Sketchbook Study with Shirley Trevena | the Art of Practice

Today I'm sharing my sketchbook showing you examples from Shirley Trevena's book that I painted and how I take what I learned and create new work of my own. It is a great example of the Art of Practice.
My online color mixing course Cultivated Color is available on Teachable kellyhoernig.t...
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Supplies used:
Taking Risks with Watercolor by Shirley Trevena* amzn.to/3Yd83fD
Daniel Smith Dot Card* amzn.to/3F0rhwG
Handmade Sketchbook Fabriano 140lb cold press watercolor paper
#watercolorsketchbook #watercolorstudy
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Royalty-Free Music from Tunetank tunetank.com/
* These are Amazon affiliate links which means when you buy something I'll receive a small commission. Thank you for the support!

[@rutheilers8654]

I think I found my teacher today! I’m a self taught watercolor (artist?) I have a hard time calling myself an artist, but you may be the girl that will get me there. I learned of Trevenas work through another online artist I follow and have been considering purchasing a book but which one? Now I know! I love your teaching style, the use of cropping a small area is brilliant. I started this journey about 20 years ago, I’m going to be 83 this year and I am excited to get my book and start learning to loosen up and let go of my need to control. I love watercolor and the best thing about it is I can’t control it but have a hard time because I seem to be a control freak I look forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you❤

[@kellyhoernig]

I am so inspired by you, 83, really, how fantastic! I have a whole Sketchbook Series playlist where I share several other books and show you how I create from them. You might find more inspiration to give you other ideas. Happy painting, discovering and being loose!

[@marybuchanan2443]

Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking !! I feel like I found a real teacher!!!

[@kellyhoernig]

@@marybuchanan2443 ahhh, thank you Mary, appreciate that!

[@ritzie3131]

I love Shirley Trevena's style, and I very much enjoyed how you are learning to integrate some of her techniques into your work. This is a really helpful way to practice and learn from the artists we love. Thank you!

[@kellyhoernig]

You are very welcome! She is such a fantastic artist and when you look at the overall piece it is very intimidating. Glad you liked the way I practiced her art and morphed it into mine.

[@feliciahazelton754]

Shirley has long been one of my favorites. I like the way you break down her work to learn the technique.

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you so much. Hope it gives you inspiration to try a page or two!

[@jenniferspotten915]

Thank you for sharing this idea of cropping, fantastic tool!

[@kellyhoernig]

You are very welcome and once you start using it, it is a game changer - enjoy!

[@glynmorris3711]

What an interesting, well informed and intelligent way to look at someone else's art, analyse it and use it constructively to your own advantage. I loved your video Kelly. This is the first one I have seen of yours but you can be sure I will watch others. Thank you I found it really helpful.

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you so much for finding inspiration in the process! I have a whole sketchbook series playlist with several book sources of interest, enjoy!

[@artsanctuary3494]

Kelly, I saw this video a couple of weeks ago. It is, in my opinion, the most valuable idea of how to glean from another artist. I love it. I have a small landscape format sketchbook, and I placed it vertically, giving myself a narrow slice of the paper, which I tape off and work on. I’ve already grown so much! I find the artists work, crop it down, and then try to emulate the image. Then on the adjacent page I tape off the same size, and then I work from one of my own photographs, with just a slice of the image. Genius! Thank you so much!

[@kellyhoernig]

I love this so much and glad it inspired you! I find it the best way to study, challenge and grow in your art. Thank you for giving it a try and enjoying the process!

[@camillecasani9044]

Kelly, in just a few days of watching your videos, you have transformed my art practice! Thank you. I have made a journal dedicated to studying master artists that I wish to emulate without copying. Following your suggested steps, I have created art that is truly mine, but much better informed. Thank you for sharing.

[@kellyhoernig]

This makes me so happy and you have made my week Camille, thank you for that! I love that you took the inspiration and have made it your own and are doing the work, so good!

[@cathykirwan2292]

Wonderful video! This is extremely helpful! Thank you so much!❤❤❤

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you for watching and being inspired by the process!

[@joanwagner5224]

I too just discovered you along with Shirley Travena! Another artist I follow mentioned her today and I ordered one of her books. I love her art and I loved the way you broke it down in order to do a study of her work. I can’t wait to watch more of your videos as I loved your teaching style. I’m a 84 year old rediscovering art and loving every minute. I taught Junior High Art in the sixties!

[@kellyhoernig]

Shirley is truly an amazing artist and I'm glad my breakdown lets you see the possibilities of re-creating her work. Welcome to In the Studio!

