Stillman & Birn with Watersoluble Ink

Here's a quick Tombow sketch to test how water soluble ink flows on this paper.  N-I-C-E!!  Almost too much so.

I found I'll have to be a bit conservative with the water when applying to the ink lines.  Or lighten up with pressure when putting lines down.  Maybe more hit and miss letting brush and water join the lines.

I always have to go through adjustments like this changing back and forth between paper surfaces.

My Rotring is even more potent so after this experiment with the Tombow, I'll have to take even more care.

Added just a touch of watercolor so it wasn't all gray tones.

Used a #8 Round which holds a lot of water.  Think I'll try using a flat as I may be able to better control the water flow.

Page is 5 1/2 x 8 1/2"

Here's my playing with a combination of water soluble graphite and the Rotring pen with water soluble ink. 

The ink is definitely stronger more potent that takes very little water to make it explode and spread.  I tried adding a touch of watercolor and the ink would just blacken the color.  Only time I could see that the color wasn't polluted is when the area had been wet already and dried. Any ink that had not been hit with water and brush would contaminate the color. 

Another fun exercise as I continue testing how different media behaves on this paper!

The little mini was just an after thought filling the corner.  That was using the Konrad with permanent Lexy Gray ink. 

Hummer Guarding his Food Supply

This was a pen and ink sketch I did before finally going to bed.  The size of the page is 5.5 x 8.5"

Pen used was the dip pen and fine tipped nib with Sepia Ink

Trying to write on this paper proved to be a bit...........challenging.  Nib scratches paper making the ink bleed.  I didn't have that same feel or problem sketching...............go figure.  :-/

I absolutely adore these little creatures!!!  They are so amusing to watch as they defend their food supply chasing each other off.  We had one being chased that flew under an empty turtle shell sitting on our front porch (unfortunately got stuck and he had to be rescued).  Others will perch low under plants on our wire plant stand just waiting and watching above their heads.  Love the chirp and chatter.

It's that time of year when we will see some extras as they start their journey back south.  With that comes more activity.  Then they will be gone until next Spring.  We don't look forward to this time of year knowing in just a few weeks they will be gone :-(

Two Different Primary Trios

With this post I'm sharing two additional primary trios....

The first is using Brown Madder, Quin Gold, and Indigo  - Notice how the Quin Gold and Brown Madder (which is also a quin pigment) adds some real life used with an opaque Blue

The bottom illustration is using Lunar Red Rock, Raw Sienna, and Lunar Blue.  Very subtle earthy feel although the Lunar Red Rock appears a bit pinkish violet in light application.  I goofed when painting in the grass.  Without thinking I dipped into the Sap Green rather than mixing the Lunar Blue and Raw Sienna together.  Didn't notice till too late.

3/8th Angular Flat top illustration and #10 Round bottom.

Dip Pen using FW Acrylic Sepia was used on the bottom illustration and didn't make a note of what I used for the first. Using the dip pen with the Hiro nib was nice..........didn't quite glide like the Noodler's Konrad but I still enjoyed using it on this paper.

This is a page from the Stillman & Birn Beta series Journal book which is 180lb Cold Press.

.

Wells Cathedral 2010

Back in 2010, my husband and I were invited to stay with a lovely family in the UK.  During the two week stay, they so graciously took us around to many places to show us a little bit of their world.  Can't wait till we go back!!!!

This watercolor sketch is of the carving or statue that was part of the Wells Cathedral.  What grabbed my attention with this particular carving were the pigeons and how they were sitting ........ one on each hand (one of which was broken off) and then a white pigeon sitting on the head.  All around you could see what appeared to be nesting material.

The sketch was done first using the Noodler's Konrad Flex pen and Lexington Gray.  The lines this pen creates is a bit bolder than the original Flex pen.  The nib glides freely over the surface of this paper.

