27 Comments
User's avatar
Naomi's avatar

This trip looks beyond amazing! The colors in your Italian sketches are so bright and lovely with your new watercolors. Your pages are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Angie's avatar

A beautiful written message and I love every page of drawings that you shared.

Since knowing the pool I loved this drawing the most. Our week at the Tasca Lanza Cooking School has left such deep feelings. I can recommend it to everyone.

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

thank you, Angie. It is such a special place, and I am so glad you are one of the people who could experience it with me!

Nadine3892's avatar

Gorgeous colours/images! Thanks for sharing these drawings so we can live vicariously through your travel adventures. Beautiful. Inspiring.

Lisa DeYoung's avatar

Looking forward to your next free class so I can see if I can hang with drawing with you. I love your way of capturing life!

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

so glad you will join. those free classes are just a taste, but I really enjoy them.

Alina Okun's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing my newsletter, Artobiography, with your audience. What a pleasant surprise!

My daughter goes to school in Milan, Italy. Many of the places you mentioned reminded me of that beautiful city. We'll be going there again soon, and I can't wait.

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

Hi Alina, I am so happy to share. Your posts are so thoughtful and thorough.

oh, so nice that your daughter goes to school in Millan! what a wonderful city to study in and to visit.

Alina Okun's avatar

I will also send you an email, because I'm very curious about your private lessons.

Alina Okun's avatar

We live in the NYC metro area and go to Brooklyn often. I love your work, and I look forward to following your journey.

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

oh, we are not far. I saw your email and will respond soon! hopefully soon we can meet in person.

Chidanand M's avatar

Beautiful and vibrant sketches.

Kristina's avatar

I’d love to hear your thoughts on your watercolors from Italy compared to your Derwent set , especially for travel and quick work in your journal.

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

Hi, thanks for asking! The watercolors are vibrant and beautiful. I have a few A. Gallo colors that a friend got for me, so I was so happy to get some more. They are really lovely, vibrant, and some a bit more opaque than other brands I have used, which I love.

I have gotten so used to my Derwent paints that I still felt a little bit lost without them. I have gotten used to having them along with my watercolors, to use them in unison. When I want more of a wash, or if I want a different sort of color (the Derwent paint palette has a good range but I somtimes feel a tone or particular color is not available). We do get used to things we love but I decided in the moment that I needed to practice what I preach, and use what I had available, and make the best of it. It pushed me to play a bit more.

To answer your question, I would say that either set of paints works for quick travel journal work, but its always easier and quicker to use what is most used because we know how it works, how the colors mix, etc.

Beth e's avatar

Hi Samantha- yes please! I really enjoy your discussions and would appreciate getting the link! Thank you!

And welcome back home- the trip looked wonderful!

Bethe

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

Thank you, Bethe! I sent you the link in a DM.

Lisa Anderson Shaffer, LMFT's avatar

Gorgeous as always, Sam. I just love seeing your pages from your travels.

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

thank you, Lisa. hugs to you.

Josephine Pendergast's avatar

Hi Samantha, may I have the link for your catch up with Helen please.

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

hi Jo, yes, of course. I will send through direct message. :)

Jennifer Caloyeras's avatar

This art is just so beautiful! Can't wait to take your Derwent class! :)

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

thank you, Jennifer! If you want to come to the cat meetup with Beth, just let me know and I will send a link.

Pamela Matthews's avatar

This was such a magical experience! Samantha is a marvel of a teacher, great at simultaneously building on our strengths as students and gently pushing us to try new things. She helps us be courageous and also encouraging to one another. I am in awe of the way she builds community through creative expression, and I would go back to this workshop every year if I could!

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

thank you so much, Pam. I wish you come every year, too!

Charlotte Hamilton's avatar

What a lovely lovely write up with beautiful artwork and images from your trip to Italy!!

It a

Sounds truly magical!