#30×30 Day 08 : Day in the Park!
We’re just back from a day sketching in the park with our old friend Shari Blaukopf!
It’s been at least 450 days since our lockdown began, and longer still since we’ve had a chance to sketch together.
Today was a huge reward! Sunny with a bit of breeze, if a little hot (30C / 85F, which is pretty warm for Canadians!) but it’s the height of summer, everything is in bloom, and we could finally get together to paint at an old favorite, the Japanese garden at the Jardin Botanique.
You just can’t beat a day spent making art with friends!
Of course, I’m showing off studio work for #30×30 this year, and I’ve gotten very ambitious with the paintings – which is rewarding – pushing yourself – but let’s not forget this kind of small sketch. Just having fun! That’s how I learned everything I know today.
I always say, the most important thing an artist can do for their art, is the thing they love to do. Whatever you can enjoy, day after day, year after year – building one sketch on the other, gradually becoming more fluent, more aware of your abilities. That’s the only way to stick with art for the decades it takes to see your potential.
Today was a great reminder not to take everything too seriously! Enjoy the artist’s life when you get a chance :)
Citizen Sketcher 
This just made my day! Love the paintings and inspiration to keep painting. Thanks for sharing your photos… the mother and ducklings amongst the waterlilies was an unexpected delight.
Thank you so much for the words of advice, Marc. I always get as much from those as I do the pleasure of viewing your paintings and sketches. For those of us who have only been painting for a few years ( 3 for me), it’s too easy to say you’ll never get any better and why waste your time. But we enjoy it too much to stop. So your words have tremendous value.
Thanks again. 😊
I have to thank you for informing me (and all of us) about this Direct Watercolor challenge. My first thought was that I didn’t want to do this. I even have your book and hadn’t really tried to follow it. But—since my usual way of drawing first in ink and then painting it, was not going well, and I was not getting the result I wanted–I decided to give it a try.
Well-it has given me such a new outlook on painting. I am enjoying it more than I would ever have thought. It is a challenge that I look forward to daily. some days, more than once.
And two of my favorite teachers painting together–I am so envious. Thank you again.
Well that is tremendous to hear! A convert! :) (joking!) but anything that helps people remain enthusiastic:)
Lovely paintings Marc – so loose!
And how lovely to see you with Shari B in the gorgeous MTL Botanical Gardens – two iconic urban sketchers enjoying the day together :).