Stillman and Birn Beta series - 180 lb Cold Press  (I'm really loving this paper compared to Moleskine and Handbook)

#10 Round trying to maintain a loose rendering of the subject

Daniel Smith - Raw Sienna, Bt Sienna, Bt Umber, Fr Ultram, Paynes Gray, and a green mix that was still on my palette from another painting session.

Tonight's Experiment with African Handmade Paper

I wanted to test to see how the paper in the hand-made book handled a light wash.  Already seeing what ink will do, I knew I couldn't apply a very wet application.

Using Indigo and my #8 round, I did this simple watercolor sketch.  Still fluid enough for light wash and heavier with the darks

It bled through as I knew it would but with light application and it's easy to see areas I used more water in the mix.  The one major thing noticed is how the texture of the back of the page really comes through with wet application.

The Noodler's Konrad pen was used with Lexington Gray ink.

.

Second Sketch - Handmade Book from Africa

Here's one more I wanted to do before going to bed.  This is from a photo I took of the many beautiful buildings in Wells, Somerset - England.  If I remember correctly this was either part of or near the Vicar's Close and Cathedral.

This one I worked lightly in pencil first.  Then went over with Lexington Gray ink using a Konrad Noodler's Flex.

This pen is fatter than my other flex pen.  The nib is larger as well.

The nib sailed across this paper with very smooth application of ink.  I had to be careful with this one because I noticed some areas especially in curves the ink went down heavy into the paper wanting to bleed or feather.  Like the paper grabbed the ink.

This is my first time using this particular fountain pen.  I like how smooth it writes but wish it were as fine as my other Noodler's pen.  But between the two, I might be able to take advantage with the more vivid line this pen puts down for added emphasis in areas I need to stand out.  Maybe use the other for more subdued line work to help depict distance.

This building as well as the door in previous post are from photos I took while on holiday in the UK two years ago.

Handmade from South Africa - First Entry

Back in 2008, a very close friend of mine living in South Africa sent me a package for my birthday.  It didn't arrive for many months as it got lost in the mail and also appeared to have been opened and re-taped.  To add insult to injury, the package was damaged by the time it finally arrived.

Inside, one of the items was this handmade book.  Some of the embellishments were broken into small pieces.  Nothing I could do to try to save them.  Even with that, the book is lovely and one I'll always treasure!!!

Besides a note on the inside, Rentia included one of her original paintings.  It's glued to the first page.

I've held off doing anything inside the book as I didn't want to mess it up.  Tonight I decided I was going to bring it out and jump in before I chickened out again.

Front Book Cover

Back Cover

Inside Cover and First Page

Painting by Rentia Pauley

And my first Entry - Pen & Ink - Noodler's Flex with Black Ink

I struggled with this one.  I normally stay clear of doing too much with architectural elements unless an old building where angles don't really matter (to me anyways).  The metal designs were a real challenge........especially trying to make the top and bottom match.

This was done with pen/ink only - no pencil using the Original Noodler's Flex pen and black ink.  Let me tell you..........I was so tempted a few times to grab my pencil to save me from royally messing up, but I hung in there and did this without reaching for the pencil.

I don't normally hesitate to use pencil guidelines but now and then I like to challenge myself to work on my observational skills.  

I really like how the paper handled the pen and ink.  It does bleed through to the back as the paper is rather thin.

.

Da Vinci Flat Brush and Painting

With this one, I don't think I'd win any ribbons but I sure had fun playing with this brush that created it!

The brush I used is one of the Da Vinci Cosmotop Spint Flat Wash brushes which is only about an inch wide (the smallest they offer).  Perfect for the size paintings I enjoy doing.

I saw this brush on Brenda Swenson's DVD and immediately sent off for one.

I have the Sterling Edward's smallest bristle flat I love using for special effects but was wanting a similar size brush made with the softer synthetic fibers.
This brush holds water and paint nicely.  It creates crisp edges, which I really like.  And it feels nice in the hand.

