Let’s Sketch and Paint Together! Sketch Meet-up!

Sketch & Paint Meet-up!

Where: M Stark Gallery - 727 Main Street Halfmoon Bay

When: Sunday March 22 at 10 am

 RSVP to art@mstarkgallery.com so we can plan for size - it’s FREE

Who: Everyone is welcome! Kids who are interested and inspired are also welcome!

What: A walk through the gallery of my work and sketching and pleinair (painting outside on location), I’ll bring my sketchbooks, some inspo and my plein air set-up for questions and a quick demo before we head out to a nearby (easily accessible) location to do some sketching and painting together inspired by the seasonal flowers. Location TBD based on how the weather and blooms are looking!

Bring: Your own materials and sketching/painting supplies, portable chair or easel makes life easier but totally optional. 

I can’t believe that Destination: Superbloom is up in the gallery. I’ve so loved getting to meet new faces and chat with people about the collection. 

I’m extremely excited to be able to do a spring sketching session with all of you. I adore painting outside and being inspired by my surroundings. When I look back on a painting or drawing I’m immediately taken back to the temperature, the smells the sounds, who I was with and most of all what I’m seeing.

Sketching and painting on location offers a very rare moment to sit in a moment and really soak it up in a way that modern life rarely leaves space for. I love photographs- but in a digital age it’s all too easy to point your camera at a landscape - hit the button and move on. The photo is one among hundreds taken that week and slides in with the thousands of other photos we’ve captured on our phones.

When we paint- we really have to stick around and sit within it. Taking in each detail spending as much time looking as we are painting or drawing to record it- the moment is then permently etched into a memory. 

And I’d love to share in one of those  moments with you!

The event is free and open to all ages! Bring your own sketching and paint supplies -whatever you feel comfortable using is the PERFECT thing. I use an opaque watercolor paint called gouache. But if you’re not sure what to bring. Here’s a few suggestions:

My favorite art stores here in the Bay Area: California Art Supply, Arch Art Supply, Flax Art supply, Blick Art Supply and for a more boutique experience –treat yourself at Case for Making and drool a little at all the colors.

What I recommend if you’re just getting started:

This would be my recommendations for starting using gouache for plein air if you’ve never done it. It’s a great starter kit, with everything you need and not too overwhelming. I bought these for a girls weekend a few years ago for everyone to enjoy and it was a big hit. 

Arteza can be found at most art stores and has great options. I was gifted their paint years ago in exchange for a review and found it worked well. I think it works for entry -mid level artists and offers a great color range- some of the colors don’t give quite as much coverage but it’s an awesome option without busting your wallet. 

There’s lots of brands and options for everything-you don’t need the perfect supplies. It’s easy to get stuck on that. As always if you can shop local or small DO IT,  Etsy has amazing options for pleinair kits and I always prefer the local stores. Most Bay Area art stores also have amazing options especially California Art Supply and Arch Art supply and they are always super helpful if you tell them what you’re up to. Watercolor also works wonderfully if that’s your jam. And traditionally artists use oil paint for pleinair which is also wonderful if that’s what you’re comfortable using. But if you’re short on time amazon and big box stores have enough to get you started for the sketch meet-up.

I also LOVE this EBOO brand of water color pencils that are inexpensive and water soluble. I keep them in the diaper bag with a sketchbook for everyone in our family to use- kids and adults alike. We used them in Europe this past summer and everyone enjoyed them equally. It’s a great option if you don’t want to invest but want to participate. You can use regular paper or a slightly heavier paper without having to get watercolor paper. 

 

Waterbrushes are great for on the go sketching and helps reduce the amount of supplies you need. 

One of my favorites for a quick sketch or impression is Carn d’ache water-soluble crayons. Arch art supplies and Blick in San Francisco have a great selection. And can be used with watercolor or gouache to add some texture. Also great in a sketchbook or light weight.

I use gouache and Cansen watercolor plein air boards most typically. But I’ll also use whatever is available as you should too! You don’t need the perfect supplies to show up.

I use this Guerrilla painter pocket box most often with a lightweight tripod, but also use French easel  and sometimes just a sketchbook

My favorite paper for painting is probably my biggest splurge- it’s so velvety  a cotton rag and wonderful. I order it in big batches usually directly from Amatruda or from sellers on Etsy. 

This and this airtight palletes are my favorites to keep gauche mostly wet if you squeeze it into.

And I love this palette to keep gauche wet  and mixing while you work. 

I typically use flat brushes in various sizes. I usually have a size 8 and size 12 along with one small brush for detail. I have no brand loyalty with brushes but love the Princeton brand- this kit is also great and inexpensive that I have repurchased it countless times and feel no sorrow when I drop brush or loose it in my travels.

And I use a combination of Windsor Newton and Holbein gouache paints in various colors. You don’t need many and can mix most of the colors you need with either of these sets. Also helpful to pick up a green or two since we will be in nature and save a little mixing time.

 

What I recommend for kids:

Good old fashioned watercolors are always great- or my favorite is honey sticks non toxic option

I also LOVE this EBOO brand watercolor Pencils and their watercolor palettes and paper adults ad kids can use these

And these Chunkies are a great option- throw them in a zipper pouch and they are a great and mostly mess free. Can be used with printer paper, craft paper or sketchbook paper and even used to paint rocks when distraction strikes. 

First and foremost remember- this is not about creating a finished piece of art and not about comparing yourself or your journey with anyone else. WE will meet a M Stark Gallery I look forward to sharing my inspiration and how plein air played such a BIG role in the development of the Destination: Superbloom collection. 

If this peaks your interest PLEASE come and be inspired not intimidated. Artists love to learn and share and it’s always a welcoming environment for seasoned pleinair sketchers or new ones.

It can feel vulnerable to be sketching in public - but I assure you we ALL started somewhere and THIS is about being present and soaking in the landscape.

Can’t wait to see you soon please RSVP to art@Mstarkgallery.com so we can plan! See you there!