Snowy Scene Outside

I've sketched this view many times from my living room. It doesn't change much from snowstorm to snowstorm, but it is the only view I have on this side of the building. I used my Strathmore Tan Toned Sketchbook for this. In fact it is the last sketch in that notebook. We had about another inch of snow on top of what we already had, but the snow has started melting because it was a lot warmer..even though we were still having light snow. The snow on the railing was melting and slid off before I finished the painting.

In Bloom

 While on my walk I came across a tree with white flowers.

The forsythia finally bloomed on Long Island. I love when all the bushes turn that wonderful yellow. This was sketched on tan toned paper in Sayville.

Peony Tulips

Jerry's niece, Beth, gave me some peony tulips for Easter. She had given me yellow ones last year and remembered how I liked them. They droop so nicely. This was done in my Strathmore Beige Toned Sketchbook with watercolors and white gouache.

Snow by the Fence

 I had mail to take to the post office the other day, so after I dropped it off I sat in the post office parking lot in Holbrook to paint this snowy view. The snow has lasted longer than I expected. This was done in my Strathmore Toned Beige Sketchbook. White gouache was added for the snow.

Snow on Fallen Tree

We had a bit of snow recently and I went out to sketch it before it melted and disappeared. This was done in my Strathmore Beige Toned Sketchbook with watercolors and white gouache. 

Gilgo Beach House

One of the beach areas here on Long Island that was always popular with surfers is Gilgo Beach. Unfortunately it was one of those places where you had to be a resident of a particular town to gain access and park without paying a high price. Since I didn't surf and there were so many wonderful beaches I could go to I was went to Gilgo during the season. I have visited off season when you can park without a problem. There is a small area with a road and maybe about a dozen houses. I drove over there the other day with my Strathmore Toned Tan Sketchbook, my pens (including my white Signo gel pen), my watercolor pans and watercolor pencils. I sketched this house on Cottage Lane.

I wasn't really happy with the way the white looks. It seems too bright for the other colors. I tried going over the white with a dry watercolor pencil, but it didn't do much to tone it down. As much as I love having a white pen that works I do wish they made it in more of a cream color too. I've checked at Blick when I've shopped there but didn't see any other light colors. I'll have to check online.

Yellow Tulips

On Easter my niece gave us some lovely yellow peony tulips. The petals actually look like they belong to a peony. They are a little droopy, but I like that and they made a nice composition. This was done on Strathmore tan toned paper with gouache.

Trees in the Snow

Our snow from the storm didn't last very long. Although we had an accumulation of about 6-8 inches it started disappearing once it got warmer, and then it rained. I caught one last sketch between the warmer weather and the rain when there were still pocket os snow on the ground. This was done in my beige toned Strathmore sketchbook.

 

Sayville Snow

 I haven't been posting all my sketches in the order I did them. Sometimes I sneak something else in as soon as it is done. After the snow I've tried doing as many sketches of it as I can...at least before there is nothing left to make a good subject. The snow from this last storm has been very cooperative and has stayed put on a lot of the bushes. I think that was because it froze and that is keeping it from melting. This was sketched in front of one of the houses in Sayville, on Strathmore tan toned paper with watercolors and white gouache.

Fresh Snow

Luckily the snowstorm wasn't as bad as predicted right here. Our temperatures were a little warmer down on the south shore of Long Island, and the snow changed to rain and sleet for a while through the night before changing back to snow. We got a few inches but it was wet and messy. I didn't need to go out at all so I stayed home and sketched the view out the living room window. This was done with watercolors and white gouache in my toned tan Strathmore sketchbook. 

Woods View

This morning I sat out on the patio and did a sketch of the woods with oil pastels. After I used them the last time I watched a few videos to see how people recommend using them. I've mostly used them in watercolor paintings sort of like a resist and texture. This time I used just the oil pastels on Strathmore Toned Paper.

Morning Snow

We had a bit of snow overnight and it looked so pretty this morning. I knew that once the sun came out it would melt fairly quickly. I had an early appointment but I rushed out as quickly as I could to find a spot along the road in Medford that still had some snow. By the time I finished this most of the snow was gone. This was done in a Strathmore toned beige sketchbook.