Trying to see what it could do, I painted this little scene entirely with the flat.  The only other brush I used was a 3/8" angular flat for lifting - creating the sapling in front of the larger tree, rocks, moon, and the reflection of the moon.

The texture on the tree was using the davinci brush lifting some pigment and dropping darker pigment in other areas.


Painted on a 5 x 7" block of Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press

Daniel Smith - Sap Grn, Fr Ultra, Bt Sienna, Bt Umber and a touch of Hansa Yellow.

.

Stillman and Birn Beta Journal Book

Today's been like Christmas for me.................all my art goodies came in.

I couldn't wait to start using my new journal book!!  It's a Stillman and Birn Beta hard cover stitch-bound journal.  5 1/2 x 8 1/2 " and 26 Sheets (52 Pages)


Specs (see more about these journals following link under book):

• Natural White - 180 lb Cold Press Paper
• Withstands multiple erasures
• Superior wet and tear strength
• Nice tooth but not too toothy (don't you like that description?)
• Archival - Neutral PH

Stillman & Birn Beta

Sketchbook Overviews - Video

My first entry is comparing Dip Pen with different inks.  I wanted to see how the paper in this book handled the ink whether it would feel scratchy or ink bleed.  Neither with the Hiro Leonardt nib or the various inks.

Three of the inks are made by Noodler's (Black, Lexington Gray, and #41 Brown) but from what other people say behave differently........not just different colors.  Some apparently do not "grab" the surface of sized paper very well or consistently causing issues when applying watercolor.  I'm not experienced enough with pen and ink to really say much about this.  I can only go by my own experimentation on the paper surfaces I use.

The other ink is FW Acrylic Artists ink.  It's sepia but sure looks like black on all the paper surfaces I've tried it on to include this one.  Maybe a little "richer" than the Noodler's Black and Lexington Gray.

With my own first comparison between Noodler's Black and Lexington Gray, the results were basically identical.  I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them.  They both look like the same "black."  On this paper they both dried quickly and took watercolor wash beautifully without any bleed or smearing.

The Noodler's #41 Brown is a lovely color to me.  I do understand fountain pens don't do well with this color pigment as it tends to clog.  With my using a dip pen, I have no worries with that happening.  It too dried quickly on the paper and took wash without bleed or smearing.

The FW Acrylic took a little while to dry.  I haven't yet applied wash over it but if anything like on other papers I've used to include Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press, I won't have a problem.  I just have to make sure it's dry before I attempt adding paint.

So how do I feel about this new paper surface?  Promising!!!!

I was one who really liked the Moleskine watercolor journal but didn't care for the fact it's only offered in landscape orientation.  And they have no plans of offering portrait as I wrote and asked them.  This journal book reminds me a little of the Moleskine with the heavy weight paper and feel of the surface.  I've not played with it long enough to really say too much though comparing between the two.

Now compared to the Handbook by Global Art............there's actually no comparison.  The Handbook is more of a general purpose paper surface that is not sized in the same fashion and not as thick.  It soaks in moisture making it a little difficult to paint wet in wet.  Not impossible but definitely a bit of a challenge.  The Stillman and Birn Beta paper is wonderful for wet in wet.  You have time to work before the paper grabs or absorbs the paint/water.

I have a lot more play ahead of me, which I look forward to.....one of which is testing the ease of lifting watercolor once it's dry.

In conclusion..............it's looking good!!!  The only thing I wish is that it came in a smaller size.  I enjoy using the 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 size journal books like offered in the Handbook.

Here are my first two pages of experimenting with pen/ink and watercolor plus close-ups

NOTE:  The handwriting is not in any of the Inks I'm using for sketching and painting over.  I've used a Micron pen for my notes.

Final Page in Mini Handbook

It's 4:06 a.m. (as I post this) and you can see I'm still up and going strong.  Well not quite.

That last blank 2-page spread was calling out to me to do something to finalize this journal and so I did.

My intent was to complete with this bear and vase filling most of the area.  Well, it didn't exactly turn out that way leaving this little guy looking lost in all that surrounding open space.  So I added a photo frame that has a picture of my youngest son, Travis (won't he be thrilled!).

