Here are four ways to easily add cactus spines while working en plein air: White gouache – this is probably my favorite way to add cactus spines. I squeeze out some gouache into a little container with a snap-on lid and keep it in my pack. I prefer Winsor & Read more…
While teaching the Exploring the Desert workshop for Art Toolkit on Saturday I started thinking about the snacks I like to take hiking (lol!) and then that got me to thinking about all the times I’ve picked up “organic” trash out on the trail. I’ve often wondered how long this Read more…
I’ve had Cobalt Teal Blue on my palette for years — it’s one of my favorites. I’ve found that not many people know about this glorious color and all the magic mixes you can make with it, so I decided to write this Ode to Cobalt Teal Blue. This is Read more…
I put together a quick little video to set the mood for an upcoming workshop and thought I’d share it here: Watching this transports me to the desert and gives me those peaceful vibes. I can almost feel the sun on my face. There’s still time to sign up for Read more…
Tomorrow is the first day of spring here in the northern hemisphere so I gave my palettes a good cleaning and I added 2 colors for spring: phthalo blue (green shade) and quinacridone coral! Just look at all these glorious colors that you can mix with those two: Check out Read more…
I’m teaching a workshop on Exploring the Desert over at Art Toolkit on Saturday March 26, 10am-12:15pm Pacific and I’d love it if you joined me! Come join Lisa as we explore the desert—with pretzels, pocketknives, and paints! Put on your sun hats and pack your salty snacks as we Read more…
When I first started painting I went on a quest for the perfect red — little did I know that I could mix red from magenta and yellow — and I knew nothing about pigment numbers. Mixing Red Yes, everything I learned in school was wrong — red is not Read more…
I’ve had several people ask what colors are in my Art Toolkit palettes so I thought I’d do a post with a winter update. I like to switch up the colors seasonally. All colors are by Daniel Smith except for those marked with a WN for Winsor & Newton or Read more…
A minimal sketch kit I setup for doing value study thumbnail sketches on the go.
When I first started painting in nature I spent time researching how to carry water in the field — it’s kind of essential for watercolors. I eventually came up with a few ways that work great and I’m sharing them here. So let’s talk water! Pack It Out Before we Read more…