New woods
Posted: December 22, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized 60 CommentsOn my daily walks through the woods with Alice, I’ve been getting acquainted with different sections of the trails around here, and I’m starting to orient myself despite the lack of trail markers. In the winter, it’s easier because the snow is usually packed down by other dog owners and dogs. There’s a section of the forest that I like very much because the pines are tall and there’s not much undergrowth. It’s like a cathedral. Very dark and dramatic, even on bright days.
I was waiting for a sunny day to get a good photo of that area with some nice shadows, but after a recent snowfall, it was beautiful even on an overcast morning. It’s a monochrome scene, but I tried to vary the greys with the addition of greens and blues and burnt sienna.
Since we are entering the holiday season, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you for reading my newsletter The Wheelbarrow, thank you for taking my classes, both online and in person, and a great big thank you to those who reached out to say hello on my blog or through email. It’s been a busy year, but knowing I’m connected to so many of you, and feeling so often touched by your kindness, has helped me get through these exhausting few months. I wish you all the best for the holiday season and much creativity in 2024!
Thank you for the inspiration, encouragement and knowledge you provide through all of your outlets. And thank you for the painting of your “new” woods! All the best to you and your family in the new year.
Denise, thank YOU for your support and encouragement too. I was so happy that we got to see each other this year. Finally!! Happy holidays to you and your gang too.
Looks very cool(as in cold)! I love paintings in the woods, like it’s a private place because usually you are alone (or hope to be). Thank you for sharing your beautiful art all year! Wishing you the best of the holiday season!
I wish you all the best for the holidays as well, De. Thanks so much for always having a look and writing too! Much appreciated.
This is such a beautiful painting. I can imagine walking there and enjoying the peacefulness that the snow provides!
Many thanks Gretta!!
The feeling is mutual. Thank you for sharing, and for making your on-line tutorials. I have broadened my skills under your guidance.
Many thanks Laura Kate.
Looking forward to your “new” favorite places you will sketch❤️. Happy Holidays and thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge with all of us!!
Thanks Karen, and all the best for the holiday season.
Thank you for sharing! Your posts and newsletter have brought me much joy this year. You are appreciated! May all good things come to you in the new year.
Lisa, thank you and all the best wishes to you too!
What a beautiful snowy woods painting, Shari!
We love following your adventures at home and when you are on the road.
We’re so glad you’ve settled in another great neighborhood that you now will share with us! Wishing you the best in 2024!
Thanks for following along Joanna. I hope you have a wonderfully happy and healthy 2024.
Beautiful snowy woods! Shari thank you for ever inspiring me and for sharing so much with us through Instagram, your blog, the Wheelbarrow, your online and in person courses. I look forward to watching you discover your new environment and wish you all the best in 2024!
Lynn, all the best to you too. Hope you have a wonderful, creative and active 2024!!
This painting is so lovely. Love your blogs. Happy Holidays to you and I look forward to more paintings, classes and blogs from you. I, too, moved so am way behind in my classes but hope to catch up this new year.
Jeanne, thanks so much for writing. Happy holidays to you and yours.
I love that you find beauty wherever you are planted! Your Winter Wonderland gives me a peaceful feeling (something I need right about now!) Relocating can be a challenge. But what an opportunity to see things differently. Happy holidays to you Shari!
Terry, that’s so nice. Thank you so much. All the best to you for the holidays!
Lovely!
Thanks!!
Merry Christmas dear Shari, and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.
Cheers!
Happy holidays to you too, Corinne!
I’m so glad to be receiving your paintings and drawings again, after your upheaval and move. It always brings such order and sanity to a day. Thanks, Sue McKee
Sue, that is so nice to read. Many thanks. I am happy to be back and look forward to posting more.
Shari, Thank you for your beautiful art and for sharing it! Your on-line classes are wonderful. I hope to be able to take an in person class in the future.
Hope the next year is bright and colorful!
Brenda, thanks so much for writing. I send the same wonderful wishes back to you. All the best for 2024!
