As you know, we are on our first vacation in 12 years. Dale is doing the shipping, packaging and finding Post Offices every day wherever we are. If you get a mistake in your order, let us know by emailing [email protected] OR call/message Dale @ 520.270.1452. People are still human and we do make mistakes, plus we're slower than Amazon. Dale will fix it!
Happy Sketching!  Pocket Sketching Becomes DependableIn trying to graduate to bigger paper and not use the pen (to go to large traditional watercolors), I have been forced to accept again how valuable the pen is. Here’s a dreadful attempt of a beautiful resort. The right stuff was there: I certainly wasn’t! You are not alone: I get bad sketches too, and lots of also-rans. (There’s a super use for them. See the next blog!)
Next was Chama for the Chama/Antonito Railroad. If you go, sit on the right (starboard) side of the train: it gets all the views. Beautiful ride and will be spectacular with aspens in September. I drove back up the highway and did several sketches.
Next was Ouray, then Telluride, CO, where we 86 year-olds didn’t adapt to the elevation, but the scenery was phenomenal. The car did well. I got a great sketch of Red Mountain during a roadblock. Next we stayed with friends Rex and Denice in Montrose at 5000’, an elevation where we could walk again. A local man grows peonies for people to pick at no charge. The sketch was done in the car while Dale drove to Orem, Utah, where we are now. It’s the best peony sketch I’ve ever done.  The mountains here are one of my major destinations for sketching. It’s just light...time to explore!!! Happy Sketching!  Who scheduled April? They were nuts!The 9th and 10th were supposed to be a fun oil pointing workshop I enrolled in. The hours were 6:30 AM to dark. Those are great hours to 'cath the light' ... when you are 30 years old. I cancelled. The 11th began my first Pocket Sketching® Retreat. There's a ton of planning and organizing involved. Held at the historic Arizona Inn here in Tucson, it was a marvelous success and ended April 15th. We spent a day at the Arizona Inn sketching, then a day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum sketching and a day in Downtown Tucson...with oh-so-much-to-do! Dale and I drove to Las Vegas on the 16th for Dale's Super Sabre Convention which ended on the 19th. The highlight for me was attending a performance of KA by Cirque du Soliel. In the dark, I tried to sketch the performers. (Didn't work well!) but I did get a fun sketch of a gambler. And then we began a Teacher’s Workshop April 25th for 5 ½ days. It includes everything I know about Pocket Sketching and the business of running workshops in many different ways. It is intense. The April combination was overkill! We are now doing 2 online workshops. These are relaxing for me and work marvelously for participants. Each session is recorded and available for two weeks so you can review and even miss a session and stay caught up. You see every brush stroke. The potential is excellent for both instructor and for students. What’s next? Our first vacation in the 12 years we have known each other. I get to paint and sketch while Dale gets to do whatever he wants (plus shipping supplies from wherever we are!) We will visit places where we’ve taught, but not teach. There’s one exception. I’ll do a lecture July 6 and a one-day workshop July 7th in Coupeville, Washington at the Pacific Northwest Art School, where I’ve taught workshops for years. The lecture is hilarious. Hopefully the workshop won’t be. www.pacificnorthwestartschool.com, Phone: 360-678-3396 Watch the CALENDAR on www.pocketsketching.com for any live workshops. After the vacation we may plan some and even have new ideas for teaching. The next blog should have a very fun project I think you’ll enjoy. It involves Season Four on PBS, which is recorded. Happy Sketching!
Tucson Botanical Gardens
For 12 years Dale and I have traveled and taught Pocket Sketching workshops all over the country and even in Canada. It has been unbelievably rewarding for us. Can we move on? Is this only a sabbatical? We’ll find out. For the first time we are not scheduling, but we may not be able to stay away. We plan to continue the Teacher’s workshop and probably online workshops. We don’t have to haul everything with us by car for those, and I do want as many people as possible to have the chance to have all the excitement of finding they can sketch without rules, for pleasure, anywhere, in minutes. WHAT'S NEXTWe’re taking a non-teaching vacation for the first time in 12 years. I plan to sketch and will send some results in your newsletters. If we are in your area, maybe we can sketch together with you. I’ll send the route when we have it. We’ll continue to send tips in our newsletters. Some will be just what YOU NEED at that moment. UPCOMING EVENTSWe still have three openings in the Retreat, April 11 through 15 at the delightful Arizona Inn here in Tucson. Dale and I were there on the patio for dinner with our grandkids. All the flowers are in bloom. By April the nights will be warm for sitting out and the days will be perfect. This is my first retreat. I expect we’ll learn and play! Register by phone or email: 520-318-9291 or [email protected] The Teachers Workshop has two spaces left and the dates are April 25 through 30. This is loaded with everything I know. You leave having done all the exercises, learned how to teach them and how to run the business, plus you get one item of everything I use. You can use the Logo and be protected by the Trademark, be included on our website and continue to get support. Teaching Pocket sketching is a very fun way to get a gig income, meet new friends, have purpose, earn a full income: so many advantages. Register by phone or email: 520-318-9291 or [email protected] On May 4th we begin two online workshops. I have been amazed how well people learn online. I give exercises, demonstrate each, review your work personally, give you homework and review it the next session. Here’s what Jan of Grand Rapids said of the online: “In a nutshell, you made Zoom the best of all worlds! No travel. No hotels. Still, great lessons. Full-size sketchpad on my computer screen. I can totally see what you are doing, and we could ask questions as you went along. Excellent individual critique of sketches while sharing with great people. More time to spend on “homework” to try different things. Good time frame of five almost-two-hour lessons, plus 15 minutes for socializing before class. Having the lessons available for two weeks by recording made it easy to review and catch up when I had a conflict.” MONTHLY TIPWe have many orders for just the pens and a pad of paper. I insisted you receive the paper because if you pick a paper that absorbs, the pen won’t run. The pen allows you to have a full range of grey washes like Ansell Adams’ photography. The line is a perfect way to learn watercolor. If you go over the line quickly, it will yield a little bit of wash and remain a line. If you wiggle the brush as you go over it, it will go totally into wash. If you put what I call |
 'Arizona Inn Library' by Kath Macaulay | Retreat April 11-15 Based at the Arizona Inn-Tucson Teacher's Workshop April 25-30 Kath's home studio Online Basic Workshop May 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 Choose Morning or Afternoon |
After that we do not have plans to teach at this time. If we miss it too much (you won't believe how rewarding this has been!!!) we'll book a few workshops in the Fall. We are looking at many possibilities.
