Colored Pencil Play Date - Snow Drop Love

Snow Drop Love - a beginner class in Colored Pencil Play Date 2015 ©CindyRippe2015

I taught this class in the online workshop "Colored Pencil Play Date".  14 teachers and 16 projects over the course of 16 weeks.  Students were able to watch the video lessons at their leisure and create new projects along with each teacher as many times as they like for 9 months.

I sketched the idea for this design around Valentine's Day.   Taking a few creative liberties, with the way the plant actually grows, I styled it like a heart.  The flowers nodding toward each other was originally sketched to create a more pleasing design but I noticed later that it looks like they are connecting with each other.  Like two flowers in love.  My class started the week that Spring began so the Snow Drop seemed like a good choice.

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 ESV

The importance of Color Charts - What I found in my Studio Today

Working with Color Charts ©CindyRippe2015

OK... so this post is part of my "What I Found in my Studio Today" series  EXCEPT that it should be entitled "What I couldn't find in my Studio Today!".   You see, I've been working on a video for the upcoming Colored Pencil Play Date online class about Color Charts.  It's something I've done for many years while I've worked as a Designer for the Creative Industries.   There were times that companies would provide me with samples of their products.  I would create the color charts as part of my process to research the paint/pencils/fabrics etc.

When I prepared to record the video this week I searched everywhere for those charts.  You may remember that I've downsized my studio. Well there are BOXES and BOXES of supplies and reference material that I haven't put away yet. I thought they were pretty well sorted but... apparently not enough.  

As I was looking through my digital files, for an image to use for facebook post, this picture popped up.  I can't remember why I took the picture but I'm glad that I did.  I was with my friend Kelly Hoernig as she taught a colored pencil class.  She let me come along for the ride and I worked in the back of the class on my own projects.  

So.. back to the Importance of Color Charts....most paints, colored pencils and markers look very different in their packaging.  If you take the time to make samples you'll see what they look like on the surface you normally use.  It's so much easier to choose colors this way. 

Art is the triumph over chaos. John Cheever

Heartland Art Experience

Heartland Art Experience - www.LindaCoulter.com

Escape to America's Heartland for a fabulous art experience at the Old School Center in Farmington, Illinois, on October 16- 19, 2013.

Just found out I'll be joining a wonderful group for the Heartland Art Experience in October.  The classes I'll be teaching will be based on my botanical art, drawing and graphite, mixed media and layering techniques with colored pencil, pen and ink. We'll probably do my Pen 'n Ink technique on fabric too.  Final class descriptions and photos will be available soon.

For more information, as it develops, check out the HEARTLAND ART EXPERIENCE group on facebook or contact Linda Coulter through her website HERE.  Of course I'll feature the classes here as well.  I look forward to having you join me for this event!

You may not be a Picasso or Mozart but you don’t have to be. Just create to create. Create to remind yourself you’re still alive. Make stuff to inspire others to make something too. Create to learn a bit more about yourself. Frederick Terral

Busy Week in the Garden and the Classroom

Bee sculpture at Morton Arboretum - May 2013 - ©CindyRippe

I've had such a busy week!  There have been gardens to visit, garden shopping to do, a convention to attend and finally the first full day of working in my own yard.  This oversized bee by David Rogers in front of the Visitor's Center at Morton Arboretum is the perfect picture for the day.  I stopped there on my way up to drop off my class sample in St. Charles for the Society of Decorative Painters annual convention.

The rest of the week I tweeked my class prep (I always end up thinking of more things to share with students at the last minute), worked in the yard, shopped for plants, and then taught the Intro to Botanical Illustration class on Saturday.

I had a wonderful group of students with skills that ranged from a complete beginner to a CDA (Certified Decorative Artist through SDP).  They did an amazing job completing my Daylily Study on Yupo paper with graphite.  Each was interpreted with their individual style and talent.  It was fun to share my techniques for drawing original designs and I hope that I've encouraged them to go forward to create their own original sketches.  By learning the basics of creating form and finding shapes in a objects (in this case a flower) you learn to draw what you SEE, NOT what you THINK you see.  I know that when I finally figured that out I became a better painter and designer in all mediums.  Great job class!  Thanks for joining me.

Well, my "To Do" list is long again this week and I can't wait to get started.  Here's to a fun, busy week for you all!


Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. Henry David Thoreau

Drawing Lilies - Botanical Illustration at the Society of Decorative Painters Conference 2013

SDP Conference in St Charles - Part of the Lily Study class - ©CindyRippe2013

I taught my Intro to Botanical Illustration class today in St. Charles, IL for the Society of Decorative Painters Conference and Expo.  We squeezed a 6 week class into 6 hours and had a great time!  The students ranged from beginners to advanced students and they all did a great job with the Lily Study.

