Watercolor Travel Sketching in America (VLOG) and sketchbook tour

Come along for 3 weeks of travel sketching and a sketchbook tour of our trip to America (upstate New York and Washington). I'll share a bit of our adventures with you as we went to some beautiful places. In my last VLOG I showed you all my art supplies that I brought, and they worked out really well. Although I painted a lot, I still had a couple empty pages in the end. What should I add there? Let me know!
00:00 Intro
01:15 Mini travel vlog
03:41 Travel sketchbook tour
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[@cheerfuldragon5642]

Bless our planet. Bless us, everyone. Thank you.

[@sharonkeeney2428]

The blank page would be a great place for your favorites! A little recap

[@jcline147]

This is where I live. I’m 40 miles away from the entrance to the park and I just knew when I saw the first pictures that you guys had been here …and what a thrill….! I know you love the forest, and we have some of the most beautiful forests on the face of the earth here in Washington State!

[@deborahredmond8242]

Thanks for the tour Sarah! Yes we deal with jet lag going to see family in Switzerland every time. We try to break it up by going to the east coast for a few days first. I have a plan to visit Iceland for a few days maybe next time on the way. So glad you got to see a glimpse of the beauty on the west coast. Last page? Maps of the two areas with your cute special notes.

[@kristinstewart5556]

Oh! You captured Bowman Bay perfectly! Love the way you render waterfalls.

[@bluewren65]

What a treasure you give us in sharing your holiday with us. The American wilderness is so brash and in your face; it's so vast and dramatic. I can't believe how much water there is there. Tasmania is so geologically ancient by comparison. Every surface has been worn down, the trees that grow at altitude are stunted and gnarled from growing in little more than rock and never really experiencing consistent rain or warmth. In summer, the waterfalls we have just become vertiginous rock faces with a trickle going over (if you're lucky). Thank you for showing us your experience in a world so different to my own.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yes, American landscape is sooooo diverse, you could spend years travelling around and still not see everything. And even within one state there can be multiple climates.

[@samantharankinstinamisan5583]

On you last pages you could paint Flokie & Vader happy to see you home🐈‍⬛🐈

[@nellkrams3698]

Wow!! Amazing scenery….amazing paintings in your sketchbook!! Thanks for sharing. As far as your last page…I agree, your favorite memory would be a great closure to this sketchbook.

[@shannoncoolbaugh2448]

Paint you’re reunion with your kitties! Or something like your welcome back home to Scotland on the last page.

[@rinske4714]

Yeah, i Would love that too! Sarah could paint the kitties!🙂

[@autumndawns8484]

That was my thought too. Paint coming home to Scotland and seeing your kitties.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Haha oh boy that would be a challenge! It would basically just be a giant cuddle pile...or me walking and them following me (I'll show that in my next vlog). They won't leave my side now! 😅 I think they are afraid of me leaving again

[@bethcrane5780]

I LOVE those Strathmore travel watercolour journals and cannot understand why they would discontinue them... fabulous travel story. Thanks!

[@SteviePaints]

For your last page, you could do a little recap in the form of a map - where you flew, drove, and the places you visited. (I am a map lover!)

[@lightwavz]

I used to travel to the Mount Rainier area every year to visit family. I loved the smell of the air and the vastness of the forests. Your paintings are wonderful! Please do some extras in that sketchbook of some of your favorite scenes! And thanks for sharing.

[@samthomart]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beautiful countryside! Thank you for sharing, I’m learning a lot about watercolour and gouache from you… ❤

[@LaLa_ArtGal]

What a pleasure to join you in this way. 😊 I learned about you a few days ago, and have watched at least one post every day since. I'm quite nearby your final Washington stop, and there is so much here to sketch and paint! Even our "urban" sketchers' group is usually filled with foliage, wherever we meet.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I can imagine how fun it would be to have an urban sketchers group in the PNW!

[@pamelaavery2483]

I am from the Pacific Northwest. It was great to see from Mt Rainier to Whidbey island and deception pass. How 😎 cool.

