New Pens - Metropolitans

Not that I need any more pens but I treated myself to three Metropolitans after learning they came in other than black or gold like back years ago when I first bought two.  I like the nibs on these pens compared to the Lamy nibs.  Fine nibs in the Metropolitans are like the Lamy Extra Fine nibs but not quite as scratchy.

Although the site says they no longer come with converters, the three I purchased did.  The type that came were the squeeze type converters I've never used before.  Will be interesting to see how well they work and how much ink they hold.  I also purchased the Con40 converters but quickly learning I don't care for them.  They do not hold very much ink.  I'd rather refill an old cartridge than to use those converters.

I have filled each pen with DeAtramentis Document inks of similar colors to the color of the pens for easy identification.

Illustration worked using watercolor pencils dry.  Worked in journal with Fabriano Hot Press watercolor paper.

UPDATE August 4, 2020:  The squeeze type converters seem to be doing OK.  The Con 40 converters are absolutely useless!!!  Other people stating they don't hold much ink is an understatement.  Plus, I find I have to physically turn the piston to push ink up towards the feed in order for it to continue feeding ink. 

Unknown Shrub

As I'm playing with various mediums on different papers, I was looking out my window at this shrub with these little clusters of white flowers.  What really captured my attention was the fact some have greenish-white stamens whereas others have red.

The flowers are primarily growing on top and in the front where they get the most sunlight.  The side facing me is bare of flowers.

Wish I could identify this shrub but internet search has not been real successful.


Saunders 90 lb watercolor paper / DS watercolors / Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils / Lamy pen

Added image of the actual shrub........

February 2020 Challenge Between Friends - Take for Granted

This month was my turn to set the monthly challenge that Clare (from the UK) and I work together.  I chose the theme "Things We Often Take for Granted."  The challenge is to choose any medium and work three to six items we personally or people in general may take for granted.

At first I thought about using watercolors but chose color pencil since it's my least favorite medium to use.  I find it tedious taking too long to fill in color often leaving me feeling bored and wanting to rush to finish.  I love graphite and you'd think it would affect me the same way but it doesn't.  I don't think using graphite takes nearly as long to work compared to color pencil.  Anyways, being a challenge, I chose to use a medium I avoid using.

New Fountain

We've been working outside (Terry works and I supervise.....lol)......little by little reworking the garden bed in front of the house for months.  We took out several overgrown shrubs that were crowding the area where we plan to set up large pots to house flowering plants.  The pots will hopefully help with minimizing maintenance where we're just getting too old to be down on our hands and knees trying to weed and whatnot with plants growing directly in the ground.

One of the additions to the front is a fountain placed in front of our bay window.  It's been a gorgeous last few days with the temperatures finally dropping around 80 during the day.  It's been breezy as well helping with all the bugs........especially mosquitoes that do not care if day or night to be out.

Sketched this over a period of the last few days representing the fountain.  Great exercise in working ellipses.  For the granite look, I only made enough marks to suggest the texture.  Finally finished this morning.

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / QoR watercolor / Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils / Lamy with Doc Brown ink.

Returning to Our Feeders

During the summer months, the birds most active at our bird feeders are the Cardinals and the Doves.  Occasionally we MIGHT see these others but for the most part, they are seldom seen at the feeders until around August or so.  They continue until the summers months when they evidently  prefer bugs and other natural foods (only a guess on my part).

We changed brand of food back in August and now sticking with only black sunflower seeds.  That might be another reason as before we were getting the lesser expensive mixes that possibly were not quite as enticing. 

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils (dry) / Mechanical Pencil 05

Live Bat in Bathroom

Yesterday while on the job, Travis came across this bat hanging on a bathroom wall at one of the houses he had to work a startup on the heating and air system.

He tried to get as close as he could to take a photo and the closer he got to it, the bat moved as if trying to make itself smaller and not be seen.  Travis definitely didn't want to spook it to where it might fly at him.  There was only natural low light in the room so he wasn't able to get the best picture but enough to where I could make out features once I lightened the photo in Photoshop Elements.

Another worker came in to do some work in the bathroom and saw what was on the wall and decided to hold off and leave until the bat was gone.  We just hope someone didn't hurt it.

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / Lamy AlStar w/Urban Grey ink (just a touch of inking) / Graphite / Watercolor pencil

February 2019 Challenge Between Friends

Last year my dear friend (and adopted sister) in the UK and I took turns setting monthly challenges.  This year January came and went with us both failing to set a challenge so we decided to start this month.

Receiving an email early this evening saying it was my turn to set the challenge, I chose "Sketching the Mundane" completing a minimum of six objects that would fit the topic.

That term is definitely subjective as everyone sees things differently.  And for me what might seem mundane today might strike my interest another day.