They had a crash course in drawing basics, learned the difference between Botanical Illustration and Botanical Art, tested different surfaces and tools, studied live specimens and completed a finished design on YUPO paper.  They left the classroom armed with an extensive workbook, a color day-lily print to use as a photo reference and, later, a background mat for framing their design.

I'm sure I exhausted them with too much information in a short amount of time but, mostly, I hope I inspired them to learn to draw "what they see - not what they think they see".  They impressed me with their skills and I look forward to seeing their original designs some day!

Many thanks to the students and for the Society of Decorative Painters for the opportunity, once again, to share my passion for drawing and flowers and photography and research ....  and talking   ... with a great class of eager students!


It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else. Erma Bombeck

Finding Details in the Background - Daylily Study and Botanical Illustration Class

Botanical Illustration-Daylily Study ©CindyRippe2012-13

I prepared the background images for the Botanical Illustration class that I'll be teaching next month at the Society of Decorative Painters Conference.  It's an important part of the design and helps to frame the finished Daylily Study.  It was trimmed out of the catalog image, which was a little disappointing, but that's life I guess. The class still has plenty of students that are planning to draw a daylily and they'll get a nice surprise when the background photo is included in their class supplies.  If you haven't signed up yet, check it out at; Society of Decorative Painters Conference Special.  There are still a few spaces left.

I love to take pictures of flowers and leaves that can be used for a background, a frame, or even a repeating pattern.  Even if I never do anything, other than use it for my own reference material, it becomes an important part of my body of work. It's another excuse to study the details and I guess I think there's beauty in those details.

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.  Confucius

Basil Beginnings - Colored Pencil Cultivation

Cultivating Basil Beginnings in Colored Pencil - ©CindyRippe2013

While working on collections for my online classes and ebooks I found this Basil plant drawing.  I taught it several years ago, as an introduction to colored pencil techniques, and it's part of a series of herbs.  I haven't seen it for a while so I was surprised to see that the perspective on the rim of the pot was wrong. It's not perfect but I don't mind. My original drawing is correct.  I'm sure I was distracted when I worked on the metal tag which I really like.

It reminded me that we are all growing, like the basil plant. The steps we take, the lessons we learn, are all a part of becoming who we are meant to be.  Maybe we're not perfect......but we all have good qualities that make us happy.  Concentrate on the happy and keep growing!

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12

Sketching Flowers - Learning to Draw

Botanical Art/Sketching ©CindyRippe2013

I listened to the weather forecast this morning (bitter cold heading in), checked the calendar (exactly 4 months until my Daylily Class at the Society of Decorative Painting Convention) and watered my Amaryllis plant (the stem has grown 4 inches this week with a new bud peeking out from the base) then I sketched a few apple tree flower buds in my devotional book (working on the stages of fruit growth this year).

Yep, flowers are a big part of my day. Never the most important - family comes first, but they are a lovely addition.  I decided to share a quick collage of the drawing classes that I'm teaching (or have taught recently).  Maybe you've made plans to improve your drawing skills in 2013. This would be a step in the right direction and it's not too late to sign up for the Daylily Sketching class.  It's designed for beginner to intermediate students. (After drawing techniques and "how to's" beginners can use my pattern to practice their shading skills - Intermediate students can draw from reference materials) I'd love to have you join me in class.  Click HERE to register.

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

All art requires Courage

Autumn Harvest - my first Charcoal Still Life ('96) - ©CindyRippe2013

All art requires courage. ~Anne Tucker

I've started working on my interactive online Botanical classes again.  I've been teaching drawing/design/technique classes for over 20 years.  If you've followed me at all (or read the name of this blog) you know that I'm inspired to create images of flowers and botanicals.  Most of them have an inspirational theme but it's always about nature.

Last year about this time I recorded two online classes with Interactive Artist Magazine with the intention of launching my own online classes immediately after that.  I had already planned to take my business in that direction and have so much experience in the creative industries as a national teacher, professional demonstrator, author, consultant and even a stint as a guest on QVC.  I figured it would be "a piece of cake" and allow me to work from my home studio more.  The travel across the United States was getting harder while caring for my family (and myself) so I thought was a great idea. Well, here we are.  It's almost a year later and I've been working on my classes VERY slowly.  I've let life and all of it's chaos take center stage and put my art business on the side. I'm still teaching at a few national conventions but I've become an expert at excuses.

