Struggling As I Learn More About Composition

This week I share with you how learning more about composition is affecting my art (and my brain). I'll show you all the work I did on our latest trip. The sketchbooks and some supplies I used are listed below and the other videos I mentioned are listed below as well.
ONLINE CLASSES: www.sandiheste...
SUBSTACK: sandihester.su...
INSTAGRAM: / sandihesterart
WEBSITE: www.sandiheste...
THINGS MENTIONED:
*LIQUITEX PAINT MARKERS:
www.dpbolvw.ne...
*MONTANA PAINT MARKERS:
www.tkqlhce.co...
*POSCA MARKER:
www.anrdoezrs....
*ART HANDBOOK SKETCHBOOK:
www.jdoqocy.co...
*TALENS ART CREATIONS SKETCHBOOK: www.anrdoezrs....
*SQUARE MAROON SKETCHBOOK (Leuchtturm 1917)
www.anrdoezrs....
*FABER CASTELL WATERCOLOR MARKERS:
www.tkqlhce.co...
*WINSOR & NEWTON WATERCOLOR MARKERS:
www.kqzyfj.com...
*NEOCOLOR 2 WAX PASTELS:
www.jdoqocy.co...
*WATER BRUSH:
www.jdoqocy.co...
VIDEOS MENTIONED:
ART BOOKS: • New Art Books
FAVORITE COLOR PENCILS:
• Favorite Color Pencils...
WATERCOLOR MARKERS:
• How To Layer Mixed Med...
*The links (*) above are affiliate links - it doesn't cost you anything more to purchase when you go to these links - they just help me make these videos!

[@gailtrowbridge3660]

You're so generous sharing your process with us. I love how you combined elements from earlier paintings, including the rocket ship and the moon and stars. Just wonderful.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Gail!

[@suesummers8813]

This came at the right time, my art is in a transitional phase I felt like I suddenly couldn’t paint but you explain this weird phase so well… so I completely get what you are saying and it’s a relief to know it’s ‘normal’ 😂

[@sandihester]

It’s soooo normal!

[@dianedobsonbartonart]

I absolutely LOVE it when I see you have a new video. You always manage to inspire me and help get the creative juices flowing. ❤️

[@sandihester]

I’m so glad to hear that ❤️

[@corallie7746]

28:06 I actually REALLY love this Sandi!

[@grandma1]

I just want to say I Love all your Landscape. Gorgeous.

[@andreajlmoore]

“I often think I see owls, even though they are just trees” ~ 😂 Thank you for another wonderful, informative and inspiring video, Sandi.

[@sandihester]

It’s true 😂🤪

[@theresacollins13]

So funny, I do the same thing!

[@irenegarcia7356]

I loved the purple irises & woodpecker with the cottage @ the distance.Relaxin lake Serenity 💜

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!!

[@stefanies4780]

I've been following you for a while now and mostly watch your videos because they are so cozy, 'chaotic' and loose. I admire that. But this video really resonated with me. I never saw those struggles as seasons, I simply thought that that style or material was not for me. I didn't allow myself enough experimentation, play/fun and just saw it as a failure. That still might be the case, of course, but I will look at it differently now and challenge myself to keep going. I recognized a lot of what you said, how you might feel in that season, how you're work doesn't feel like your work. I keep saying that it feels like my soul isn't in there. But I don't allow myself the time to make it mine. Thank you for helping me see this. I will also get back at color swatching, I loved doing that, don't know why I won't give myself that simple pleasure anymore. I loved wachting this, thanks! Oh, and I really loved the last painting with the birds and the night, the rocket and stars. I do love children illustrations, so that might be it.

[@ChantelleArts]

It's so inspiring watching how quickly you create pieces ☺

[@jand9770]

I love the greenery you added to composition, you made it work!

[@HighPriestess-x2e]

Lol, Sandi overthinking overthinking! I freaking love your work. I've been binge watching all your videos. I'm in a "season" too. You are so relatable. I look forward to owning one of your paintings!!! Keep on keeping on, Sandi. You're AMAZING!!!! So is Grady! "Man alive, it's like riding a bull!" You cracked me up!

[@marypartridge5154]

You like me are looking to discover your own style. Its not easy as the more you learn I find the more my flow gets disturbed. You were doing great as you were.

[@kanamichelle7404]

Sandi that plant you couldn’t identify is I believe a hellebore. They are amazing because they can bloom year round. By the way, that is my favorite of all you did, (love the little house in the background esp.) plus the one of the lake that you said felt like you were over-thinking. I love the colors in the water on that one. Thank you for blessing us with another video. I so look forward to them!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Kana!

