Posted in drawing, painting

Friday Finish: Tutorial with Shari Blaukopf

Posted on by Laura Kate

Earlier this year I shared some work made following a tutorial taught by Montreal artist Shari Blaukopf. She is an urban sketcher and watercolorist who offers a wide range of online lessons through Teachable. Today I finished painting A French Village Scene, which is the final lesson in her course by the same name.

https://learn.shariblaukopf.com/courses/

The challenges were multiple: perspective drawing, sketching in ink, and completing the scene with watercolor.

Here is Shari’s reference photo. She took it while teaching in France this year.

Photograph by Shari Blaukopf

I labored over the perspective drawing for 2 or more hours. Perspective drawing doesn’t come easily to me, and I wanted my work to be believable, if not 100% accurate. When satisfied, I inked the important lines and erased the pencil marks.

I was forced to take some liberties with the scene, because my paper was not proportional to the original. Mine is wider.

I did most of the painting before our Thanksgiving trip to Wisconsin. Returning home, I was keen to finish this and get it off my workspace. Other projects, both started and planned are stacking up awaiting my attention.

Here is my (almost) final painting.

It’s a truism, at least for painters, that they must take some time away from a work before deciding that it is finished. So that’s what I will do. Even looking at it now, I see a few areas that need more work.

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Author:

One of six children, I was raised by a busy mom, who instilled in me a love of fabric. Though I learned to sew and knit at a young age, it was the arrival of my first grandchild that pushed me into action. A long-time knitter, I am now ready to explore all things fiber.

11 thoughts on “Friday Finish: Tutorial with Shari Blaukopf”

  1. I think it looks great! I know that artists tend to be hard on themselves. I think this work looks wonderful. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Although, I suppose that’s easier for others to say but harder to do. In any case, I know that I personally need a break as an artist from time to time. Although, even a small break seems to be rather hard for me. I’m a bit of a workaholic though. Anyway, love your post. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Your drawing is really well done. If you have not heard of Liz Steele, from Australia, check her out for a course on drawing buildings (I am enrolled in it at present). So many good tips and much to learn! I don’t know if you ever desaturate your paintings, but it is a good way to look at contrast. The same with turning it upside down. I love the delicacy of your colors and admire your patience – something I always need to work on! I think you have a successful ink and color drawing / painting here – step aside, like you said, and see what you see. Then show us any changes you make – that is always a fun thing for us in the audience to see (at least for me!). Nice job!

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