Sketchbook Challenge - Part 3: Paint & Line

In this week's Draw Tip Tuesday, I’m sharing a fun, colorful technique to loosen up your sketchbook practice. Instead of starting with outlines, we’ll jump right into painting a big, bold “blob” of color, and then draw over it with colored pencils. This playful approach helps you embrace imperfection and adds energy to your art!

Perspective and Foreshortening

Last week, while waiting for my delayed train, I saw a great opportunity to sketch. I focused on drawing people and perspective and foreshortening. It's challenging to capture in your sketchbook, but with a lot of practice and a bit of courage, you can do it!

A sketchbook Challenge - Part 2: Dip Pen + Ink

In this week’s *Draw Tip Tuesday* video, I continue my creative challenge of drawing the same subject using different tools, this time with a dip pen and India ink. Switching tools adds a new perspective to familiar subjects, and using ink brings bold, expressive lines. Watch the video to see how changing materials can inform your drawing process and inspire new creative discoveries.

Make Your Drawing Pop!

Finding inspiration in the park today! Join me as I sketch these stunning water lilies against the dark, reflective water. The contrast between the bright green petals and the deep water is just mesmerizing! Sometimes, simplicity and contrast can make your artwork truly stand out.

Special Live Online Workshop!

I’m excited to co-host a special online drawing session with Puapualena! In this special session, we’ll be stepping out of our comfort zones—each of us exploring unfamiliar tools and subjects. We’ll share our creative processes as we experiment with different styles and push the boundaries of our art. Draw along with us, try out new techniques, and interact with fellow creatives.

The Caffeinated Sketchbook

Today I am sharing a fun drawing technique inspired by coffee! In this video, learn how to use coffee stains to spark creativity and add depth to your sketches. I’ll demonstrate easy methods for creating art with just a cup or even a sip of coffee. Plus, get details on our upcoming Lisbon workshop, where you can join me and Cynthia Morris for a transformative, creativity-boosting experience. Perfect for artists and coffee lovers alike!

Editing: Yes, You're Allowed To Do That!

There’s this misconception that when you draw from observation, you should draw exactly what you see. But wait! What I see or observe, will be something completely different than what you see, or anyone else. Yet, we set these “rules” for ourselves that make us tense up. We want to “get it right”.
Why though? It’s a drawing! Not a prefect representation of the building, subject or view. So here’s a gentle reminder that drawing is really just about being creative and playful while having fun.

A One-Week Sketchbook Project

This week, I'm excited to share a special "side sketchbook" I used on my trip to Switzerland. Of course I brought the daily sketchbook I was working in then, but it's a bit heavy. 

Since I was traveling and hiking, I needed something light and portable, so I brought along my Hahnemühle Zigzag Book. This accordion-style sketchbook was perfect along with some simple tools - and because it doesn't have a lot of pages, I was able to fill the whole book before coming home again. And the accordion format made it fun and adventurous to work with.

Creating a Visual Diary By Drawing Daily | Sketchbook Tour

When you draw daily, you'll fill sketchbook after sketchbook with your art. In today’s video, I’m sharing another sketchbook tour with you. I myself love flipping through other people’s sketchbooks. Whether they’re beginners or advanced, I find it super inspiring. I hope my sketchbook tours spark inspiration for you as well. It’s all about doing art every day, wherever you are.

Lisbon Art Adventure!

Even though I still have one more workshop trip coming up this year, I already have an absolute favorite of the year. The first one in 2024, "Capture The Lisbon Wow" was just everything. Co-teaching with my friend Cynthia Morris is a blast. The group of artists that came with us on this adventure was so inspiring. I may have fallen in love with them, and with Lisbon. The good news: Cynthia and I will be leading this adventurous workshop again in April next year.

Live Mini-Workshop August 22

If you ever attended one of my previous online Mini-Workshops, you know how fun it is to hang out, draw together, and learn from each other.

I prepare instruction and an assignment for us to work on, during  the 90-minute-session. All you need to do is show up with your favorite art supplies.

Will you be joining the next session in August? I'd love to see you there.

How Long Does It Take To Make A Drawing?

One common and stubborn misconception is that you need hours and a perfectly set-up workspace to create art. This mindset can create a high threshold and might discourage you from starting at all.

In today's video, I’m addressing a frequently asked question: "How long does it take to make a drawing?" Whether my artwork takes hours or just a few minutes, I'll share insights and examples from my drawing archive, as well as the time it took to create each piece.

Hands Drawing Hands

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
Today, I'd like to talk about a special drawing ritual I follow whenever I start a new sketchbook: drawing my hands as they draw! This habit not only helps me break the curse of the blank page but also is a fun and challenging practice.

In this video, I'll walk you through my process, from starting by drawing the tip of the pen to capturing the details and proportions of my hands (wobbly and wonky!), even as they move and change positions.

Life is Better When You Draw (it) | Finding Meaning in Everyday Objects

When it comes to finding subjects for your drawings, why look any further than your kitchen? Mugs, glasses, and other household items might seem mundane at first glance, but they present a wonderful challenge for any artist. Let's explore why drawing everyday objects is not only a great exercise for practicing your skills but also a pathway to discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Sketchbook Tour: Daily Drawing Joy

Are you ready for another sketchbook tour?
I filled this sketchbook in May and a little bit of June, and it went by so fast!
Drawing is a daily part of my life, not just a habit or a ritual. It brings me so much joy, and I hope it can do the same for you. In today's video, I’ll take you through my sketchbook, its pages filled with moments in cafés, figure drawing sessions, and drawings from my travels and workshops.