Written by My name is Leslie Rich and I’m from Willits, California in Mendocino County. When I was a young woman, I used to carry a sketchbook with me. It was a sort of crutch, shielding me in social situations. I sketched in pencil and primarily drew people: on buses, at parties, in cafes, at the laundromat, at poetry readings. I rarely drew landscapes. Then, and now, I find all faces interesting and possessing their own beauty.
Eventually, I put away the sketchbooks, got married, had a family and a career. A close friend and creative partner sickened and died 15 years ago, very suddenly. During my grieving I asked myself, “What would I regret if my life suddenly came to an end?” The answer was, “Paint. Use color.”
So…I signed up for a watercolor class at the community college. That was about 9 years ago. I chose watercolor because a friend was the instructor and the materials were (relatively!) inexpensive and user-friendly.
I discovered that I do, indeed, love rich color. Watercolor allows me to explore and play in wonderful ways. Being a beginner and having neither formal training nor experience with any other medium, I really didn’t know that vibrant, saturated colors aren’t often associated with watercolor.
I got hooked on painting and found that I had a “knack” for it. I took a few more semesters of classes, painting primarily from photos that I had taken. I enrolled in a few workshops and found that I especially liked plein air painting. I started having one-woman shows, entered juried shows, won a few awards, and sold some paintings.
After a few years, I amassed quite a stack of framed work. They’re all over the house, on the walls of friends and family, and in a local furniture store. I started wondering how many more paintings I wanted lying around and somewhat lost the motivation to paint large pieces.
About 2 years ago, I picked up a sketchbook again. A workshop instructor shared that he only sketched in pen. He said that it helped him “commit to the line.” At the same time I discovered different social media groups that are focused on art (Artist Journal Workshop, Urban Sketchers, Every Day Matters – and now World Watercolor Group). I saw a post from a man in Singapore or maybe it was Hong Kong. He was posting his “sketch of the day.” I decided, “I’m going to do that.” And I did.
Everyday (ok, almost every day!) I pick up the pen and draw and paint. Everything and anything is a good subject. People, places, things, it’s all exciting and interesting to me. I live very rurally in the mountains of Northern California. Often my “sketches” are of the mountains or the skies or the garden. If it’s late or inclement weather, then I sketch the dishes, the food, the furniture; or my trusty model: me in the mirror.
If I’m traveling, you can bet I’m sketching: the people in cafés or airports, on buses and trains, the city streets and buildings or beaches or the scenery from my passenger seat in the car. I see beauty everywhere.
I’m feeling fulfilled by this everyday practice. I refer to them as “sketches” and I think that helps take the pressure off. Actually they are small paintings and I’m learning a lot about composition and pigments. My eye/hand coordination has greatly improved. My confidence has also grown. I’m starting to think that I can draw anything (ha!).
After all these years, I finally understand how practice really helps (ha again!). I’m always pushing myself to simplify, to draw shapes, not things (a never-ending challenge, I do love the details). I used to be an avid amateur photographer, but now I sketch. I find that I’m more immersed in the people and places when I’m drawing and painting.
Now: the materials. At first I was sketching with Micron pens in Moleskine Watercolor Journals
I was glad when they came out with a soft-cover version. I carry my sketchbook and paints with me at all times and I’m always looking to lighten my load. I’ve moved on from the Koi paints. I prefer to fill my own pans with an assortment of Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Holbein, and Da Vinci paints. For about a year, I was using the wonderful Pocket Palette from Expeditionary Art. I made an extra one out of a business card holder and filled one palette with cool colors and the other with warm ones. Lately I’m trying a small Meeden metal palette. I’m always trying for less weight.
These days, I draw with either a Lamy Safari fountain pen or a Platinum Carbon Desk Pen (I clipped the end off so it will fit in my kit) filled with Platinum Carbon ink. If I’m home I’ll use an assortment of brushes, but when I’m on the go I use a Pentel waterbrush.
I occasionally pull out the easel and do a painting. I can feel a “big one” coming soon. For now, though, I’m happy with my sketch-a-day. Thanks to Charlie O’Shields at doodlewash.com for inviting me to his website.
Leslie was born and raised in the Tidewater area of SE Virginia. After college she landed in California and now calls Northern California home. She lives with her husband on an off-the-grid mountainous twenty acres. Her paintings are in private collections around the country. You can see more of her paintings at the links below.
Leslie Rich
Website
Facebook
Instagram
“What would I regret if my life suddenly came to an end?” Good question I don’t ask enough. I sketch and paint but not half as enough as I’d like. I think I will regret that too.
Yes. I was surprised when I asked it of myself. Grateful that I listened. Happy painting.
Lovely paintings, Leslie. I can see the looseness in your sketches. Not fussing with detail. I like that! If my life was to suddenly come to an end, I would regret not having the confidence to keep up with the painting. Too many excuses. Just start practicing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comments. I’m still surprised at and grateful for this new direction in my life. So much to learn!
I loved reading your post Leslie and seeing your work . I can so relate , we have a lot in common . ” continue to keep your brush wet and your sketchbook by your side “
Thanks for checking out the article and my work. Yes, I plan to keep on sketching. My mantra is “just do it.”
Leslie I was very impressed by the fact you took the time to paint while organizing a dinner party! That ‘s what I call true dedication from an artist with remarkable time management skills….
Thanks Agnes. I surprised myself and was glad that I did. The time crunch gave me incentive and helped me quiet my critic.
Leslie, you have a wonderful attitude about life and it shows in your joyous paintings. I especially like the note you wrote, “How to do this quickly. Birthday dinner guests arriving in 40 min.” and then you paint for the next hour – hilarious and a perfect way to isolate what’s really important. You are so talented!
Thanks Sharon. This daily sketching has definitely helped me prioritize my time, though there’s still room for improvement. I’m discovering a balance while sketching and painting of “hurry up” and “take your time.”
Lovely story and work, Leslie!
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I love your work!
Thank you, Monique. If you’re interested, you can see more at richcolors.net and I post my daily sketches on Facebook (Leslie Rich) and on Instagram (@lrichcolors).
I love especially your skies. (K)
Thanks. It’s an ongoing learning experience for me to try and capture the softness and drama of clouds.
When I first started following worldwatercolorgroup one of your selfies came up. I really enjoyed them and have started to do more of my own.
Hi Cindy. It’s always interesting to do a selfie. I’m amazed at how different each one looks. Once, I did a whole month of selfies, one every day. Lots of learning there. Your comment encourages me to keep at it. Thanks.
Hi Leslie,
I love your attitude and your work is just fabulous. I particularly like the selfie drawings! I really need to get myself a journal, it sounds like it wouldn’t be as daunting as looking at that huge blank piece of watercolor paper. Thanks for sharing your materials, too. It’s always good to hear the opinions of different artists on what they use and why. Keep up the good work. Oh – and it sounds just wonderful where you live in California!
Thanks Sharon. Oh yes, get a journal, even a small one. Psychologically the journal frees me up to just “do it.” It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece! Some days I’m fighting inertia, but if I just sketch something I always feel better. Good luck. Happy sketching.
beautiful work Leslie!
I love the way you paint foliage.
Very good website!