Another 2018 Christmas Gift - Heat Gun

Thought I would sketch another of my Christmas gifts from my two sons.

Stillman and Birn Beta Sketchbook / Lamy Safari with Urban Grey Ink and switched over to the TWSBI Eco when the Lamy ran dry (too lazy to refill at the time).

I actually mixed my black this time with QoR Fr Ultramarine and Bt Sienna.  I did add some Paynes Grey to the mix.  Not sure why but just did.  Black is not one of my favorite subjects to paint (especially on a large scale) but I did what I could considering the paper I was using.

Still Holding Their Color

This is a group of Golden Rain Tree seed pods I picked up off the ground back in November.  An individual seed pod I also brought inside dried up and turned a brownish gray color.  These pods still attached to a stem are fragile but still just as colorful as they were the day I brought them inside.  I'm wondering why that is and how long will they keep their color before drying up like the single one did.

The seeds are still attached inside which also surprises me.  I would have thought they would have pulled away loose inside.  I don't know much about these trees so this is a learning experience for me.

Strathmore 500 Imperial WC paper / Lamy Safari with Document Brown ink

Sketch of Cricut Tools Received at Christmas

Not very colorful considering these are all white tools but wanted to record in my journal.  My two younger sons gifted me these tools at Christmas.  In error, they were sent two sets and they decided one can't have too many tools so gave me both.

I have a Scan n Cut machine but these will work beautifully even though a different brand. 

Stillman and Birn Beta 9 x 12 sketchbook / Lamy AlStar with Urban Grey ink

Today's Outing - Discovery Gardens

We had a gorgeous morning to meet up at Discovery Gardens which is an agricultural establishment in Tavares, FL.

There were four of us who met up with several others who couldn't make it due to health issues...Ella, Nancy, Susan, and myself.

This is a place I could go to repeatedly as there's so much there of interest to sketch.  And the people who work the grounds are all super friendly welcoming us and making our time there very pleasant.

I arrived about 30 or 40 minutes before others did walking around and taking a few photos.  Then came across this tree that just called out to me to sketch.  I love twisty / knobby trees!!!!  This particular tree is a Contorted Mulberry.

Worked the sketch to include a little watercolor while sitting there and then came home and touched it up a little with darker ink lines and a bit more color.

I chose not to paint the entire scene as everything is gray......paved stones, gravel, tree, the lawn ornament to the right of the tree (with a little yellow in it), and fence.  The only real color was the green plants up near the fence.  I thought about adding green for some color but then felt that would cut my scene in two halves so left it alone.  My main focus was the tree anyways.

Fabriano Soft watercolor paper (which my fountain pen doesn't care for) / TWSBI Eco / Urban Grey ink / Watercolor


Nothing fancy but worked this page as a recording of Rosemary cuttings that were given to us by one of the workers.  She shared how to cut the tips stripping the last few leaves off the cutting; dipping in Rootone, and then placing in a small pot of soil.

I couldn't find our Rootone and it was too late to go buy new so I looked up alternative ways to root Rosemary.  One place just suggested to cut tips, strip bottom leaves off and stick in a jar of water changing the water every couple of days.  Also suggested to keep in a warm spot out of direct sunlight until roots appeared.  Then plant in soil.  We'll try that to see what happens.

As for the rest of the cuttings, we will dry them and use as seasoning :-)

Stonehenge90 paper / TWSBI Eco with Urban Grey ink / Watercolor

Revisit Sketching Hands

Like many people, I used to be very intimidated by the sheer thought of trying to draw hands.  What helped me was first working with a thumb and finger.  Once I felt comfortable with those, I then tackled the hand.

Another thing that helped me was using the blending technique.  If I could get the contour line drawn correctly, I would then work with the form dragging and moving graphite in from the edges with a tortillon or paper stump.  Not sure why but I prefer the tortillon.

At a future Library Tuesday Meetup with our sketching group and guests, I hope to share my process hoping it might help others get past their fear of drawing hands.

These are examples of what I've been working on for practice and for sharing....using different type pencils on a couple different paper surfaces; with or without a tortillon and one example I used a paper stump.

I need to do more practice without blending by using the pencil itself to softly blend pencil strokes.  I tend to be a bit impatient and instead grab the tortillon. 

Copier Paper:

Stonehenge 90 Paper

Newsprint scanned as document instead of photo to remove the brownish color of the paper (for printing purposes).

These were done a few years ago on cartridge paper when I was first learning to work on hands.

Sketching Earrings and Lapel Pins

After working with graphite for days (not shared yet), I was in need for some color.  I have worked on these off and on the last couple of days......mainly in the evening and early morning.

Back when I worked outside the home, I use to wear various earrings depending on what clothing I wore or occasion.  For years now, I wear the same small hoops.....two in each ear.  I used to wear three in each lobe plus a stud up in the top area of my ear.  I struggled with an earring in the top part of my ear, especially when I tried to sleep, so I permanently removed it.  Went for years without any earrings and then about a year or so ago started wearing the hoops........instead of three in each ear, I decided on just the two. 