[@laurahale5774]

What a wonderful perspective! Thank you for sharing your process that respects the artist while using their concepts in our style. You have such an encouraging, informative channel. Thank you for sharing.

[@kellyhoernig]

Artists have been a source of inspiration, copying and learning from forever. It is the only way I know of to create from someone whose work I admire. Glad you found it inspiring and hope you are looking at your bookshelf with new, piqued interest in who you want to discover next!

[@leadawood3975]

Excellent video! I have enjoyed Shirley’s work and books for years but never thought of breaking it down like this! This is what I love about your teaching Kelly! It’s always thought provoking and out of the box❤️ Thank you for sharing your process and letting us look inside your sketchbook. You are an AMAZING teacher and artist!

[@kellyhoernig]

Leada, thank you so much for your kind comments. I love pushing myself as an artist and since I can't find classes that will do that consistently I have to find a way to do it for myself. Hope you found some inspiration for yourself in there too!

[@gennydavidsonsmith85]

What a wonderfully thoughtful way to practicing your art. The results are extraordinarily inspirational. I too am a great fan of Shirley Trevena. Thank you for posting this. I’m looking forward to watching more of your posts. You’ve made my day!

[@kellyhoernig]

Genny, thank you for your kind comments I really appreciate them!

[@jeanielaramie6617]

Cropping tool is such a great learning aid. Good idea.

[@kellyhoernig]

It is a fantastic tool and get overlooked a lot. Thanks for watching!

[@LauradB65]

Great great great idea to study other artists pieces and pull out something that suits you. Thank you!

[@kellyhoernig]

Glad you were inspired by this and thank you for watching!

[@gloriasking23]

I’ve always loved Shirley Trevena’s work and your video is extremely helpful in breaking down what it is she does that makes her work look so amazing - thank you I’ve learnt a lot.

[@kellyhoernig]

Glad it helped. It was the only way I could learn without being totally panicked with her lovely pieces.

[@m072049]

I am so impressed how your study evolved from the original peek-a-boo window to your interpretation… just super excited I feel with this gained application!

[@kellyhoernig]

Your comments make me so happy. Thank you for sharing them with me and I do hope you will look at your art books with new eyes and a lot of excitement now!

[@PaulaScardamalia]

This was magical. Thank you for sharing your process and the books.

[@kellyhoernig]

Paula, I'm so happy that you were inspired by the process and Shirley's lovely book!

[@stampysister]

I love this. I've been drooling over a Jean Haines book but frozen to mimic it.

[@kellyhoernig]

You've got this! Break it down into the tiniest pieces until you are comfortable. Once you do a couple that way, enlarge the areas and start again. It's call an art practice for a reason, right? Have fun and Jean Haines is a beautiful artist to study and learn from!

[@jerrywilliams5963]

What a great way to study an artist’s work and use some of their techniques in your own paintings. Nancy from Oregon

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you so much Nancy! It was the only way I could figure out how to create like Shirley but then make it my own from what I took away from it.

[@Benvi5735]

How beautiful! This was very exciting to me. Loved your process and thank you for sharing. ❤❤

[@kellyhoernig]

Glad you enjoyed this study practice. Hope it gives you some ideas to try at home!

[@constancemiller9119]

You are the first watercolor instructor I have found in years that teaches to one's style by how you analyze and talk about their style and then what works for you. Thank you for all your valuable instruction!

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you for your kind comments. I feel it is important to be you, always. So finding what you like and turning into something you love, it's a win-win for me. Glad you found it helpful and hope you put yourself in your art every single day!

[@marlenekluper428]

Kelly,, you are doing a great job in your journal. I too love this artist and have thought to use her as inspiration. you are doing a great job matching colors and your personal work is impressive. When I've glanced at this page in the past, I never saw the shoe! Do you see the woman in the white swim suit in your painting of the shoe? Shirley has many fun animals, elfs and bugs drawn in her line work, that you don't expect to see. How she works all those things into her work is amazing!. Well, keep up your practice. Your'e a much more accomplished painter than i, but I keep trying too!

[@kellyhoernig]

Many viewers have noticed the woman, it's just so funny what we see isn't it? Trying and the art of practice is a must for us as artists, I'm so glad to hear your journey of discovery continues as mine does!

[@CJoyArt]

I love this idea Kelly! It makes me want to pull some of my books off of their shelves and dive in. I also love (around 6 minutes in) the "negative painting" in the bottom right quadrant. I'll have to pull some of my art books off of their shelves! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@kellyhoernig]

Yes to art books as inspiration, such a wonderful resource to create with. Glad you were inspired and loved that you noticed the negative painting!