This morning, as I walked past the china cabinet, my charcoal sketch caught my attention.  I don't usually look at it because I can see all of my mistakes, but today I could almost hear it saying, "Last year you made the choice to change things in your life to allow you to focus on your art business.  This year it's about accomplishments. What are you afraid of?  Get busy and share your knowledge with other artists that want to grow too."  A powerful thought for a 16 year old charcoal sketch to inspire!  I guess all artists are growing in one way or another.  Either by brushing up on their skills, learning new techniques or getting over the fear that nobody will be interested.  I've decided to do it for myself, with hopes that thousands of artists will come along for the ride, and I hope that I'll be able to get them past their own art fears. 

“For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. (He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.)”  Romans 11:29 (Amplified Bible)

Mixed Media Zinnia Class

Mixed Media Zinnia ©Cindy Rippe 2012

This week I'm prepping and gathering supplies to teach this class for the Greater Cincinnati Decorative Artists Retreat at the Higher Ground Conference Center in West Harrison, Indiana.  They have such a nice group and the Retreat is great fun!  You should check it out sometime if you're looking for a creative retreat with lots of classes to choose from.

I painted this Zinnia with Acrylics on a digital background that tells a little story about the plant.  Then I layered colored pencil and ink details to the flower and a few of the words.  Such a happy flower!  I've collected seeds from my family and friends and hope to have an "All Pink" Zinnia bed this year.  With the nature of this fun flower though I'm sure there will be a few that need to stand out from the crowd with assorted colors.  We'll see!....

 Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower.  ~Author Unknown

Quiet Moment - Mixed Media on Digital Image

Quiet Moment -©Cindy Rippe 2012

Registration has started for the Artist Expo Houston, The Woodlands, TX. It's my second year to attend and I'm happy to be returning as one of their teachers this year.  I demonstrated and sold my Mixed Media with Colored Pencil packets and Drawing Botanical books in Janelle Johnson's booth last year.  It was a great show! I hope you'll join me.

I took the picture of this little fairy during the Annual Garden Walk in Kankakee one year.  She was sitting in a wooded area filled with blooming Hosta plants.  As usual, I tend to get a little lost behind the lens of my camera and the rest of my group had moved ahead to another area of the garden.  It was so peaceful and quiet.  I could imagine myself enjoying a rare "Quiet Moment" reading something inspirational and listening to the birds and bees buzzing from bloom to bloom.

After I played with the image in Photoshop to add a frame and embellishments I painted the Hosta with Acrylics and added details in ink and colored pencil.  I'm really looking forward to teaching this class and inspiring the students to try something new.

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.  ~George Washington Carver

Pen & Ink for Fabric Painting - Botanicals

Fabric Painting Vegas Class - Cindy Rippe 2012

I'm cutting and washing the fabric for my class at the Creative Painting in Las Vegas Convention today.  In my early days as a decorative painter I just didn't like fabric painting.  The paint either felt stiff and rubbery or it was really hard to scrub it into the fibers. There are new products available now and it's so much easier!  I hope my students enjoy the class and are ready for a fun and stress free morning.

Did you notice that all the designs that we'll be painting in this class are from trees?  It makes a nice grouping or the designs can be used individually.  I can almost hear the leaves rustling.  Makes me anxious to get outdoors and enjoy nature's beauty.

“There is always music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”  - Minnie Aumonier

Leaf Study - Ivy

Cindy Rippe copyright 2012 - Leaf Study

Today I'm working on my class prep for teaching in Las Vegas at the Creative Painting Convention.
(my Drawing class is #409)

We'll be working with several types of leaves during this class but we will have live branches of Ivy to study and sketch. My drawing classes are for beginners and are helpful to artists that work in all mediums.  Students learn the basics of using the drawing tools, how to create shapes that have dimension with shading and highlights and will sketch from live botanical specimens.  They have the option of finishing their own original sketch or may work from my pattern. 

Don't you just love this lush bed of Ivy?  I had this photo saved in my "backgrounds" folder but found it to be perfect for studying the color variations and details of the leaves. As long as I've been taking photos of plants and flowers I've enjoyed capturing the mass planting of one type of flower or plant.  Then I take about a zillion pictures of the details; the back the front, how the light shines through, variations of color, etc. Then there are the artistic shots, suitable for framing and printing.  The list goes on...  I do get lost in the moment behind the lens.  Do you?

If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere.  ~Vincent Van Gogh


I'm hopping around the blog world with: