Sketchbook Tour: Tuscany

Seventeen wonderful days in Tuscany. I started in Florence and traveled on to the countryside of Certaldo, San Gimignano, Siena.... All artwork was done during the workshop. Learn more about my techniques at: www.brendaswenson.blogspot.com

[@parisdblack1711]

My favorite movie is Under The Tuscan Sun. In it there is a scene where the pregnant woman is looking up at a line of beautiful trees and she calls them “creepy Italian trees”. I now know that those trees are cypress trees. In your sketchbooks I feel as if I am on location. Thank you for sharing your gift.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

It's a beautiful movie of Tuscan scenes.

[@softword2458]

Really lovely!!!! Thanks for sharing 🥰 Flor

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

You are so welcome!

[@kathleencrump5705]

I find your sketchbooks just stunning. How inspiring! Thank you for sharing them.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Kathleen, thank you so much!

[@annmargarettedeleon21]

The sketchbook that has painting makes me feel like I'm reading a Disney storybook. I like your style omg!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Ann... thank you!

[@michaelloukianos4634]

Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! Lovely!!!!,!

[@sirius_lily]

You are amazing! Love your sketchbooks 💛

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you so much 😀

[@alvirosy]

Oh. my. God. Those paintings and sketches are just exceptional!! Beautiful video, Brenda. Thanks for sharing! :')

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you so much!

[@AT-iu8xx]

Oh my this has awestruck me totally, felt like I was at your tour exploring the aliveness of this place. Truly loved it!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@YH-pm3ed]

🤩wow so beautiful

[@gelsonnicolinimonteiro2667]

Awesome artwork. Thanks for sharing.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

You’re welcome!

[@nangarciarivero4371]

👏👏👏!!!Bello!!

[@marcellobarile8762]

You are so talented......love love love your journal❤❤❤❤

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you so much!

[@solbadly4512]

just beautiful!

[@Bublelicious]

Seeing my region through the eyes of a visitor in your beautiful amazing sketches made me remember how much I love travelling, and, from my part, how much I miss the States. I hope you had a wonderful time in my beautiful Toscana!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sylvia, Italy is one of my favorite places in all the world. I Love the sites, the smells, the language, and the people. My heart aches to return. Stay well my friend.

[@Bublelicious]

Well then I hope I can offer you a cappuccino, on your next trip! In the meantime stay safe and go on painting! Love Sylvia xxx

[@newbolita]

beutifulll, thanks for show this books. gracias muy buen trabajo.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Jorge, Glad you enjoyed my sketchbooks!

[@sueo.6731]

Fabulous! Thanks for sharing these with us.

[@tonia2074]

Wow, how beautiful! I always thought, i have to draw very exactly and precisely to get a good result, but youre video showed me, how wonderful pictures can be painted by lines alone !

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Tonia, Thank you!

[@Yorky222]

Super sketches Brenda, what a lovely trip.

[@karunajohnson6539]

My favorite was the Siena drawing at last page, on the brown paper with a white sky. A white sky! Lovely. Thank you.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Kuranu, Glad you enjoyed my sketchbook tour. Thank you!

[@claudiahemmings2080]

Beautiful sketchbook! Very inspiring for learners who are new to sketching.

[@kneebrain9298]

STUNNING

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thanks!

[@birdofprayer2870]

Love love love, such a beautiful tour through lovely work. Inspired to get back into my sketchbook.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Wonderful!

[@PaulaJoW]

Beautiful work. Thank you. Siena was my favourite stop on my trip to Italy.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Siena stole my heart❤️

[@marem5289]

Thank you so much for sharing all this, and for your generous and very unseful informations!

[@maryking8798]

Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@tmikeporter]

Very enjoyable. Just returned from England and France and chronicled out 19 day trip with a sketchbook as I've done for a number of years. It has me experiencing travel in a very personal way.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Mike Porter, You have the sketching bug too! We see and experience the world in a deeper way because we sketch.

[@jishnakapadia]

Fantastic Sketch Book... Lovely work... Loved your layouts... Very very inspiring... Thank you so much for sharing... :)

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Jishna, Thank you so much for the encouraging words!

[@marlenemarczewski1006]

Loved the sketchbooks. You are the absolute best!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you!

[@johnzhang3819]

So incredible, just feeling the nature.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you

[@Eirenmist]

I enjoyed your sharing of your time in Tuscany and the tour of your sketches! What a sure hand, mind, and heart you have in your drawings and paintings. Your sketchbook collages are so complicated in their various elements and objects, yet they all fit and flow together so seamlessly that I cannot wrap my mind around how you did them without prior pencil placement. To me, it's like magic what you've done. So beautiful in their harmony! Thank you for letting us come along.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you for the nice comment! Brenda

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

Beautiful work.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

😊 thank you

[@krakentowa8727]

Stunning, thanks for sharing.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@cathyjoerger4676]

Stunning sketchbook - thank you so much for the "tour"! And the encouragement to use "inks" . . . thank you!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Yes...you have my encouragement to use INK!

