider subjects for your video classes. I just looked at Nathan Fowkes work and wondered if you might consider watercolor and gouache as a class.
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Laurie, I have been thinking about doing that. I just have to decide what the right subject will be, but I’d love to do it. Yesterday’s live demo on Instagram was watercolour and gouache.
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love them muted tones, lo-ve-ly!
xx
•••Karimobile
514 9944433
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Merci Karim! Xoxo
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I have become addicted to your daily post. In these challenging times your positive energy is demonstrated through your sharing. With much appreciation from North Vancouver Canada Sent from my iPad
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Thanks so much Michel. I really appreciate you taking the time to write. Hope you are staying healthy in North Vancouver, where I know there have been some virus outbreaks. Keep well.
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Hi Shari, Everything you do lightens up the day. I am excited to see your sketch as only last I picked up a copy of Nathan’s Book. Seeing how you work in a similar way helps. I was inspired by some of the words in his book. I like gouache but I struggle with it. Adding white gouache to transparent watercolor is interesting to explore. Thank you again for sharing your sketch.
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Thanks so much for writing Carmel. Hope you are well!! Glad you like the book.
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I was a little sad yesterday at your understandable low spirits when you know how much your wonderful work has lifted my own at low points in the past. Our holiday plans cancelled, I am so grateful to you and the USk movement that lets me “travel” in my imagination by offering such an exciting window on the world. Here, we at last are getting sunny days and signs of Spring that lift the spirits, (our magnolia is coming into bloom!) and these will be coming soon to you. Take care and bon courage.
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Trevor, thanks so much for this. I know spring will come soon but it’s still very grey outside. I’m happy that you are seeing signs of spring. I have been walking the dog right past the magnolia that I paint every year, looking for signs of buds. Nothing yet, but I know they will be out soon and I will be ready to paint it, even if I have to sit in my car to do it. Stay well!!
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Shari, thanks for being honest about where you were in the moment… We’ve all been there, and it’s nothing to be sorry about.
In times like these, we need to keep creating, keep working through what we are feeling, and keep sharing so others can know that they are not alone.
I am so happy that you are there to inspire me, whether you are “dark” or “light”… You are true. Thanks for being there.
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Thank you my friend. Kind words that mean a lot to me.
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Hi Shari – I love your gouache work and will be trying it soon. I look forward to your posts everyday – they are always inspiring but especially in these difficult times! Dark thoughts are normal for all of us right now – we use our art to express them and that’s ok. The colours of San Miguel seem far away right now but so glad we got to do it – good timing!
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Hi Lynn, It’s great to hear from you. First of all, I hope you and your family are well.
I’m glad you are ready to try gouache. I think you’ll like it. Yes, San Miguel does seem far away right now as I look at my rainy street, but yes, so glad we did. That was an amazing few weeks. Keep sketching and be well.
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Thank you for the color, Shari! Your beautiful art reminds me of a children’s book that’s a favorite of mine: Frederick, by Leo Lionni. Frederick is a little mouse who gathers sun rays, colors, and words for the winter while his family gathers food, because “winter is gray.” When winter comes and his family is cold and running low on food, Frederick warms and cheers them with his descriptions of the warmth and colors he gathered, and they realize what he knew all along: he is a poet. Shari, your art is visual poetry, and we need it now more than ever! Thank you!! ❤
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Laurel, thanks so much for sending me the story of Frederick. I looked it up on Amazon to see if it was something I had read to my sons, but no, it’s new to me. Beautiful illustrations, and a wonderful story for this time. Hope you are well!!
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You needn’t appologize for being real. In the future it will be a reference for what is now. Spring 2020 has sprung flat in Montreal. If you want to be positive, add some sparkles. lol
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Stephanie, thanks for writing. Lots of rain today in Montreal, so maybe we will see signs of spring one of these days. Hope you are well.
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Some days are colourful and some are black and white and it is the melange that makes life beautiful. All your posts are beautiful, be it monochrome or not.
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Thanks so much. Your comment warmed my heart!
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