This is the 3.5 x 5.5 book so you can imagine just how small the illustration is.  I felt like I was using a mop brush (probably due to how tired I felt) painting a postage stamp size illustration.  Thank goodness for a good sharp point on this brush.

When I started this, I used the side of my 9B pencil roughing in the area.  I could have erased and started over making the bear bigger but decided I wasn't going to do that.  I HAVE to learn to better judge size and placement so I felt this was a good lesson by leaving as is and making note just what happened.

Next I applied watercolor and then added the pen/ink using a Dip Pen and Sepia ink.  I wish now I had done the pen/ink work first and then applied the wash of watercolor.  Maybe then the lines wouldn't look so stark.  Live and learn ;-)

This concludes this journal book and tomorrow I hope to find my new Stillman and Birn journal book is amongst the packages waiting for me to pick up!! 

First Package Arrived

Within the last month or so I've been following closely a group where several people have been sharing their excitement and experiences using pens, nibs, various type papers, journal books, and various other supplies.

Wanting to "test the waters" with some of these neat goodies, I set off to get a jump on Christmas shopping......................for me :-)

A few packages have arrived but sitting in town until I get over there to pick them up.  One was delivered where I used to work (error on the part of the one making the order - won't mention any names) and my daughter-in-law who works in the same industrial park picked it up to bring home to me. 

This first package of goodies included a few bookbinding supplies, a pen holder and nib set, and a couple of brushes. 

This is only a *quick sketch of the pen set and brushes.


OOOPS............don't I feel daft!!!  I just noticed what I wrote in the book for that little brush.  It is NOT a DBlick Travel but instead a paste brush (as I roll my eyes).

Handbook journal book (next to last page)

Holbein Pigments - RSienna, BtSienna, Cad Rd Lt, Neutral Tint, and CobBlue

#8 Round

Dip pen and nib (found only recently I had on hand) and Sepia Acrylic ink

When I went into this, I really wasn't sure how to depict the clear bag so I just winged it hoping for the best.

I've actually tried using the new pen holder and  nibs on regular paper but that's an entirely different story and not sure I'm ready to disclose my first experience just yet.  It wasn't exactly a positive one and I'm going to have to give it a chance before I really comment or show examples.


*Quick - my definition of quick (for myself) is a sketch completed anytime within 10 minutes to an hour (if you include pen sketching, scanning, painting, drying and rescanning).  I've been working really diligently to  not overwork nit-picking everything to death.  I'm trying really hard not to go back in once I lay the color down.  It's taking a lot of self-discipline and I think slowly I'm succeeding.

Primary Color Trio Examples

Here are a few sample charts I have made trying out various primary color trio combinations.  I do plan to create more at some point using various brands and maybe other trio combinations not shown here.

Some of these are intense either due to the pigment characteristics or my own hand in laying down pigments (more concentrated vs less with more water).

.

Just Sharing - My Brain Hasn't Totally Shut Down

A great deal of my time is spent surfing the internet reading other art blogs.  Besides the content, I also take notice to the layout of each blog.  I've seen some neat aspects like custom banner images and tabs but thought maybe the author had a special paid blog.

Well today I decided to do some research to see how one goes about making custom changes and if it was restricted to paid accounts (if there is such a thing through blogger).  What I discovered is that anyone can make custom changes........it's just a matter of learning how to go about it.

After viewing a few videos and articles along with trial and error............I have finally customized my own layout and love it!!!

At first I just wasn't sure if I'd be able to do what I was hoping to do.  It seems the older I get the more my brain rebels learning and processing new stuff.........especially technical.  I don't look forward to learning new programs anymore (I used to enjoy the challenge),  and I have a horrible time with changes or upgrades to existing programs or even sites like facebook.   Even blogger is changing their interface and I have been dragging my feet making the change.

