Despite the amount of dessert photos I've posted on Instagram, I want you to know we are doing some painting. We've been out touring some of the "most beautiful villages of France" and doing some painting.

Here is a study in my watercolor journal that I did as a demo today in the village of Loubressac. Here is what I am telling my students to keep in mind:

When you look at the landscape you see too much, so you have to find a small portion of the landscape to paint.

Pick a subject you are interested in.

Begin your painting with a pencil outline of the basic shapes you see.

Study the shadows and paint when you have good shadows.

Add your shadows quickly before they change.

Take a photo, make color notes and finish your painting later. Then go eat French desserts.