[@elizabethwardrop3917]

You have just blown my mind. I love Shelley Trevena and love your technique of interpreting her paintings to render your own wonderful creations. I would love to incorporate this technique into my collage work. I am new to collage and everything seems so flat. I think it could improve by combining my hand printed Gelli papers with watercolour. Where to start though 🤔. Thank you for sharing

[@kellyhoernig]

Thanks for making me laugh, love your comment. I think collage would look amazing and using Gelli papers would add such interest and originality right from the start. On where to begin, anywhere, just start and see where it takes you. Small sections so they don't overwhelm you. Remember I copied first then took what I loved and made it my own. You've got this!

[@andreatorraca8755]

What a great practice….thanks

[@kellyhoernig]

I am so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@user-wf8pt6cd1g]

How funny I thought it was a woman in a white bathing suit…Wow Kelly you teach artist (want to be an artist) how to study a piece, copy the part you enjoy the most (the frame idea is priceless) and then make all of it your own…I had no concept of how to do this before. Thank you. I’m mesmerized right now!

[@kellyhoernig]

Another viewer said the same thing, it is so funny what we see in art, isn't it? I love to teach, thank you for your kind comments about the process, I really appreciate it!

[@lucilleeidse9407]

I also thought it was a woman in a bathing suit- when Kelly mentioned a shoe I was so confused 😂

[@kellyhoernig]

@@lucilleeidse9407 you have made me laugh out loud today, thank you for that!

[@user-wf8pt6cd1g]

How funny! @@lucilleeidse9407

[@user-lr1pk7kq9p]

Wonderful video Kelly. I will look through my watercolor books and try your technique of breaking paintings down into smaller sections. Great way to practice and learn. Thank you for all your sharing.

[@kellyhoernig]

I am so happy to hear that you are inspired to try this lesson out using books you have already. What a great start. Look for one that excites you at this moment and start there. I can't wait to hear how the study goes, please keep me posted!

[@claychick100]

This was so inspirational and beautifully put together. I am going to take this process and give it a try. What a wonderful way to study a master. Thank you so much!

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you so much for your kind comments and I'm thrilled you were inspired YEAH!

[@loveandlife4222]

The first piece you are showing (I’m watching) was done with negative painting in layers. Once you understand how negative painting works it simplifies the process. I love your videos by the way! Now to watch some more!

[@kellyhoernig]

I always forget there is a term for it. I usually look for shapes, it's just easier. Glad you are inspired!

[@jrm2716]

I am a new subscriber. I found your channel looking for ideas for a new travel kit and found the video from about 2 months ago. After painting for several decades, I was finding painting wasn't as exciting anymore, so I was looking for new ways to paint. I am also honing my skills by revisiting my old basic lessons and searching basic lessons on youtube and books I've recently aquired. I found myself really enjoying your channel as I binge your older videos. tfs.

[@kellyhoernig]

I really understand that so much. I've done acrylics for decades then colored pencil now onto watercolor because they are a challenge to figure out and I like the not knowing factor of a medium. So glad you are finding inspiration on my channel and laughed out loud when you said you are binge watching. That made my day, thank you!

[@karen2352]

Trevena is my watercolor idol. Thank you for your insight into breaking her work down and describing her process as you see it and translating it into your own language. Thank you for your inspiration.

[@kellyhoernig]

You are very welcome and I hope you will give it a try to see what processes it gives you too!

[@jillkent6134]

Brilliant idea to use a crop tool I have been trying to paint like Shirley but finding it really difficult so I will try your method, also I very much like your own interpretations

[@kellyhoernig]

I hope my suggestions help. Shirley's work is so incredibly layered and this method lets you at least concentrate on one area at a time. Have fun!

[@incognitoedc]

New subscriber...wow! My learning process is so similar. I have a drafting background, and started Zentangle art in 2021. Now moving into botanicals. I was mesmerized by the detail of this tutorial and your clear teaching style. Thanks for the wonderful content. I'm planning on making a cropping too asap. Brilliant!!!

[@kellyhoernig]

Welcome to my channel and thank you for subscribing! You are going to love the cropping tool, it is so useful.

[@yellowsunnybear375]

What a great explanation of your process! Someone else on KZbin recommended this book in a video I was watching last night - and then here you are showing it today!!

[@kellyhoernig]

How fun is that! Great taste and a love of beautiful art for sure. I'm so happy you found inspiration in my process!

[@angelabohm4237]

Thank you Kelly I have just found your channel. I loved how you broke down the picture and analyzed a small part. This was so helpful x

[@kellyhoernig]

I'm so glad you are here Angela, welcome to In the Studio! There are a lot of playlists on my channel if you are looking for something specific, take a peek and enjoy!