THE POCKET SKETCHING RETREAT
| The Arizona Inn is a woman-built garden inn built out in the sticks of Tucson just before the great Depression. Isabella kept it open by having her staff make furniture to be used in the rooms. It is now in the middle of town and is gorgeous and totally relaxing. I have often sketched there. We'll hang out in the piano lounge and on my patio. I'll be with you to sketch, critique, yak and relax. Our Trips The Barrio (old very typical Latino neighborhood) featured in Conde Nast as a 'must see' in 2024. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (features every plant, bird, rock, animal that is here, mostly in natural settings with excellent trails) are must-do in Tucson El Charro for authentic Mexican food in a perfect setting Elizabeth's Home for Philipino dinner in her garden There's nothing to miss! |  'Arizona Inn' by Kath Macaulay  'Supplies' by Kath Macaulay |
Go to 'You Tube' to see many of my videos and CLICK SUBSCRIBE. You'll enjoy it and it will be helpful to me.
Look also at PBS Pocket Sketching. We will eventually have the episodes of every season available as downloads, but not until each has been shown by PBS for three years.
WHAT'S NEXT
I have to find funding for PBS Season Four, which is totally filmed, waiting for editing and
release. I’m no fundraiser. If you are so talented and want to make some money, please contact me.
This is a short-term project and I need help!!!
ONLINE BASIC WORKSHOP
Student Review
"Now I have attended all 3 types of your workshops: traditional live workshop, Covid-19 mask and
distancing workshop, and Zoom workshop. (Toss in your great PBS program showing here, and I
guess that makes 4 types!)
In a nutshell, you made Zoom the best of all worlds! No travel. No hotels. Still, great lessons. Full-
size sketchpad on my computer screen. I can totally see what you are doing, and we could ask
questions as you went along. Excellent individual critique of sketches while sharing with great
people. More time to spend on “homework” to try different things., Good time frame of 5 almost-
two-hour lessons, plus 15 minutes for socializing before class. Having the lessons available for two
weeks made it easy to review and catch up when I had a conflict.
Thanks for bringing your workshop to Zoom and my computer."
Jan Palm
release. I’m no fundraiser. If you are so talented and want to make some money, please contact me.
This is a short-term project and I need help!!!
ONLINE BASIC WORKSHOP
Student Review
"Now I have attended all 3 types of your workshops: traditional live workshop, Covid-19 mask and
distancing workshop, and Zoom workshop. (Toss in your great PBS program showing here, and I
guess that makes 4 types!)
In a nutshell, you made Zoom the best of all worlds! No travel. No hotels. Still, great lessons. Full-
size sketchpad on my computer screen. I can totally see what you are doing, and we could ask
questions as you went along. Excellent individual critique of sketches while sharing with great
people. More time to spend on “homework” to try different things., Good time frame of 5 almost-
two-hour lessons, plus 15 minutes for socializing before class. Having the lessons available for two
weeks made it easy to review and catch up when I had a conflict.
Thanks for bringing your workshop to Zoom and my computer."
Jan Palm
| TEACHER'S WORKSHOP Have you thought to get a ‘gig’ income? If you love sketching, why not teach it? It’s fun, easy to teach, you meet wonderful people, establish a group that is fun, loyal and more than willing to meet weekly to enjoy each other’s company, learn and pay you for the privilege. Look into my Teacher’s Workshop April 25 through 30. It’s a big commitment, but check out the potential income (and the itinerary) to you at https://www.pocketsketching.com/teachers.html. May I suggest you do this now, as there are very few credentialed Pocket Sketching Teachers in the U.S. and the market is enormous. People love to immerse in vacations, learn, be totally portable, have minimal equipment, meet great people, come back with sketch-memories…just like you!!! I teach everything you need! [email protected], 520-318-9291 |  'Immersed' by Kath Macaulay |
HAPPY SKETCHING!
 Red Dragon |  Green-Eyed Dragon |
The Chinese Lunar New Year begins today and the symbol is the dragon, a wonderful mythological beast. I have always loved them and included are two of my old watercolors which were inspired by my Master, Bong Wei Chen. Totally frustrated with his class, he announced “Paint dragon: nobody knows what they look like!” He could not believe we did not know where birds carry their feet in every pose. His comment: “Chinese children know where bird feet are by time 6 to 7 year old! American know nothing!!!” Total incredulity. (And it really is fun to paint dragons!)