As soon as I responded to the email with challenge topic, I began mine.  The first thing that immediately came to mind was trash.  Then I looked around and if my eyes landed on something I felt "ehh" about, that's what I chose to sketch next.

I set the challenge medium of choice and when I started this, I really had no idea what I was going to use.  I started out with the pen and ink and then a little graphite (toilet tissue tube).  Decided I wanted some color so brought out my watercolor pencils.  My initial plan was to take a damp brush but then changed my mind.  On the K-cups I actually used a little watercolor but didn't with anything else.   I ended up using watercolor pencils dry for the rest of the page.

The toilet tissue tube and used K-cups are not subjects I would normally find interesting to sketch so that was what I started with.  Great practice though for ellipses and cylinders.

Sitting on top of my computer is the WiFi Antenna and card reader........both of which have never called out to me to sketch as they are just too plain to grab my interest .... so they were next.

The tube of Cortizone and Qtips didn't excite me either so they were the final two objects I chose to go with.  I think subconsciously I wasn't thrilled with them as a sketching subject because of why I have them out........another bout of ChilBlains hitting my toes.

Worked in my large 9 x 12 Stillman & Birn Beta journal.

Christmas Eve at Busch Gardens, Tampa FL

Family came down to Florida from West Virginia to spend Christmas with my two sons, Terry and I.  The boys' father and family arrived on Sunday the 23rd staying at an RV park north of Ocala this year since the boys now live in Ocala.  Prior to that, they stayed at the Holiday RV park in Leesburg.

Due to work schedules, we all chose Christmas Eve day to spend time together at Busch Gardens.  Part of the group spent time attending several of the Christmas shows while the rest walked around checking out various animals as well as a few of the shops near the entrance.

My leg and back gave out on me fairly early and my youngest son was struggling from a back injury about a week or so ago while at work.  We both felt fine when we first arrived at the park but the standing and walking soon took its tole on both of us.  With that being the case, we didn't cover very much of the park this trip but we still had a good time.  We'll save the rides and exploring the rest of the park another time.

In checking out a few of the shops, I came across this one resin figurine I just thought was perfect for winter / Christmas / Holiday season and living in Florida.  Up north we were used to making snowmen but here in the south not so much......ha ha.  This beach sandman was perfect!

Fabriano Venezia sketchbook using Wolf's Carbon pencil #B.  Used a damp brush over areas and finished with dry strokes and shading.

At another shop, my youngest took notice to my fascination with a hand crafted family statue.  Before we left the park, he slipped back into the shop to buy this for me.  I absolutely LOVE it!!!  I love the material it's made of (Kisii stone / soapstone) which part has a pink tone to it while the rest is off white with the brown specks.  It's smooth and heavy.  This is about 10 inches tall and weighs just over 2 pounds.

Hand crafted by Kenyan Artisans.

Worked in Stillman & Birn large Beta sketchbook.  Statue is only mechanical pencil, watercolor and flecks using Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber watercolor pencils.  The wording using the TWSBI Eco pen with Urban Grey ink.

Worked in the Fabriano Venezia sketchbook.  This one ended up as a blooper with my taking a white gel pen to cover up the hatch marks in the main ring.  My marks made it look like it had a furry texture........lol.  The gel pen I used was the UniBall Signo Broad, UM 153.

November 2018 Monthly Challenge - Creepy Crawlies

This month's challenge between friends is illustrating creepy crawlies. 

We are to end up with six illustrations.  We can choose six different "models" or if less than six, we have to sketch in different positions to reach our six quota.

Each illustration has to be done in a different medium.

Worked in Stillman & Birn Beta - large sketchbook

July 1 through July 9 Sketches

These are several pages I've worked in various journals so far in July.  With June being the way it was for our family with two family members in the hospital, I have fallen out of the habit of posting as I work the pages.  Seems all I'm doing anymore is "catching up".  Hopefully I can get back into the routine I had going for a long while.

The first page of spiders was worked in the Fabriano Venezia journal. 

The little bear is one of many miniatures I have here at home.  It's fairly simple sitting on the page as I may use it for a card idea for the grandkids.  This was worked on Stonehenge 90lb paper added to my Fabric Traveler's journal.

The tree (worked in S&B Beta journal)  is what I sketched the other day when I joined two of my friends checking out a place called Crazy Critters.  Their camera club was meeting out there to take pictures of wildlife and also succulents the establishment offers for sale to the public.  While others were standing and walking around, I went back to where the car was parked and sat under a tree in the shade.  It was quite hot and muggy that day and it was getting to me.  I grabbed my sketchbook and a pen I happened to have on me and sketched until my friends returned to the car.

