TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday Tip – June 3, 2025


To make your bright areas more intense make your darks darker. I did the painting on the left first, it really did not look too bad. The Sunset at Otter Crest was quite dramatic so I wanted it to “pop”. I darkened the rocks and even the distant, dark, part of the ocean, as well…

TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday Tip – May 27, 2025


Add people to your sketches. Including people in your sketches adds interest and perspective, and it turns it into a story – it is quite simple and they don’t have to be portraits. Check this sketch I did of a road we walked often near our home in France. The first is without a person,…

This week in The Inn At Otter Crest – May 23, 2025


We spent most of the week out of The Pearl. We discovered the Otter Crest Loop on our last trip to the coast, and stumbled upon The Inn At Otter Crest, so back we went for three nights, how could we resist since they were offering a stay-two-nights-get-the-third-free promo. It was a bit cool when…

This week – The Pearl and beyond – May 9, 2025


It has been a happily packed week, mostly that is. Saturday we went to Cascade Cliffs Winery in Hood River to pick our Spring Cliff Club wine release. The weather was just right for a drive in the Gorge. The conversation and charcuterie board were a perfect paring. Sunday we went with Alexis and Joe…