I'm tickled to bits that not only did I customize my blog page, I'm proud to say I also made the jump with the new blogger interface and actually like it. 

Potpourri Angel - Ink and watercolor

I know I'm excited about finishing this sketchbook but it sure wasn't my intention of trying to do so in one night!  I now only have two 2-page spreads remaining before this one is done.

Just one of those nights where I couldn't sleep so I spent the time sketching and painting.  Can't be all bad.........right?

These bring back lots of memories.  I may have to get back into making some of these for new family members.  They were well received years ago when I made them as gifts!

Here are the steps I took to do this illustration:  9B Pencil using mainly the side, dip pen/ink, and then watercolor.

The Handbook - 3.5 x 5.5"
Holbein - RS, Aliz Cr, Cad Red Lt, CobBl, Bt Sienna, Bamboo Grn, Sap Grn, and Ind
#8 Round

.

Geese - Ink and Watercolor

Here's my early a.m. achievement for the new day!

As I continue with my sketching, it's in the back of my head to keep things simple.  When painting I am striving to keep it fresh and loose without going back in trying to fix anything.  I'm trying to include just enough detail without going overboard.

With this one I did a very rough quick sketch using a mechanical pencil just for guidelines to help when applying watercolor.  As best as I can, I'm working wet in wet allowing the pigment to do its own thing with a little help with the brush.

I chose to use a larger brush than I really feel comfortable using on this size paper to help keep me from getting fiddly with my brush work.  This time a #10 Round and possibly the largest round I own.  If I do own a larger brush, it's tucked away somewhere.

Again using Holbein pigments - RS, BS, Fum, SGrn, CobBl, and Ind (mixed with BS for my black)

This is the 3.5 x 5.5 Handbook sketchbook (only a few more pages before I reach the last page...........yippeee)

While barely damp, I went in with the dip pen and Sepia acrylic ink adding some line work but trying to keep it light.

As I continue practicing with this dip pen, I find using it for sketching is much easier than writing with it.  I'm not quite sure why.  Printing does not come easy to me anyways and I'm seriously thinking of taking up calligraphy.  That may or may not help ;-)



.

Abandoned Building - Ink and Watercolor

I decided to add color to the pen and ink previously posted.  This time digging out my Holbein palette of same colors I normally use:  RS, BS, Fum, Indigo, SG, Leaf Green (different from normal), CYP, CerBl

At this point I'm not sure I want to go any further like adding color to the back mountains.  Maybe call it done?

1/2" Flat used as well as a wizard brush.

Forgotten how nice Holbein pigments flow.  Each brand I have or used have their own special qualities about them.  After all this time I couldn't believe how well the dried pigments juiced up after adding some water.

.

Abandoned Building - Dip Pen and Ink plus Graphite

Today's sketch using the dip pen and sepia ink.  Just to have something in the background, I lightly used the side of my 9B pencil and put in some mountain ridges and distant trees.

Sketched in the Handbook sketchbook.

Perspective may be a bit off.  Lines indicating boards definitely in some areas (to me it looks that way).  I 'could' take a ruler and find my vanishing points but that's too much work...lol.   I'm doing the best I can eye-balling and hoping for the best.  


.

More Dip Pen Play

I really should be in bed but here I am still playing with the dip pen I found!

Still refraining from using pencil guidelines, I've done these people sketches using pen/ink first and then a quick wash with watercolor. 

I find sketching people to be quite challenging but I'm enjoying the practice!!!

W&N pigments were used for the watercolor wash - RS, BS, Cob Bl, Fum, Cad Yell Pale and Indigo

.

Play with Dip Pen

I'm finding myself really intrigued more and more with pen/ink and watercolor.  So much to learn out there about the various type pens, inks, etc.

I've tried Microns, Tombow markers, Rotring pens, Noodler's Flex and now a dip pen I didn't know I had.  Was going through my supplies and materials and came across a nib and then found the handle it fits into.

