2011 Mother's Day Lily Blooming

I've sketched and painted from this plant several times the last couple of years.  It's sentimental to me considering it was a gift that is still living.

I was sitting looking out my window taking in its beauty and decided to do a quick pen and ink sketch.

Stillman & Birn Alpha journal (4 x 6")

Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray Ink

Fuchsia Flowers - Pen and Ink

Pen and Ink using Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink

Stillman & Birn Alpha journal

First illustration is the initial sketch with pen and ink.  After sitting and looking at it a bit, I decided to go over the bottom left to emphasize that one large flower.  I'm kinda undecided which I prefer and I still haven't decided if I want to take color to it or to leave it as is.

Even though I'm still not quite "with it", I'm trying to at least do some simple sketching.  I might struggle but I always feel I've accomplished something positive when I work through times like this.

UPDATE:  After a good night's sleep, I opened my journal and decided to add a little color.  I didn't want to over-do it and here are the results.

Eeyore in Pen and Ink

Eeyore is definitely my favorite model sketching at the moment as to me is one of the cutest I've seen.  He's only about 4 inches in size (that comes tucked in a purple plastic egg).

This time using pen and ink - Platinum Carbon pen with original cartridge ink.

Sketched in the mini S&B Alpha journal.

Miniature Pooh Characters

We've been packing the house up and I came across a tote of Pooh stuffed characters.  We are trying to make up our minds whether to keep them (sentimental reasons) or donate to the children's ward at a local hospital or to the homeless shelter.  In case we donate, I've decided to sketch a few.

This first was done on the final page of my Stillman & Birn Epsilon journal using a mechanical pencil.  Eeyore is my favorite of the Pooh characters.

This second is on the first two pages of a small Stillman and Birn Alpha journal using pencil first; a Pilot Prera with Lexington gray ink; and Daniel Smith watercolors (New Gamboge, Raw Sienna, Perm Red with Aliz Crimson, and Bt Sienna.  Eyes using Indigo).  The ink line work was done after the watercolor was applied.

Thatch in the UK

Another graphite sketch in the Epsilon journal.  This time using a mechanical pencil.

Again from photos taken during our 2010 UK trip. 

While there I was totally intrigued by the chimney pots and the various materials used in buildings and cottages.  I loved the thatch cottages!!!

From 2010 Trip to the UK

I'm really struggling these days lacking energy and motivation to really work on anything art related.

Tonight I managed this graphite sketch from a photo taken during our 2010 UK trip.  I was hoping the happy memories might help. 

Stillman & Birn Epsilon journal
Derwent Graphitone pencil (very dark)

Steps to the Unknown

I started this the end of May with just pen and ink.  It's a location I pass about two miles from home.  It always grabs my attention leaving me to wonder what might have been there.  Was it a house too close to the road?  Did the home owner decide to rebuild back (to the left) for some reason?  Did the original place burn down or destroyed in some way?

Finally after all this time, I've filled in with color finishing the page emphasizing the steps at the top that go to "the unknown".

Epsilon journal

Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink

Daniel Smith:  Sap Green, Fr Ultramarine, Burnt Quin Orange, Raw and Bt Sienna, Cerulean Blue, and Paynes Gray

Used a synthetic brush this time - Silver Ultra Mini #14 which is about the size of a #6 in non-mini brushes.  Has a really nice sharp point.

Doodling with Pen, Ink and Wash

Using a Pilot Prera with Namiki Black water soluble ink, I worked this page of doodles while watching TV.

Stillman & Birn Alpha journal

3/8" Angular Flat (I can control amount of water with the synthetic flat better than a round when working washes over water soluble ink).

I'm a bit upset at myself because I forgot to scan the page before taking a damp wash to the ink.  I like having both before and after scans.  

Of course I could always re-sketch these illustrations and may do so at some point.

Brush Play with Found Brush Pen

Besides sorting through my books, I'm working to organize my art supplies and probably donate those I seldom use or don't think I'll ever use.

