June
It’s been a while since I took my sketchbook for a walk. That’s mainly because I’ve been cycling more than walking lately in preparation for a bike tour in July. In a few weeks I’ll be cycling 400 miles from Buffalo to Albany, New York, with the Cycle the Erie Canal ride. It’s an eight-day tour that attracts 650 cyclists from all over the country each year. I’m excited, but also nervous about riding 50-60 miles a day. Hence, the training. But even at cycling speed I’ve enjoyed noticing what’s blooming— vetch and birdsfoot trefoil in roadsides ditches, daisies and clover in grassy margins and upland fields, and black-eyed Susan and coreopsis just starting to open. Day lilies and milkweed will soon take over the show. For now, enjoy June.
Tips & Techniques- Travel light for a walking sketch. I take only my sketchbook and a pen when sketching along the roadside. Work quickly and loosely, zeroing in on a bloom or two of each plant and walk on until you find something else to add. Let the composition evolve, filling the page until it feels complete. I paint and add text back at home where it’s safer and cooler. For color, make notes, snap a photo, or pick a bloom for reference. The end result may be a little bit of a jumble, but it also will be a nice record of the season and your walk. Materials: Handbook Watercolor Sketchbook with 140lb paper, Micron 005 pen, watercolors.
Drawn In 
Such a great sketchbook page. It looks just like “June”, still spring with its jumble of all kinds of pretty wildflowers! Best of luck on your bike tour!
Thanks! It is pretty jumbled along the road- everything is mostly tumbling together and the flowers are smaller so they standout en masse rather than singly.
Gosh that’s stunning! Miserable winter weather down under, in the south where I am. Love your wonderful summery glorious watercolour. Wishing you all the best for the bike tour!
Sorry your weather isn’t great. I noticed that your photos have been overcast lately. Hope it improves for you and is decent for me during the ride.
I love this so much, Jean! And wow! I hope the bike trip goes great! That’s fantastic! Susanne
Susanne Swing Thompson
http://www.wren-photos.com
404.660.5001
Thanks Susanne! Much appreciated!
What a wild bouquet of flowers! This type of composition has a perfect feel of how wildflowers grow in nature.
best wishes as you train and embark on your biking challenge …… very excited for you and will be anxious to hear you completed it with flying colors!
Thanks! I’ll share a few journal pages from before and (hopefully) during the trip.
I love this post! It reminded me of last summer when I went on a bike/sketch ride in search of roadside flora. But whenever I stopped, people popped out of houses, or slowed down on their bikes, to ask if I was alright. I appreciated their concern, but I did get a bit of a laugh.
Have fun on your ride! It sounds like fun!
I haven’t had that happen, though I have had some curious looks, especially if I’m close to someone’s house. Fortunately, most of my walking/cycling/sketching routes are more rural. Thanks for your good wishes for the ride. I’ll need them!
What a beautiful testament to your observational powers and light touch. Have a great bike ride!
Thanks Judy! Birding by bike and noticing what’s on the roadside keep the rides interesting and help the miles go by. Hoping for no heat wave on the week of the ride. Enjoy summer!
Lovely Jean. Your page compositions always come together so beautifully. Your upcoming ride sounds like so much fun.
Thanks Sheila- I enjoy doing this type of page so I’m glad to know you enjoyed it.
Good day Jean,
Thanks for providing beautiful inspiration, always love your weekly posts and tips, this one particularly inspiring to get out there and do!
The cycling tour looks like it will be a really wonderful trip, thanks too for providing the link…would love to see this area.
So light and sweet!
Jean, Exciting news about your cycling trip. I have seen th
Oh Jean, good luck on the bike ride. I hope it isn’t hot for you during the ride… 50-60 miles… oh my. Love these flowers as always!
Gorgeous artwork!