Talk about incredulity, I spent five days preparing to give a talk to the Santa Rita Art League in Green Valley, then woke up at 5:00 AM realizing they didn’t want a business lecture, but to be entertained. After re-writing and adding a new group of sketches, eighty people were entertained. Some of us take life too seriously sometimes!
Talk about incredulity, I spent five days preparing to give a talk to the Santa Rita Art League in Green Valley, then woke up at 5:00 AM realizing they didn’t want a business lecture, but to be entertained. After re-writing and adding a new group of sketches, eighty people were entertained. Some of us take life too seriously sometimes!
Pocket Sketching Retreat
April 11 - 15
Tucson's Gorgeous Arizona Inn
Coming up is the exciting Pocket Sketching Retreat April 11 -15 at Tucson’s gorgeous Arizona Inn. It will be sunny and perfect to sketch, flowers everywhere and so much to enjoy! Did you see the article on the Barrio in Conde Nast? That’s one of our destinations. We expect to pick up the birds-of-prey flight at the Desert Museum. They fly immediately overhead. You are told to not hold your I-pad or your kids above your head because of potential collisions! The Desert Museum is a total must-see! Call or email me for a reservation and join us for laughter, sunshine and sketches!
Pocket Sketching Workshops |
 | For Basic live workshops, I still have room February 21, 22, 23 here in my home studio. Seven is the maximum so everyone gets plenty of attention. If the weather’s cruddy, don’t worry. Day One and Day Two are indoors learning all about the technique, landscape, still life and people. If we can’t go out Day Three, I have tons of very fun, advanced material from my Refresher course. You’ll be ready for it! Email or Phone reservations: [email protected], 520-318-9291. |
Dale, who’s more computer savvy than I, wants you to go to You Tube (youtube.com) and put in the search field ‘pocket sketching’. There are many educational videos we’ve done. Then click on (Subcribe). Something happens when we have 1000 followers. (See? Not savvy!)
Happy Sketching!
Happy Sketching!
Should we call it a vacation? How about a necessary break and reset? Dale and I have taken December and January to catch up on business and life without the interruptions of setting up teaching, hauling stuff to teach, teaching. In fact, I've just finished the third of three workshops where I got to be a student.
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First one I'll do again: Bob Burridge. Very splashy and loose: much fun! Subject was a moving nude (Pocket Sketching nude, red nude). He asked the model to have an "anguished face."
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The third workshop was with Stan Kurth. I wanted to learn how to use gouache (watercolor mixed with white which results in opaque and pastel paint colors). I got what I wanted (abstract and wine above). All really good experiences!
You often ask where to go to get more watercolor training. Tom Lynch does both online and live workshops. He's traditional and teaches well. www.tomlynch.com
Pocket Sketching Workshops
We plan to limit the number of workshops and they will be in Tucson, or nearby. New workshops are now here on the website. As I age-out, I hope many of you will become Pocket Sketching Teachers to have fun, purpose and enjoy the delight of bringing this easy technique to others. Click on Workshops/Teachers on the header bar above.
Pocket Sketching Retreat
Three Full Days of Sketching with Kath!
The dates are April 11 through 15, when Tucson weather is perfect. We are staying at the Arizona Inn, a gorgeous historic inn with beautiful gardens, a lovely pool and good food.
Day 1 Arrive April 11
Day 2 Sketch inside and outside of the Arizona Inn. The neighborhood is typical old Tucson and charming for sketching. Wine, cheese and crackers with a critique on Kath's patio in the evening.
Day 3 Excursion to the world-famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Critique in the evening. Gourmet Indonesian dinner in an amazing woman-designed home.
Day 4 Tucson street car to the downtown Barrio Viejo: a charming historic neighborhood with colorful homes built in the late 1800's. Tucson Art Museum, Cafe' a La C'Art for brunch and dinner at El Charro, Tucson's legendary Mexican restaurant.
Day 5 Departure
Space is limited. Only 12 spaces available. Cost $2075 per sketcher in single room. Two beds available: ask for quote.
Day 1 Arrive April 11
Day 2 Sketch inside and outside of the Arizona Inn. The neighborhood is typical old Tucson and charming for sketching. Wine, cheese and crackers with a critique on Kath's patio in the evening.
Day 3 Excursion to the world-famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Critique in the evening. Gourmet Indonesian dinner in an amazing woman-designed home.
Day 4 Tucson street car to the downtown Barrio Viejo: a charming historic neighborhood with colorful homes built in the late 1800's. Tucson Art Museum, Cafe' a La C'Art for brunch and dinner at El Charro, Tucson's legendary Mexican restaurant.
Day 5 Departure
Space is limited. Only 12 spaces available. Cost $2075 per sketcher in single room. Two beds available: ask for quote.
Tip of the Day
To have the Pilot Razor Point Pen 'run' into washes, you must have a paper that works. We get gobs or orders for 5 pens (a really good deal) but if your paper absorbs you won't see the line 'run,' which is the reason for buying that pen. That is why we now stress getting a pad of our paper when you order pens to see how it works. I have a little test I use in art supply stores to see if a new paper works. I have to buy the paper I wreck, but if it doesn't work, I don't buy a bunch or recommend it.
Changes
Our biggest change is...we plan to sell the business. Someone with a business background can take this much farther than we can at our somewhat advanced ages. According to Wikipedia, Bob Ross made $11.4 million in his short life. Far more than that is possible with international focus and the internet. I simply don’t want to step into the bigger picture with employees, regulations, brick and mortar, etc. We will teach teachers as this is how the technique can become available to many more people than we can reach. If you are curious, click on WORKSHOPS/TEACHERS on the header bar above. That description is totally real, including what you can expect to make as an extra income. Best of all, it’s tremendously fun, you meet wonderful people and you add purpose to your life! It has been incredibly rewarding.