[@joellenfritchen124]

Woodpeckers and rocket ships in the same painting….gotta love art. Great video!

[@sandihester]

I know - crazy 🤪 but it was fun

[@sheilamesick5964]

I like the looseness of the tree painting. I like the landscape paintings with the woodpecker and the one including the owl. You have the flowers in the foreground of the first one , the small cabin in the distance and then the woodpecker on the tree, These two compositions create a narrative for me that I find interesting to follow.

[@impish22]

thanks again for making my Friday better !!

[@sandihester]

you bet Marie!

[@nancyloomis3046]

Love the woodpecker and owl at night. And the recent tragedy…heartbreaking and an epidemic in this country, like no other…country. 😱💔

[@irenegarcia7356]

Patience. Yes. Truth 🎉

[@saracrittendencoppedge4522]

Sandi, this was an interesting exploration. One of the things I like about your work is your interesting compositions. I think you learned a lot and so did I !

[@sandihester]

so glad to hear that!

[@Risyem-vmeste11SP2i]

Круто❤, мне очень понравилось! Творческий путь - тернистый, сложный, увлекательный и интересный. Я сейчас на этом же пути. Благодарю вас за это видео❤❤❤

[@teressasliger]

Thank you so much for sharing your process. You had me laughing out loud with the kids and drawing! I think we all go through stages of “tightness” when learning something new. I have always been impressed with how you have “loosened up” over the past few years. You have inspired me enough to join Emma Carlisle and the live drawing.

[@sandihester]

Emma is great isn’t she?!?!

[@teressasliger]

@@sandihester Yes, she is!

[@teressasliger]

I just heard something that really makes sense and I just applied it to this, “you’ve got to learn the rules to be able to break them.” Phil and Emma talking about hands

[@karenvc8005]

Woodpecker, owl and rocket repeats the composition you used in the sketch of irises/woodpecker/tiny house. I think both sketches are worth larger paintings. They're very good.

[@eileengamache9128]

What a terrific journey this post took us on!! You taught me how to incorporate the most unlikely treasures of our personal experiences into our drawings…keep it moving…it all will make sense somewhere down the line❤️ Your work is inspiring as always to all of us! xoE

[@shaunamaness854]

Sandi, you are so generous 😊 I see your work leaping and leaping and dancing into real greatness as you explore and share. There is so much blessing, riches, and treasure for you as you share your gifts with the world!

[@heidikarpa2278]

I’m really interested in something you said. When sharing a painting, you said it didn’t feel successful or it wasn’t successful. I’d love to hear more about what feels or makes a painting successful for you. I’m working on how to establish “criteria” for myself when I sketch or paint. Just so I don’t become too critical. Thank you for sharing your paintings in order as your trip progressed. It as lovely to learn with you.

[@sandihester]

My idea of success is usually that I have fun and am enjoying creating most of all but I am in a more assessing time. The more I enjoy what I’m doing the more I’ll create which equals me getting better.

[@Blick_Art]

Some artists say they get nervous when they don't feel like they're struggling. That's what makes the small triumphs so satisfying! Sandi, we always love the generous way you use color- it never pays to be stingy with your paint, right?

[@sandihester]

That’s interesting! I totally agree that we should not be stingy with supplies - USE THOSE THINGS!

[@marissariley7319]

Build a Bird sounds so fun!! Will have to try that with my nieces & nephews 😊

[@willemijnkamerling4011]

I've been following you for a while now and I can see what you're saying about the tightness and how it's not yet going how you want it to. Thank you for taking us along during this process. I'd love for you to make a video on what you've learned and how you've implemented the things you've learned in your work. Eg I used to put this in the foreground but now I don't, or I used to use these colours / values here and there but now I don't differently. Maybe it's not that specific and it's more an overall feeling. I love how you play with the kids you have around you and take them with you in making art and showing them what fun you can have. 🥰

[@sandihester]

Thank you and I know you’ve been following me for a while and I really appreciate that!!!! I do plan on sharing what I’ve been learning at some point

[@willemijnkamerling4011]

@@sandihester 🤗🥰

[@jand9770]

Love, luv your Owl and Woodpecker night scenes!! I liked that you added the foliage in center, thought it was a good decision and nicely done.. Can't decide which of the last two "Night Owl" l scenes I like most!!