The page of poppies is practice between watercolor pencils and Derwent Colorsoft pencils.   They were worked in a small Stillman & Birn Beta journal. 

The cranes (also in the S&B Beta journal) was practice and comparison of my trying to sketch with a brush only versus using pencil first.  I much rather use pencil first than jumping straight in sketching with a brush and color.......lol. 

        

Cactus Watercolor Sketch

This sketch is from another photo taken while on our sketch outing last Friday at Gail's sister's home in The Villages. 

Primarily watercolor but went back later with similar colors using Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils to darken some areas.

Strathmore Visual WC sketchbook and Lamy Safari with Lexy Gray ink

Camellia Leaves

Here's my first for the month of May...........Camellia leaves outside my window.  This one is trying Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils in the Fabriano Venezia sketchbook. 

I am really enjoying the sketchbook's paper surface.  I'd enjoy it even more if I hadn't set limits on myself with what or how I sketch in it...........lol 

Subject Approached Two Different Ways

This is a statue I decided to try two different methods in sketching just for my own comparison.  Which do I like better?   Hard to say honestly as I like each for different reasons.

One of the reasons I love sketching is for spontaneity and liveliness they often portray (mine don't always but I do strive for that look).  Not so stiff looking or formal when spending a lot of time working on a sketch.  I tend to overwork when I spend a lot of time.  I keep seeing things that might look better and then find to my eyes they often look over-worked.  And a lot depends too on the subject.

I enjoy using Procreate but like using a single sheet of watercolor paper, I tend to labor over what I'm working on........often spending several hours on one piece.  Using a sketchbook mentally gives me permission to sketch loosely and quickly if I so choose.  Other means for some reason I feel I have to keep striving for perfection which I never reach..........and that's OK (as I keep trying to remind myself.......lol).

The left to me is more spontaneous.  The statue to my eyes appears rough and weather worn whereas the one on the right is smooth and doesn't quite portray it's been sitting outside for any length of time except for maybe the green I placed for moss or mold.  Although the face on the right is more true to life looking than the quick sketch.

I like the brown leaves in the right example but then the more I think about it, I also like the green grassy area of the left example.

The other thing I like best about the left is it has better contrast between lights and darks on the statue itself.

And I haven't quite made up my mind with the backgrounds.  I like the suggestive look of the background on the left as I don't feel it competes with the statue itself.  In some ways I feel the background on the right competes.  But it's all in the eyes of the beholder.  Everyone is different and even I tend to change how I see things from day to day depending on my mood (lol.)

FINALLY a Hummingbird!

Since we moved to Florida, we've not had much luck seeing hummingbirds.  We had scores of them back in West Virginia and I've missed having them around.

This year we thought maybe to place the feeder in the front yard rather than the back.  We also put the feeder out early after researching and reading mid to late February or early March would be a good time.

Within the first 24 hours of setting up a feeder, Terry heard a humming while sitting out reading his book.  The little guy quickly tested out the feeder and flew off.  A few days later Terry saw one again but didn't stay around very long.

Today I FINALLY had the opportunity to see one and this time he or she sat for quite awhile on the feeder taking his fill of nectar.  I had plenty of time to observe and even take photos through the window before he flew off.

Here's my recording of today's sighting.  I'm using pigments I don't normally use by Daniel Smith.  A light and darker green........the darker having quite a bit of sediment in it leaving a texture on the paper.  Something similar to the lunar pigments.  The Greens I used were Rich Green and Green App.  Then I used some Sap Green with Dioxide Purple to darken some areas.  I finished it off with watercolor pencils for some added darker bluish green tones.

This time I chose not to use pen and ink.

Beta 3.5 x 5.5 journal

New Toy - Custom Fountain Pen

Saturday before last, my husband and I checked out a store near us that specializes in miniatures called In a Nutshell Miniatures & More.  We went in to see what they might have to go along with my miniature bears I love using as sketching models.

While in the shop, we discovered they also offer custom made pens, razors, and other items where wood and/or acrylic is turned making the barrels or handles to various objects.

I had been inquiring if anyone knew of a person who made custom pens for some time.  I even started getting a catalog that offers the materials and tools to create them hoping my oldest son would take an interest as he loves working with wood and also creates various things out of plastic.  I'm sure if he had time, he'd jump on it but his job, family, and car restoration pretty much takes up all his time.

Anyways.........totally unexpected, I walk into a shop that offers exactly what I was hoping for.

Terry and I returned to the shop this past Saturday to meet Steve Kondo (In a Nutshell Pens and Turnings, Tavares, FL), who makes these pens.  He brought several in for me to see to include extra fine nibs I prefer to use when sketching.  Once I chose a pen style I liked, Mr. Kondo put in an extra fine nib in place of the one that came with it and I really liked how it tested out on paper at the shop.

