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Hello friends!

About a month ago I went to our family farm for an experiment.  I wanted to work- the farm was calling me- but the heat was killing off any inclination for a big expenditure of energy.  So I traveled light and took only my easel, a pad of paper, my pens, and some colored pencils.  I did a detailed plein air sketch that took me about an hour and a half and then goofed around with the family for awhile.  In the shade.

Later, back in the studio I worked up an underpainting with just flat shapes in approximately the right color and value on a good size panel... all based on the sketch.   A few days ago the heat finally broke and I returned to the original scene to paint from life.  The leaves had filled in but I could find what originally attracted me to the place (besides the shade).  Thanks to all my previous work it went very smoothly and I was able to complete it with just a couple of studio finishing touches (the rabbit).

This is in contrast to my past approach which always entailed a simply making a small 5 minute sketch on paper before diving directly into the painting on location.

So the experiment was successful!  I tried the same approach at a couple of different locations.  At one I simply drew various aspects of the scene at length with ink and colored pencils.  When I returned another day to paint it was such a familiar subject that it all flowed quickly.

I am kind of loving the way this year's drawing side quest has influenced my painting process.  And, bonus- drawing all these critters has made including them in the paintings very easy.

I hope that you too are having an opportunity to experiment and find new ways of doing familiar things.  And I REALLY hope that you have a way to keep cool this summer.

Take care,

Jill Peckelun

Hello everyone!

I have been watching my little flowers grow this year.  Tender shoots strengthen into sturdier stems and then a ta da! moment of blossoms.

Art is like that.

One of the things I love best about sketching and painting is the freshness of it all. 

I draw a little line that leads to another line that leads to another.  I have a general idea about where I am going, but I am wide open to the surprises.  Sometimes I like to use a fountain pen- lots of surprises there.  And I like to squiggle my lines to keep it all loose, alive, and moving.  

In painting I often start with a big bold swathe of intense color.  Everything else relates to and follows from that single mark in color, texture and purpose.  I employ a variety of brush strokes...it's just more interesting to me.  And I love the finishing touches of some squiggly lines for contrast and freedom.

Some of the people who follow my artwork through my website/newsletter/social media drop a little note to me when they particularly like something I did.  I am grateful for the encouragement because frankly- when I put something out there, I never know how anyone will receive it- and so I always respond.  Occasionally this back and forth leads to a delicate ripple of goodwill ricocheting between us, a tender bond of support and community between likeminded folks that makes us both feel nurtured.  

It is such a joy.

When we moved to this house over ten years ago one of my friends gave me a young hydrangea plant as a housewarming gift.  You should see it now.  It is lush with gorgeous vibrant blooms.  It must be in a happy place with just enough sunshine and rain.  I really enjoy its presence in my life, and the neighbors do too.  Because that is what happens with sprouts that are nurtured with tenderness.  They grow and thrive and everyone who sees them feels the better for it.

I hope that someone is tender with you, nurturing you.  And I hope that you have the opportunity to respond in good kindness.

Take care everyone!

Jill Peckelun