Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

I wonder if these are the culprits leaving their mark on our plant leaves ...... probably.  We also have snails that like to dine on our plants that we have to remove from time to time.  Glad our plants are being enjoyed by other than ourselves..........ha ha.

We see more of the larger green and yellow grasshoppers than we do these black ones.  Some of the black grasshoppers have yellow stripes whereas some have more of an orange to red stripe.

FIbook75x75 / DS watercolors / Falcon w/Lexy Grey ink

Season for Acorns

Seems our oak only drops acorns every other year and this year they are starting to show up everywhere.  They are tiny compared to the acorns we had up North but the leaves of this oak here are also very different........smaller and of different shape.

This also goes along with Cathy Johnson's theme Seasons for this month's Sketch with Me event.

FIbook75x75 w/Stonehenge Aqua / Doc Brown ink / DS watercolor

Side Note to myself - Black for the beetle is Aliz Crimson plus Paynes Grey giving it a slight reddish-purple tone.  Used the same color for the shadow.

Sketch With Me - Seasons

This month's theme for the Sketch With Me challenge is seasons (Cathy Johnson's monthly challenge)....sketching anything that represents what the season is like where we live.

The last few days could fit into this as I walk around taking note and sketching what's going on right around our house but saved working these last two for the actual challenge.

While northern states may be seeing a drop in temperature and beginning to see Autumn colors, there's not much in the way of change here.  The weather is still hot and humid, although we did have a few nights where it actually dropped into the upper 60s and that was a Blessing!!  But days are averaging low 90s.

Instead of seeing signs of color change you see up north (before flowers, trees, and shrubs go dormant), we are  seeing new life, budding, flowering, and fruit production.  We still enjoy color but not in the same way.

We do have a Golden Rain tree that the green leaves will soon change to yellow but it will be another couple weeks before our tree does that.  Then we will see the seed pods dropping everywhere. 

All in all, our season is basically the same as it's been since April.  If we're lucky, it might start cooling off by December; however, Florida has basically two seasons........Early Spring and Summer.

Bananas in Our Back Yard

When I was out taking photos of the Angel Tulip flowers, I remembered Terry saying we had bananas growing.  I walked over and there were two plants that had bananas.  One with only three and one with sixteen.

These bananas are dwarf in size compared to what you see at the grocery store.........maybe six inches in length.  I have no idea what type they are or what they might be good for.  I know I tried eating one a couple years back but didn't like the taste at all!!  It was nasty!!  We may not know what they are good for but enjoy watching them grow and producing the flower and bananas.

Stonehenge Aqua watercolor paper / Lamy pens with DeAtramentis Document Inks - Brown, Dark Green and Dark Red / Daniel Smith watercolors.

Starting a New Journal

I purchased a couple of handmade sketchbooks from a dear friend of mine and started one of the two last night.  

The sketchbooks I purchased are 6 x 8 inches and 7.5 x 7.5 inches.  The 6 x 8 has Fabriano in it and the square format has Stonehenge Aqua.  Since I've been working in my handmade sketchbook with Fabriano, I decided to start the one with the Stonehenge (one of my favorite papers) for a change.

The first page I decided to work a simple color chart of the colors in each of four palettes I alternate using.  Although I basically use the same colors in each brand, they are different either in tone or transparency.  I like to experiment too with brands and this collection has taken years to build.  My Winsor and Newton paints go back to 1992.  Holbein not too long after that after going to class that gave out a few tubes and I purchased other colors I wanted to use.  Daniel Smith came years later and ones I use most with QoR next in line.  

Second and third page I wanted to work a comparison with different pens and inks...to include the hacked fountain pen with the Zebra G nib.  The TWSBI Eco has a dryer feed and after doing this, I will probably load it with a darker grey ink or even black versus the Urban Grey now in it.

And today we learned two of our new rooted trumpet plants have a flower growing on each.  Took photos and immediately came inside to make this entry in the sketchbook.

