Painting Exuberance
If last week I praised precision, this week I extol the value of putting some exuberance on the page. Especially when it comes to sketching your favorite subjects, or new-found discoveries in nature or, even better, both—some loose pen and paint and a splash of spatter can help to bring energy to your page.
I painted this as a demo for a recent class on mushrooms, a subject deserving of enthusiasm. I’ve since headed to Maine, where I stepped out of the car and found black trumpets and violet cortinarius mushrooms pushing up through rain-soaked woods. I haven’t had time to paint them, but I have a whole week ahead to explore with sketchbook in hand. Expect more exuberance in the paintings to come.
Drawn In 
The trumpets are tasty and their color is nice, say, in rice. By the way, the tomato pie was a huge hit in this house, feel free to post other recipes 🙂
I let the trumpets be, as I do the other mushrooms I find. But I’m glad you enjoyed the tomato pie!
Wonderful!
Thanks Margo!
Oh gosh! I’m such a fan of precision, especially when it comes to botanical illustration, but I’m fully and enthusiastically smitten with your splashes and splatters! You’re so right ….. this page of beautiful ‘shrooms and whimsical lettering is fun, free and fantastic! Hope you have a “rite in the rain” sketchbook for your week of wet weather sketching! Jean ….. you’re amazing!
Thanks Barb– Actually, the weather this weeks looks good. I’m not sure what I’ll discover to draw but I’ll have fun exploring.
Enjoy! Can’t wait to see!
Your boletes appear to be dancing to a joyful tune! Love this sketch.
Thanks Pat! I like that they convey “dancing to a joyful tune!”
They almost look like they are having a conversation! Joyous! Enjoy Maine.
Thanks Michelle! Will do.
These are lovely Jean, I love how you have captured them with such a range of colours. Your last class looked so tempting to sign up for, but life was just too busy to consider it. Seeing your demos is second best. Have fun in Maine.
I mainly used three main colors (ultramarine, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre), which appear in various combinations in all of these. Then a pop of brighter yellow and burnt sienna and you have a whole variety of colors.
Love these mushrooms. We only have 5 species in my state. I am jealous! Such variety. And as always, your work is just beautiful.
Peggy- I’m surprised to hear that and it makes me wonder what state you live in. Five is so few!
Wishing you an exuberant day with your sketchbook. Delightful mushrooms and information 👩🎨👏
Thank you Jann!
Looking forward to seeing more!!
I started hunting around again today and saw very few. It’s so interesting that one area can have an abundance and another, close by, almost none.
So beautiful!
How can I learn about your classes?
HI– Click on the “Workshops” tab. That’s were I list upcoming classes.
Wonderful! Enjoy your week on Hog Island!! Looking forward to seeing all your art that comes out of your time there.
Alas, I decided not to teach on Hog Island this year. I needed time to focus on my own painting. So I am in Maine this week, but not on Hog. I’m hoping good things still come of it.
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It makes me smile to “hear” the excitement in your text on finding a new mushroom….soon to be painted. Your thrill of finding a new mushroom is not just for you but for us who follow. Thank you for inspiring us to see beauty at our feet if e but look for it.
Your enthusiasm and excitement comes through
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