JANUARY 2024
As I mentioned in the last blog, here are the delightful, hand-made cards we received this Christmas!
 Tiffany |  Joy |  Juddith Pelham |
 Milay |  Sheryal |  Marge Beckett |
DECEMBER 2023
Most of you know that I sketch a new card for each Christmas/holiday season. Tucson is not an easy place to find subject matter! And especially when I have to find it, sketch it, get it reproduced as cards and get it out on time! This year there's a change.
In November I decided I've been working too hard for 15 years and I gave myself two months to go 'black,' a theater term meaning "we are closed: no shows." I have three major projects which need finishing. Scheduling and teaching workshops simply made chaos. And that included the 'hunt-for-something-to-sketch-for-the-card.' The way out? I've always loved my sketch of the El Charro restaurant. It is legendary Tucson. Simply added the tree and wreath and here it is!
In November I decided I've been working too hard for 15 years and I gave myself two months to go 'black,' a theater term meaning "we are closed: no shows." I have three major projects which need finishing. Scheduling and teaching workshops simply made chaos. And that included the 'hunt-for-something-to-sketch-for-the-card.' The way out? I've always loved my sketch of the El Charro restaurant. It is legendary Tucson. Simply added the tree and wreath and here it is!
In a much, much more relaxed mode, I'll find something to sketch for next December, without pressure.
WHAT'S NEXT?
In January I'm taking two workshops, both in watercolor (WHEE!) In February and March you can expect online workshops. And I am planning the LIVE Pocket Sketching Retreat in March. Out weather is lovely then.
Just because I miss my 'hard-to-get-done-on-time' Christmas cards, here are two of my favorites. And I'm going to send another little note this month just to show you a few of the hand-illustrated cards I received. You are sooo clever!
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Have a Joyous, Peaceful, Cozy, Friends & Family rest of December!!!
Happy Sketching!
NOVEMBER 2023
It's a wonderful time of year with friends for dinner, music, joviality, crisp temperatures and hopefully time to enjoy. Take time to sketch a bit and relax.
| Remember the 'cobbled' still life exercise? This sketch was used for the invitation to our wedding reception. However, it was sketched while waiting for dinner on Thanksgiving Day in Las Cruces with my granddaughters Jessica, Jade and Jazmin & their mom, Audrey, and their extended family. All these items were around the house and there was time to go to each and sketch them as if they were together. You can tell it was a joyous occasion and what a sketch it made! |  |
NEWS
November 17, 18, 19 is the last Basic Workshop in our home studio for this year. There's room for you and you can bring a friend to sketch with. It's a possible gift to yourself. Come join us: [email protected] or 520-318-9291
The very last workshop of the year will be at Tohono Chul Park (also in Tucson) November 30 - December 2: [email protected] or 520-742-6455, ext. 228.
There are no plans for workshops in December or January as we figure out what we will do next.
The very last workshop of the year will be at Tohono Chul Park (also in Tucson) November 30 - December 2: [email protected] or 520-742-6455, ext. 228.
There are no plans for workshops in December or January as we figure out what we will do next.
THIS MONTH'S TIP
I was asked if you wet the pen line and let it dry before adding color. No. The line of the Pilot Razor Point pen is both your skeleton of the drawing and your source of value change. Hit it with water and let it dry & it will remain a dull and obvious line - never giving shades. Hit it with solor in your brush and you get the shades in the object. Following are examples of doing it both ways.
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After a nasty summer we finally are in 'the other season.' You can sit in the sun and not become hardtack! Would you want to come to a Sketching Retreat (maybe a short daily lesson, then just sketch with a convivial group in the Tucson area, shop, eat, relax, share. Stay at the Sheraton on Grant which has offered a great winter rate of $125/day for my group. If interested, what month(s) would work for you?
Enjoy the weather, the fun with friends, THANKSGIVING! Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Happy Sketching!
OCTOBER 2023
As our Northwest teaching and sketching trip turned out, it was the former - not the latter. I should have known as I'm from Salem, Oregon. The sketching was to be an end reward...but it rained. September is always safe; not this time. We fled into eastern Washington (always dependably sunny) ... and it rained. The three workshops were excellent and we stayed with friends and visited friends. We came home with a darling pot made by Rosalie, a recipe from Houb and wonderful memories. We don't plan to do any more travel workshops.
This Month's Tip
| The sketch this time makes a strong point. If you plan to sketch something that may move (little boy sitting on a curb), do that first. The building, plants & ground will all stay put. The animal will move or totally leave, which he did the second I had him sketched! It's terrific practice. You will develop the ability to remember what you saw and to extrapolate what isn't still there. |  |
What's Coming Up?
We leave Saturday the 7th for Grand Rapids to film Season Four of Pocket Sketching® I've been writing furiously to get the 13 Episodes ready. Guess what? They are people. My famous striped outfit that doesn't fit, but it sure makes it easy to sketch people. I do hope this works.
October 27, 28, 29: Basic Workshop in m,y Home Studio in Tucson. Space is limited. I have room for only 7 people. To join us, email me: [email protected] or Phone 520-318-9291.
November 2, 3, 4: Basic Workshop at Tohono Chul Park in Tucson. Scroll down to 'workshops' Tohono Chul.
November 5-10: My big Teachers Workshop in our home studio.
