Recent News and a Sketchbook Tour Full of Ideas!

My short blogging break is over and to celebrate that I have a full sketchbook to show you!
The Last Page of the Sketchbook
This morning, there was one page in my big A3-sized sketchbook that wasn’t finished. It was a very ugly one! Even if I covered it with a layer of dark colors, it didn’t please my eye at all.

But then I got an idea to highlight just some of the elements and paint a young woman on it. At the same time, I had the opportunity to play with the ideas that I am gathering for the new class.

I am often fighting against time when I am creating. When I make videos for the classes, I have only 1-3 hours for each project. My principle is that class videos are for guidance and inspiration and nobody wants to watch me paint for a day or two. Even if I speed up most parts, I usually include so much background information and art theory that I have to limit the time that I spend with painting or drawing. And often for blog posts, I have the same couple of hours even if it’s a bit easier if I don’t record the process or try to build a pedagogical package. So when painting this one, I would have liked to continue for a longer time, but I kept telling myself that the sketchbook is not where you make a detailed painting! Anyway, it’s detailed enough to get the idea.
Foxes and Inspiration from Natural Science
During the summer, foxes seem to have appeared in my art. This one is just a quick graphite drawing, but it’s something that really speaks to me: making new creatures and celebrating the potential and diversity of nature.

Here’s another one with a fox:

This sketchbook page is inspired by the microscopic world, and even if it’s a loose portrait, it also has a fox ear!

I also have a tiny painting in progress that has a fox, but I will show that later in the fall.
Ready for a Sketchbook Tour? – Here We Go!
I have made a quick flip-through video of the full sketchbook. The sketchbook is from Pink Pig. There’s also a glance of the summer’s big project on the video – our Japanese garden!
Plans for the Fall
Here’s what will happen here at Peony and Parakeet during the fall – come along!
1) July-September: Watercolor Journey, you can still sign up, and if you love watercolors this really is the class to take! (When you sign up you will get immediate access to the material provided so far.)
2) Sept 10 – Nov 30: The Exploring Artist – a soul-searching coaching program for any artist who wants to get clear where to head next! There are only 12 seats available so sign up fast!
3) Oct-Dec: a new class with a working title “Portrait Revolution” as a part of my art community Bloom and Fly.
I hope that you have reserved some time for creating and will join me! And as always, the best way to stay up to date is to subscribe to my weekly emails!
Facebook Live Watercolor Painting

Here’s the watercolor painting that I painted yesterday on Facebook Live while chatting away. You can find the recording on Peony and Parakeet’s Facebook page, go to Live Videos!
I had a wonderful audience, and many have posted their versions too in the thread, so it’s definitely worth checking out!
Watercolor Journey begins on July 1st!
My online class Watercolor Journey will begin on Sunday, July 1st. If you want to fall in love with watercolors, you don’t want to miss this class! Sign up here!
Watercolor Video – Filling a Plain Background

Painting with a wet brush on a wet background is a traditional and proven way to start a watercolor painting. But what then? Representational or abstract? Watch the video!
Fill a Plain Background with Watercolors – Watch the video!
Take Yourself on a Picturesque Watercolor Journey
My class Watercolor Journey is especially for you who admires traditional watercolorists but who wants to be more loose and contemporary in your approach.
If you find sketching, perspective painting, careful shadowing and copying boring, but want to learn tips and tricks to let watercolors do half the work for you, you don’t want to miss this class!
Connect the dots between watercolor techniques and your imagination – Sign up for Watercolor Journey!
Keeping a Watercolor Diary
This week, I show you my Moleskine Watercolor Notebook and share a bunch of art journaling ideas for watercolors.

I call my sketchbook a watercolor diary because it has become more than just storage of watercolor sketches. I have recorded many everyday moments and memories into it, and it has become a companion that is always easy to pick up and spend time with.
Watercolor Diary – Watch the Video!
I have included a lot of sample pages in this blog post but watch this recording of a live broadcast to get more out of them!
About 17:30 I talk about daffodils, but I mean dandelions, sorry!
Watercolor Diary – Sample Pages
Here are the pages of my art journal showed in the video.
Familiar Place

Long Path

Everyday Observation

Story of a Flower
This should read “Dandelion”, not “Daffodil”!

This Place Looks Like That Place

Inner vs. Outer

Travel Memories

Inspiring Cultures

Souvenirs from the Land of Imagination

Trip to the Museum

Organizing the Order

Abstract Garden

Flowers in the Wind

Abstract Buildings

Kneeling Down, Looking Up

Image Collection

Focusing on the Air

Watercolor Collage

Making a Pair

Crazy Journaling

Watercolors and Colored Pencils
Rainy Day

Morning Dew

Take Yourself on a Picturesque Watercolor Journey
My class Watercolor Journey is especially for you who admires traditional watercolorists but who wants to be more loose and contemporary in your approach.
If you find sketching, perspective painting, careful shadowing and copying boring, but want to learn tips and tricks to let watercolors do half the work for you, you don’t want to miss this class!
Connect the dots between watercolor techniques and creative expression – Sign up for Watercolor Journey!


