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Matt Wills

@mattcwills

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Sketching The Nightingale House on a gloomy Sunday morning 🏡🎨💚 #urbansketchers #urbansketching #sfsketchers #watercolor #gouache

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And the best part is, these are things I’ve discovered *I* enjoy! Some might resonate with your style, some might not. There’s no *right* way to make art and every artist is different :)

But these are the 5 things I’m walking away with that have made painting more fun for me after a summer of live urban sketching with SF sketchers, all of exemplified in this last painting!

1. Keep the pencil sketch minimal and loose and start with big blots of paint - it was tedious trying to get all the details down at the pencil stage (and then repeating with pen). Just jump in!

2. Use a detail pen to pull out the structure and for overwhelming subjects, get a sense of the big shapes first.

3. Have *fun* with the details! - I don’t have to be 100% accurate. I just have to create an impression of what I’m taking in. And now I don’t only use black - a fellow sketcher from the group uses brown since we so rarely see true black out in the world.

4. Mix my own watercolors - instead of using them as is from the pan. And when I have a hard time honing in on what I’m seeing, I create the color based off memory. Even if it’s not entirely accurate, it reflects my impression.

5. Shadows! - I was always so intimidated to attempt shadows but other sketchers in the group shared that they glaze over shadowed areas in blues or purples and it has added so much depth to my paintings. I used to let them exist in a world where light was somehow shining evenly everywhere.

6. Bonus: I take a beat before I start painting - urban sketching is such an immersive way to experience a space. I used to be so focused on the making that I forgot to enjoy looking. Now I start by taking my subject in, and relishing in whatever makes it interesting or beautiful. This also helps me translate my unique impression of what I’m observing

There’s no teacher quite like practice and it was a great feeling working thru this painting and realizing how much I’ve learned over the last few weeks.

Big thanks to @sketchy_stephy for organizing and everyone in @sf_sketchers who have shared their advice and encouragement!

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bride for the day 🤍 modeled for the lovely @janenesbridalsf
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Venue: @palcehotelsf
Dresses:
@janenesbridalsf
@hayleypaigebridal
@lagumiere
@Sboujjee
@erialamarquemx
Suits: @Robertpaul_sf
Creative Director/Lead Stylist: @queenlecia
Team Lead & Beauty Director: @limitlessbeauty_artistry
MUAH: @jennicaleys.artistry
Sketches: @mattcwills

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One of my favorite things about SF is that art and inspiration are everywhere (like my dear friend @susanxmichelle said just today). For instance: the Lincoln Park Steps near Lands End.

This intricate sight was the subject of my very first meetup with the SF Sketchers club and immediately got me out of my comfort zone (I’m not usually one for attention to detail).

The artist, Aileen Barr, used Beaux-Arts symmetry to create colorful mosaic risers featuring these vibrant flowers, plants, and geometric patterns - and I loved immersing myself in them.

Excited to be discovering this beautiful city alongside its urban sketchers! 🎨🖌️🌉

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A look back at an unforgettable afternoon with @janenesbridal ✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the wedding runway show! From breathtaking bridal fashion to inspiring conversations with couples and industry partners, it was a wonderful celebration of love, style, and unforgettable celebrations.

We loved sharing how The Palace Hotel provides an iconic backdrop for weddings of every tradition and look forward to welcoming future couples to create their own timeless memories with us.

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✨ One unforgettable afternoon. Countless moments of inspiration. ✨

From the breathtaking setting of the historic Palace Hotel—one of San Francisco's most iconic wedding venues—to the stunning runway featuring Janene's Bridal, Robert Paul formalwear, and the highly anticipated debut of Lagumiere, this was more than a fashion show—it was a celebration of love, craftsmanship, and the beginning of forever.

Guests experienced the Bay Area debut of Hayley Paige, discovered Janene Hines' newest bridal collection, Lagumiere, and explored timeless formalwear from Robert Paul, proving that planning your wedding can be as inspiring as the day itself.

