Seascapes and Butterflies

Painting outside. Again.

At the moment I am taking the time to really dive back into making art for myself and to work on my art journal practice. I am always so fast and need to slow down.

For now I like to get in the car, with snacks and water and to drive around looking for cool things to paint.

Last week I took a trip down to Long Beach, Pales Verdes and discovered so many cool areas. I was standing on top of a cliff at Roessler Point and was overwhelmed by the all the feelings of looking at beautiful nature.

I also stop by the South Coast Botanic Garden. I walked around in the gardens and went to the butterfly habitat. Definitely the highlight of the day. I did a quick sketch and painting while sitting among the butterflies. So cool.

Painting what I see.

I am so ready to do more plein air painting but summer heat has other plans. Basically the sun doesn't like me that much. So in my opinion it is ok then to take a photo and paint it later.

The pro is, there is AC... comfortable chair, desk etc.

The con is you are much slower and more detailed.

I always try to do all kinds of styles and find what is working for me in different situations.

Practice give confidence. You do not need perfection in art. You need not to stop. To grow confidence. And to have fun creating.

I took a few photos in Main street, Old Town Tustin. Painted at home.

Main street, Old Town Tustin

Main street, Tustin watercolor art by Erna van Dyk

Paint an insect with white acrylic resist

Use the template to trace the insect. Either use your own designs or use mine and paint it in white acrylic, not white craft paint. Let it dry and paint watercolor over. The darker the watercolor the more the white will stand out.

Template

insect

.pdf

Download PDF • 1.27MB

Watch it on YouTube: Insect art