[@laurenmorgan-outhisack6341]

Loved your sketchbook tour. I strive to capture the essence of a place, as you did so well, so that I can one day have journals like that

[@firdyk]

Sarah the colours that you use in your paintings are so satisfying for the soul xx

[@SharonCullenArt]

I’m so glad you had a nice peaceful relaxing vacation Sarah, and that Wolfey *sp* got to see some new sights along the way. Beautiful sketches. I’ll bet those little kitties were sure happy to see you. I’ve always wondered what goes through the minds of our pets when we go away on vacation. I’m sure you do too. But it is like another vacation getting to come home to that.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yea, I always think about that! I was so scared that Vader would go searching for me and not come back. But we had someone here the whole time feeding them the “good stuff” and giving them company which I think helped a ton.

[@hidilley]

So beautiful! What a gorgeous way to memorialize your travels. Love your style!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you!

[@beckyisj]

Aw yay I'm sooo glad the sketchbooks arrived just in time for you to take it on all these adventures! The feeling of having the perfect sketchbook alongside your journey is just *chef's kiss*. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You are amazing Becky, thank you for your generosity which helped me have a great sketch trip!

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

I agree with Shannon... paint the coming home part! The skies, the plane ... I enjoyed this video Sarah... TYSM for sharing!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Returning home to cold autumn 😜

[@alisonlyons4691]

Thank you Sarah for sharing some of your lovely trip moments. My favourite was the Silver Falls trail. The ochre colour of the rocks and turquoise water is so beautiful. For your last pages maybe your return home ie view from the plane and 2 of the things you loved to see as you reached your home. Just a thought. Going to check your other channel. Thanks again Alioban x

[@francinetoni268]

Welcome back! So glad your trip was wonderful. 😍

[@francinetoni268]

Gorgeous work! Your videos are amazing, Sarah. Maybe choose your favorite spot for the last few pages of your sketchbook, but paint it from memory, rather than a photo reference; it’s more of a ‘memory’ that way. 😉. Thanks for sharing such a special time with us❣️

[@wendyleader8905]

I love you paintings thank you for sharing your trip

[@Makbabe72]

The last page could be a map page,showing all the places you traveled in the US. Maybe if we all write to strathmore they will bring back the travel journal. I am still finishing mine that I started on a trip to Ireland!

[@gonecoastalfl]

That's a great idea. I always like to include a journaled page for my travel sketchbooks with a few memories so I can look back and read what my thoughts were or read about some of the highlights of the trip.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I do love maps! That’s a good idea

[@MedievalMary]

Beautiful sketches! So Happy you were able to visit my area! Love from WA!❤️❤️🗻🏔️🏞️

[@Erinba]

The mount rainier sketch is my fav!

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

Last page you could paint a map of where you went

[@rogerehinger6694]

I appreciate the view from the plane window, tried that myself a couple of times. Watercolor paints and watercolor pencils both, the subject moves and changes soo quickly. Love your landscapes as usual. Happy you returned safely.

[@ruthballard1550]

Very inspiring and lovely to catch up with your travels. For the last part of the sketchbook, I would enter the best memories (handwritten) so that you can remember those things years later. It's amazing what we wish we had remembered!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That's a great idea!

[@ayokakaiser]

Glad you had such a good time! Keeping a travel sketchbook makes memories so vivid and multi-layered. Love these watercolour studies!

[@c.f.callier]

Sketching your way through your trip sounds like a great way to help remember it. :) For the last page maybe paint one favorite memory from each of the family and friends you spent time with. Including the alone time with Wolfie.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I take a lot of photos, but I always look at my sketches with fondness, it transports me back to that moment much better

[@c.f.callier]

I can totally understand that. When I look at a sketch or piece of art I can often recall what I was listening to and even thinking while I made it.

[@fuzzydragons]

those waterfalls were gorgeous! so many wonderful places to visit and draw at 😀

[@erikaweihmayer4793]

Yay! So happy to be a part of your trip! Maybe you can end the sketchbook with the same thing you started it with.. a birds eye view from the plane .. I tried painting on my recent trip to Europe with family but it’s so challenging to find time to paint with everyone around. Good luck getting back into the swing of things.. CANT WAIT to buy your new gouache brushes 😊🤘

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

So many wonderful paintings, I will go to the other channel to look at the video to get the other perspective Of the trip, here it is Your fantastic art the number 1!!!! ❤❤❤

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

Your favourite memory!!!!