Whether you're searching for the dress, the perfect suit, or your dream wedding venue, this is where unforgettable wedding journeys begin.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event so special. Here's to many more beautiful love stories. 🤍

Venue
@palcehotelsf

Dresses
@hayleypaigebridal
@lagumiere
——
@Sboujjee
@erialamarquemx

Suits
@Robertpaul_sf

Creative Director/Lead Stylist: @queenlecia
Team Lead & Beauty Director: @limitlessbeauty_artistry

MUAH
@alma.cristina.16 @bellezza_janet @estela_101 @glamtouchbyima @hairby.java @jennicaleys.artistry @lexi_looks @normasmakeupdollhouse

BTS assistant
@tet.aung_ @Lucymallorystyling

Shoes
@elizeeshoes

Vendors:
@Hamid_Decor_
@WeAreBlitzNation
@bookjuno
@MattCWills
@BrittanyEdlynIllustration
@AmandaWeiPhoto
@California_Wedding_Harpist
@MomentsByM_co
@Hyegraphinvitations
@monicadawnphotography
@Joval_pictures
@Loverzdo
@Catalyst.Art

#JanenesBridal #Lagumiere #PalaceHotelSF #BayAreaBride #WeddingInspiration

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Thank you Palace, you are simply magic ✨I’m off on a new adventure, but this goodbye is definitely not an easy one. So instead of goodbye, I’ll say: see you later

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An unforgettable afternoon behind the runway featuring @janenesbridal latest exclusive gown collection, @robertpaul_sf suits, and the debut of @hayleypaigebride in the Bay Area👰🏻‍♀️💫  
Sponsors:
Venue: @palacehotelsf
Florist: @hamid_decor_
Planner/Content Creator: @momentsbym_co
Photographer: @amandaweiphoto
Stationary: @hyegraphinvitations
Artist: @mattcwills
Sketch Artist: @brittanyedlynillustration
DJ: @weareblitznation
Champagne Skirt: @catalysts_art
Glambot: @bookjuno

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Some urban sketching in San Francisco with the SF Sketchers last Sunday at Saint Peter and Paul Church! Weather was beautiful and it was so fun to get to sketch with my buddy @mattcwills and all the SF Sketcher!
#sfsketchers #urbansketching #sfartist

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World of Coffee San Diego! ☀️ To be in my hometown, literally born and raised 10 minutes from the largest gathering of coffee professionals in the actual world — a trip. a blessing. So needed. 🫂

Thankful for the incredible opportunity champion @squeaky.coffee (WON 2 AWARDS BTW!!!! 🏆🏆) as amplifying Asian owned company that truly impact, innovate and create solutions for the coffee industry.
WE STAN SQUEAKY IN OUR HOUSEHOLD!

Meeting new folks, family + OG homies from @mineragua
@fellowproducts
@mixedgrounds
@chrome.coffee
@holykakow
@torani
@brewistabrand.co
@oatly
@nguyencoffeesupply
@cafecorazonkc
@slowpoursupply
…and of course a COFFEE ASIANS GATHERING! Period point blank look at all the barista champions AZNZZZ >>>>

It was wild to catch literally so many Kansas City coffee professionals in San Diego which made me so proud too. San Diego 🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 KC which is my entire journey.

Everything I do injects a small part of my influence from home, so witnessing many parts of my life coming together really made me feel like Café Cà Phê is exactly where we’re supposed to be and doing what we’re supposed to be doing. 🙂‍↕️😭

Two things — @created.co I need those butter yellow cups and Jade ones ASAP PLZ

@brewistabrand.co if you see me biting off your milkcrate idea no you didn’t but high key can we collab on this lol (not me posting in the caption to get your eyes on this)

IF WE DIDNT SEE EACH OTHER THIS SHOW ILY 🫶🏽 and WILL SEE YALL SOON!

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Come with me to the palacehotelsf , where the holidays feel straight out of a storybook. During this magical season, the Palace sparkles with timeless elegance and festive charm.

Celebrating 150 years of San Francisco tradition, Santa Afternoon Tea unfolds beneath the Garden Court’s iconic glass dome. The experience begins with bubbles, followed by a personalized tea and a beautifully curated spread from the Palace Bakery—warm scones, delicate pastries, and refined tea sandwiches featuring salmon, ham, crab salad, and roasted turkey.

The space glows with holiday décor, crowned by a stunning Christmas tree and a special moment with Santa, complete with a printed keepsake.

Make this enchanting afternoon tea your new San Francisco holiday tradition. Reserve your table at the Palace. ✨🎄

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Wishing you a Merry Christmas from the Palace - where the halls sparkle, the champagne flows, and the holiday spirit is always in style.

Illustration by @mattcwills

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