Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook

Like everything else that I’ve done this summer, I’m a little late in getting out to paint in my garden. That’s why in this week’s bouquet, the blooms are all a little past their prime. But that makes them so much more interesting to paint. I get droopy petals, curled leaves and darks where there should be brights. My drawing was done with water-soluble ink and watercolour wa...

I got an early start at the breakwater today, in an attempt to beat the heat. The morning started off hot and sunny (I set up on the shady side of my car), but then a heavy, humid air mass rolled in, the sky darkened and the air was still. My washes started off quite light, but as the humidity descended, my painting darkened too. Not long after I finished, the sky opened up, ...

I’m a little late for the start of boat painting season but better late than never. I’ve painted this view of the Pointe Claire Yacht Club countless times but it never gets old. I have my spot under a tree, in a beautiful park, in the good company of picnickers, dog walkers, cyclists and the odd pedestrian who looks over my shoulder for a time. On a warm summer day, I can thi...

We’ve had a lot of rain over the past two days. So much that my hydrangeas are flopping over and blocking the view from my studio window. It was my intention to paint the old bottles on the window sill today, but when I saw the hydrangeas, I thought I would incorporate them into my painting. It was a bit of an odd experiment because usually things outside the window are furth...

My favourite thing this summer season is going to the U-pick garden when I collect my weekly CSA farmer basket at Ferme Tournesol. This year the zinnias have been terrific — such a variety of different shapes and bright colours for me to paint. For this summer bouquet, I used a palette that I have filled with bright Holbein reds, pinks and oranges that were just right for thi...