42 Comments
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Lesleigh Brisson's avatar

Love these updates, Sandi and I particularly like your ideas of mixing up the elements in a scene as well beginning by blocking in the colors. I’m so glad you decided to share your work on this new platform. You’re a great friend to Jeannie and a wonderful inspiration for the rest of us - I’m grateful for your coffee shop mentoring!

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Sandi Hester's avatar

so glad this feels like mentoring!!!!

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Michael Wurm Jr's avatar

Love these so much, Sandi! The details (exit sign, lights, milk jugs, etc.) are my favorite parts! I have a question for you (per usual ... ha!) I've been sketching more and seem to have trouble adding light colors. I think I'm in my oil painting brain and assume I can add them in the end, but that doesn't seem to be the case with my sketching materials. Are you conscious of these white / lighter spaces and save space for them? Do you do those first? Any tips? Thanks!!

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Sandi Hester's avatar

you do have to kind of save the lighter areas. I usually start with some light markers and then build up from there - I'll be sharing about that in next week's youtube video. But I also use neocolors and my oil pastels to add lights where I want them if I've gotten things too dark - or even soft pastel works too

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Michael Wurm Jr's avatar

That's so helpful, Sandi! Thank you! I'm learning what material and colors can layer. I assume the more I practice the more I'll learn my materials. Have a great weekend!

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Jennifer Edwards's avatar

I adore your Substack "blog"!! Sandi you give us so much inspiration and I am inspired to go out and sketch more. I used to do this all the time years ago and I'm wanting to resume. Thank you for this! 🙏💖

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Sandi Hester's avatar

so glad it's inspiring you to get back to it Jennifer!

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Tracy Voorhis's avatar

Thank you for another great inspiration filled video!! I love to zoom in on the pics and examine all the texture. So yummy!!😋

Are you using gesso first to give it some texture?

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Sandi Hester's avatar

no I'm not using gesso for texture. this may have been a piece that I painted over an older painting - I just can't remember

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Karen Shaw's avatar

Love the waiter and hoe you sketched his body shape. Made him seem very real.

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Sandi Hester's avatar

thank you Karen!

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Pamela's avatar

I love these sketches & exercises Sandi! Thanks for sharing them. I personally have a difficult time trying to sketch with friends. Too much chitty chat 💬😉

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Sandi Hester's avatar

it does take energy and skill to chat and sketch - we're still practicing! it's hard!!!

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Carol Lawson's avatar

I live outside of Nashville. I’m always trying to guess where you visited, by your sketches.

I’ve enjoyed seeing your adventures Thank you .. I’m inspired

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Sandi Hester's avatar

that's so funny! I have a feeling others are doing that too.

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Heather's avatar

you are on a roll! I love these. So much to discover. :-D Really inspiring!

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Sandi Hester's avatar

thank you Heather!

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Michelle's avatar

Wow! Sandi thank you so much for these bits. So inspiring. I enjoyed a wonderful visit to my local art supply store and picked up some new things to play with. They are even special ordering for me the Faber Castell Gelatos you featured recently in a YouTube video. I am so looking forward to that.

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Sandi Hester's avatar

ohhhhhhh that's so fun Michelle! you're going to LOVE the gelatos

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Julia Loe's avatar

These videos are such a great accompaniment to your other ways of sharing your work. Thanks for all you do, it is really inspiring.

I would love to see a video all about your warm ups!

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Sandi Hester's avatar

thank you Julia!

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Carol Tyler's avatar

I noticed the view through the windows and doors right away, before you even started talking about it. It reminds me of so many paintings by Matisse. I love these coffee shop sketching sessions.

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Sandi Hester's avatar

ohhhhhh yes - Matisse!

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Layla Payton's avatar

I’ve never known anyone to encourage me to try new things (subjects) in my art practice than you. You make it all look so magical and free!

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Sandi Hester's avatar

thank you Layla! I feel free when creating so I'm glad my work comes across like that

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Layla Payton's avatar

It does! And I just noticed my typo, which would’ve read “…in my art practice MORE than you…” but it seems you understood all the same. ;)

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Coco Dowley's avatar

Sandi,

These coffee shop updates are fabulous! It's so helpful and inspiring to hear about the specifics of your sketches :) Thank you for doing these.

Your Substack blog is wonderful!

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Sandi Hester's avatar

I'm sooooo glad to hear it's helpful!!!!

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gretzilla's avatar

Fabulous! I love how the grid organizes the space in your blue pencil drawing. Happy that you found a place that embraced you parking for a bit and doing art. That is encouraging to hear. Looking forward to the next installment.

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Deb's avatar

I think I love this cool new space. I've never heard of it before, so thanks! Anyway, what do you mean by "blocking in"? Maybe I missed that somewhere. Thanks and keep up the art!

Deb

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Lisa Haas Eckle's avatar

Fun idea!

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