​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!)
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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!

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.

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."

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

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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

As I mentioned in the last blog, here are the delightful, hand-made cards we received this Christmas!
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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.
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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!
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In a much, much more relaxed mode, I'll find something to sketch for next December, without pressure.  

​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.
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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!
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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.
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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.

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?
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​Enjoy the weather, the fun with friends, THANKSGIVING!  Thanks for being such an inspiration.
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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.

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.

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!

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!

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.
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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!

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.

​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.

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.

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. 
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​​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!
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​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. 
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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!
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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. 

​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.

New Facebook Page for a New Year
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

LIKE US! (if you do)

​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!
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​Pocket Sketching® Season 3
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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!
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​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.

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.
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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 are filming Pocket Sketching Season Four in Grand Rapids the week of October 17th . And I get to
raise $30,000 for Season Three between now and then, plus plan the next 13 Episodes. All of you
sponsored Season Two, so I’m not begging, but you are welcome to contribute. I am looking for
businesses that target the same market, such as retirement companies, travel companies, AARP, etc.
You get the idea. If you have any contact who would like to be seen supporting an art PBS program
aimed at this audience, please let me know. The sponsor’s names are shown with the episode as many
times as it’s played, and we are being played nationally:  WOW!
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Most of you are sketching: is there a subject you would like covered in Season Four? This is the
planning period.

I can’t leave without a sketch, so here are two more of my favorites.
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My brother died May 24th, just before our four Northwest workshops.  Teaching the four outstanding workshops was a delightful relief from all the financial and legal mess. Between workshops, and probably through July 30th, we’ve camped in his condo because much of the mess involves accounts in Portland. When I say ’camped’, I mean it. There is one pan and one water kettle in the kitchen. (The condo is on the market.) We carry a camp box on the road. It has 2 glasses, 2 cups, 2 sets of table service, paper plates…you get it. Because there’s nothing to cook with, we’re ‘forced ‘ to go out to dinner: very nice. My day begins before 6:00 AM with paperwork and goes to about 5:00. This is not my forte!!!!

An amusing note: my brother never referred to anyone by name, only description, as in “the woman who lives on the 30th floor” who was a very good friend. Letting his friends know he passed is difficult. No lists with names: only phone numbers. (He knew the names). We have found and met a few of his friends and I wish I had known them earlier: great people. DO GET ALL YOUR PAPERWORK TOGETHER SO YOU DON’T LEAVE A MESS LIKE THIS!
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You all spend periods where you can’t sketch. Hopefully at some point frustration brings you back to being creative. Looking back over this time, I have very little to show (or maybe can’t find the sketch books in the loaded car). We’ve been to beautiful places. We’ve had fantastic people as students and they have done marvelously. Terrific way to spend the last over-the-road workshops. 

When we leave here, I get to sketch on the way back to Tucson, ignore the computer and the stress. It’s hard to keep working on my brother’s stuff when a break is coming. This is like looking forward to a vacation…for the mind!!!  Keep sketching. ENJOY!!!!
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Kath 

PS: Here are two sketches from the trip. Coupeville is typical of the place. The Portland house was a demonstration in Oswego from a difficult setting: parts are moved around to make it work.
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A change of pace:  finally back to teaching workshops:  YEAH!!!  First one’s in Salt Lake City June 9, 10 and 11.  A great opportunity to get going on sketching.  Contact [email protected], 801-997-8902.  The weather will be perfect and the scenery is awesome!

Next is Oregon Society of Artists in Portland, June 24, 25, 26.  This workshop will combine beginning with advanced technique and will be loaded with new material I teach in my ‘refresher’ class.  It will take people from beginning to professional in just three days!  Contact [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].or 503-228-0706.  I rarely combine everything in one workshop and this will be exciting!  This workshop will include homework and notes for take-along.

Coupeville, WA is home to the Pacific Northwest Art School, where I’ll teach the Basic workshop July 8, 9, 10.  The location couldn’t be more beautiful on Whidbey Island.  Contact [email protected], or 360-678-3396.

And last for the season and possibly for travel-teaching, is Lake Oswego, Oregon, July 15, 16, 17.  This is a Basic workshop and the location is lovely.  Contact shelly@lakewood_center.org, 503-635-3901.
Our plans are to not teach on the road again.  It’s tough hauling everything, getting it out, teaching a loaded-and-high-energy workshop for three days and haul it to the next place.  In the past we did these back-to-back.  This year there’s time to see the gorgeous places where we teach.  We may become ‘sketching tourists’ in the future, just like you!

And where have we been while not writing blogs?
Like you, things get in the way for us.  Christmas Day my brother fell and broke his humerus right below the shoulder.  (Would you believe Medicare , with tremendous experience and wisdom, refused to pay for the ambulance because “it wasn’t necessary”?  He was 87, had a broken arm and was expected to drive to the emergency room!!!!  He wasn’t safe driving before he fell.  Where do they get these evaluators?

Surely between now and then I’ve taught and done sketches, but I can’t find them.  The last month was spent clearing out my brother’s condo so it could be sold.  It’s over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.  Only one morning, between 5:00 and 6:00 AM, did I find time to sketch.  It was incredibly gorgeous with fog and subdued colors.  Fortunately, sketches bring back memories!

Point of this, he has passed, we’re in Tucson, and last night I tried a sketch at The Lodge on the Desert.  It’s pretty bad, but it’s a start.  Having started over before, I can say “Put up with the bad ones.  Every one is a step to get back to where you were, and it’s the only way you’ll ever get there.”  At one time I was very good at sketching and painting animals in motion, live.  My life goal is to get back there.  Attached is a watercolor done on location,  I named “Flies”. (I have a pretty long way to go.)  Enjoy the trip!
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Happy sketching!
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By your request, we now have the three Basic workshop DVDs downloadable!  Susane, who has done this amazing IT work, just got it done and I bought #3 which was filmed in Sedona.  Not only do I love Sedona, I looked pretty good back then!  Maybe we should all make videos on vacations so we can review them years later.  Do it like journaling, but with camera-video, sketches, the location and you.  Anyway, the downloads are available at  https://www.pocketsketching.com/supplies.html
Enjoy!

Sunday we begin a Teacher’s Workshop here in Tucson.  In the future I want other people teaching this easy-to-learn, easy-to-teach technique.  The ‘future’ is here.  We are teaching 4 workshops in Oregon and Washington this summer and may not teach any other than in the Tucson area after this summer.  As my brother says, “We’ll see”.  Hauling all the equipment and teaching workshops back-to-back has its limits.  We will schedule online workshops beginning in the Fall.  I do plan to make some very short videos of things you’ve asked for, including drawing.  They will be available on the website.
 
If you know anyone who enjoys teaching art, let them know they can add Pocket Sketching by taking a Teacher’s Workshop and becoming certified.  And they can own the entire business.  Just ask.
Here’s the weird discovery.  I have ‘readers’ (glasses), on to read the screen easily.  I looked out the window.  Many of my people have a problem sketching trees because you can pin-point focus and so sketch leaves in trees.  Try looking with ‘readers’ and sketch, leaving the glasses on.  (You can lower them on your nose if inappropriate with your vision.)  The glasses reduce the scenery to lights and darks with full color, but no detail.  You don’t get confused because YOU CAN’T FOCUS ON THE DETAILS!  I bet you have to do this only a few times to get the idea of not putting tiny detail in the distance.
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Both of these sketches are favorites of mine, because they are so loose but still carry the message.  They were FAST too!  The Live Oaks has wax in the tree tops.