Konrad Fountain Pen and Zebra G Nib Hack

One of my close friends sent me a photo a couple mornings ago of her pen with a Zebra G nib replacing the standard nib.  She used a Noodler's Konrad pen to do the hack.  I've seen this done with Jinhao fountain pens but never using a Noodler's Konrad.

At one point (some time ago) I looked into maybe buying a Jinhao fountain pen to give it a try but decided against it due to the heat setting I didn't want to mess with.  After sharing with my friend about this, she mentioned if she could do it, so could I so I gave it a try since I already had Konrads just sitting in a drawer with no intentions of using (don't like the fiddly nibs and the bodies are not exactly of the highest quality).

First attempt was not real successful using a red body Konrad.  I had trouble getting the feed/nib into the body and also pulling back out.  Once I finally got it into the body, it took several attempts at heat setting using hot water (brought just to boiling in microwave).   One has to dip the feed/nib into the hot water and hold it there for about 30 seconds to soften the ebonite (rubber) feed and then press the feed into the nib while it cools.

I managed to get the feed to almost fit the nib but there was still a gap I needed to continue working on.  The feed needed to be closer to or resting against the inside curve of the nib there near the tines.  After several attempts, I was able to get it rather close and decided to try the pen out.

The pen itself leaked ink where the feed/nib fit into the body.  Upon close examination, I found the opening was warped.  Not sure if that was already an issue or if the hot water did anything to the plastic.

Went back and grabbed another Konrad (yellow/orange body) and using the feed/nib I was already working with, went through the same process only this time with the different body.  It worked after only one attempt with the heat setting ... allowing me to place the feed/nib into the body and pull out without too much trouble.  The feed finally "molded" to the G nib to include near the tines.

Loaded the pen with ink and now after a couple days later, all seems well.  There is no leakage where feed/nib go into the body and it's feeding ink OK.   Not as efficiently as it would with the regular fountain pen nib but well enough without too much hassle.

Personal notes after playing and doing more research (after the hack):

G Nibs are super scratchy and do not do well on paper with any tooth.

G Nibs are meant to be used with dip pen bodies and thicker ink....ink that is not designed to work in fountain pens as they will clog and damage the pens.

G nibs are not meant to be in constant contact with ink as they will quickly rust.  If hacked into a fountain pen, rusting could cause issues trying to change out the nib to a fresh one..........possibly ruining the pen.

G nibs wear out quickly and why you get several in a pack.  Not sure I'd want to have to mess with changing them out.........especially if I have to go through heat setting each one to the same feed.....seems kind of a hassle to me.

Not sure I really needed to do this as I'm really not concerned with thick/thin lines in my sketches like Manga artists try to achieve.  Nor do I try to work calligraphy style lettering.  I find working thin and thick to be taxing on my hand; and, too time consuming and I really don't have that much patience with lettering.  I prefer other artsy methods of adding wording to my pages.  But I guess it was worth experimenting just to see if I could do what several other people are doing by hacking a dip pen nib to a fountain pen body.

Doodling with the hacked pen:

Terry's Flowers

Yesterday, Terry ran to Publix to pick up a few items we were out of.  Upon return, he surprised me with a bouquet of flowers with Autumn colors, including various mums, carnations, whatever the purple/blue flowers are, and tiger lilies.

With this sketch, I thought I would sketch a few of these flowers with "brush" rather than pen and ink. 

One of the things I've noticed when I don't use ink is the fact I want to fiddle with the brush.  It takes me longer and to me the results often feel "stiff."  Plus the sketch looks naked to my eyes after all this time using pen/ink and watercolor.....lol.  But it was a change and that helps keep me motivated.

HSFab01 sketchbook / W&N watercolors

Yesterday's Walk Around the Yard

Here it is towards the end of September and we are still dealing with 90 degree weather.  One nice change has been the nights......actually dropping below 70s (at least for a few nights).

Being a rather pleasant day, thought I would take a walk around the yard...taking photos to be sketched recording what's going on right now this time of year.