[@ik79]

What an amazing sketchbook!!! So beautiful!!! 💕

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you😁

[@iat136]

Beautiful sketchbook! I love the paintings of Italy, they are beautiful - thanks for sharing :)

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Iman, Thank you for the nice comment. It’s fun to share my travels and sketchbooks.

[@WendiWells]

Absolutely beautiful! I’m looking forward to your workshop at SketchKon 2018!!💛

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

See you soon!!

[@OkieSketcher1949]

John W. Gardner - “Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” I think your art should not be touched with an eraser either. Very good work. I enjoyed your telling the story behind each page. My wife and I were in Italy about eleven years ago. We did not get to Tuscany, but from what we have seen in the way a pictures and heard from friends who have been there, I wish we had been able to go. Thank you for this short video.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you Robert! Italy has a very fun place in my heart. When the world becomes a safer place to travel I hope you and your wife will have a chance to enjoy the sights, people, sounds and flavors of Italy.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

We’ve seen Florence, Rome, Naples, Salerno, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and Venice. I’d love to spend more time in Florence and Rome, but the Amalfi Coast is by far a beautiful place to return to. I did not get enough time to sketch and paint there and there are places I’d love to just sit and sketch while enjoying everything there to see. I have been told there is a town in central Italy that has been making watercolor paper for several hundreds of years. I’d like to tour it and see how they do it. Yes, we would love to go back for a visit.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

@@OkieSketcher1949 One of the towns that make paper is Fabriano. I can see Italy has a place in your heart.

[@sparrowhawkerdesigns]

These are so gorgeous. I adore the way you see Italy!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you so much!

[@oyku9848]

these are amazing. you are literally like a gemstone. glowing.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Awwww thanks!

[@sutil5078]

very nice, love the tower 6:33 tone and minimum color use. Have a nice day

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

sutil Al -Thank you! It was fun to see what I could do with minimal color and supplies.😊

[@stevesloan5935]

I was enchanted by the tour, and you narrated it in a lovely way. I liked the "limited palette" piece, the montages, and toned paper piece especially. Thank you for sharing.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Steve, Thank you for the nice comment!

[@naturesketches126]

Thank you for sharing your gorgeous sketchbook. Your art is stunning and so pleasant to look at. Beautiful pen!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Aneta, Thank you! I do enjoy a beautiful pen.

[@brendakelley9197]

Well I am so happy to have you share again. I found your page not long ago but noticed you hadn’t posted in a long time and I love your videos.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Brenda Kelley Thanks for checking back!

[@chammikaiser7740]

Great sketches Brenda. I love the printing on the pages.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Chammi, Thank you!

[@milesanchez8791]

your art is awesome. woooow no words

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Many many thanks

[@arcuda2001]

Many years ago , I lived in Florence , around the corner from the Uffizi Galleria :-) Your sketchbook ( and your style, talent and “touch”) inspires me beyond words !! Thanks for this little “ tour”

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

arcuda2001 Thank you for the wonderful comment!

[@karencolson1771]

I took that same tour a couple years ago... your stunning sketchbook has brought me right back to that magical time and place. Thanks for sharing. PS see you at Sketchkon..signed up for your seminar!!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Karen, Thanks for the nice comment. See you at SketchKon!!

[@victoria-xn4nl]

This is so beautiful it hurts! Your drawings certainly gives the vibe of Italy Congratulations

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you so much!

[@joanvonweien8389]

Brenda, what a fun trip this was! Seeing your sketchbooks reminded me of more that I have learned from you in Sienna, and all the other wonderful villages where we went! I look forward to going on another!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Joan, Thank you❤️ We had so much fun together. I look forward to the day when we can travel and explore, again!

[@nickadamopoulos6472]

Very inspiring thank you.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thanks for watching!

[@frenchgrama]

I love your sketchbook tours and eagerly look forward to any new ones uploaded from you - especially as it’s highly unlikely that I’ll ever be lucky enough to attend one of your workshops as I live a million miles away from everywhere in Australia...

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Magdalena French Thanks for the nice comment! One of the ladies on the trip was from Australia, 2 UK, 2 Canada... and the rest were from the USA. Maybe I’ll see you one day too 😉

[@rubinaimran1486]

Your demonstration of light & dark is so wonderful & your colours so vibrant. Really enjoyed looking at your work. Well done 👏

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Rubina, thank you!

[@zotzulu]

Love your work-just exquisite!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Bev, Thank you!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you Bev!

