Counter life 4
Posted: April 30, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized 31 CommentsFor today’s sketch of the kitchen counter, I was hoping for something more loose than yesterday’s monochrome. For inspiration I had a look at the work of Scottish artist Glen Scouller, one of my favourite contemporary painters. I bought his book “Colour and Line in Watercolour” a few years back, and I go through it every once in a while because it just makes me happy to see his work. He’s got a beautiful line and a fresh way of using watercolours that I greatly admire. And from a bit of back and forth on Instagram with him, he also seems like a genuinely nice guy.
From what I can see, he paints first (no preliminary drawing) and then draws into the damp washes with the pencils. It gives so much energy to his sketches. I love the way he mixes oil pastel, watercolour and water-soluble pencils, so that’s what I did today. White oil pastels provided the resist on the tulips and reflective highlights, and the rest is a mix of watercolours and Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle pencils.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Sheri, Where were you able to pick up Glen Scouller’s book, I would love to purchase, I don’t see it on amazon
Thank you Stephanie
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Here you go Stephanie: https://www.amazon.com/Colour-Line-Watercolour-Glen-Scouller/dp/1849943125/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
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Adore this series Shari xx Lovely!
•••Karimobile
514 9944433
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Thanks Karim. Can you tell I’m having fun with it?
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I too enjoy seeing a series of art, same or similar subject done in multiple variations. Excellent!
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Thanks so much Bernadette!
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I love the idea of white oil pastel as a resist with water media! It gives an interesting effect.
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Donna, I liked it too. I will certainly try it again.
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Hi Shari, this isn’t a specific comment about this sketch but a general question about paper. I notice you’ve been using Etchr CP sketchbooks at times and wondering if you could comment on what the paper is like compared to Arches 140lb CP? I’ve yet to find a ready make sketchbook with paper which is close enough to Arches, my favourite papers. I end up making most of my books, but would love to find one which I could purchase Thanks in advance.
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Hi there,
I’m the same… love Arches CP 140lb paper. I’m planning to make my own sketchbook from full sheets that I have.
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Sheila, the Etchr paper is much softer than Arches. When you draw on it with it a pencil, you can actually feel a bit of “give” to the paper. It feels soft. When I draw on Arches, it almost feels scratchy and hard when I draw on it. I would say that Fabriano paper is sort of in the middle. A little softer than Arches but not as soft as the Etchr paper. I hope that helps. BTW, this series is done on Fabriano paper.
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Oh, how Iove this! Transparent colour, loose line work and white highlights that draw the eye. What’s the book and is it still available?
Practicing my skies from you on-line class, but would really love to have a PDF of the reference images to print off, to work from after watching your demos.
Keep on sharing!
Peri
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HI Peri. The book is still available. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Colour-Line-Watercolour-Glen-Scouller/dp/1849943125/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
As for my Bluprint classes, the images are not available as a downloadable. But in my own courses on my website, the images are available for my new classes.
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I’m really enjoying these counter life paintings. Looking forward to tomorrow.
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Thanks so much Sue. I look forward to drawing them every day too.
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Great stuff Shari. As always, your keen observation and skillful drawing lay the foundation for this adventurous use of the varied media.
I don’t recall you mentioning this artist before. I will check him out for sure.
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I was sure I had told you about Glen Scouller. Sorry for that!!
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Heh, no worries! Interesting work!
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I love that you are using mixed media. There is a fluid quality to it. In my younger days, mixed media was a no-no. I now almost depend on it for the result I want.
Question to all of the Arches fans-does it still smell when wet? I stopped using it cuz of that.
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Thanks J. I’m enjoying mixed media. As for Arches paper, it has no odour at all.
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Sheri, where can you find Glen S. book I didn’t see it on amazon?
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Here is what I found on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Colour-Line-Watercolour-Glen-Scouller/dp/1849943125/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
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Just lovely! This is so loose, but really gels together as an image. The tiny bit of red in the upper right balances it all out too. Not sure what that “red” is, but I don’t care 🙂 And it’s been really fun seeing your plants develop over the last week. The flowers are becoming more prominent and fully in bloom. Thank you!
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Thanks Susan. Yes, the flowers are changing every day, and now as it warms up outside, they seem to be opening even more, as if they want to be outdoors too. Glad you are enjoying the series!
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Glen Scouller had a painting in the Edinburgh RSW 139th Annual Exhibition I was fortunate to attend in January. Seems like a lifetime ago instead of just months.
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Mary, lucky you! I would love to have the opportunity to see Glen’s work. I just love it. And yes, everything before lockdown seems like a lifetime ago. Stay well!
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Your paintings and sketches are a highlight of my day. In this series I love the reflections on the counter and toaster! When you get back outside, I’m looking forward to reflections in rainy street puddles. Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful work. You are turning lemons into lemonaide (would make a good painting!).
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Thanks so much for writing Ginny. I look forward to getting outside again too Ginny. It’s finally starting to warm up so hopefully there will be some rainy street puddles soon. Stay well.
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For today’s sketch of the kitchen counter
The Sketchbook
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Great combination of materials in this and beautiful color harmony! Thanks for sharing your series with us!
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Good Morning dear friend Shari,
Very beautiful sketch, the proportions of the color mix blue, green yellow, makes every color look significant.
Blessings
Uma
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