Creation in action

I have been marketing my new reference book “Physics of Watercolor” this summer and planning for some late summer instruction workshops for those who have purchased my book.  In addition, I now have designed a small, portable watercolor travel kits that include my book and comes complete with all the supplies you need to create a beautiful trip journal.

For years, I kept a portable Watercolor Journal Kit in my car for when I needed to take a break from work, waiting for a friend or just wanting to stop and capture that stunning blend of colors at sunset.  I was even able to paint a portrait of a friend’s cat that was on its last of its nine lives.  Now, a treasured watercolor captured in a special moment. Just the action of taking a picture does keep the creative side of the brain engaged in the creative process.  Just be careful not to fall into a fountain.  Now, I know .... many have great camera phones to document everything.  However, taking the extra time to observe space, motion, light and shadow, draw the shapes and color is better than a photo.  The details are more vividly recorded by the brain, and lets you remember things within context.  You are recording your impression, and interpretation of the moment with a painting or sketch.  It is worth the added effort. 

I have attached a few images from these journals, which I have accumulated over the years, and now in the process of publishing online along with stories and impressions of those experiences. 

Lots of the images in these journals become the backbone of reference material used in designing larger studio paintings. These spontaneous works retain a freshness that is hard to capture in a larger, more designed studio work.  Watercolor’s spontaneity is the perfect medium to use for embellishing writing, and poetry journals.

So next time you take a trip, consider putting together a small watercolor-kit.  Then find a beach, a rock outcropping, a park bench and spend some time sketching and looking. You will be amazed at how the world is full of the most astoundingly beautiful designs and shapes that enriches our experiences when we take the time to observe. 

Portable Watercolor Travel Kit: a small pan set w gasket seal. Pouch to hold all your supplies. Clear plastic zipper bags for airline liquids are the right size.  Include a 5”x 8” Bound Watercolor Moleskine Journal or Spiral Watercolor Spiral Pad with a C-clamp.  A set of Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils from your art supply store. I do NOT recommend traveling with wet tube of paint.  It is a disaster waiting to happen in a clothing bag, especially in humid environments.

Waterproof technical pen

Mechanical pencil with magic rub eraser

Koi or Aqua Stroke Water- this is a brush that has the chamber for water in the handle.

Optional:  a #6 travel watercolor brush and a 1/4 or 1/2 Flat shader brush