[@marniegogol8871]

Wow, You are so good! I love your book! I just got back from Italy, and I wish my sketchbook looked this good.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Ah thanks! I have a new instructional video coming out in August, The Art of the Illustrated Journal. I teach how to create uniquely personal and creative sketches. goterracotta.org/video/the-art-of-the-illustrated-journal

[@ichselbst6609]

Thank you very much for allowing some insights into your sketchbooks, Brenda! I love how you captured the atmosphere of the places and brought them to life on paper - made unique by your own personal impressions in the texts. Great skill to combine both! Also great that you treated yourself to a new pen to remind you of your trips to Europe. 😊 Best wishes from Germany, Bettina.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you for the kind words 😊

[@awatercolourist]

This is so beautiful and inspiring; thanks! I like the way you edited your collages; to me, they communicate a sense of place.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you😊

[@BettyandtheBees]

Wow this is stunning! Feel like I've just been on tour with you. Something more 'fairytale' story-like about a sketchbook of holiday memories rather than just photographs. I hope to do a little basic version of this on my holiday in Venice next year.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

bettybobo99 , Thank you for the comments! Sketches can take me back to a moment in time the way photos can’t 😁

[@essietangle9931]

Wow, thank you for the wonderful review of your trip. It also gave me some needed insight on how to view a place and some guidelines on things to try in a sketchbook.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Essie, Glad you found my sketches inspiring and helpful... Brenda

[@essietangle9931]

Brenda Swenson Watercolors I did thank you so much, Happy fall to you and your family

[@kcmcg1968]

beautiful!! thank you for showing your sketchbooks!!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed seeing them! Brenda

[@kcmcg1968]

Brenda Swenson Watercolors I really do enjoy your paintings.

[@sandyt6092]

Tuscany is beautiful, but two full days in Florence means you have to make another trip! Thanks for sharing your sketches / memories!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Stello , I agree!

[@miraxterrik]

I love the Siena sketches, the tower and the one of the placemat. Has such a strong atmosphere. And the agriturismo page, wow - I literally feel the sun on my skin. I love Toscana, need to go back! As for Certaldo, i think C is pronounced as CH like in "chair". Rule is C is always pronounced so if followed by an "i" or "e". In every other case it's pronounced as "k".

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Glad you enjoyed the sketchbook tour. It's fun to share..especially during this difficult time. I've never been very good with pronunciation especially in another language. Thank you for your input.

[@LovkynaPeral]

so so lovely Art , keep doing that ❤

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you!

[@sherirm777]

Just can't adequately convey how delightfully inspiring this was for me - so much so that I may start painting again. Thank you for sharing your gift and many blessings to you. Would even consider traveling to one of your workshops. :-) P.S. Firenze is my favorite city in the world. Must return with palette and brushes!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sheri, I love to hear my sketchbooks inspire and encourage you. Thank you for your sweet comment❤️

[@nomad_bittu]

You are an wonderful artist mam, absolute respect for you and your arts, love to learn work from you. 😍😍

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you for the kind comment! Brenda

[@rebeccawong1]

❤️

[@gabrielerosa665]

Brenda, I'm just suscribing your channel.....beatiful drawings....and a great colouring mind, you have translated the tuscan atmosphere in yor sketchs....and your voice sounds so peaceful....

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Gabriel, Glad you found it peaceful and a joy to watch.

[@jacksamuelson1938]

Beautiful

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Jack Samuelson Thank you 😊

[@gayleselby1665]

Having just returned from Sicily, I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing this.. your sketches are beautiful, vibrant, and tell a wonderful story. The nature of my visit did not lend itself to sketching on site, but I am inspired to do so from my photos. Grazie!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Gayle, Sicily sounds wonderful. Love the texture, history, architecture...try to do the images before the fresh memory of the Sicily slips away.

[@gayleselby1665]

Brenda Swenson Watercolors , I will!

[@lifeonandaroundthewater9830]

Wonderful eye

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you 😊

[@sharonmcmann-morelli4896]

Brenda, they are amazing, such beautiful drawings, thank you 🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺 you are such a gifted artist🎨🎨🎨. when and if you give another workshop please let me know ......

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you! Please view my workshop schedule on my website: www.swensonsart.net

[@artifexmom3824]

Wow! Your artworks are so amazing and i love it! ☺️❤️ Hi, I’m your newest “ S “ and follower. Stay safe and God bless.🙏🏻

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thanks!

[@annbelmonti3737]

Really gorgeous! Subbed ❤️

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Ann, Thank you!