In one of my drawers was this red box with two pens and a single refill received as a free gift years ago in an art supply order.  Looking online, I can't find anything on these pens or how to obtain refills.  I love the pens but not much good if one can't find the refills and I can't see a way to add ink.

Just for fun, I thought I'd see if they even made marks figuring they'd be dried out.  They were indeed rather dry but still made light marks.  If I dipped the tip in water, I could obtain the darks you see.

The ideas for the little illustrations come from a Sumi-E painting book that is in my stack of books to donate.

Stillman & Birn Alpha journal

Taking a Break from Book Sorting - Barns in Pen and Ink

I have taken on the task of sorting through 613 art related reference sources which are mainly books but also include Videos and DVDs.

So far I have gone through 369 books deciding which to find new homes for; those I'm not sure about; and definite keepers.  Out of those 369 books, 263 are being eliminated from my inventory.  I still have a lot to go.

Taking a break this evening, I worked this page of one of my favorite subjects - barn sketches using water soluble pen and ink (Pilot Prera with Namiki Black ink) plus a 3/8" angular flat brush for the wash.  Page is in my Stillman & Birn Alpha journal.

I chose not to add color with this page.  

Tuesday's Doctor's Visit

Again, misjudging time to arrive at my doctor's appointment, I arrived 20 minutes early and chose to sit in the car rather than in the waiting room.

Looking around at a shopping center, I struggled finding something that really jumped out at me to sketch.  Finally I saw part of a house with dormers that grabbed my attention and decided to sketch that until time to go in.

Once I returned to the car, I decided to add to the page the front of the doctor's building since that was the reason I was there in the first place. 

Worked a quick sketch in the car and finished the page at home with color and pen and ink.  With this particular page, I chose to emphasize in color the doctor's office rather than the partial house (where I only suggested with a little color.)

Stillman & Birn Epsilon journal; W&N watercolors; #6 and #8 rounds; Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray on all but the doctor's sign which I used my Noodler's Flex pen with the larger nib and Lexington Gray ink.

On this paper, using the Noodler's Flex pen, I had to use a hair dryer PLUS dabbing several times with tissue to dry or remove the excess ink.  Ink didn't want to settle in the paper fibers choosing to sit on top instead.

Mother's Day Dinner Out

Two of my sons went together to take me out to dinner for Mother's Day.  My youngest gave suggestions since I don't go out to too many restaurants and one happened to be the Golden Corral.  I've never eaten at one that I can remember so I chose to try it.  Was really pleasantly surprised by the quality and good taste of the foods I chose to eat.

Setting a time to meet, my husband and I arrived before the boys did.  Here is a sketch I can look back on as a special memory of my dinner out with two of my three sons on Mother's Day 2013.

Stillman & Birn Zeta journal; W&N plus Daniel Smith watercolors, #8 and #6 rounds and 3/8" angular flat.  Also used my Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink.  In one area I in error picked up my other Pilot Prera that has Namiki Black ink that is water soluble.  Fortunately I caught myself after a few marks realizing the lines were darker than the others.

Another Blooming Beauty

This poor beauty is hidden from normal sight to anyone.  Previous owners planted this on the side of the house facing the woods where no one can really enjoy it.  Had I not opened my window that is above the shrub, I don't think I would have realized the show it's now putting on with all it's flowers.

When we moved in over a year ago, it was this small scraggly looking bare mass of branches.  Had no idea what it was.  When mowing, we noticed it had leaves but we didn't realize it also produced these beautiful tubular flowers.  Now we know.

It's grown to about 5 feet (if not longer) with these graceful arching branches and stems just loaded with light and dark pink buds and tubular flowers.

Would be such a nice shrub to have in the front where our humming bird feeders are.  I'm sure the hummers would love that!!!!

Stillman & Birn Zeta journal; Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink, W&N Opera Pink; Daniel Smith Quin Rose, Sap Green, Fr Ultram, and Bt Sienna with a touch of W&N Light Red; 3/8" angular and #8 Round

Next Round of Blooms

We've had the forsythia, crab apple, cherry, daffodils, crocuses, and early azaleas bloom.  The dogwoods flowers are about done with the trees filling in with leaves.  In fact we are surrounded now with a mountain top of trees covering their bareness with their leaves.

