This is a between-newsletters roundup of my recent blog posts all in one location, so you can click on a link and read full posts on any that interest you. Every post has more sketches than the one sketch included here.
Lately, my sketchbook has been overloaded with floral sketches. I might have missed the California poppy season entirely this year but I made up for it with other flowers.
Iris
Nola’s Iris Garden is in the foothills above San Jose. And when those flowers bloom, you have a two or three-week window to catch them. See all my sketches from that trip here.
Matilija Poppies
I just love floppy-petalled, Matilija poppies. Don’t be fooled by those petals, though: this plant is one of California’s most resilient natives. You can see both my attempts at capturing the spirit of those flowers here.
Flanders Poppies
I’ve never painted Flanders poppies before so Nina taking me to see a field of them was an amazing treat. We loved them so much, that they were our subject for our weekly sketch outings two weeks in a row. See all my experiments here and Nina’s on her substack.
Speaking of poppies, I asked for your opinion in my last newsletter on when the piece posted below was done (this image shows it at the point I called “Step 5”)
Thank you for answering the poll! I found the results to be super interesting. While at first glance it looks like many of you thought I should stop where I did, it’s interesting to note that 51% of you felt the stopping point should have been somewhere other than here, and the “stop earlier” vote is a very substantial part of that number.
Of course, the hard part is always “How do I find that sweet spot?“ That, I suspect is a lifelong quest.
Want to join in a poppy sketching session on Zoom this week?
The Sketching Together Zoom group will sketch blood red poppies on Zoom in a couple of days. If you upgrade your membership now, you’ll have a link in time to join us!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Gateway to India 2025 has one last open spot!
Use this link to learn more about this urban sketching adventure in India and write in if you want to grab that spot!
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Color That Pops (Online Workshop with Personal Feedback)
I taught this workshop a couple of months ago and I’m running a repeat session, this time with the additional bonus of personalized feedback on your work. If you’re looking to find more joyous color in your work, this workshop is for you!
Details and Sign up here.
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Color and Mixed Media in Santa Fe, 2025 (In-person Workshop)
Maru Godas and I loved teaching the 2024 version of this workshop last month. It filled up completely, so sign up soon if you want to join us in May 2025 in Santa Fe. It will be an amazing week! Details here.
Beautiful take on the matillija. I love the color of their foliage, it’s so pretty at dusk.