[@angelabohm4237]

Thankyou I will enjoy watching them all 😊

[@jodicolvard2736]

Thank you, this has been eye opening. I have been watching your videos for a while and love your simplicity of subject matter, and your explanations as to why you chose your composition and how it flows. Shirley Trevina has been a favorite of mine but as a beginner it is overwhelming to look at her work as a whole and wonder how.... Kelly your fragments or thumbnails made sense to me. I hope you continue to show videos of this new sketchbook.

[@kellyhoernig]

I'm so happy that my video gave you ideas on how to study Shirley's incredible art!

[@jillpratt2447]

I love this….

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you and hope it inspires you to give it a try!

[@mhubertcfi]

What a great idea! I'm new to sketchbooks and want to get some ideas to start

[@kellyhoernig]

So happy you were inspired! I have a sketchbook playlist if you want to get more ideas. Have fun watching.

[@tiggietaylor1922]

Shirley Trevena is one of my very favourite artists, I love how you have put in your interpretation of her work. Given me some ideas too. Thank you

[@kellyhoernig]

I'm thrilled you were inspired to create, thank you!

[@barbarasalmi3103]

I am learning so much from you. I am at the " copying Kelly" stage. Even that is difficult for me. Now back to your Art Spark class!

[@kellyhoernig]

We all go through those learning stages but always ask yourself after each lesson, "how can I make this my own?" Pick your favorite area and create an original art piece. It will get you on your way to your own style faster if you always create something that interests you afterwards.

[@CarolMunsey-cn8nu]

Kelly, the best presentation yet. Have loved Shirley's art for a long time and I'm usually overwhelmed by it. So good of you to take a piece, copy it and then with clear explanation turn it into something of your own..which was also great. You inspire me. Thanks.

[@kellyhoernig]

Carol, I am thrilled that you found a way to create from Shirley's beautiful book. Hope you will take a piece and give it a try because it really has pushed me into things I didn't normally do. Thanks so much for your comments!

[@louisacahan831]

I have several lovely art books, and you have just shown me a beautiful and challenging way to learn from them. Thank-you!

[@kellyhoernig]

Yes, yes, yes! Love that this video made a light click on for you. Have fun choosing one to start with and watch your creativity grow!

[@lynnecrawford2925]

From another Shirley Trevena devotee - thank you so much for inspiring me how to attempt her (and your!) style. I'm often too "tight" and I need this loosening up!

[@kellyhoernig]

I totally understand the "tightness" of work. Her colors and textures are amazing and I have such fun trying to figure out how to create them. Hope this video offered up a little information on how to get started and inspired by the amazing Shirley Trevena.

[@JacquelineJax]

Brilliant ideas. Love your channel. I make are similar as well and I also make honey handmade watercolor. Great discovering your channel.

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you so much and welcome to In the Studio, glad you are here!

[@philnasmith9755]

I found this one of the most valuable videos on how to learn from other artists. Thank you for sharing. ❤ I was interested to notice how you seem to have an aversion to bright colour. Even your darks are (imo) middle values. I have the opposite tendency - no matter how hard I try I saturate my colours too much. Trying this method may well help me with that problem.

[@kellyhoernig]

The middle tones is where I have always felt happiest in acrylics, colored pencils and now watercolors. It is who I am so I totally embrace it. I have tried my hand at vibrancy and brights yet the art just never feels like home to me afterwards. That is why I love that you are fully saturated because there is plenty of room for all of us in this wonderful world of art! Celebrate who you are, it is the best feeling ever!

[@marisalopezmolero4271]

Thanks to you, I know a little about this great artist. So your art that is great too. Thanks for the video, it was amazing, inspiring and easy to understand. Thans again🌸

[@kellyhoernig]

Shirley is fabulous and I enjoy her style so much. Glad to know I'm not alone!

[@eunicederenne6098]

Inspiring, very very helpful, beautiful! Thank you so much! Aloha from Hawaii! 🌺💙🥰💜🌈💚🏝💛🌄

[@kellyhoernig]

I'm glad you found this video inspiring and helpful, thank you for watching!

[@pamshaw6465]

Great idea….I have many of Shirley’s books. Now I know a simpler way to try out her style of painting. Thank you Kelly!

[@kellyhoernig]

I am so glad this gave you a new insight into creating Shirley's masterpieces YEAH! Thanks for your comments and watching.

[@sue6002]

This is so helpful. I’m trying to learn how to study a master and find my own style. What a helpful video. Thanks so much!

