New Pens - Stabilo 88s

Received a new set of pens I ordered to test out for ink and wash sketching.

These are fine tipped pens that seem to glide across the paper surface with ease.  They do not bleed out quite like the Rotring or the Tombow marker pens but definitely nice to work with.  I like for sketching with an added dimension of the wash but still maintaining that "sketched" look with pen and ink.

This set includes the wrap and I like that there's an added zipper compartment there to the left as you view the screen. I can stick my little waterbrush in that compartment; grab a small sketchbook; and off I go. 

 

 

Here are a couple quick sketches playing with a few of the colors along with a color chart for all the pens in this set.

 

Left done in Moleskine Watercolor book

and right side in the Handbook Sketching book.

One of the advantages to these pens is the fact they are fine-lined and water based/soluble for wash but will "set" first application of water brushed over the lines.  After that, you can use watercolor and brush to add color if you wish without worrying too much about ink bleeding and contaminating the watercolor wash like I've found with the Tombow pens.  Of course if one doesn't "set" the ink first and goes in with brush and watercolor, the results will not be the same and probably disappointing.

With that said and in defense to using the Tombow pens (which I absolutely love), it seems the ink does set to some degree but maybe because it's a thicker application, not all the ink is set with an initial water brushing.  That possibly leaving unset ink to bleed in with the watercolor when it's applied.  I'll have to do some more experimenting and playing ........ comparing the two type of pens ......... but so far this is what I've concluded on a quick trial.

Wet n Wet Practice

This is a sheet in my journal book practicing the wet n wet technique.  I started with the left side and first go didn't turn out.  My mix was too thick and found myself having to force it with too much brush work.

The two on the right plus the leaf turned out as I had hoped.........at least with the effect of paint spreading without my having to manipulate as I did with the first.  I truly was hoping for a spontaneous and loose feel rather than one that has been "manicured."

My Mother's Day Lily's First Bloom

I've been watching the buds from my Mother's Day gift as they go from very green to a maroon/red coloring to now two buds in full bloom.  They are deep red lilies and this is the first red of its kind I've ever seen let alone owned.  

#10 Round
5 x 8 " in size
Daniel Smith Perm Aliz, Sap Green, Perylene Green, Fr Ultra Blue, Cad Yellow Med and a touch of Indigo.

Went back over some of the petals and leaves with a light touch - Quin Gold and Quin Rose

Little bit of pen work with 005 Pigma pen.

Mother's Day Gift - Ink and Wash

Here's an ink and wash of a lily plant my eldest son and his wife gave me as a gift for Mother's Day.

The boys when younger used to always get me plants that I could put out in the garden every year.  They haven't done that in years since they've grown up and their Dad not helping them get their gifts for Mom.

Well this year my eldest son thought about what they used to do and how much I loved getting the living plants so that's he and my daughter-in-law decided to do.

All the buds were small and very green.  Now they are getting bigger with the larger turning a deep red as they get close to opening up.  I'm not sure what the actual flower color will be yet.

Sitting Outside - Ink and Wash

Today relaxing and enjoying the sunlight before several days of possible rain.

Oh how I love using the water soluble ink!!!  Can't say it enough.  It's such a joy to work with.  Makes sketching fun and brings ink sketching to a different level (for me that is).   I just like the results compared to pen and ink with cross hatching or speckling for adding depth.  It's easier for one thing because a little ink goes a long way adding substance and depth with just a few lines and a water brush taking it further.

More Dogwood Examples

Today I was in a better frame of mind and think it reflects in the results.  At least I enjoyed what I was doing without the uncertainties I felt yesterday.

Top is using watercolors and a little Pen and Ink and the bottom is using the Tombow Marker pen. 

I just love working with the black water soluble ink.  To me it's like magic watching all that ink dissolve and move about with the flow of the water.  The water soluble ink worked really well in this Hand-Book journal.

Tried a small petite Koi waterbrush.  It has a really small fine brush but worked perfect for these small examples.  Especially when working with the center of the dogwood flowers.

Colors of Spring

Thought I would do something a little off the wall by using color for my white dogwood sketch.  If nothing else, it makes for a bright colorful page in my journal book.

I have not done any serious watercolor painting in some time and found myself struggling with this.  Add my using paper I'm not accustomed to and I truly feel like I've stepped back in time as a beginner.  Think I need to dedicate some time with the brush and paint.  Maybe do some exercises to help get me back on track. 

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 57

With each passing day, the woods surrounding us are springing to life with all the new growth covering the trees.  Amongst the greenery you'll see scattered whites from the wild dogwoods growing.  Deeper in the woods, you might come across a pink or lavender but in our surrounding area the white dogwoods dominate.