This is loaded with everything I know. We cover art and business so you can easily teach. You can make an additional income for life, enjoy delightful friendships and find out how totally rewarding it is to bring this fun artform to other people...at home or anywhere.
October 27, 28, 29: Basic Workshop in m,y Home Studio in Tucson. Space is limited. I have room for only 7 people. To join us, email me: [email protected] or Phone 520-318-9291.
November 2, 3, 4: Basic Workshop at Tohono Chul Park in Tucson. Scroll down to 'workshops' Tohono Chul.
November 5-10: My big Teachers Workshop in our home studio.
This is loaded with everything I know. We cover art and business so you can easily teach. You can make an additional income for life, enjoy delightful friendships and find out how totally rewarding it is to bring this fun artform to other people...at home or anywhere.
Come join us! [email protected] or 520-318-9291. If you've enjoyed learning Pocket Sketching® consider how much more fulfilling it will be to share it with others in your town!
Occasionally I recommend other teachers. I took my first workshop from Tom Lynch in about 1986. He's a very good watercolor instructor. Now he's teaching online. Look up his work at Google: Tom Lynch, artist. When I announced one of his online workshops before, several people took it and really enjoyed it, so I'm recommending him again.
New 1-Day Online Workshop
Saturday Oct 21st 10:30-5:30 p.m.
The Secrets to Painting the Fall Landscape
sponsored by ... Cheap Joe's Art Stuff
Questions? Email TOM: [email protected]
Happy Sketching!
Saturday Oct 21st 10:30-5:30 p.m.
The Secrets to Painting the Fall Landscape
sponsored by ... Cheap Joe's Art Stuff
Questions? Email TOM: [email protected]
Happy Sketching!
SEPTEMBER 2023
| This is MAO, our cat. The entire sketch was done with running lines. |  |
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For those who are upset by lines than 'run' (go into solution) here are a few short, but very important hints.
1. If the line is terrific, leave it alone.
2. You can pull or push it to the outside or the inside, depending on whether you want the inside to have shadows or you want the inside to show because the outside is darker.
3. If you want the line to disappear, wiggle the brush as you wet it and it will go totally into solution.
4. You can add more lines when the paper is dry, and you can run those lines.
5. Any lines that were wet and then dried will not run again: they are stabilized and so are the washes made from them.
6. You don't have to 'stay in the lines' when you wet them. It's far more interesting if you don't.
2. You can pull or push it to the outside or the inside, depending on whether you want the inside to have shadows or you want the inside to show because the outside is darker.
3. If you want the line to disappear, wiggle the brush as you wet it and it will go totally into solution.
4. You can add more lines when the paper is dry, and you can run those lines.
5. Any lines that were wet and then dried will not run again: they are stabilized and so are the washes made from them.
6. You don't have to 'stay in the lines' when you wet them. It's far more interesting if you don't.
HERE'S THE SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE OF LIVE WORKSHOPS. I DOUBT I WILL TEACH 'ON THE ROAD' AGAIN!
Sept. 8, 9, 10: Bend Oregon, Central Oregon Community College, 541-383-7270 (high desert, sage, juniper, excellent fishing, hiking, mountain biking, very cool nights, rivers and lakes).
Sept. 15, 16, 17: Lake Oswego, Oregon (Portland) Lakewood Center, 503-635-3901 (charming upscale town with sculpture everywhere, excellent restaurants, gorgeous landscaping, wine country all around).
Sept. 23, 24, 25: Coupeville, WA, Pacific Northwest Art Center, 360-678-3396 (on the water just south of Victoria, Canada. Gorgeous views, terrific seafood, very rural. On Whidbey Island west of Seattle, very relaxing, next to San Juan Islands).
There's room for you and friends! Come join us as we get away from the heat of Tucson! No monsoon this year and it's really hot!!!!
Happy Sketching!
Sept. 15, 16, 17: Lake Oswego, Oregon (Portland) Lakewood Center, 503-635-3901 (charming upscale town with sculpture everywhere, excellent restaurants, gorgeous landscaping, wine country all around).
Sept. 23, 24, 25: Coupeville, WA, Pacific Northwest Art Center, 360-678-3396 (on the water just south of Victoria, Canada. Gorgeous views, terrific seafood, very rural. On Whidbey Island west of Seattle, very relaxing, next to San Juan Islands).
There's room for you and friends! Come join us as we get away from the heat of Tucson! No monsoon this year and it's really hot!!!!
Happy Sketching!
AUGUST 2023
I have been asked several times to show water in a fountain. Trying to find a fountain with water running in Tucson during the heat of summer is impossible. So I sketched one from an ad for a fountain dealer (no water) and made the water up using only the Pilot pen.
 Pilot |  Image 1 |
To show you color, I sketched Image 1 and used too much pen (use less when you plan to use color). Images 2 & 3 were traced from Image 1.
 Image 2 |  Image 3 |
Here's the biggest thing with water: Make the water darker if the background is light. Make the background as dark as you need to show off light water. Where it splashes, wet the paper and then put in little splashes of color on the bottom of the splashing water, leaving the top clean paper.
Before I forget, to get copies of something you want to work on, hold the original up on a clear window with the same kind of paper on top. Trace with a Pilot if you want ink that will run.
Before I forget, to get copies of something you want to work on, hold the original up on a clear window with the same kind of paper on top. Trace with a Pilot if you want ink that will run.
Pocket Sketching® LIVE WORKSHOPS
We are making BIG CHANGES and these may be the last. See the next email for schedule and to enroll. Remember, you can easily teach Pocket Sketching® in your home, or wherever, after you have taken the Teachers Workshop.