Amongst my supplies tucked away were several bottles of ink.  India Ink in one and the others are FW acrylic inks in various colors.  I can't even remember why I bought all those inks...............was a LONG time ago. 

Wanting to test out the dip pen using Sepia ink, I did this quick little sketch of an african animal (I forget what these are called) in Hazel Soan's African Watercolour book.  [poor thing has a lumpy back and stubby horns/antlers - of course I could just say he was a youngster and horns still growing with fluffed up hide on his back]

Once I did the ink sketch, I proceeded to test out just how waterproof the ink was.  As noted, I'd hope pretty waterproof considering it's acrylic ink.....but, the Noodler's ink stated bullet proof and that didn't quite hold true...at least not from my understanding of what bullet proof is supposed to mean.

I didn't sit long waiting for the ink to dry and proceeded to emulate the simple brush strokes as shown in Hazel's book.

The ink proved trust worthy of staying put without smearing or bleeding when applying the watercolor wash....at least on this paper.

One thing I was disappointed in was the fact the Sepia color on this paper looks black rather than brown.  I hope to find a brown that I like and works with pens without causing issues (like clogging).

All in all I had fun experimenting and hope to do more!

Here is the nib and pen holder I found....

.

Fast and Loose Tree on Hillside

This was done tonight in my little Handbook first with pen and ink and then watercolor.  Some areas I went back over with the pen (used a Micron 01)

I was in a playful mood when I went into this.  It's a quick / loose rendering of a gnarled twisty tree on a hillside with some underbrush growing around it.  I didn't want to spend a lot of time hoping to capture the essence and portray the mood I was in as I put paint to paper. 

Now that it's done and I view it (with critical eye.....lol) I find it to be a good helpful reminder that with canopy, I need to either ink lost and found limbs or do the foliage first working my limbs in amongst the leaves.  PLUS even though I thought I was working a nice variation in green mixes from my palette, it doesn't really look like it with the final results.  Next time! 

Once I finish this journal book (only a few more pages to go), I want to seriously work on making my own with paper I really like that performs better wet in wet. 

.

Brenda Swenson's Sketching techniques with Watercolor DVD

Well, my copy of Brenda Swenson's DVD arrived today and I was definitely not disappointed.  It's one I plan to view several times as it's chocked full of information that in no way you could absorb all in one viewing.

Brenda is very informative without being boring or repetitive.  Some instructional DVDs I have are difficult to watch because the artist talking can put you to sleep (at least does to me).

She shares about the tools she uses and why to include her journal books.

Topics covered I found helpful were about shadows and also the use of water soluble pens like the Tombow.

Brenda covers contour drawings and leaving open areas and why she does that making a painted piece more interesting.

I love the fact during demos that she shows us taking brush to water container to pulling and mixing color and to paper.  Something that used to be left out leaving people questioning what I feel to be a very important aspect of teaching watercolor painting.  Consistencies of paint is very important and one area so many have problems with.

Another plus to this DVD is the fact the camera man does not overly bounce back and forth between the artist and the demo piece being worked on.  I personally find that to be extremely distracting.  Her DVD has a nice balance with most of the time focused on the demo.

She has many tips mentioned throughout I found to be very interesting and helpful.

All in all............I'm excited about my new addition to my video library and highly recommend it for those interested in watercolor sketching.....to especially include doing so in journal books.  It's a great learning adventure while having fun along the way and not feeling stressed while learning.  It is also a great addition even for those who are already seasoned watercolorists.  ;-)

If interested, here is the direct link through Cheap Joes.

**In addition to the link above taking you to her website, her blog is listed to the right if you'd like to check out her work.

.

Daniel Smith Duochrome and Pearlescent Pigments

Years ago I went on a buying frenzy of several intriguing sounding pigments that Daniel Smith offers.  Some of their "special" pigments are Duochromes and Pearlescent pigments.

After finally sitting down and playing a little, I find I'm not real impressed.  At least on white paper.  They might be better suited on darker or tinted paper or as a glaze over other colors for a pearl effect. 

