This is part 1 of my 30×30 Direct Watercolor challenge recap, read part 2 here

The 30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge has been a whirlwind of sketching this month, thank you for your enthusiasm and sharing on Instagram and Facebook! I’ve just finished my last “official” sketch for the month and thought I’d recap of my experience in two parts.

Point Wilson Lighthouse, 3.5″ x 6″ watercolor sketch on Arches cold press

This challenge inspired me to incorporate my sketchbook into my daily explorations of my town and region. I began by heading to Fort Worden in Port Townsend to warm-up.  I felt a bit rusty as I sat on the dock in the wind splashing paint on my paper, especially as I forgot little things, like my extra clips and rubber bands for the wind.

Point Hudson, 5″ x 5″ watercolor on Arches cold press

The more I sketched, the more fun I had.

Across the Strait, 6″ x 3″ watercolor sketch on Arches cold press

I carried a large Art Toolkit everywhere, and enjoyed diving into my sketchbook with rapid, gestural sketches.

My large Art Toolkit

I also experimented with the Direct Watercolor Palette exploring the twelve colors selected by artist (and 30×30 organizer) Marc Taro Holmes.

Kennewick Ferry, 5.5″ x 8.5″ watercolor in Stillman & Birn sketchbook

Often around town I am joined by my enthusiastic daughter.

Ferry terminal sketching with my enthusiastic art buddy
From Reveille II, 5.5″ x 8.5″ watercolor in Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook
From Reveille, Fort Worden, 8.5″ x 5.5″ watercolor in Stillman and Birn Alpha sketchbook
Sketch date with my daughter

My daughter Stella is nearly 3 and on most days, I am biking her to preschool or grandma’s house, and taking adventures in between.

Biking with Stella

Around a week in, I decided to branch out from the cold-press paper I typically carry in my Art Toolkit, and loaded up our bike with extra art supplies including Arches Hot Press 140 lb watercolor paper. Our bike is a wonderful Bike Friday Haul-a-day built by G&O Family Cyclery in Seattle.

Port Townsend, 5.5″ x 15″ watercolor on hot press Arches

I surprised myself by loving hot press! In my studio, I have always used cold-press paper, preferring the texture and slow drying speed. For plein air direct watercolor, the smooth hot-press surface and rapid drying speed was better suited to my approach.

Port Townsend panorama, half completed

I’ve also really enjoyed Marc Taro Holme’s color selections in the Direct Watercolor Palette. Many are new to me, including the Green Gold, Olive Green, Naples Yellow, and Peryelene Maroon. They were perfect for foliage and buildings, both of which I’ve got limited experience sketching (not so much of them in the polar regions).

Port Townsend Panorama, onsite

I continued sketching the colorful (and rather charming) buildings around Port Townsend, focusing on speed and broad strokes (using primarily a 1/4″ flat brush).

Tyler and Water Street, 8.5″ x 5.5″ watercolor on hot press Arches

This painting above is one of my favorites from the whole project.

Tyler Street, up the hill, 5.5″ x 8.5″ watercolor on hot press Arches
Port Townsend Fire Station, 5″ x 8″ watercolor on hot press Arches
From Finn River, 5″ x 10″ watercolor on hot press
Port Townsend Bay ,4″ x 6.5″ watercolor on hot press Arches
Centrum, Fort Worden, 3.5″ x 7″ watercolor on hot press Arches
From Fort Worden, 3.5″ x 7″ watercolor on hot press Arches

When I didn’t have my art boards with me, I continued to play in my Art Toolkit sketchbook. I can’t resist full page spread panoramas, even when in a hurry!

Lawrence and Tyler Street, 5.5″ x 17″ watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook
Kah Tai Lagoon, 5.5″ x 17″ watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook
Fort Worden, 5.5″ x 17″ watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook
Bainbridge-Seattle Ferry, 5.5″ x 8.5″ watercolor sketch in Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook
Arrival, 5.5″ x 8.5″ watercolor sketch in Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook

Finally, there were days when I didn’t make it outside to sketch and worked in my studio. While painting the Port Townsend courthouse, I missed having pencil line to define the building.

Port Townsend Courthouse, 5″ x 5″ watercolor

I was more satisfied with this simple sketch of the coastal landscape, just focusing on the elements of land, sky, and water.

Coast, 5″ x 5″ watercolor

I followed this with some sunrise studies, experimenting with the warm yellows and cool blues of early light. These were great practice and I was happier with the rosier version.

Sunset Study, 5″ x 5″ watercolor
Sunset study, 5″ x 5″ watercolor

That’s Part 1 of my Direct Watercolor Project, with 23 of 30 completed! I have more confidence with just diving in with paint on paper while working onsite, and practiced letting go of perfect line and accuracy. All in all, this project has been great fun and I’ll end with a photo of an art entourage I picked up while sketching at Finnriver Cidery in Chimacum. Fortunately I always pack extra art supplies!

My small art friends