Happy Sketching!
Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. My sketching hand is back!!
| We escaped the heat in Tucson by driving to Santa Fe, New Mexico (a feast of restaurants, galleries, museums, high elevation and cool). In Tucson, after 6:00AM it has been too hot to sketch. Our friend Judy invited us to sketch in Los Cerrillos near Santa Fe, a village known for turquoise mining. The first sketch (vertical) was okay. But the second one I really like! |  |
 | When I started it, I thought the window on the right was the focal point. The yellow tree and the porch lid took over. Notice the lightest light next to strong color and darks. My right hand doesn’t pick up heavy objects, but it can sketch again!! |
| Behind our motel from the balcony because it was raining, I got the sketch with the dark tree behind the adobe arch. The tree took over because it is so dark and isolated. I added more dark trees and the flowers at the base of the adobe, then darkened the distracting little adobe on the right side. Now the adobe arch is the focal point. Notice the pen lines of the sketch are mostly obscured by running the dark behind them into the line. The lines are also wherever you see greying of any color. |   |
I promised a fountain with tips about how to do the falling, splashing water. I got a fair sketch at the Lorretto Inn patio, then realized there are more ways to sketch the water, so I’ll do a second sketch and point out everything in both of them to show falling water in the next blog.
‘Til then,
Happy Sketching!
Thanks for all the lovely notes wishing and praying for my arm to get well! Rehab on a hand is slow. I can scratch the right side of my head, type on a computer, and do many other gross movements, but fine work is difficult and slow, plus very fatiguing and painful. We are still scheduled to film two seasons for PBS in Grand Rapids beginning July 31. I have done as many as 5 episodes in a day, (usually 3) so I’m now pushing every day to get my hand back. In a week, we should know if this is going to be possible.
Meantime, I get emails from people with problems using my technique, so I’m going to try to give answers. Many people have bought pens in June. Thank you for all the orders: this tells me many people are having fun sketching and that feels great! The common problem is, ‘the line runs.’ That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do! That is how it takes you right into watercolor. You simply need to take advantage of it. It is not a ballpoint or a Micron.
Meantime, I get emails from people with problems using my technique, so I’m going to try to give answers. Many people have bought pens in June. Thank you for all the orders: this tells me many people are having fun sketching and that feels great! The common problem is, ‘the line runs.’ That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do! That is how it takes you right into watercolor. You simply need to take advantage of it. It is not a ballpoint or a Micron.
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I have sketched some flowers and copied the sketch. Remember you can use the lines for probably up to 10 years. For the colored sketch, here are the steps. Pick the focal point. You want that daisy to ‘pop.’ Pull the outside lines into the background using just water. If it looks good, add color. Then make the color dark and the opposite of the center of the flower. The other daisies are support and shouldn’t compete. You don’t need to bother with the inner petals. Get enough so it works and quit. The sketch with more flowers takes advantage of the shadows in the daisies. It’s very busy, but it’s still fun.
The next session will involve water falling in a fountain, which is also a request. It’s far easier than you imagine. Look on our website calendar for future live workshops.
Happy sketching!
We went on a vacation, partly to visit my son, Brian, in Punta Gorda, FL, then to Key West for two days. Of course, I took the ‘bag’ along. You never know what will appear.
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Because I do palm trees badly, I tried twice. ‘Running’ the pen line makes all the difference between success and ‘blah’. Brian’s community pool provided the other sketches. The architecture was overwhelming. Put in just enough to get the idea. It doesn’t even matter if the parts don’t fit together. You get the idea. It is a gorgeous pool, but I never made it in. The sketching was too much fun. The woman with sunglasses was in a perfect pose until she realized I was sketching her. Then she twisted her left leg into an impossible position and looked pretty hostile. If I’d asked her for cooperation (tell you how in the next blog), she would have probably maintained a great pose. I was running out of time and couldn’t resist catching this one.
We finally have news of the next PBS Pocket Sketching show. Season 3 will be released to stations on May 18th. Please phone your local PBS station to ask for it to be broadcast in your market. The 13 Episodes of PBS Season 1 are available for digital download from our website: www.pocketsketching.com/workshops
WORKSHOPS
Tohono Chul Park in Tucson has just announced the Refresher workshop, April 13, 14, 15. The first day is a great review of the Basic class and the next two days are just plain fun new stuff. Register here: https://tohonochul.org/upcomingevents/classes-lectures-workshops/
The last workshop of this season is the Teacher’s Workshop, April 23 through 28. If you are thinking of teaching, join us. It has everything I know about doing and teaching Pocket Sketching. You won’t believe how rewarding it is to help people learn to be creative and sketch, especially when they thought they could never do this! It’s an experience that has kept me teaching for over 15 years and still loving the reaction of others. For detailed information about all aspects of this workshop visit: https://www.pocketsketching.com/teachers.html
As I’ve been so tied up with my brother’s estate for 13 months, I haven’t lined up any more workshops and probably won’t schedule any until next Fall, at the earliest. We will be filming the next PBS show at WGVU in Grand Rapids, MI during the summer.
