The Story Behind a Painting

I start this painting with a sketch using bold colors. I put in the main elements. I want to show brushwork, keep it loose and portray the feeling of the big mountain.
This view of the mountain is from inside Denali National Park. There is a road that appears to lead toward the mountain. At this [...]

Painting Plein Air with the Pochade

It’s April and it’s spring!
The small pochade box makes it easy to grab and do a quick watercolor of the landscape.
There is still a little snow on the ground but it is warm in the morning sun.

It’s great to be able to paint outside easily again without the watercolor freezing on the brush.

The snow is [...]

How to Make a POCHADE BOX for Painting Plein Air with Watercolor in 14 Easy Steps

Pochade  means `quick sketch’.
Plein Air  means `open air’ and refers to painting on location outdoors.
A pochade box  is very useful for plein air painting because it is lightweight, portable and convenient.
1. Cigar boxes come in all sizes and shapes. Find a cigar box that has room for holding a small watercolor block in the lid. [...]

Be Ready to Paint

When you question whether or not to bring the paints, I recommend that you bring them! Be ready to paint.

Draw Often and Paint Wildly

Sketch your ideas. Try out different variations, determine how you want to do your painting, then PAINT WILDLY!

Paint More Now

Paint more now. Painting is exciting and it is beneficial even if the painting is not successful. It makes you SEE the world around you.