[@kellyhoernig]

You are very welcome! Finding your style takes some time so be patient with yourself. There are a lot of sketchbook videos in a playlist that offers more exercises like this. Take a peek, it might inspire you to try one or two of them. Thanks for watching!

[@lucilleeidse9407]

What a wonderful way to study and apply Shirley’s techniques- I just got this book recently, and already it’s my favourite of her books. I’m happy I found your channel- looking forward to seeing more of your art!

[@kellyhoernig]

It is a fabulous book that will give you hours and hours and hours of enjoyment. I hope you will give this exercise a try.

[@julielowery6625]

I love this! Quite inspirational! You should take a look at Karlyn Holman videos. She teaches many techniques on loose watercolor. She was a fabulous artist. Sadly, she left us in 2019.

[@kellyhoernig]

I found her a couple of months ago and love her style, thanks for the recommendation, I really appreciate it!

[@MsFarmer37]

I have a friend who paints on blueprints and they are fantastic. I love this video. Now you need to show us how you actually paint one!

[@kellyhoernig]

I will see what I can do about that. So happy you found inspiration from this video!

[@lyndaharley1460]

Pure genius ❤❤❤ Thanks Kelly❤

[@kellyhoernig]

You crack me up Lynda, thanks for giving me a big smile today!

[@bicemama]

I’ve just discovered your channel. I’m thrilled to find it. I’ve grown weary of the look at what I just bought videos. I love to shop as much as the next person. I’m far more interested in process and your color mixing on one page and a painting opposite is brilliant. Obviously I’ve watched a few vids before I commented. I’ve been promising self color mixing practice and haven’t figured an approach that could keep me engaged. Thanks to you and your posts I’m ready to begin today! Thank you so much.

[@kellyhoernig]

Yeah! I am so happy to hear you are inspired to start color mixing. This was is really fun and easy because you just grab two colors and start blending. Thank you for finding me, watching and commenting, I really appreciate it!

[@sherryfurr9115]

Brilliant video. I ordered the book after seeing this. I have been stuck recently, but I think this is going to help me a lot. THANK YOU.

[@kellyhoernig]

It will help a lot. Take small bites or you can get overwhelmed. Be kind to yourself, look at it as practice not perfection. Most of all, choose sections that you are excited about and have a lot of fun with it. So happy you are inspired to try this study method!

[@chrissie4452]

This was a great lesson on how to look and see ! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your sketchbook with us. I have one question though: Am I the only one to see a lady in a bathing suit inside of the orange shoe ?? Even in the book, this is what I saw BEFORE the shoe 😁😁

[@kellyhoernig]

You know I had to go look at that LOL It is so funny that is what you saw in the shoe. So glad you were inspired by the process and found a treasure in it's lesson too!

[@ChapmanGriffith]

As stated, this is very much magical. Your thought process is convinced me to buy the book. Thank you for sharing this with us. Your hand made watercolor art journal , did you make it yourself?

[@kellyhoernig]

I am so happy you were inspired by this study. Shirley is amazing and you will find a ton of creative inspiration in her pages. I loved sharing this and hope to do more in the future with other books I'm practicing with. My handmade journal was made by a couple who is not doing that anymore. You could search Etsy, there are a lot of handmade watercolor books on there to purchase.

[@KayJohnsonArt]

Thank you for sharing this video Kelly, which I found very helpful. I would have never thought of doing this and the process is so much easier and more focused than trying to copy an entire painting, which always results in failure for me. I love your sketch book. Is it handmade? What watercolour paper do you use in your sketchbook?

[@kellyhoernig]

Glad I could break it down into doable steps for you, it just makes it less complicated but figuring out the actions is a lot easier. It is a handmade sketchbook, the company is no longer around unfortunately. The paper is Fabriano Studio, cold press, 90lb and I love working on it!

[@arleenaartvark1141]

I just subscribed- you are analytical like I am so this way of learning is so helpful!! Thank you so much! Did you hand make your sketchbook? I would love to try to make one too! Thanks again. ❤

[@kellyhoernig]

Thank you for subscribing and welcome to In the Studio! I bought the sketchbook from a company that is no longer in business. I'm sure if you search KZbin for how to make a sketchbook you will have a lot pop up.

[@googleuser9888]

This is so inspiring - thank you! What paper are you using?

[@kellyhoernig]

I'm thrilled that you were inspired! The handmade sketchbook contains Fabriano cold press 140 lb. watercolor paper.

[@MarjorieLayes-ik4nj]

I thought that shoe was a woman in a white bathing suit.

[@kellyhoernig]

Many viewers saw that too, it is so funny!