WORKSHOPS
Tohono Chul Park in Tucson has just announced the Refresher workshop, April 13, 14, 15. The first day is a great review of the Basic class and the next two days are just plain fun new stuff. Register here: https://tohonochul.org/upcomingevents/classes-lectures-workshops/
The last workshop of this season is the Teacher’s Workshop, April 23 through 28. If you are thinking of teaching, join us. It has everything I know about doing and teaching Pocket Sketching. You won’t believe how rewarding it is to help people learn to be creative and sketch, especially when they thought they could never do this! It’s an experience that has kept me teaching for over 15 years and still loving the reaction of others. For detailed information about all aspects of this workshop visit: https://www.pocketsketching.com/teachers.html
As I’ve been so tied up with my brother’s estate for 13 months, I haven’t lined up any more workshops and probably won’t schedule any until next Fall, at the earliest. We will be filming the next PBS show at WGVU in Grand Rapids, MI during the summer.
| Must get in more sketching; it’s fun and relaxing. Students who practice have shown me they get better results than I do. Listen & watch your students; you’ll learn! What a gift! |  |
New Facebook Page for a New Year
page https://www.facebook.com/PocketSketchingWorkshops
page https://www.facebook.com/PocketSketchingWorkshops
- VIEW all upcoming workshops
- ENJOY educational videos & clips
- SUGGEST what you'd like to see
- EXPLORE new products (physical & digital)
- SHARE with friends
Back from Lake Chapala, Mexico
We got into Tucson at 2:30 AM after 3 plane changes in Dallas because of faulty equipment. I was so lucky! My diarrhea and cold didn’t start until just after we walked in our door. Great break to be home when you feel lousy. The last mango I scarfed down was likely the source. I’ll admit, it was delicious! More about Mexico later.
When you are stuck somewhere, whip out your sketch book and turn a drag into an exciting time. You get to be relaxed and happy in the worst of times. All around you will be a mass of models. The ones with computers or cell phones hold still and are good to start on. Then you notice the ones you just have to sketch. One of these was totally engulfed in long hair. Because of the changes to different parts of the Dallas airport as planes were substituted, I didn’t get long at any one place to sketch. Sketching is far better than just sitting, frustrated!
We got into Tucson at 2:30 AM after 3 plane changes in Dallas because of faulty equipment. I was so lucky! My diarrhea and cold didn’t start until just after we walked in our door. Great break to be home when you feel lousy. The last mango I scarfed down was likely the source. I’ll admit, it was delicious! More about Mexico later.
When you are stuck somewhere, whip out your sketch book and turn a drag into an exciting time. You get to be relaxed and happy in the worst of times. All around you will be a mass of models. The ones with computers or cell phones hold still and are good to start on. Then you notice the ones you just have to sketch. One of these was totally engulfed in long hair. Because of the changes to different parts of the Dallas airport as planes were substituted, I didn’t get long at any one place to sketch. Sketching is far better than just sitting, frustrated!
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Pocket Sketching® Season 3
Season Three is going through final approval. We’ve waited a long time for the release. Season Four is scheduled to be filmed in Grand Rapids the week of June 5th. I am hoping for more time outdoors on location as this whole system is designed for travel journaling. I’ve planned episodes and then thought: 'What do you want or need'? Many of you have areas you’d like covered. Email [email protected] with those suggestions. Title your email My PBS Wishes
Happy Sketching!
Season Three is going through final approval. We’ve waited a long time for the release. Season Four is scheduled to be filmed in Grand Rapids the week of June 5th. I am hoping for more time outdoors on location as this whole system is designed for travel journaling. I’ve planned episodes and then thought: 'What do you want or need'? Many of you have areas you’d like covered. Email [email protected] with those suggestions. Title your email My PBS Wishes
Happy Sketching!
May you go fast or slow to find the happiest, funnest, warmest bits of the season to hold and cherish through the new year. |
For Thanksgiving we had the fun of visiting our webmaster, Susane, and her husband Thomas (filmed our wonderful DVDs) in Salida, Colorado. On the way home we stayed at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe. It’s not only marvelously historic, (built 1922), it’s right in the middle of town, with every amenity, but it’s also reasonable! Some of the shops were closed when we were there, but the window displays were great. I wanted to buy two of the bears from Things Finer, so sketched them. They are warm and cuddly and just right. This is our card for 2022.
 HAPPY SKETCHING! | Susane has not only created our website, but now we have GIFT CARDS to be used for any items on our site including workshops, downloads of the 13 EPISODES of SEASON ONE on PBS, downloads of the MANUAL (where you learn all about the pen), and downloads of the WORKBOOK, (a printed form of the basic workshop with exercises so you ‘get it’). You can have all of these on your computer, your tablet or your smart phone. https://www.pocketsketching.com/workshops.html The schedule of workshops now has our Basic, Refresher, Teacher’s and online workshops between January and April. https://www.pocketsketching.com/calendar.html |
THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING IN MY SURVEY! We had 49 replies. For reproducing PBS Season One, how would you like to receive it? 26 people chose DVDs, 18 people chose Downloads, 2 people chose a Zoom type link and 3 people chose thumb drive.
We have DVDs being made and downloads are available now. Dale loads thumb drives by hand and we will have some of those (They take a lot of time to load). Check the website “store”: great gifts for yourself and friends or family who may sketch. The real basics are in Season One.
Also, there are finally workshops scheduled. Check the website again. www.pocketsketching.com The first one (Basic) is in my home studio December 9, 10, 11 here in Tucson. As I can have only 7 people, do let me know if you are interested.
We are moving to teaching teachers. If you know someone in your town who is a good teacher (YOU?), recommend they come to the Teacher’s Workshop. It has everything I know from the minute you walk in the room, plus everything I teach. If you teach at all, you’ll recover your investment.