Our Loquat tree is flowering as it gets close to producing its fruit; oranges are green and about the size of baseballs; lemons are mostly green but some are turning yellow; Azaleas are showing new growth from trimming; and Camellias just now forming buds to flower during the Winter.   Bougainvilleas, Vincas, and Hibiscus are still going strong.  Our Curcumas and Caladiums are starting to fade.

Here are a couple of pages, so far....

Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook / Pilot Falcon pen with Lexy Grey ink / QoR watercolors

HSFab01 sketchbook / Lamy pens with Dark Red and Dark Green ink / QoR watercolors

Nexomon Similar to Pokemon

As we wait for the release of the newest Pokemon game this year, I looked up to see if there was a similar game I could play.

Came across an app for Android and IOS called Nexomon.  It is definitely similar from creatures to moves to the manner in which you catch them.

**Permission granted via email to share my journal entry of game graphics 9/23/2019

The purpose of the game is to catch Nexomon creatures and battling evil Legendary creatures to save the world.  The top evil Nexomon being the Nexolord along with his children.........all but one who didn't side with her father wanting to destroy the human race.

One plays the game until they beat it by destroying evil Legendaries.  Then there's the post game that opens up a basement to the main character's house where there's a lab and ability to warp to a new world called the Netherland.  To play, you had to have your Pokemon go through a rebirth where they are changed back to a Level 5.  I took two for the rebirth and caught the rest once I was able to pass the barrier that didn't allow for regular Nexomon creatures.

And after working through this world, it didn't stop there.  You return to the regular world and you get to catch the Legendary creatures along with what they call minions or wardens by going through all the various places as before until all are caught.   There are a total of fifteen (15) Legendary creatures bringing total count of Nexomon you collect to 309.

I loved playing this game and in fact prefer it over Pokemon in some ways.  The one BIG drawback (for me) is not being able to purchase a guide helping with navigation ........ especially maps.  There are areas I would get lost in and start feeling frustrated because I couldn't find my way out.  In Pokemon you can always find good information online or look things up in a guide that helps.  Plus you can earn moves that help you to leave an area you might be trapped in.

For Nexomon, there are some videos and posts that help but videos take a long time to sit and watch as another individual plays (which can be boring when you just need a simple answer and want to continue playing) or online screen shots often leaving out screens in between one area to the next and not listing the area (cities/towns) the screen shots go to.

Outside of limitations in finding help with navigation, I love the graphics!  Love the humor, although really meant for the older crowd with some of the language used.  I read somewhere you can change that for younger children but I haven't seen where you do that.  If I were to rate the game, I'd give it a 4.5 taking half a point off for lack of documentation and a glitch I found in the game at the end.

The glitch was in the database not giving credit for a Legendary earned and yet you had to earn it in order for the final Legendary to show up.  Plus it was in the box to pull out to be part of your party even though the database didn't show it.

UPDATE:  The glitch worked its way out after closing game and coming back in, so everything is fine.  

Now we wait for the next game (Nexomon 2) to be released, which should be soon :-)

Repeat Visitor

It's that time a year when we're seeing the hummingbirds come around the feeders again.  We might see one now and then through the summer months but seems they are around more during Spring and Fall..........several I'm sure probably migrating north.

This guy has been here before......months ago.  I have one feeder right close to the window to where I can see their markings and whatnot.  And the feeders a little further away, I use my camera zoom lens to view closer.

HSFab01 sketchbook / Lamy with Doc Brown ink / DS watercolors

**The scan is a bit contrasty and didn't pick up the subtle shading in the chest area.  I tried to adjust but couldn't get it there.

