Don West – Page 2 – Sketch What You See

Don West, Artist

Author: Don West

As a very young child I discovered sketching and drawing. Whenever my mother was tired of having me underfoot she would seat me at the large, oak dining table with paper, crayons and pencils and say “Why don’t you take some time and draw something for me?”. What a blessing that was! I don’t think she realized the true gift of discovery she had bestowed upon me. I have seen life through an artist’s viewpoint ever since. You can too! It matters not your age, you already have the skill wired into your human psyche. So many people though, never learn to tap into it or even know it exists. So, through Mini-Workshops, Social Media and this blog, I share that revelation by setting an example and by helping people tap into the wonderful, satisfying and mindful world of observing life through an artist’s eye. I hope you tap in, whether though my help or the many other resources available online and in books. It is a part of yourself you will want to cultivate as you travel through life.

Dying Hollyhocks

I noticed these end of season hollyhocks in the entry island to our subdivision a few weeks ago. I took a few reference photos while

by Don West1 Min Reading

Eastern Bluebird

I have seen only a few Bluebirds over the years even though I lived in their territory for fifty of them. To see one here

by Don West1 Min Reading

Woodcock

I got a bit bogged down with writing the sketching guide and decided to set it on the back burner for now so I could

by Don West3 Min Reading

Eurasian Tit

For the last few days I’ve been immersed in developing a guide for quickly sketching birds. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for

by Don West2 Min Reading

Gambel’s Quail watercolor

As mentioned in the previous post, here’s the same Quail in watercolor and the closeup reference photo my Landlord shot a few years ago. This

by Don West1 Min Reading

Gambel’s Quail

I’m enjoying sketching birds in preparation for taking to the field in the Spring to attempt sketching from actually watching them. Practicing gives me a

by Don West2 Min Reading