I'm not real big on wearing jewelry and never have been.  Stopped wearing a watch as it bugged me.  Have a few different necklaces but only wear one 24/7 that my mom had made using her old wedding band set for a diamond heart pendant.  I don't wear rings to include my wedding band set because it either would catch on things or dig into my finger......especially while I sleep and how I tuck my hands under my pillow.  I WILL put on my wedding band set if I go out.  All the rest of my jewelry sits in a box.

As for the lapel pins, I never wear them unless I stick them on a hat.  I collect them....especially from places I visit.

The heart and key charm is from back when I was a teen.  Not sure what happened to the charm bracelet or other few charms that was on it.  This is all I have remaining from so long ago.

When Your Watercolor Paint Dries Inside Its Tube

Back in 1991 when I first started painting in watercolor, I started out with Winsor and Newton watercolors.  Through the years since then, I've purchased various brands in the pigments I normally use (plus a few others I don't).........building quite an inventory of watercolor tubes.

My Daniel Smith watercolors are not quite as old as the Winsor and Newton and one of my favorites to include pigments unique to it's Brand.  One pigment I like is Buff Titanium.  When I went to replenish the pigment on my palette, I found the pigment was dried solid inside the tube. 

This is what I do when I find pigments dried up (which is more often than not at this point....especially with pigments I don't go through as quickly).  I don't pitch but instead cut the tubes as shown...

Fabriano Soft Coldpress / Lamy AlStar with Lexington Grey ink.

Old Central Barberville High School - Pioneer Settlement

In July 2017, my friend, Shari, and I went to Barberville Pioneer Settlement to check the place out for our group to go sketching.  It's a place that has so much to offer but not sure the majority of the group want to travel the distance nor pay the $7 or $8 charge to walk the grounds and view inside the buildings.  So to date, we keep putting it off scheduling for the group to go.

During our visit, Shari and I took lots of pictures so I've been revisiting those photos and sketching from them.

This is from inside and out front of the Old Barberville Central High School.

Stillman and Birn Beta using Lamy Safari with Urban Grey ink (which dries fast on this paper).

QoR watercolors

Sketching Feb 5 and 6, 2019

You ever have those days you really don't know what to say?  That's me today (which might be a blessing......right?  ha ha).   Basically this is just sharing a few sketches I worked yesterday and today.

Bird, Folk Dolls, and Canister worked in Stillman and Birn Beta journal.

Bird - Lamy Safari with Urban Grey ink for sketch and Sharpie pen for writing.

Folk Dolls - Sharpie pen

Jug worked in Fabric Traveler Art Journal on Stonehenge Aqua watercolor paper using Lamy Safari and Document Brown ink.

Canister - Sharpie pen

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.

Pen and Ink Sketches with Splash of Color

These are just a couple quick pen and ink sketches to pass the time. 

Flowers - Platinum Carbon Desk Pen with Platinum Carbon Black Ink

Milk cans and cow bells - Lamy Safari with DeAtramentis Document Brown Ink.  This one I used two Lunar pigments - Red Rock and Blue

Both in Fabric Traveler Art Journal on Stonehenge 90 paper.

Gift Idea - Journal Exchange

This weekend I finished a project started back in April/May of last year.  A very special friend overseas and I agreed to complete a journal to exchange with one another........as unique gifts between art friends.

I never thought I could let any of my journals go but in this case made an exception.  I'm excited about gifting this journal but could I do it again for anyone else?  Probably not.

This journal will be a one of a kind art journal........very different from what I normally do.  There's more writing in it with several pages that are nothing but writing.  It is a combination Art Journal, Diary, and Personal Letter to the recipient. 

So if you ever wonder what you might gift to that special art friend, consider doing something like this.  :-)

Opal in Glass

Tonight I worked a sketch in a journal I'm sending as a gift overseas.  After I finished the ink sketch in this journal, I scanned and printed the sketch off onto Stonehenge 90 paper and added color.  This will go in my Fabric Traveler Journal.

There is a very light gray wash coming in from the sides of the glass but my scanner didn't pick it up very well.

One of My Pen Cases

This is the original pen case I purchased either last year or the year before.  This past Christmas, my sons gave me another one that has an extra compartment.  That one I haven't set up yet but definitely plan to.

Today is not rainy but it IS cloudy and quite chilly outside.  Terry's working and I'm sketching off and on listening to TV. 

Worked in Fabric Traveler Journal on Strathmore 500 Imperial WC paper.  Main pen used was the Lamy AlStar with Lexy Grey ink but then after painting I went back over the lines with my Lamy Safari with Urban Grey.

I actually thought to scan along the way for a change.

I sat for awhile trying to decide how I wanted to work the book the pen case is standing on.  The journal book is a solid black and although I could have painted it any color, I was trying to capture true to life including colors.  That being the case, I didn't want a large area of black so decided not to paint it at all.  Instead I worked the little color swatches for later reference.