This pen is different in the way the cap fits on either end.  The cap is magnetic and I loved the pattern on the pen barrel.  What's really nice is that no two pens are alike when turning the blanks for the finished bodies.  You definitely end up with a pen that is truly unique.

The pen comes with a plunger style converter I've never seen before.  All of my converters are twist piston converters.  I thought that was unique.  Plus the pen will take ink cartridges as well.  The nib I chose is a #5 EF two toned steel nib which is from a German company.

Once I got home, I took the pen on a trial run sketching in my Stillman & Birn Beta journal.  The nib feels good on paper but may need some time "breaking in" if there is such a thing.  I didn't clean the nib before using it so it might just be oils on the nib when manufactured.  For someone like me who uses a light pressure when sketching, this nib's ink flow is hit and miss but with any pressure the ink flows nicely.  I might need to change to a lubricating ink but for right now I'll continue with the ink I like most which is the Noodler's Lexington Gray ink.

As a sketcher, the hit and miss ink flow is truly not a bad thing.  I have a tendency to forget to use lost and found lines and a nib that does it for me can only be a plus........LOL  It definitely worked to my advantage when sketching the conure head :-)

Color version using Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils dry and wet brush to blend the colors.

I've already told my husband I'd like to have a custom made ballpoint pen as I enjoy sketching in ballpoint as well.  Plus I learned today that Mr. Kondo also makes dip pen holders.  Can't wait to get these various sketching tools and show off to my sketching pals !!!!

Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils - Complete Set

I haven't done a great deal in days except these color charts.  I've put this off for sometime and it took me three days to complete (a little each day).

Scanning doesn't quite show them correctly (especially the real light tints) so I also took photos.  Unfortunately my photography skills leaves a great deal to be desired..........lol.  In any event, I've included both.

Scanned:

Photographed using Ipad

Old Time Water Fountain

I was trying to decide on what I was going to sketch or paint last night and a dear friend helped make my decision.  She sent a couple photo references for me to try my hand at.

I'm not crazy working with black objects but I think this turned out pretty good.  I had to add several layers to get it dark enough and wasn't sure my Fabriano Artistico would behave (due to the sizing).  But it did as long as I used a light touch.

Used Cobalt and Burnt Umber for my black mix and a few areas used straight black watercolor.

And this time no shadows were added.........only because I put in the suggested pattern on the wall with watercolor pencil without thinking before adding the shadows.  I can't add the shadows now without activating the pattern so it's going to be as it is.

I absolutely loved the perspective in the photo and wanted to work this page just as I saw it.  Great practice for me!!!

Hand sewn journal / Lamy Safari with Lexy Gray ink / watercolor / watercolor pencils.

Thank you Becki for the photos!!

Another Sketching Kit

I'm such a sucker for finding or creating different traveling sketching kits and this is one of my new ones.  I've had a chance to try it out and works nicely.

It's large enough to carry the most important things for me and yet small enough to fit in my small denim handbag.  Overall size (closed) is 5 x 8 x 2.5 (roughly).

NOTE:  Where to buy:

Strathmore Visual Journal, Lamy Safari pen, DS watercolors, and Albrecht Durer wc pencils

Front has two little pockets, one of which I can carry a few business cards.

Where the Stillman & Birn small journal is here in my kit is actually another area for pens and pencils.  The loop that goes across was perfect for this little landscape oriented journal.

On the left are three little mesh pockets I have yet to decide on what to place there.

Just showing the back - no pockets.

The only thing I wish it had is a carrying strap.

Legion's Stonehenge Aqua CP - One Side Complete

So far I have finished one side of this sampler paper.  And I think it's the back side of the paper if going by the label that is on the corner of the sheet.

Some papers there is a definite difference between front and back in not only feel of the tooth but the look as well.  This paper not so much.....at least not a great deal of difference visually (to my eyes, that is).  Will see how it goes with the difference in usage of back versus front sides.

Here's what I have done so far using watercolor, watercolor pencils, graphite (super thin mechanical pencil lead), and pen and ink using the Platinum Carbon EF desk pen with Lexington Gray ink.

I'm sincerely impressed with the paper and would consider buying it for making hand sewn journals.  Before now I would only consider using Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper.

Stonehenge Aqua WC paper - One of the Group's Members

Folded pages (accordion fold journal) #3 and #4.  Same person in our sketching group in two different poses.  This is from our sketch crawl Thursday at the Mote Morris House in Leesburg.

With these two examples, I was testing how well the Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils worked on this sampler paper.  Then added the pen and ink last using the Platinum Carbon desk pen.

So far I'm liking this paper :-)