[@stephkerney6923]

Thank you so much for your posts Sarah, I learn a great deal from watching you paint. I think it’s got to be the clouds. You painted the mountains, deserts, waterfalls which are all timeless and would be recognised for thousands, maybe millions of years , but actually being in the clouds is such a recent experience. I don’t fly often but when I do I’m blown away with what an experience it is. Anyway, I just thought it would make a good end to your journal. Hope you get over your jet lag soon x x

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That would be a nice way to round it out

[@linelomholtart5555]

Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed it.. 🙏🏼 My suggestion for the last page of your sketchbook is to do a Scrabble page with all of your favorite memories from the trip (i think that's what you call it) but a page with a lot of small paintings thats kinda mixed together in one big painting 😅☺️🙏🏼😍

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That’s interesting!

[@susanforsberg2547]

I missed you glad you had a marvellous time with family and friends and I’m glad you’re back sharing your adventures 🥰😍😘

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Gorgeous scenery and such wonderful & beautiful paintings & sketches in the sketchbook. Looks like you both had a wonderful vacation with your family & friends!!❤Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

It was really great 😄

[@magdalenab8617]

Your way of sketching in this video ist exceptionally beautiful.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

thank you so much :)

[@terrilikens4975]

Welcome home. Last page idea -- the clouds from the plane.

[@Hexe.Mueller]

Perfect thank you so much for this Video. USA has such a beautiful nature.

[@HumdrumCurio]

I recently moved to the Seattle area after having been gone for a while and I still am awestruck at how the beauty surrounds everything here. Thank you for sharing your trip in the lovely manner that only you could ❤

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Definitely a great area - so close to the mountains too!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Loved it! I live in very Northern California - love Forrest’s & seashore from here thru Washington. Your art is beautiful! Yes finish with your favorite place - IF - you can chose a fav.

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Really fun to watch this video. You are so good at creating the scene, use of colors and composition. At the end, I would paint your favorite moments on the trip

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I think that’s what I’m leaning towards too. There was an AMAZING sunset the day we got back and that is also an option

[@VitasArtworks]

wow amazing travel sketches 🥰🥰

[@Mrharry35]

Great sketches! For the lblank page, how about paint some scene with people, your family, friends or people you meet etc, just an idea.

[@agold1702]

Wonderful. I love the NW US. Thanks for sharing what you caught. The last page? Maybe a sight that you captured digitally but didn’t have time to paint or make something up based on your vacation-maybe a scene you wish you’d seen.

[@ivi122]

I just started doing watercolors this past Oct and just came across your channel. I have to say that I love your personality as much as I love your watercolor paintings. I absolutely love looking at your sketch books bec you are so talented! I’m from Puerto Rico but I have been living in CT since 1990. I would love to go visit those falls in upstate NY.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you so much! There are sooo many wonderful areas in the countryside of NY, even many I still haven’t visited :)

[@JeffEickhoff]

Wonderful recap, Sarah! I am from Eastern Washington…grew up on the Palouse, and lived in Seattle for 20 years before moving to the Netherlands. So I know very well all of the places you featured. Loved your sketches from my homeland. Thank you for bringing back fond memories of hikes and climbs with my son. BTW, I travel a lot for my work, and the general rule of thumb for jet lag recovery is around 1 day per time zone, provided you really got settled in the destination zone. But it definitely varies person to person. I’ve actually been starting to research a painting trip to the Highlands of Scotland next year or the year after, depending on my vacation availability. Looks absolutely amazing. Cheers from Holland.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Palouse area was pretty incredible, it felt like a mini-grand canyon!

[@delphilistener3632]

Loved this! Definitely agree that the bay you painted on Whidbey (and some other parts of WA) are similar to Scotland. While planning a future trip back to the US, you might enjoy exploring the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula. Much of our area has the Scotland-feel. It was a big factor in why we settled here.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

So I’ve heard!