[@khuloudahmed3406]

Thank you for the inspiration and the energy that you have given me,Keep going ❤. Your fan from Saudi Arabia

[@nancyloomis3046]

“Blopetty-blob in my head.” I think we can all relate. No interpretation necessary. 👍

[@sandihester]

😂🙌

[@jlm517rocks]

You so helped me articulate the sense of 'blahs' as a learning season, more internal than external yet affecting everything. Realized ii'm done w/a majority of interests & have literally unsubscribed from anything unproductive, so there's this space, or emptiness, a sort of nothing that ii can't fill with any practices from 'before'. Yr reminder abt loose vs tight is spot on, as is getting thru the season as best as possible til the dust settles... Ty!!

[@RoseWildsmith]

I love the night scene colours 🌙🌙✨ I feel like the woodpecker facing off the edge of the page is quite an unsettling composition choice because we’re so used to everyone looking in from the side towards the centre of the composition. It was making my brain work! Very interesting! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@sandihester]

I agree but for some reason I like it

[@mariac4602]

absolutely loving those evening compositions-owls, woodpeckers and rockets. Pure joy! Loving the landscapes too.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!

[@lauraf.8203]

Love your night paintings❤

[@sandihester]

Thank you Laura!

[@musicalemily5464]

It is so funny to see what artists do not like in their work, as, the three sketches that you did NOT like, were the ones that spoke to me most. You never know what your art is going to say to those who look at it. To me, the two lake sketches had some impressionistic qualities that jumped out at me, and made me feel sweet things, as did the night owl painting, with the rocket, done in your larger Strathmore sketchbook. What you did not like at all, in the night painting, the tree branch with the greenery, ended up captivating me, and made me look closer at everything in the painting. I loved the mark making in that tree branch, as well as the movement it gave to the whole painting. I LOVED the smaller owl, which made you fill in the center section with the greenery, which, to me, gave the painting interest, as well as made my eye go to the blurry rocket, which then moved my eye to the other owl. I am not sure if that was supposed to happen, but, for me, that is the journey my eye went on, and what a wonderful journey it was.

[@sandihester]

Yes, I did lay things out to make your eye move around the painting. thank you Emily!

[@karenvc8005]

I had to stop the video and remark that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the iris/woodpecker/tiny little house in the background sketch! It is lacking NOTHING! As soon as I saw it I just got so excited for you. The think the large irises in the foreground on the left, the smaller woodpecker to the right, and the little house in the background is wonderful composition. It really move the eye around your pages. The colors are perfect.

[@sandihester]

thank you so much Karen!

[@oddanneout]

Wednesday is “fine but not successful at all”? It’s beautiful! 😍😍😍

[@sandihester]

Well, thanks!!!!

[@scoanime]

Great video. The abstract sketches you did were really fast were so BEAUTIFUL. The one that was more blue and orange (the first one) that was my favorite.

[@ginawoods2071]

Thank you, Sandi! The face of the owl in the last sketch is priceless!!!!

[@sandihester]

Awe - thanks!

[@softpastels768]

I can totally relate. At the beginning of this year I was taught to use a new medium by my art tutor, I disliked it so much I got really flustered and developed a stomach ulcer that lasted for 2 months. Now I am going back to the techniques I prefer :)

[@annrubino6252]

Fantastic, Sandi! They are NOT too illustrative or too anything. These are incredibly creative expressions of truth. I am so very impressed with you - it's not a struggle if we aren't focused on the outcome. Love you!

[@sandihester]

Awe - thank you Ann!

[@luharris-burr9913]

Sandi. Your beautiful still life paintings with wonderful patterns are lovely and your compositions were perfect, when will you be doing more of those?.

[@sandihester]

I’m not sure

[@MonicaReents]

I always enjoy following along with your process. I love scenic paintings with an abstract touch. That's how I am learning to paint, and it's so helpful to see your references vs. your painting/sketches. It is difficult to keep things loose, but I love the process ❤ Thank you so much!! Take care and have a great week!

[@emmelinesprig489]

❤️ Amazing thoughts. Thank you!

[@rakisk8r]

Thank you so much for being vulnerable & courageous & generous sharing your art with us, Sandi! I've been really stuck and judging myself terribly. i admire how you keep working on your painting books and utilize various components from other drawings (esp. Benji's!). You've really encouraged me, thank you so kindly Sandi! kari, West Coast Canada

[@elizabethcameron6045]

Abstract art speaks to me. I thought your landscapes of your house and surrounding land were quite good. To me they were/are haunting, ethereal and edgy. I like that. A lot! Thank you, dear Sandi!

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@lisathemessenger7973]

Your work in this video is really fantastic..I love every one!

[@irenestone7635]

Those nighttime bird sketches are FABULOUS! 😍!

[@fuzzydragons]

good idea taking those birb photocopies😀i love this page! 28:15🥰

[@luzaninha1]

I loved all night scenes!

