Earth colours for Earth Day
Posted: April 22, 2021 Filed under: Uncategorized 25 CommentsThis spring I’m a little obsessed with anything that resembles a wetland. I think the obsession started in the fall when I discovered the Technoparc Oiseaux, and continued into the winter when I often painted the stream that runs through Angell Woods. This week, on a walk with Alice, I discovered a wooded area that had been flooded from some recent rainfall. It’s an area I know well because that’s the neighbourhood pool where my kids spent their summers, way in the distance. I took a reference photo and painted this from the warmth of my studio, in gouache, on a small piece of 9″ x 7″ watercolour illustration board that I found in the back of a closet, left over from my days as an illustrator. It’s a really nice surface to work on — Arches paper mounted on thick board — because it has some tooth to it and it doesn’t buckle. It’s even better than working on a block of paper, and that’s a good thing because there are more sheets where this one came from.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Totally wonderful painting! Love it!
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lovely sketch – it has a sort of deep botanical texture, as though the fibres of the paper have been resolved into the plants themselves, if that makes sense?
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That does make sense, in a weird sort of way. I felt that the texture of the paper and the consistency of the paint worked really well together, so I get what you mean.
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Your wetlands pictures have been absolutely stunning since you started them. I got a little frisson of a thrill seeing the sprung begun to show up in this one. Thank you! You’ve made my Texas day better!
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Beautiful and fresh. It looks like water.
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Thanks so much Sandi.
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How did you do the swirls on the water?
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Hi Jan, I just added those swirls with a lighter colour and a small brush. The lighter colour has to be quite opaque!
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Love the colors. Will you be offering any classes using gouache in this type of setting? I have several of your classes. I’m a beginner, but your teaching style really works for me. Thanks. Mary
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HI Mary, I would love to do a class in gouache! Adding it to my list! Thanks for writing and for taking the classes!
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I love this painting! All the gestural marks, the slight hint of civilization in the distance. It’s wonderful! Perfect for Earth Day.
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Thanks Alison!
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A magical painting!
The green weeds in the icy water with the sky blue cabin in the distance
Wonderful imagery of nature coming alive
In spring
Thanks for sharing Shari
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Wow! So good!
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Thanks Tony!
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I like wetlands, too, and they’re very hard to paint! I’ve really enjoyed this series – and especially like this one with the warm colors peeking through!
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Many thanks Amelia!
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Shari, I love these colours! What a beautiful rendering in gouache – what you have done with the water is masterful and I love the ghost house behind the trees.
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Thanks Mary!!
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Gorgeous!
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Really nice Shari!
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]What a beautiful painting. I am intrigued by water, even a creek. And you portray it so well without it looking like a copy of a photograph I think this is the challenge of an artist. There is life in the stroke.
I didn’t know you were an illustrator. I thought you did graphic design or maybe it is the same thing. You once said it was so good to put away your Tombow’s. Always wondered what you meant.
Thanks for the idea of the watercolor illustration board. I love gouache and looking forward to your class on it.
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Love the vertical and horizontal pieces that give this so much life. Great reflections too!
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As much as I love your watercolors, I am growing more and more fond of the paintings in gouache. The water reflections are outstanding in this small gem of a painting. I would never guess that you worked from a photo. The mental and emotional impressions of the scene you observed is well evident in your masterful painting. Thanks for sharing
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Good Afternoon dear friend Shari,
Very lovely sketch and the reflection on the water is really excellent.
We have a curfew imposed again at many places and at Bangaloew almost for 18 hours. Shops and Malls, Restaurants are open to the public between 7 am to 10 am and 7 pm to10 pm.
Anyway, it is good to fight against this virus.
With blessings
Uma
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