[@suew4609]

Lovely sketches! That must have been quite a trip, to go cross country in 3 weeks. I’ve made that trek a couple of times and it’s long!. Yes, put your favorite memories at the end😊

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yea - that’s one of the challenges of having our family all spread out! I am trying to convince them to visit me next 😆

[@IanM316]

Mount Rainer is just a few m] miles' drive for us. thank you for sharing.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

How amazing to have that in your backyard!

[@SunnysEyes]

Maybe a 2 page spread of your favorite place you visited

[@geraldineconway1865]

Gorgeous work, your sketch of Palouse falls was incredible.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you very much!

[@catherinelevison3310]

As a Washingtonian and amateur artist you did a great job with your sketches. Next time you’re here stay at my house, it’s gorgeous and we’re surrounded by rivers and mountains and only 2.5 hours from the Pacific Ocean. I have tons of art supplies I would let you use.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That’s so kind of you!

[@catherinelevison3310]

@@SarahBurnsStudio … I’m serious about my offer. There are many available bedrooms here, even one separate from the house with 12 acres and 2 creeks, with 2 river properties within a few minutes. You’d love it. We aren’t far from Mt. Rainier.

[@missjameequilts]

Love your posts covering your trip. Your paintings are beautiful! I think you should paint the beaver on your last page. I live only one hour from Whidby Island. Love Deception Pass, though driving school bus over the bridge was harrowing!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

The beaver was so cute!

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

I too am grieving the loss of the Strathmore 500 series sketchbook. I'm emailing them. Maybe if others email them too, they'll reconsider? Beautiful sketchbook, btw.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Good idea…let’s all email them asking please continue it!

[@SereneStudio]

Beautiful paintings and drawings! I'm thrilled you had such a wonderful time! :)

[@dryingshift]

Such a delight to see your sketches!! I also recently visited Mt. Rainier, with my parents and my sister in August, but I tragically didn't have any time to paint. We mainly hiked the Skyline trail and it was so pretty, lots of wildflowers. The clips you showed from the Silver Falls trail are stunning!! Hopefully I'll get the chance someday to revisit the park and explore more. I'll definitely be checking out your vlog too :D

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yes I absolutely recommend Silver Falls trail - it was absolutely amazing.

[@Lovarez]

nature is so beautiful! also that fire painting is fire 😁

[@vupps]

The last page should be your fly back to Scotland on the plane was it? Those clouds, amazing to paint! Sarah, you are indeed an ammmmmazzzzzzing artist. You capture what you see like a photograph in your paintings! Enjoyed each and everyone of it. Glad you are back. I remember you mentioning your are working with Craftamo to make some gauche brushes of your pick. Can’t wait to get them once they are ready, whenever that is!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you so much! Yep, the brushes should be launching soon..hopefully November! But I’ll definitely share a whole video about it.

[@rachellewilkens6846]

Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing❤

[@veronicagreen6180]

Wow your sketches are stunning,love love ,best regards

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you!

[@karendurston2528]

Chittenango Falls! We live in Cazenovia.

[@ShahanoorMamun]

wow..... very much impressive travel sketching..... just loved it.... wish you good luck

[@essietangle9931]

Maybe lots of notes on the little things of the trip with your feelings with tiny side paintings.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Hm that’s a good idea

[@kellyro77]

Sorry, I should have just said to message me if you wanted so see a sample of what I was suggesting on your back spread. Regardless, you did beautiful work, as always. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@longwaytotipperary]

Love this!

[@tammaraliberty]

The Strathmore sketchbooks seem to be discontinued in the states too. So I bought some of the pads, wax thread and an awl and make my own now.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I’ve considered that too. The main problem is some sheets of paper aren’t sized on both sides, so it will act differently on the back

[@tammaraliberty]

@@SarahBurnsStudio this is true. I just sketch on that side. (I put little dot stickers on to remind me. Removable when I get there.) I get two sketchbooks out of one pad so it works out for me. I cover them with heavy card stock.