Beautiful winter scene. I love woods. And especially lovely with snow. Did you work around the white or use any white guoache? Started another class but going slowly. Between Chanukah and now Christmas, I am so busy. But isn’t everyone? Happy Holidays to you. And Alice.
Judy, I worked around the whites in this one, and then added a few drops of white gouache for little spots of snow at the end. Happy holidays to you too. Yes, everyone is so busy at this time of year, and around here we celebrate both Hanukah and Christmas too. It’s a long and joyful holiday season.
Beautifully done!
Laurie, thanks so much!!
What a beautiful winter woodland scene. I really enjoy your blog.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season in your new home.
Thanks so much Betty!!
Your woods are “lovely, dark and deep” and remind me of the same thick, wintery woods of my childhood home. Such a beautiful painting, Shari! Wishing you peace and happiness in 2024 — and more snow!
Thanks so much Lisa. I wish you all the best as well.
Your new woods are beautiful. I love the color variations. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for all you put ino your classes and your blog. Mary
Mary, thanks so much for reading and for all your support. All the best for the holidays!
Shari–I so enjoy reading about your limited palette and looking at all your detailed work. So much to see in your paintings! Looking forward to your new views. Merry Christmas to you…and Alice!
And the same to you Lois! All the best and thanks so much for always having a look and sending a note!
This is really lovely with all the different shades of greys. Thank you for so much inspiration throughout the year. You help me look at scenes differently and your posts are always so full of information. Have a wonderful holiday season as you explore and learn about your new area!
Joan, thank you for your frequent comments, encouragement and kind words. I really appreciate it. Happy New Year to you too!
And thank you for your creative inspiration. A very joyful Christmas season and peaceful and creative New Year to you : )
I wish the same to you Anna. Many thanks for your lovely wishes.
I always love your winter scenes! I am very fond of the color used for the tree bark. What color is it (or color mixture)?
HI Donna. Glad you like the winter scenes. For the bark, I used lots of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue — a classic combo.
This drawing is beautiful Shari and I wish you all the best for 2024! Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year!
Nicole
Nicole, best wishes to you too, and all the best for 2024!
Merry Christmas. Thank you for being you, just you. It’s shows in your paintings and drawings. Makes me really happy to find you there. Your new studio is wow and the area you moved to, as I know it, is perfect for you. Continue enjoying and taking in your surroundings with that warm appreciation that you have. It’s lovely. That’s what I see in your paintings. That you.
May you walk into the New Year like a master. Peace.
Stephanie, what a wonderful message. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. And a wonderful 2024 to you too!
Thank you Shari, your blog and others have inspired me to draw and paint. It’s like finding a parallel world that I couldn’t see before. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
I’m glad you found our parallel world!! Much health and happiness for 2024!
Cheers!
Beautiful! Welcome to our neck of the woods. Looking forward to see what your expert eye will capture.
Jean, thanks for introducing us to your neck of the woods. I knew I would love living here and painting here. Happy holidays to both of you. xoxo
I’m late in chiming in with praise of your winter painting. As I look at it, I’m trying hard to “see” how you began. I never use resist for white areas. I want to sit with this image and “see” how I would begin.
We live on an acre surrounded by many trees and a stream running through the back yard. It is beautiful and a subject of many of my paintings and drawings. Hopefully I can learn from your work and apply that to my next backyard watercolor.
It’s always great to see your work, so inspiring!…b
Bernadette, thanks so much. If you’ve seen my Sketching Trees course, you’ll see that how I paint the winter tree is very much like how I painted these. I do some pencil drawing to define the branches, and then, because I don’t use masking fluid, I paint around the whites. Maybe one of these days I will post a step-by-step, especially now that I have more time.
I love trees in winter. I am obsessed with them. I thank you also for sharing your life and work. And for the nice courses and tutoring. Hope you will have a peaceful and enjoyable 2024.❤️
By the way. Great negative painting with those trees. Did you make a tutorial about negative painting already?
Shari,
Congratulations on you painting to the new king! Very exciting. And, I like this one of the woods.
Claire Russell
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