Thank Heavens for Mild Texas Winters!

WIP image from the first bonus video (Fort Worth Botanical Garden)

Last week my film crew and I began shooting a series of four online workshop lessons (to be followed by several "bonus" videos) for Strathmore Artist Papers.

Because of the tight schedule some of the lessons will, no doubt, have to be filmed indoors. But, thankfully, we have an abundance of mild (if not continuous) winter weather here in Texas. So, my crew and I will take advantage of every bit of sunshine, and every bit of warmth, to go out "on location." (And, so far, we're having a blast!)

The workshop will run from early March through the beginning of April and registration is free.

Urban Sketching on Toned Paper

All of us know that the majority of a tonal drawing is middle tone. And, at some point in our sketching careers, most (maybe all?) of us have thought to ourselves, "There must be a simpler, faster alternative to spending so much time covering up the whiteness of our paper."

As it turns out, as early as the Renaissance artists had identified a fast, visually appealing option - toned paper. This week I've covered that alternative in some depth in a blog article entitled Tools of the Trade #3 - Toned Paper. If you're interested, please feel free to take a look. Then maybe give it a try. (You may be amazed by the speed of this technique.)

Happy sketching everyone! (And don't forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, broad-brimmed hat and plenty of water till this heat subsides.)