[@t.fedelis109]

La Toscana è bellissima,le consiglio di visitare pure la Romagna,io l'adoro.venga pure in Sicilia,abbiamo pure noi borghetti medievali e meravigle arabo/normanne.grandiosa.il suo modo di disegnare lo adoro.ciao dall'Italia.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you. Italy has a special place in my heart. Beautiful country and people.❤️

[@JulieKnowles]

I love your sketches and would've killed to be on this workshop with you! I'm planning on signing up for your workshop at ASW next May!!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Julie, Hope to see you in May! Happy Sketching

[@JulieKnowles]

Not only May, but I just signed up for SketchKon 2018!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Woohoo! See you soon!!

[@sophines1872]

Your art is absolutely beautiful and I aspire to be able to create such inspirational pieces. I am currently doing a cartoon/semi-realistic style while drawing people. I had recently discovered your channel and I find everything about it extremely unique! More realistic and watercolor painting, especially the kind of art you do, is definitely something I will try and create.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sophi, Nice to know I've inspired and encouarged you! Happy Sketching!

[@50-year-olddoodles]

Improvisational life condensed in sketchbooks

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

That's a good way to describe an illustrated journal.

[@sylviasmith1769]

Love your sketchbooks! I've been wanting to try doing some of these for my travel adventures. P.S. the quote "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser" was by John W. Gardner. I think I'll put that on my first page!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sylvia, Thank you so much😊

[@nikkiwells1688]

I just love your sketchbooks and omg would love to go on an art holiday with you 🙏🏻

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Nikki, Thank you for the nice comment. I enjoy traveling in sketching. Set of my favorite memories and sites are recorded in the pages of my sketchbook. If you’d ever like to join in, please check my workshop schedule. This year I’m going to Carmel and next year Santa Fe. www.swensonsart.net/workshops

[@nikkiwells1688]

Unfortunately I live in the Uk. I saw your supplies list re paints and have many of them but what would be 12 colours you would recommend for travel journaling. The ones you wouldn’t want to travel without in a smaller palette. Your colours in the way you use them have a jewel like quality and you represent light beautifully ❤

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

@@nikkiwells1688 Why 12? I travel with 18 colors.

[@nikkiwells1688]

@@brendaswensonwatercolors because I purchased a smallish metal palette. At a squeeze I can get 14. I have many Daniel Smith colours. I was intending to take Hansa y med, Quinacridone Gold, Quinacridone Sienna, Trans Pyrol orange, Scarlet lake ( W & N) , undersea green, cascade green, green gold, paynes grey, Cobalt blue, indigo,Phthalo blue. And possibly moonglow.

[@nikkiwells1688]

Is there any colour you wouldn’t go without is what I am saying? Many thanks for your responses. I promise not to ask anything else 😬

[@Whitepaper_Art]

Your picture is very good ~♡

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you!

[@parisdblack1711]

I am a fountain pen addict, I like to write letters and use snail-mail. I am starting to trust my abilities more and sketch in pen & ink.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Nothing compares to a hand written letter!

[@YH-pm3ed]

I subscribe!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Great!

[@fleurdursanter9452]

Beautiful sketches. Your art is lovely to look at. May I ask what colors you used to make the shadows?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

I generally use start with cobalt blue. Before dry I add a small amount of nearby reflective colors.

[@sellysartwork]

Can you please do a tutorial on your watercolor techniques?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

sellysartwork, please visit my blog. I have tutorials there 😊 www.brendaswenson.blogspot.com

[@shiminhuang2417]

I think the quote was from John W. Gardner :)

[@Picasso_Picante92]

Beautiful sketches. I am so impressed. I'm 55 years old and just started learning to draw and watercolor. I really want to be as good as you. May I ask, how long have you been at it?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Anthony, I’ve always enjoy drawing. In my early 30’s I discovered watercolor. I continue to love watercolor and new things I continue to learn. If you like my KZbin channel I know you’d like my blog. www.brendaswenson.blogspot.com

[@Picasso_Picante92]

Brenda Swenson Watercolors Thank you Brenda. I’ll have a look at your blog.

[@anitarao4319]

Please visit India!!

[@andyh126]

Do you always sketch on location or do you sometimes take photos and then do the work back in your studio?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Andy, to answer your question - I do it all. I try to complete a sketch on location but I also take photos. Nothing wrong with adding finishing touches later.

[@judithmoore8692]

What kind of pens do you use. I could not understand the name, if you mentioned it. Hope to hear soon. Thanks

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Judith, you can read about the fountain pens I use on my blog: brendaswenson.blogspot.com/2018/08/fountain-pens-beginning.html?m=0

[@isabelasad1183]

que manos mas negras...!!!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you!

[@glenisepearson7407]

The quote "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser" comes from John W Gardner.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you! It’s a beautiful quote and I love knowing the original author,

[@glenisepearson7407]

@@brendaswensonwatercolors You are very welcome.