Three of My Fountain Pens

After sketching the trolley dolly, I decided to sketch three of my fountain pens I've been using lately.  These are by no means all of the pens I use as I bounce around like I do with journals.

Worked in the Fabric Traveler Journal on Strathmore 500 Imperial.  Sketched with the TWSBI and Urban Gray and lettering using the Lamy AlStar and Lexy Grey ink.

The more I work between the three papers I loaded in my journal, I'm leaning towards the Strathmore being my #1 favorite paper.  It's very forgiving and I just like how one can blend on it.  Stonehenge Aqua comes in second and then Stonehenge 90.  Each has its attributes and I can use all three the way I like to work with a few adjustments in application of watercolor.

And here lately, I've been using a Silver Black Velvet #6 round.  I love how they maintain a nice sharp point.   

Loving My Fabric Fauxdori Traveler Journals

It's been months now since I made these journals and I'm loving them!!!  I have two active with one as a combination planner, art pages, and section with different papers (dot, graph, blank) for note taking.  The other is strictly for sketching, mixed with three different type papers - Strathmore 500 Imperial 140lb Cold Press, Stonehenge 90, and Stonehenge Aqua 140lb Cold Press.  In both I have pocket folders I made to carry smaller loose sketches (on scrap size paper), business cards, or loose notes.

I LOVE the freedom of removing pages when I want to sketch or paint flat.  Also makes it easier to scan.  Then there's the option and freedom of moving pages around in any order I might like.

I'm still undecided what I want to do with the finished pages.  Maybe down the road I might remove the sheets creating signatures and binding in a hand sewn hardbound book... or ... I might just keep making new fabric traveler journals and keep my full ones as I would any other type journal book.  The different patterns and colors of the covers look neat on shelves, along with the charms hanging.

Trolley Dolly

Bought this last year in April for carrying my sketching gear, handbag, thermos, and a standard size folding chair with a side table for when our group goes sketching.  If we sketch close to the car, I don't use this but normally try to keep it in the car just in case.

To carry my folded chair, I use velcro straps attached to the handle bars.....top and bottom.

Another purpose is when I carry several journals, books, and/or various sketching kits for sharing at presentations about keeping art journals. 

It has seven compartments to include the mesh pocket for carrying bottled water, which I use for carrying my coffee in a thermos type travel cup.  You can remove the fabric bag completely leaving you with a standard dolly carrying up to 110 lbs.  Love the wheels on this as it goes across any type of terrain.  The cart can fold in half with or without the fabric bag.  Another positive is the weatherproof material keeping contents inside dry.

Fabric Traveler's Journal on Stonehenge Aqua 140lb Coldpress paper / Lamay AlStar with Noodler's Lexington Grey ink

My Love for Blending

My top favorite medium is graphite and the main reason is the feel of it going down on paper and blending one can do with it.  I've yet to find a color pencil type medium that blends as smoothly as graphite does.

The closest thing I've found that mimics graphite blending is using a digital drawing app like Procreate.  The only thing it cannot mimic is the feel of pencil lead to paper; however, I do like the feel of the Apple pencil moving across the screen when blending.

In Pokemon, one of the creatures I love is Tangela because of the ball of intertwining vine.  I thought this would be a great subject to practice some color blending.

Each main color and darker value of main colors is on a different layer, blending each as I work.  I find this very relaxing.

On My Desk Clutter

Another sketch I worked at wee hours of the morning with Miya on my lap.

I was up until 5:30 a.m when it finally stopped raining.  I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep with Miya shaking so I just sat up and made use of my time sketching.

All the channels I normally watch or listen to were showing paid advertising at that time of morning so I switched to Date Line only half paying attention to it.

Looking around me, I decided to sketch what was on my desk and needs to be put away.  What grabbed my interest was the way all of this was sitting on my desk.

Small sketchbook with Stonehenge 90 paper / TWSBI Eco with Urban Grey ink.

I may return to this at a later time adding color but for now, leaving as is.

UPDATE:  Added a bit of color this afternoon

My Evening Lap Board While Sketching

Miya, our yorkie-poo, has not had a good day.  With it raining, she waits or expects booms from thunder she has come to expect living here in Florida.  I think the daily storms during the summer have made her even more fearful than she used to be.  Before we moved here, she never reacted to just rain or wind but that has all changed now.  She shakes and becomes extremely clingy and when we do have several hours of stormy weather, we have to give her a mild sedative.  Today, even with a steady light rain all day, she's been nervous and if she's not in with Terry wanting attention and reassurance, she's in my lap in the living room. 

Tonight while Terry sleeps, I'm sitting watching NCIS LA until it's over at 3 a.m.  And while watching (or better stated......listening) to TV, I'm sketching with Miya in my lap.  She had no problem allowing me to use her body as a lapboard.......to include when I added watercolor to the sketch.

Sketch worked in little spiral journal I made with three of my favorite papers.  This is on Stonehenge 90 using a Lamy Safari with De Atramentis Document Brown ink.