reservoir

Plein Air Painting

More than a year ago I bought myself an Art Toolkit and this summer I was finally able to use it. In mid-July we hit up one of our favorite fishing spots in the high Uinta Mountains and the reflection in the water was just beautiful, so I gave it a go. It turned out much better than I expected. The Uintas are a place we go to escape the heat of the Salt Lake Valley in the summer. We’ll bring a lunch and spend a whole day out there; lounging, fishing, painting, and enjoying the quiet with no cell service.

Pass Lake, Uinta Mountains, UT

Pass Lake, Uinta Mountains, UT

Alex Tebow Designs - Pass Lake, Uinta Mountains Painting

Since then I’ve used my Art Toolkit a few times on some of our summer travels and even in my friend’s backyard.

Split Mountain Campground, Green River, Dinosaur National Monument, UT

Split Mountain Campground, Green River, Dinosaur National Monument, UT

This was such a wonderful little spot to spend an afternoon. We explored some of the Utah side of Dinosaur National Monument, but we had no idea what there was to see other than a museum about dinosaurs. We found some day-use parking at the Split Mountain Campground and we thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful spot. My husband and my oldest son did some fly fishing while my youngest and I chilled in the shade painting and building a sand castle. I cannot wait to get back there someday.

Alex Tebow Designs - Flaming Gorge
Lucerne Valley Beach, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, UT

Lucerne Valley Beach, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, UT

Fishing with my son at a local pond

Fishing with my son at a local pond

I was reluctant to share this painting when I took my son fishing one early morning before it got hot. I’m actually not happy with it. I had a plan for the water and then a bunch of ducks kept swimming by and made me change it and before I knew it, the water was a mess. Oh well. It was a learning experience. I did go back over the trees with black ink to flush out some of the shapes and I was a little happier with it. But still not happy about the water.

Lone Peak, Wasatch Mountains, UT, view from my friend’s backyard

Lone Peak, Wasatch Mountains, UT, view from my friend’s backyard

The Art Toolkit is really thought-out and obviously curated by an artist. It comes decked out with all of the little essentials you’d need for some plein air watercolor painting. It comes with a water brush, pencil, waterproof pen, a tiny squirt bottle, a syringe for refilling the water brush, a little, plastic ruler, two tiny binder clips, and a notebook of watercolor paper that fits perfectly in the big pocket. Lastly, you can choose from a variety of options for the Pocket Pallete

Alex Tebow Designs - Art ToolKit

I have since replaced the pen with a couple new ones since I wore out the one that came with it. I have added a second Pocket Palette to my kit; one with warm colors, the other with cool colors. I added a couple more water brushes and I keep a few business cards in one of the pockets. Sometimes I can bring a cup of water with me, so I keep a couple of my favorite regular brushes in there. I never would’ve thought of the little binder clips that come with it, but I use them each and every time I paint.

I really hope to fill up the book that came with the kit. It brings me so much joy to be able to capture a little moment when I see a beautiful landscape.

Strawberry Reservoir, UT

Strawberry Reservoir, UT