[@irenegarcia7356]

Loved your night landscape with owl & woodpecker loved the dark hues of blues. Love it

[@susanoflightandshadow2145]

Love the direction you’re going in, the colors and layering is a chef’s kiss!

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

Thank you Sandi💜💜!

[@sandihester]

You bet!

[@christinefisher5716]

So inspiring, Sandi! It encourages me to "keep pushing" through the uncertain stages and reminds me to "trust the process." I love the way you are painting your night skies, and I love seeing all of the birds. I also can't wait for your bird course. I am currently on day 59 of #The100DayProject, for which I chose birds as my focus for each drawing/ painting. 41 to go. You are a blessing, Sandi!

[@sandihester]

Way to go!!!!!

[@christinefisher5716]

@@sandihester ❤

[@cmcl5543]

Love your artwork and enthusiasm.

[@deborahmeyers551]

Hello Sandi I love your sketches they are beautiful and enjoyed your thoughts on them the boys were cute posing amd getting involved 💜

[@primrosedahlia9466]

I loooove the bird and rocket painting❤GORGEOUS!!!!!

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@meredith7236]

Wednesday landscape is very nice

[@meredith7236]

Aw that one in camp ground the first is magneficent Ihat is most beautiful thing with woodpecker

[@sandihester]

Thank you Meredith!

[@Julie-vy3oz]

This is good. Every time I try pushing a style a bit to learn and stretch myself I feel like I go backwards in my artistic progress. Or when I switch mediums (or go back to one I haven’t used for a bit) I go through that “oh my gosh I’ve lost it!” feeling. Great reminder. And the work was lovely-all of it.

[@sandihester]

Totally normal!

[@christinebarone2151]

Very informative Sandi.. I love the night scenes maybe because I LOVE blues and owls..

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@jude1515]

Beautiful paintings!

[@donbar5493]

Love your Journey

[@rachellemcconnell6647]

What fun it is to see all your work and hear about the process! I love your owls!

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@gwenritch]

Sandi wow! I so love all your renderings from the animals to the rocket! your color palette it amazing how it all comes together. I know you spoke os maybe one day publishing your sketch books…yes and yes…just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@sandihester]

I’m hoping we can start working on the books soon Gwen!

[@nichegosebe]

I love love love the foliage on the last painting. It has rich texture and colors and beautiful subtle values. and I'm so ready to buy your book when you publish one.

[@angelahunnel9425]

I love your owls, woodpeckers and night scenes especially! I enjoy when you flip through your art books!❤️

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!!

[@meredith7236]

Super loose ones are gorgeous, instinctual

[@shelleoshelle7252]

Thank you Sandi! In my experience when humans are encountering a change, we tend to think that we don’t know anything, that we’ve forgotten everything we used to know. It makes sense that your work would get tighter (you “forgot” knew how to be loose.) You persevered. That is the important part of this process of learning, hang in there, don’t quit because it’s hard. You are such an inspiration for me. The there is a workbook for the Albala landscape book too! I’ve found both at my library and both are for sale at Abe books. I look forward to working with them. I am learning, from you, to keep practicing and let go of perfection or even realism. Dirty fingers, happy heart. Sending love and light from here. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!

[@luzaninha1]

wow! Amazing job!

[@GoldenAstroCat]

I always enjoy watching your process, I learn so much and can relate to the struggles too. Recognizing and embracing your own style is so important ❤️

[@lindabullock6159]

I was thinking the same thing today !!! I can’t believe you put my feelings into words. So this is natural when I am trying to really learn new techniques and explore what I want to paint. Thank you so much!

[@sandihester]

Yep - we all go through it

[@dianehigham1293]

Loving the woodpecker, owl, rocket and stars at 27:05 Sandi! This painting is crying out to be greeting cards and postcards! 🥰xxx

[@sandihester]

Awe - thanks!

[@lisahatch2649]

Sandi, I love the work in this video. Its moody, and evocative. I love the "illustrative" look to the work, it brings to mind the wonderful illustrations of a childrens book. I like the elements of the rocket and moon and stars. Lovely and inspiring.

[@sandihester]

thank you Lisa!

[@bunsy0808]

Love the plant on left side of page with the bird in the tree on right side. You’re already a 🌟 in my eyes. Amazing what you did with the 🚀 and bird in the tree.

[@sandihester]

Thank you ❤️

[@lulabelle33]

Another fantastic video. Sandi you are a well of growth and ever inspiring art and thinking. I love all the new work .. and I think you will go back and like that foliage-- I saw it and went wow.. look how that progressed.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!

