Why every watercolor artist should know Shirley Trevena | Art Vlog | Book Preview

Today’s video is all about Shirley Trevena and her book, Breaking the Rules of Watercolor. I will show you a preview of her book and then show you how I worked on a “master copy” of one of her paintings in my sketchbook. By making a master copy, you can learn (by doing!) how another artist creates marks. In doing so, you might just learn a few new mark-making techniques that you want to put into your own artist kit.
Here’s the affiliate link to Trevena’s book that I mentioned in the video:
Breaking the Rules of Watercolor by Shirley Trevena: amzn.to/3IoJLZL
I also mentioned Sea Lemon’s great tutorial on how to do a Coptic binding. Here it is:
• DIY Coptic Stitch Book...
0:00 Introduction / Book Preview: Breaking the Rules of Watercolor
7:16 Process Video
Thank you for clicking on this description! At this very beginner phase of my “content creation” experience, it is very exciting just to imagine that people watch my videos. I do a metaphoric backflip for each new subscriber. I know, I’m new. (377 subscribers at the moment I shared this video). All music is from the youtube audio library.
There are amazon affiliate links sprinkled around in here. These are items that I have found to bring joy to my life and I hope they do the same for you. If you click on the link and actually buy something (anything!) from amazon, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you - and that helps to support this channel.
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What I used in this video:
Stabilo pencil: amzn.to/43gAVp2
Caran d’Ache watercolor pencils: amzn.to/3N7DmVp
Winsor & Newton Texture Medium: amzn.to/43dXPxp
Winsor & Newton Iridescent Medium: amzn.to/3WIrMTA
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Favorite supplies that usually appear in my videos:
1. A porcelain plate or tray from the goodwill makes a great palette. So does a plastic lid from a yogurt container.
2. A used talenti ice cream cup is perfect for swish water; also a great way to buy art supplies when you “have to” eat the contents first.
3. A cheap Robert Simmons Expressions brush is perfect. The one I’m using here is an E85 Round, size 12. You can buy one at Blick Art.
4. I use a glass bottle that used to contain facial toner for my spray bottle. The toner was expensive, but it has a very pretty label. The spray is a fine mist and the bottle is the perfect size for using at home and also for taking out on location.
Some of my favorite art books:
Breaking the Rules of Watercolor by Shirley Trevena: amzn.to/3IoJLZL
Taking Risks With Watercolor by Shirley Trevena: amzn.to/3SMqCV8
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards: amzn.to/3kIwiDd
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What I use to film and edit my videos:
Small, flexible tripod with screw-on grippy attachment that holds my GoPro: amzn.to/3mEEGUU
Desk mount device that I use with the screw-on grippy attachment that came with my tripod - the desk mount (in combination with the grippy attachment) holds my GoPro 18-inches above my table: amzn.to/3L81XbK
Blue yeti microphone: amzn.to/3Fw1IE7
Lightning to USB Camera Adaptor - this is what I use to connect the blue yeti microphone to my ipad for voice over editing: amzn.to/3ZNxuUE
GoPro Hero10: amzn.to/3TFnvyU
It takes some getting used to, but for filming on hikes it is much better than using my iPhone.
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Instagram: kendra.lwebuga?...

[@gennydavidsonsmith85]

How come have I never heard of Shirley Trevena? Thank you so much for introducing her to me. What a revelation!

[@klwebuga]

I’m so glad you now know of Shirley Trevena! :-) Such brilliant work and I love her philosophical approach.

[@larrymisiak915]

Your videos are all very good. You come across as friendly, knowledgeable, and skillful, not awkward, at all. The manipulation of multiple media adds visual and entertaining content. The voice overs are clear and crisp. You have obviously developed and learned the complexities of digital communication. Your humility, often expressed, smooths things out and makes you very relatable, to me, anyway, and I hope to many others.

[@klwebuga]

Awwww, thank you Larry! :-) I do my best and it feels like I learn something new with each video. I have to say that it is very fun to put the videos together and it compels me to think even deeper about my own work.

[@lynnbradley6731]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@klwebuga]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@inkynfrost3183]

I adore Shirley’s paintings, and love your interpretation! I’d be excited to see more.

[@klwebuga]

Thank you! For sure, I will share more. Maybe, I’ll even find my own flowers and props and try an “in the style of Shirley Trevena” still life. :-)

[@roxannemaguire9844]

​@@klwebuga That would be even more interesting!!! 😊

[@lindacmiller948]

Thank you, just ordered the book!

[@klwebuga]

I hope you love is as much as I do! It’s always in arm’s reach.

[@lulabelle33]

Fantastic. Love the master study!!

[@klwebuga]

Thank you! :-)

[@valariewalker5860]

Kendra Kendra Kendra!! Thank you for this informative and very useful video.. Shirley T is also my favorite.

[@klwebuga]

Thank you for leaving such a kind comment! :-) Shirley Trevena’s work AND her attitude for how she makes her art are so inspirational.

[@maggiefreeman6513]

I love Shirley Trevena too. I have a couple of her books including the one you show in the video. Making a master copy seems like a great way to learn some new techniques. Thanks for sharing.

[@klwebuga]

Hi Maggie, thank you for your kind words! For sure, I always “see” a piece of art through very different eyes after studying it in this way. It’s a great learning tool and fun, too.

[@buffyramm294]

I just love Shirley Trevena and I am so happy to have stumbled upon your channel!😊

[@klwebuga]

Welcome! Thank you for your comment! Yes, I couldn’t agree more about Shirley Trevena - her words, her approach to her work and of course the art itself.