If you live near Tucson, come to the PaperWorks meeting on the 8th of December. I’m the speaker talking about how this whole Pocket Sketching happened and where it should go. This is an exciting club that meets monthly. Guests are totally welcome. If you do anything with paper (write, fold, paint, manufacture, Pinterest, etc. you will meet kindred spirits. They post the meeting speakers on their excellent website: PaperWorks (I Googled it and it came up) You can see me there after the meeting.
What did I learn from the Tony Couch traditional watercolor workshop I just took? You carry tons of equipment, get paint on yourself, have paint under your fingernails, need a table, but it’s exciting. He demonstrates and lectures most of the 4 days…but there is so much to learn!!!! I have far more respect for the ease and portability of Pocket Sketching and still love watercolor too.
It’s almost Thanksgiving: Have a delightful holiday!
We have DVDs being made and downloads are available now. Dale loads thumb drives by hand and we will have some of those (They take a lot of time to load). Check the website “store”: great gifts for yourself and friends or family who may sketch. The real basics are in Season One.
Also, there are finally workshops scheduled. Check the website again. www.pocketsketching.com The first one (Basic) is in my home studio December 9, 10, 11 here in Tucson. As I can have only 7 people, do let me know if you are interested.
We are moving to teaching teachers. If you know someone in your town who is a good teacher (YOU?), recommend they come to the Teacher’s Workshop. It has everything I know from the minute you walk in the room, plus everything I teach. If you teach at all, you’ll recover your investment.
If you live near Tucson, come to the PaperWorks meeting on the 8th of December. I’m the speaker talking about how this whole Pocket Sketching happened and where it should go. This is an exciting club that meets monthly. Guests are totally welcome. If you do anything with paper (write, fold, paint, manufacture, Pinterest, etc. you will meet kindred spirits. They post the meeting speakers on their excellent website: PaperWorks (I Googled it and it came up) You can see me there after the meeting.
What did I learn from the Tony Couch traditional watercolor workshop I just took? You carry tons of equipment, get paint on yourself, have paint under your fingernails, need a table, but it’s exciting. He demonstrates and lectures most of the 4 days…but there is so much to learn!!!! I have far more respect for the ease and portability of Pocket Sketching and still love watercolor too.
It’s almost Thanksgiving: Have a delightful holiday!
I’ve been consumed by the paperwork involved with my brother’s passing for six solid months now and have ignored sketching, teaching..all that fun, exciting stuff I’ve enjoyed for 14 years. I miss the joy of having people get excited over learning to sketch!!! (I miss sketching too but understand when you can’t sketch because life gets in the way.)
My solution? I’ve booked taking a workshop from that very classic teacher, Tony Couch, right here in Tucson. I need the immersion to get back into my life. Since I recommend this to others when they are blocked, I’ll let you know if it works. By the way, I’ve said in the past, “As long as Tony keeps teaching, I will too.” He’s 92 and amazing.
All is not lost. I plan Tucson workshops, the next being December 9, 10, 11 at our home studio in Tucson. The maximum is 7 people. To register, email me at [email protected] or phone 520-318-9291.
There will be more workshops in 2023, including online, Basic, Refresher and Teachers (only in-person). The schedule will be on www.pocketsketching.com soon.
As we are not teaching over-the-road, if you want a workshop in your town, talk to a good local teacher and recommend my Pocket Sketching® Teacher’s Workshop. They are 5 ½ days and loaded with everything I know. It is time to have many teachers, not just me.
One sketch is from the Oregon Coast which was totally in fog. I used a ‘borrow pit’ to get the dilute background. The other one is from my brother’s condo on the Willamette where we saw racing sculls practice every morning. The sketches aren’t that good, but they remind me of everything that was there. That’s the point: when you sketch you record in the computer of your mind everything you saw, and the sketch brings it back. It’s mental immersion, and the camera can’t do that.
My solution? I’ve booked taking a workshop from that very classic teacher, Tony Couch, right here in Tucson. I need the immersion to get back into my life. Since I recommend this to others when they are blocked, I’ll let you know if it works. By the way, I’ve said in the past, “As long as Tony keeps teaching, I will too.” He’s 92 and amazing.
All is not lost. I plan Tucson workshops, the next being December 9, 10, 11 at our home studio in Tucson. The maximum is 7 people. To register, email me at [email protected] or phone 520-318-9291.
There will be more workshops in 2023, including online, Basic, Refresher and Teachers (only in-person). The schedule will be on www.pocketsketching.com soon.
As we are not teaching over-the-road, if you want a workshop in your town, talk to a good local teacher and recommend my Pocket Sketching® Teacher’s Workshop. They are 5 ½ days and loaded with everything I know. It is time to have many teachers, not just me.
One sketch is from the Oregon Coast which was totally in fog. I used a ‘borrow pit’ to get the dilute background. The other one is from my brother’s condo on the Willamette where we saw racing sculls practice every morning. The sketches aren’t that good, but they remind me of everything that was there. That’s the point: when you sketch you record in the computer of your mind everything you saw, and the sketch brings it back. It’s mental immersion, and the camera can’t do that.
 Great news! We have the Episodes of Season One on PBS and will make them available. I need your help in learning how you would like to have them available, if you were to buy them. Would you please rate (1 through 4) which of the following is most appealing to you. Send your response to me: [email protected] 1. DVDs 2. Downloads 3. On a link like you use for Zoom meetings carried by YouTube 4. Thumb drives Happy Sketching! Kath |  |
KATH MACAULAY
Artist/Creator/Owner
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