[@LynnHPalmertree]

Sandi, I always learn something from you. I’m loving the night scenes.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Lynn!

[@ignaciovadulli]

I loved it!

[@deborahruth5072]

It looked like you had a lot of fun. It has been ages since I went camping. I live were people camp now. lol I really like the painting you almost forgot to show us from Wed (W2). It resonated with me. The colors, the composition, just everything.

[@sandihester]

I had a feeling a lot of you would like the Wednesday one. Not sure why I don’t love it

[@moniqueasselin6254]

Enjoyed your video. Your birds are amazing and getting better and better, if that’s even possible. I’m jealous!

[@sandihester]

Awe - thanks!

[@Ddalgiichigo]

Sandi I’m loving these paintings! The beautiful trees and flowers and birds 😍 I value your videos and knowledge so much 💛 thankyou for sharing so much with us

[@Ddalgiichigo]

I’m obsessed with 23:25

[@Ddalgiichigo]

I love the last sketches too the owl especially!

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much!

[@nicolel2265]

Those other flowers with the baby irises are called Hellebore

[@meredith7236]

Luv your birds

[@vikkiemz7340]

Whaaaaaat???!! This is EXACTLY where I’m at right now, thank you for explaining why 🤩 and it is because I’m learning more and have changed subject matter. Thank you thank you!!

[@sandihester]

❤️

[@jessicastrideart]

Always inspiring Sandi!😍

[@sandihester]

🥰❤️

[@GillianCrossArt]

The flower is a hellebore, one of my favourite flowers. Love the tree sketches 💜

[@zeearchers720]

It’s interesting to me that the paintings you did while camping that you said you were “overthinking” look to my untrained eye to just be more intentional, just a bit more planned than your other, looser work. Which makes me wonder if you just prefer a more spontaneous and intuitive freedom as you create. No judgement here at all-both processes seem perfectly valid to me, and I really admire your efforts to stretch your skills in a somewhat different direction. Do you think practicing a more formal approach to composition is just not as much fun? I totally get wanting to always be improving and exploring new ways to make your art say what you want it to. As an artist, isn’t that what the assignment is, ultimately? I’m always struck by the strong expression of joy in your paintings, and you have such a freedom with color that I envy. Thanks so much for sharing your process. It’s truly fascinating to see how you do it! ❤

[@discohandgliding]

Loved the W2 sketch because the reflection on the water is beautiful.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@bellaandthebooks6368]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@sarahhopkins577]

love this weeks video Sandi!! everything that has been going through my own mind lately. changing things up has for me, taken me back to feeling like a beginner again. love the colour of your night skies btw. thanks so much for always sharing what affects your practice, because its nice to know art processes are never straight forward. and learning is fun :-)

[@sandihester]

Sarah I’m so glad you loved it! And it is always good to hear we’re not alone on this journey. You nailed it with how it can make you feel like a beginner again

[@megperry5586]

Thanks. Love hearing about your process!

[@TalkingwithPainters]

Just love your videos Sandi! Pure gold for artists

[@sandihester]

Awe - thank you Maria!!! That means a lot friend!

[@nancyloomis3046]

Looking forward to your “transitions” and whatever else comes out of your studies. I know it’ll be great! 😊 Me? I often go for the more simple books(but not boring or same ole’ unless I need that) because if I have the basics down or the biggest point they’re making (I’m a big macro person) or their images inspire me, then that’s what I wanted to get and I’m good to go. I will likely miss some good nuggets of the author, but with my short attention span, I just can’t seem to tolerate much more. I figure I can always go back and do a deeper dive as desired. 😊

[@insidetheoffice]

Your art and videos always inspires me 🤩 Thank you for sharing your creative process! 🙏🏻💓 It helps me a lot and bring so much joy to my inner child/artist ☺️🎨

[@stacys447]

Wow. So inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Maybe this will feed into your birds course 😊.

[@sandihester]

I think it will!

[@lolapatrick958]

I loved this video! Thanks! I thought of Simon Carter's (English abstract painter) work and thought you might like his work and process in abstract landscapes.

[@sandihester]

I’ll check him out - thank you!

[@denisecope]

Those trees in the beginning took my breath away. They really said forest to me.

[@sandihester]

Thank you

[@Missylou_art]

I love to see your abstract work with some of the detail brought back in. Loved your final piece with the night scene, and I actually really liked the mark making in the branches.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Missy!

[@alyonajudina6750]

Your new video is always like a special treat to me. I enjoyed this one very much. I loved the paintings. They are really beautiful and inspiring.

[@sandihester]

So glad to hear that!