New Bird Feeder Post

This afternoon my husband replaced the wrought iron pole we had out front with this wood pole.  The metal pole didn't sit high enough to keep our neighbor's cat from jumping and pulling down the flat feeders.  We decided to put this higher wood post in like what we had years ago when we lived up north hoping it might help.  Our neighbor's cat has staked our place out for his hunting ground :-(

Worked this simple sketch in my hand sewn sketchbook - HSFab01 / Lamy with DeAtramentis Document Urban Grey ink / DS watercolors

Still Playing with Diamine Inks Plus Watercolor

While playing, I find I like using the glass dip pen over all the steel nibs.  It's smoother and carries ink longer.  I don't have to worry about tines getting caught in any fibers if there's any tooth to the paper surface.

The Langton sketchbook / DS watercolors

Zeta Sketchbook / DS watercolors / Top Sketch with Steno 361 Nib / Bottom Sketch with Glass Pen

Zeta sketchbook / DS Aliz Crimson / Micron 08 / Glass pen for sketching and some writing / Lamy with Doc Brown ink

Diamine Ink in Zeta Sketchbook

After seeing how the ink behaved on Fabriano Artistico (old stock), I wanted to try it out in the Zeta sketchbook.  Definitely behaves differently and takes a bit of adjusting with amount of water in brush for the wash.  And each ink color behaves differently in how it washes out.  I find the Graphite washes out a little easier than the Tobacco Sunburst.  Part of me wonders if it might also depend on how the dip pen nib moves across the paper surface.  I felt like the nib was somewhat gouging or scoring into the surface of the Zeta paper....like scratching a thin surface film (hard to explain).

In addition, I thought I would experiment using one of the inks and watercolor after the ink was washed out over the surface of the subject and dried. 

Playing With New Inks (New to Me) - Diamine

Today my order of four Diamine Inks came in and wanted to work this chart showing the colors and how they wash out with damp/wet brush.

What inspired me to try these inks was a dear friend of mine (Fay) told me about and shared a little sample she was working on using the Graphite color.  When I went to order the one color, I ended up with eight colors in my cart and had to apply some self discipline to cut that order, at least in half (for now.....ha ha).  Colors waiting in my wish list for my next order will be more in the line of the three primaries and a dark brown.

I love ink and wash and should do more of it.  I just don't always think to do so.  It presents a challenge in itself in controlling the bleed of ink when applying a wet brush.  Some inks wash out more so than others and what paper one uses will also make a difference in how the ink behaves.

Results of these four colors that came today tell me I could have a lot of fun with this brand of ink.  Pretty colors. 

Also taking this opportunity to play with dip pens and later my glass pen.

Worked in the HSFab01 sketchbook (old stock of Fabriano Artistico 140 lb coldpress)

Playing with Brush Pens

I decided to pull out a few of my Kuretake Zig Real Brush pens to play around with and work some quick sketching.  This is something I need to practice to feel in better control of the pen and how the ink washes out.  I was a bit heavy handed with applying my brush strokes.

The Langton sketchbook / Zig Brush pens / Sharpie pen

This one is watercolor and watercolor pencil using the brush pen only for the lettering.

Stillman and Birn Zeta / W&N watercolors / Zig Brush pen

Contemplating His Next Move

Squirrels are so much fun to watch......especially trying to get at bird feeders.  I've seen them try one thing after another to get to the seed....to include catapulting several feet in the air only to miss the target (that was funny to witness.......ha ha). 

Today I watched this guy first climb the pole only to end up inside the squirrel baffle.  He tried a couple of times and then gave up.  For awhile he checked out the ground for spilled seed and then ran over to the palm and settled in the space behind where a frond used to be watching the birds at the feeder he was trying to get to.  He sat like this for some time as if trying to figure out how he could get to that feeder.

Worked in the Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook / Wolff's Carbon pencil 4B / W&N watercolors

Standing Guard

Normally we see a single, couple, or family of three Sandhill Cranes here in the neighborhood.  This year has been a treat with seeing this family of four.  They come into our yard often near the feeder looking for goodies.  Only one have we seen that actually stretched his neck to check out what was in the flat feeders......they normally just go for what's on the ground.

The two with the lighter coloring are the youngsters.  Mom is behind the pole and dad is standing guard making sure his family is safe from predators (or so it seems by watching their behavior).  He will stand like this for some time before he eventually forages for food.