[@MeanColleen]

Thank you for sharing Sarah. You are in my wheelhouse. Both of my parents grew up in the Tri-Cities, my mom Kennewick and my dad Pasco. I knew before you even identified it that was Palouse Falls. Growing up an army brat, Eastern Washington was my home base and I moved back permanently in 6th grade. I have been in Eastern Washington Northern Idaho since 1973. Palouse falls is an hour and a half drive north of me. I love the scablands of Eastern Washington. Too bad you couldn't have gotten a shot of the Palouse and the wheatfields They are impressive. Funny how you finished your trip on Whidbey Island. My sister is an art teacher on Whidbey Island. Of course Mount Rainier stands alone. Your trip looks lovely with lots of artistic inspiration. I think your favorite artistic memories should be the last on your sketchbook.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I heard Palouse has amazing green rolling hills when it isn’t dry season. Maybe next time Ill get to see that!

[@MeanColleen]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I highly recommend visiting in the spring and seeing the rolling hills of spring wheat. It's spectacular. There is gorgeous photography you can find online of the Palouse Hills.

[@DonohueLabs]

We said multiple times that you could take your time sketching! The basalt really translates well in sketch form, though. And you didn't show a painting you did while you were here... a particularly round one.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Haha yep - you guys were so patient 😄 I would have loved to show the secret painting but I wanted to offer you total privacy 😎

[@beverley-memawmawclarkwhit5102]

draw a picture of the clouds from the airplane on the last page!!!

[@sketchbookscheming]

Love your sketches and travel videos! How about a sketch of the scene where you were dipping your feet into the water?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Ahh yes I need to paint that water some more...it's SO challenging though!!

[@iMoreAsianR]

You’re a beast.

[@kookatsoonjan]

Thanks Sarah...glad you are back...I noticed that "turquoise blue handled " longish brush...can you tell me which brush that is...looks interesting ...very long bristles...thanks for the update...sounds like a lovely time was had by all. Janis

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you. This is the brush: www.jacksonsart.com/tintoretto-prugna-synthetic-watercolour-brush-series-853-round?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=c9f95a0a5af052bffce5c89917335f67 (my affiliate link)

[@loveandlife4222]

So so beautiful!! I have been to Deception Pass and Whidbey Island. Thank you for sharing!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Did you hike it? We didn't have time to go all the way but it was still really cool!

[@loveandlife4222]

No, we were with my husband’s grandma and great Aunt so there was no hiking. I would love to go back!

[@jant4741]

Paint yourself painting & people & cars.., historical era content viewing someplace of the trip?

[@DeniseSmithCreative]

Hey Sara! I learn so much from you about plein air! I seen on one of your videos where you were doing a tree with blue and white on toned and now I can’t find it again! I bought some blue markers, pencils and white posca and want to practice your techniques! Can you help?

[@RebeccaJensenRunBosco]

So cool to see you painting my home state! (Washington) Looks like you got a great variety from your visit. Have you been to our coast? If not, you’ll just have to come back. 😉

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

We went to Whidbey island :)

[@RebeccaJensenRunBosco]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Whidbey is lovely! We orienteer there a lot. But it’s not the coast. :) (was wondering if you had been through Washington before this trip) Alas, so much beauty to see in the world!

[@catherinebrown9119]

What colors did you include on your travel palette? Your sketch book is lovely. ( We use to live in Owego near Binghamton. Love NY in the summer)

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

They are the same colors in my main palette plus a few granulating ones just for fun

[@melindaavila498]

You are self-taught? No lessons? Gosh, I really admire you. I have been struggling for over a year. Any tips? I have had so much trouble getting the right amount of water, gradiation of colors, drawing skill, on and on. I have watched a lot of KZbin , there are a LOT of artists I like on KZbin, but, no in person classes.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I studied drawing a long time ago, and practiced over the years, but I have no training in painting. That is just a lot of repetition (7 years now..)

[@gonecoastalfl]

Hi Sarah - on your Machu Picchu painting...is the green around the structure Shire Green? or did you mix a green there? It's so pretty

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I think it was a bit of shire green mixed with Helio turquoise

[@gonecoastalfl]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank you :)

[@adrianfbird]

I hate blank pages the do my heid in