Along with the spent flowers flying in the air, we are experiencing a "dry snow" of seeds from what we believe to be aspen trees.  We didn't see this happen last year.  And now we are seeing the wormy things hit the ground that produced these fluffy seeds.

At present, the lavender is blooming filling the air with the sweetest fragrance; and finally our rhododendrons are about to display their full beauty.

I LOVE this time of year!!!!!

Stillman & Birn Zeta journal; W&N watercolors, 3/8" angular flat, and Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink.

Downtown Fairmont - On Location Sketching

I'm not one who normally goes out "on location" for various reasons to work on my sketching.  I envy those who do and love the Urban Sketching Groups all over the World.  Just amazes me and something I really want to work on personally....getting out and sketching my little part of the world. 

I've driven through town several times seeing wonderful subjects to sketch but parking is a problem with most areas metered.  And for me walking around town is not an option.  BUT, yesterday I had a dentist appointment showing up early and found the perfect opportunity and spot to do some sketching.  It's not the building structures I've seen I'd really like to sketch but at least it's a part of town and I actually did it "on location" :-)) 

From the lot across the street from my dentist, I sat in the car and sketched what I saw to the right of me.  I only had about 15/20 minutes before I needed to get inside. 

Worked with mechanical pencil in the Stillman & Birn Epsilon journal while sitting in the car.  After returning to the house, I used my Pilot Prera and Lexington Gray ink and defined the pencil sketch.  Then using Daniel Smith watercolors and #8 round, added some watercolor to the area I wanted to stand out. 

I really enjoyed doing this and want to do so again!!!  Might not be perfect but it's definitely recognizable to that little piece of world I reside near and travel through to get anywhere.

Bird Feeder - Stabilo Watersoluble Pens

I have had this set of Stabilo pens now for some time but haven't really played with them much.  After my experiment with the dolphins, I decided to work on a larger sketch using just three pens..........primarily brown, black, and the darker gray in my Stabilo set.


This is a bird feeder I see every day outside my window where I spend a great deal of time watching the birds.  Terry built the post high so the feeder sits at a perfect viewing level.  My sketch/painting table is right in front of the window with computer set-up to the right.  Regardless of what I'm doing, I have this wonderful view...........sometimes seeing deer and other wildlife pass by.

For this sketch, I used the brown on the feeder washing out with an angular flat and then went back with the black in some areas.  The trees are done using the dark gray with a few areas touched with the black pen.  These pens lay down ink so smoothly and consistently on the S&B Epsilon paper surface.  Love the washes they provide!

CJ Ink and Wash - Testing on Stillman & Birn Alpha

This one I worked a little at a time over the last couple of days.

Objective was to sketch each cork with pen and ink and immediately take a soft Kolinsky round with plain water and brush over the ink..............both water soluble and water proof ink.

What I found working this little experiment is that even water proof ink can wash out a little......at least proven on this paper if ink hasn't settled yet into the fiber of the paper.  Chances are had I waited for several minutes, the water proof ink sample might not have washed out at all.

Each illustration is about 2 inches high.

At first glance, it's easy to see how wild the Rotring pen and ink washes out.  I even tried using just a damp brush rather than wet.  It was hard to control on this scale.  I've done other larger sketches in the past managing to somewhat keep the ink from going wild like it did here.

The Lamy with it's original blue ink cartridge went wild too when a damp brush was used.  However, it was easier to control than the Rotring.

The Dip Pen and #41 Brown and Stabilo Green washed out beautifully even with the brush loaded with a bit more water than I used with the Rotring or Lamy.  I really like how the Stabilo water soluble pens perform.

The Hero and the Noodler's Flex with Lexington Ink both ended up with a bit of shading when the wet brush was applied.  Had I allowed that ink to really settle into the paper, it might not have done so.

Same with the Platinum Carbon and it's original black cartridge.

The Micron is what definitely surprised me.  Although faint........it still washed out and I made sure my water and brush were clean before brushing over the ink.  I tried to capture with the scan and enlarging.  Not sure if you can see the faint shading with the illustration but it's there.