HSFab01 sketchbook / Lamy Vista w/Doc Brown ink / W&N watercolors

Bringing Out Some of My Pens and Color Charts

Thought I would go through checking on some of my pens to see how they are doing.  If fountain pens, I'm checking to make sure they still have ink flow or if they are dry and in need of cleaning.  Other pens, I'm just working color charts and testing if water soluble.  Just something easy to do without a great deal of thought.  Plus I was in the mood for some ink and wash.

These are using a Shaeffer Calligraphy pen with Italic nib.  It had a cartridge in it that appears to be a brown but not 100% sure.  There's not much ink left in the cartridge making it a little hard to really tell.  When applying water to it, it has a pinkish tone.  After the wash dried, I took a little watercolor to it.

Fabriano Soft paper


Next I worked in the Stillman and Birn Zeta journal using one of my Sailor Fude pens with ink cartridge that came with it.  This ink really bleeds when wet so have to be conservative with the water.  Also noticed dark ink areas dry with a shine....especially noticeable in the palm tree.

Worked in the Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook

Left Page:  Shaeffer Calligraphy Pen (as above).

Right Page:  Bayam Bullet Journal Fineliner pens (set of 18)

And this last is a color chart of all my Various Tube Greens.  Didn't realize just how many I had until I worked this chart pulling out all my different brand palettes.

Still Following Hurricane Dorian

With the long duration of this hurricane and sitting on pins and needles for days wondering if it was going to come ashore, I was relieved when it didn't and thought I was done following the news. 

As it turns out, I'm still following it because of how close to the Carolina shorelines due to family living up that way in New Bern.

Here's yesterday journal page recording the location.

As of this morning, Dorian has made landfall at the Outer Banks - Hatteris, NC as a Cat 1 at 90 mph and 956 mb.

My family in New Bern was to face the brunt of the storm through the night.  As of 11:06 a.m. this morning, haven't heard from them but chances are they've lost power.  The worst of Dorian, it seems, are the multiple tornadoes brought on by the outer bands since the hurricane is so close to the coastline.  One touched down about 5 to 7 miles from where my family reside yesterday evening.  Have no idea what took place through the night. 

Late Night Sketching - Bunny

Last night Hurricane Dorian crawled up the coast east of where we live so we felt some of the effects starting around midnight.  It wasn't bad but noisy with the bands of rain hitting the house.

The weather didn't keep me up but instead a cough that has started after several days just dealing with a head cold.  It's not as bad when I'm up sitting but as soon as I try to lay down, it seems to really kick in.

I sat up until about 4 a.m. stippling this bunny, named "Bunnie."  This time I chose to work the stippling manually instead of using the Cuttlelola dot pen.  It helped fill the time leisurely filling in dots with a Micron 03 pen.

This morning I added a splash of color.

Zeta sketchbook.

Another Cuttlelola Dot Pen Sketch - Yellow Jacket

This is from a photo of a yellow jacket crawling on the window back in 2011.  My third sketch for the challenge set by Clare using the dot pen.

I'm glad she set this challenge as it made me dig it out and actually use it.

Zeta sketchbook / QoR watercolors

Hurricane Dorian Update

Worked this quick journal sketch of where things seem to be right now as of 1:26 p.m. Tuesday, September 03, 2019, plus a few facts as I understand or took note of leading up to today.

We were in the cross-hairs days ago with the potential of the hurricane riding up the center of the state. 

Each day it appeared to move further east with projected tracks with a little wobble back towards the west Sunday/Monday. 

Woke up this morning to see it appears to be staying out far enough away from the coast to minimize the amount of damage to our coastline. 

Now the unknown as to what it will do as it moves up towards Georgia and the Carolinas.

Waiting to see more coverage of the impacts on those folks in the Bahamas and dreading it at the same time :-(

Zeta sketchbook / Sharpie pen / QoR watercolors