Also, they do not scan very well.

Those sampled are as follows:

Aquamarine - First time use the pigment was rock solid dried in the tube.  It comes out a baby blue but ends up looking bluish green.  (Actually had to take a sharp instrument and break a piece out of the end for sampling)

Oceanic Green - Has a yellowish green sheen to it.

Desert Bronze - Squeezes out greenish blue but on paper looks like bronze gold.

Saguaro Green - Squeezes out light pearl green but on paper it's bronze with slight green sheen.

Adobe - Squeezes out orange gold and basically shows on paper as the same.

Cactus Flower - vehicle separation when squeezing from tube.  On palette surface looks violet but on paper looks bronze with a slight violet sheen.

Mauve - Squeezed out is bluish violet and on paper about the same.

Hibiscus - Squeezes out violet, add water and looks more blue, and on paper violet.

Pearlescent White - Vehicle separation when squeezed out.  Basically white with a little sheen

Pearlescent Shimmer - Appears like a clear liquid loaded with silver glitter.

UPDATE:  I guess from what I'm understanding after going back and reading......... these specialized pigments are meant to enhance or change the hue of other pigments. 

I also have some of their other specialized watercolors in various colors but I don't think I'm going to do color charts on them. 

.

Lunar Pigments Comparison

Here are the rest of the pigments in my little palette that contains several of my greens.  This is just a side-kick palette of pigments I really don't use but have on hand should I wish to.  I'm such a sucker for art supplies.....especially paints.

Lunar Pigments bottom right of this palette.

 

Mini landscapes painted on the backside page of The Langton 140lb Cold Press.  As noted, I didn't really get the granulation effect I know these pigments are capable of producing.  The Lunar Black came the closest with some nice separation and granulation.  

 

You can see the granulation in the sky area but also take notice to the bottom left rock formations and how the pigment separated out as well as granulated (hoping you can see it on screen).  I didn't purposely go back in dropping darker color at the base of the rocks.....the pigment did that on its own (paper was slightly tilted).  You may also be able to see some of that on the right rock area.

 .

Gifts From My Granddaughter

My two granddaughters have started bringing me "little gifts" as painting ideas.  From exploring outside, my youngest granddaughter brought me these three items.  I'm sure they are from both the girls but Morgan is the one who presents them to me.

It's such a treat to see their faces all bright and happy when presenting me with these little treats.  When they come over today, I plan to share with them the painted illustrations.  Can you imagine what their expressions will be when they see grandma truly does use their ideas for painting?

First the mushrooms were brought to me several days ago.  I've held onto them and they've dried which I find to be really interesting.

Next came leaves that are already dropping to the ground.  Not sure what the black spots are but are on every leaf they bring me.

Last was the pink field flowers which I placed in a cup of water to preserve them awhile until I sketched them.




.

My Nephew Fishing - In Color

Well...........I decided to take watercolor to my pen/ink sketch.

The Handbook
#8 Round
RS, Perm Aliz, Quin Rose, Fr Ultra, Cob Blu, Cer Blue, Sap Green, Indigo, and BS

My nephew here was using my youngest son's kayak which is a purplish and blue color but faded in areas from years being out in the sun.

The water was green between reflection of trees and the green undergrowth or weed beds.  Both nephews were not quite sure what to make of the color either.  They thought it was "less than desirable" but it truth, really wasn't.  You could see things under water to include fish swimming.  We're used to it and consider it clean compared to some places we've been.


.

One of My Nephews Fishing

Here's a quick pen and ink sketch I did of my eldest nephew fishing at Huey Run, WV over the weekend.

Both of my brother's sons are newbies to fishing and kayaking.  This was their second day out in the kayaks.  The first day was priceless watching their faces as they first sat in one trying to get the feel of balancing so not to tip.  By the second trip out, they were pros.