[@alieneiasillo7148]

Beautiful

[@klwebuga]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@deborahmeyers551]

How very very beautiful is Shirley's works here but I'm celebrating your awsome talent and artwork Kendra you are indeed a master!😊

[@klwebuga]

Awww, thank you for your kind words, Deborah. Though, I certainly wouldn’t count myself as a master… yet. ;-) I do LOVE looking at all of Shirley Trevena’s work and learning from it.

[@aimeelee1983]

I absolutely love this video and how you breakdown everything. Very enjoying to watch. I have gained a load of insight from you:)

[@klwebuga]

Hi Aimee, thank you for your kind comments! :-)

[@frankierichards9176]

Love the interpretation, love the colours and you are so patient and ir shows on the finished product. 🥰

[@klwebuga]

Thank you, Frankie! :-)

[@EveAshford]

Oh, thank you for sharing this book. I had her 'taking risks with watercolour' for the longest time but then lost it in a move. Her style and use of color always drew me to the book for inspiration. Will hunt down this one!

[@klwebuga]

Yes! Taking Risks is also a WONDERFUL book - good thing it’s also an easy one to order again if you so choose. You will LOVE Breaking the Rules - such inspiration! :-)

[@musfica]

Wow, thanks for sharing the book as i was looking for some art books, it was an inspiring video, loved it ❤️

[@klwebuga]

Wonderful! Thank you for your kind comment and I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the preview of Breaking the Rules of Watercolor. :-)

[@ladym6738]

Enjoyed your take away. Have viewed this vid 3-4 times. Blessings.

[@klwebuga]

Thank you for your kind comment! :-)

[@KATIEKATEish]

Love Shirley s art work as well

[@klwebuga]

Yes, she is such an inspiration! :-)

[@liz-anna2365]

Thank you for introducing this inspiring artist!

[@klwebuga]

You’re welcome! She is such an inspiration.

[@dawngump7096]

Fun to watch, thank you!

[@klwebuga]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@larrymisiak915]

Watching you again. You present, to me, architecturally, constructing your scaffolding!

[@klwebuga]

Yes! Totally! Lots of architectural terms tend to show up in my regular speech, which is to be expected after… oh my, I think this year makes 30 years of studying architecture, apprenticing as an architect and then earning my license and working as one. Even a painting with a rabbit, pears and tulips will inevitably end up with a word like “scaffolding!” LOL.

[@cindyn628]

Greetings from down the road, in Eugene! I love Shirley Trevena's work. I also really like Betsy Dillard Stroud.

[@klwebuga]

Good morning to all the people in Eugene! :-) I hope Eugene caught some of the rain that Portland did yesterday to wash away the pollens swirling in the air. Thank you for telling me about Betsy Dillard Stroud! I am going to look her up today! I LOVE getting comments that lead me to a new artist, technique, or style - it’s one of the best things about youtube.

[@lisecousineau]

So interesting…I just fond you…and will be back to watch more of your beautiful work

[@klwebuga]

Thank you for your kind comment! :-)

[@shonascouten3871]

Just found your channel! Can’t wait to watch these while painting! That trick with the Emory board 😮! You have a great personality for tutorials 😊

[@klwebuga]

Welcome! I’m glad you’re here! I have to say, I do the exact same thing - I put on videos from artists that I enjoy and get out my own supplies and it feels like I’m painting with a friend… almost! :-) The Emory board is a great tool. Some artists use regular sandpaper, but I like the way I can tap the side of the Emory board and drop the shavings where I want them.

[@mendyhand3895]

WOW! I’m new To your channel. I will be totally binging every video you put out! Just fabulous! Thank you for introducing me to Shirley Trevena! And you are just exactly what I have been looking for in your art. I’m amazed really! I have a lot of mixed media supplies, and pro watercolor supplies May I ask what paper you are using. I only use Arches cold pressed watercolor. Wasn’t sure if with your techniques, if you used a mixed media paper. Thanks! And time to watch more of your content! ☕️🌻🖌️🙏🏻

[@klwebuga]

Hi - welcome and thanks for your kind words. To answer your question, I also used arches watercolor paper, mostly cold press. However, this particular sketchbook was made with Fabriano artistico watercolor paper. I bought a few sheets on a whim and I like it just fine. The arches holds up better, though, if I’m working very wet or using my stick to scratch through the paint.

[@millygit]

Great job Kendra, really love Shirley’s work as well, I have the book so I will have to revisit it. Blessings from Australia

[@klwebuga]

Thank you for your kind words, Michelle! I find that I see something new in Shirley Trevena’s books every time I look. :-)

[@millygit]

@@klwebuga I have now got her book out and really enjoying it, yes you are right, you do so something different each time, btw I ordered two of Ann blockley books which I’m excited to delve into, I love abstract watercolours and have been experimenting with how to create different textures for depth in my work so I think herb looks will be a great help. Thanks for the great informative channel and your gentle style of communication, balm for the soul. Bless you

[@annepercival7814]

Which paper have you used in your sketchbook

[@klwebuga]

Hi Anne, that particular sketchbook contains fabriano artistico watercolor paper, 140lb, cold press. :-) My other sketchbooks have different watercolor papers.

[@larrymisiak915]

You are a lot of Shirley and a little bit of Melanie, from my limited review.

[@klwebuga]

Biggest compliment of the week! :-) Thank you! You know, we are attracted to qualities we’d like to integrate into our own lives, personalities and work so I can see how all the time I’ve spent pouring over Shirley Trevena’s books has made it’s effect. And I adore Melanie Chadwick, not only her work, but how her personality and curiosity shines through in her videos.