What's You Looking At?! - Ink and Wash - Stillman & Birn Zeta

Still working through Cathy Johnson's Ink and Wash mini course, I chose to use a dip pen and Noodler's #41 Brown ink in my new Stillman & Birn Zeta Journal.

I really had a lot of fun with this one.  The subject in itself for me was fun.  I sit outside on the porch and this wooden wind chime hangs to the left of where I sit.  It always seems the backside is to me (can turn all the way around as it hangs from a thick thread) and it makes me laugh with the way the neck and head turns as if looking back.  I did exaggerate a bit the turning of the head but what comes to mind is this guy saying "What's you looking at?!"

Best part was playing with this dip pen with the shape nib as seen in the illustration.  I have no idea where I picked it up but it's a load of fun to use.  The Noodler's #41 Brown is water resistant and bullet proof (which I'm still unsure just what that means); and stated under specifications on the Goulet Pen site it's slow to dry.   Add the type paper (Zeta) with internal and external sizing, the ink sits a while allowing you time to take a damp or wet brush and pull the color for shading.

Most is done with the ink to include the shading but added a little blue for the distant tubes and yellow for the beak plus a touch of Quin Bt Orange in the back area..

For this one I was going to sit outside and work the sketch to include the ink and wash.  No way!!!  At best I managed a quick rough pencil sketch using an HB mechanical pencil and then forced to return to the comfort of my table inside (reason noted on the page below).

In Celebration of Our First Hummingbird Here in WV

Last week we put out our hummingbird feeders.......one with sugar water and the others empty until evidence we needed to fill them all.

Today our first hummingbird appeared!!!  :-)

And also today is the first I've opened my new Stillman & Birn Zeta journal.  It's ironic I chose to do a watercolor sketch of a hummingbird for the first page same day as one actually shows up.  It was while finishing up the sketch my husband calls out "hummer alert, hummer alert." 

Some of you may remember this sketch I did months ago strictly in pen and ink in the handmade journal one of my friends from Africa sent me years ago.  The paper in that journal is brown made of animal dung plus whatever else goes into it.

Steps painting the hummingbird in my new journal:

1)  With HB mechanical pencil, worked a light sketch of the hummer sitting behind a rock on the bannister of our porch;
2)  Rock first, applied water and then dropped in a variation of Fr Ultramarine and Bt Sienna;
3)  While damp, spattered some paint;
4)  Hit the damp wash with a light spray of plain water and allowed to dry;
5)  Worked the hummingbird same way with water first and dropping in color.  Used a darker tone of the rock color mixes plus Aliz Crimson and Holbein Bamboo Green;
6)  Added the suggestion of the wood bannister with variation of the rock color mix leaning towards brown;
7)  Spattered again on wood and also the rock;
8)  After all was completely dry, used a dip pen and Noodler's #41 Brown for the wood and my Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink just in a few areas for added detail.

This new Stillman & Birn Zeta paper is everything I hoped it would be!!!  I love the Epsilon but had wished it was a heavier paper for how I work my watercolor sketches.  The Zeta is just that!!!  It's like painting on hot pressed watercolor paper with wet washes taking a while to dry giving ample time to work wet in wet........plus the colors I used lifted easily.  Glazing or laying additional washes on top was a breeze. 

With the Zeta, I should be able to paint on both front and back of the pages and scan without problems.  I look forward to being able to do that for 2-page spreads in the future :-)

CJ Ink and Wash - Using Hero 578

Here is another quick ink and wash still playing with the Hero 578 (bent nib) pen and Lexington Gray ink.

Stillman & Birn Alpha series journal.

Pen and ink first followed by the watercolor wash.

W&N:  Fr Ultra, Cob Blu, Raw Sienna, Bt Sienna, Light Red

#10 Round

The Light Red and Fr Ultra were used in the distant land area.  Cobalt was used only in the sky.

The boat is using the figure 8 method of drawing boats. 

All from imagination starting with the boat and then I just added elements around it to complete the illustration.