I actually managed to get lighter markings with my Noodler's Flex pen for the background trees.  I followed a suggestion make by another artist to hold the pen so the nib was upside down.  That made for a lighter  line mark.

.

Brenda Swenson DVD Now Available

One of my favorite artists happens to be Brenda Swenson.  She has shared that she's been working on an instructional DVD that would be released or sold by Cheap Joes.  I've been checking weekly to see if it was available and lo and behold I found it finally being offered.

For those interested...............here's the direct link to Cheap Joe's listing.

My copy is on its way.............yippee!!!


.

Autumn Right Around the Corner

It's hard to believe it's August already.  School will be starting here soon and we will begin seeing winter wear in stores as well as upcoming holiday displays.  And even though Autumn doesn't officially begin until September 22nd, school starting seems to represent the Fall season and it gets earlier and earlier, it seems, every year :-(

And a real sad note ... it's almost time for our hummingbirds to start migrating back South.  




It was one of those nights where I had trouble sleeping so I decided to paint something representing my thoughts about the time of year we are fast approaching.....pumpkins and mums.


The Handbook
#8 Round
DS - Quin Bt Orange, Sap Green, Perm Red, Cer Blue, Cad Yellow Med, New Gamb
W&N - Fr Ultram, Raw Sienna, Bt Sienna
Micron Ink Pen 0.5 in Brown

Inked after the watercolor painting was done.  A little heavier than the Noodler's Flex pen nib.

.

Beached Boat

Once in awhile I get lucky coming up with catchy titles; but, that doesn't happen often, I'm afraid. And this is definitely not one of those times either!

Anyways......

I started this out not knowing what I was going to do.  I first wet the entire paper and put in the sky and the land masses.

Sitting there looking at it I wasn't sure where to go next so I actually did something I don't normally do.  I did a few thumbnail sketches of possible ideas to finish it off.

Here's the progression and results........

Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold

W&N:  Fr Ultram, Light Red, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna
DS:  Sap Green

1" Flat for putting in sky; 1/2" Flat for land masses; Wizard brush (bristle) for foreground, and #8 Round

Also used a 3/8" Angular Flat for lifting the moon shape while the sky was damp plus the moon reflection.

.

Study of my Tube Greens

Most of these greens are in a small palette of their own and only used once in awhile.  Thought I would do a sheet of tree doodles to compare the greens.  These are straight with no mixing of other colors to change them.  That would be a huge task in itself and one I might do at some point later down the road.

All are Daniel Smith with some that granulate beautifully...like the Green Apatite and Serpentine Green.   


Hooker's Green seems so un-natural but I'm sure would work beautifully in some passage especially if mixed with other colors.

I like the Perylene Green and Green Earth which are grayed greens.  Normally I use Perylene Green to darken Sap Green but by itself would be great as a distant tree using a lighter value.

Serpentine Genuine looks very natural as does the Olive and Green Apatite. 

All my tube pigments are squeezed out into palette wells and allowed to dry as I prefer re-wetting over using straight from the tube.

**My notes or thoughts/findings/etc. are all just my own personal feelings and based on the paper I may be using.

Study worked on The Langton 140 lb Cold watercolor paper.

.

My All Time Favorite Shoes

Like with most things we really like or enjoy..........it's bad for us in some way.  No different with shoes.  How many people wear these though?

I can't wear normal sneaker type shoes as they cause my feet to cramp.  I've tried numerous shoes from cheap to very expensive and it's all the same results. 

There are only two type I can wear and they are either the clog type (crocs) or these sandals.  I'd wear the sandals year-round if I could.



#8 Round
The Handbook
 Noodler's Flex Pen / black Ink
W&N - Fr Ultramarine and DS - Fr Ultramarine and W&N - Bt Sienna.

I used both brands as I didn't want a real bright or "clean" blue or an all flat look.  I used the W&N Fum to brighten up the DS Fum. 

With the ground I tried being a bit creative and I needed some color other than blue.  The BS was perfect since it has the orange tone which is complementary to blue.