A Little Bit of Color

After days of gray skies and snow showers or ice/rain, I was definitely in need of some color.  I'm sure many others feel this during the drab winter days.  My worst time is after Christmas during January through about April.

Today I managed to do a little sketch of a calla lily using Faber Castell watercolor pencils.  After I finished, I debated on taking water to it but gave in for that richness of color my spirit needed.

Stillman & Birn Epsilon journal
#10 Round plus 3/8" Angular Flat
Bt Sienna, Chromium Green, Naples Yellow, Madder, Crimson, and Ultramarine

Initial pencil sketch:

After taking water and brush:

Sketching with Brush

It's definitely been awhile since I posted anything here.  In fact it's been awhile since I've done any sort of art work.

Weeks ago I got this bright idea to completely re-do my original website.  It's been years since I've messed with that and found I had forgotten some of my previous knowledge of html.  Then you add obsolete programs I used to use and having to learn a new program.  Of course with the ever changing technologies, I found I needed to learn CSS.  It's been a slow process initiating a lot of confusion and finally just had to give it a rest.

Needless to say, focusing on something that major (for me), I just didn't feel like doing much of anything else.

Add the amount of time that has passed and I'm struggling to get back into drawing or painting (even though I've put the web design aside).

FINALLY,  I've tried to do a little something.  It's not much but it's a start.

Using a flat brush only, I did this little watercolor sketch and a little detailing with my Pilot Prera pen.

Tennessee Barn in Watercolor

Last night I was in the mood to do some watercolor sketching so I grabbed my Stillman & Birn Beta journal and proceeded to sketch a barn that an extended family member owns.

Sketch following a photo leaving out a few elements like a large tree in front blocking part of the barn.

Daniel Smith pigments - Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Bt Sienna, Bt Umber, Indigo, Quin Burnt Orange, Quin Gold and a touch of Sap Green.

#8 Round and 3/8" Angular Flat

Pilot Prera pen with Lexington Gray ink

Note:  Was a bit disappointed in my scan.  My scanner doesn't like Cerulean Blue unless applied in heavy applications; and has trouble picking up the Bt Sienna properly (at least the Daniel Smith pigment).   I tried to fix in Photoshop Elements but was only able to get close..........not exact to the color.

Here is a video trying YouTube and MP4 format I hope shows on most platforms.  I have no idea who can or cannot view this video or what YouTube does with an upload and formatting.

The video shows how I first apply water to the area using an angular flat.  I use this brush as I can better control the amount of water.....plus for wood, I just like the use of a flat edge versus the round brush.

Using various combination mixes of Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna, I make vertical strokes wet in wet.

First layer is more of a gray allowing the area to dry or almost dry before carefully adding brush strokes of plain water again (I don't want to lift the first layer of pigment).  Then brushing on another mix leaning more towards the Burnt Sienna taking care not to completely cover white paper I left in first layer or color first applied.

Video also shows how I place the shadow under the roof line softening some of the edges with the corner of the angular flat as well as some pen and ink work in a couple areas of the roof.

After all dries, I add additional brush strokes wet on dry (I do NOT pre-wet the paper with water at this point) working quickly so I can rinse brush, dab on paper towel and then soften edges to help blend paint strokes with previous layers.  In this case I brushed on a mix of Burnt Sienna allowing it to dry or "set" and then a little Quin Gold to brighten an area.  I could have gone a bit stronger with the Quin Gold but I didn't want to overwork the example.  Best be safe than sorry :-))

Rest of this clip just shows where I added a few grassy clumps at the base of the barn and added a few more lines to the wood area.

NOTE:  The video appears I went from one step to the next without stopping.  I allow to dry or near dry between steps or layers as explained above.  I need to learn how to add captions and will work on that for possible future videos.

Watercolor Pencils and Paper Comparison

After the last post sharing a dogwood flower using Faber Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils in my Stillman & Birn Beta journal, I decided to play some more comparing other Stillman & Birn papers.

In doing the comparison I wanted to create like flowers using the same four colors.

 

The results are basically the same.

What I did learn from this is that the Alpha series paper absorbs the moisture quickly resulting in more water on brush, faster application, and more brush work to get the color to spread.  I didn't have to keep adding darker tones as I did with the other two papers and that may be because the paper absorbs the color more quickly (just a thought on my part.......not sure if that's the absolute reason or not).

With the Epsilon, the water really pooled making it real easy for backruns.  I had to take real care in dropping more pigment (from taking brush to tip of watercolor pencil and then to paper) as it would spread or run easily where the surface took longer to absorb pigment.....thus causing the backruns.

And although the Beta is a true watercolor paper and water sat on top for a few seconds, it still absorbed a bit faster than the Epsilon making the wet in wet quite enjoyable without the fear of blossoms (although I'm sure I could make it do so :-))  I had to drop more pigment to darken those areas close to the center to obtain the value I wanted but was able to do so without the backruns.

As I was working with these watercolor pencils, I learned something I hadn't realized with earlier experiments...............you cannot erase pencil lines even when dry.............at least not with a putty eraser.  I can't remember if my Derwent watercolor pencils erase or not.  I'll have to check that out ;-))

Painting these makes me think.........."Is it Spring yet??"

Dogwood - Watercolor Pencils

Thought I would try my hand at taking a video clip producing this dogwood flower using Faber Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils.

Done in the Stillman & Birn Beta journal book.

Photo illustration of finished flower is scanned.  All petals as well as the leaves were done in the same manner as shown in the video.

Video created using a webcam.

Personal Note - Being this is the first time I've ever tried creating a video using a webcam and converting to a format blogger allows, I'm hoping the majority can view this and it be of decent quality.  I know not all platforms will be able to view and I apologize for that.

Alt video file (MP4) - Best viewed if computer window is down sized.  Browser (at least Firefox does) opens movie stretched to window size that may not be the best quality.  If you downsize the browser window, the results look better.  I tested on my iphone and it opened nicely:  MP4 format



** After using the color pencil dry on paper, I am using a wet brush (not dripping wet) to spread the color.

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More Playing with Faber Castell Watercolor Pencils

Here's another page in my Stillman & Birn Alpha journal book playing with the Faber Castell watercolor pencils.  My play consisted of two methods of color application:

1)  Dry application using pencil to sketch and color then taking damp or wet brush to area to spread the color; and,

2)  Wet application taking color off the tip of the watercolor pencil with a wet or damp brush and "painting" on the paper surface like one would with normal pan or tube watercolors.

So far.......what I'm finding with using WC pencils is I prefer to take color straight from the tip of the pencil with wet brush versus sketching with the pencil first and then taking wet brush to an area.

Reasons:

1)  No surprises in how something might look after a damp or wet brush is applied (example of what I mean with this statement is shown best in the tree illustration below step 1 vs step 2).

2)  No hard edges or "ring around" a center area washed with wet brush causing color to pool along the edges;

3)  I can obtain a nice controlled application of pigment/water before laying down on paper.  Again no major surprises.

Berry Example - Sketched dry vs Painted On

Notice the left berry where I first colored in with pencil and then applied a wet brush.  There's a hard edge with the color "washing out" in the center.  I can always go back when dry and add more value but this just shows the initial results.  I'm sure I could also soften those hard edges with no problem but I would prefer not having to go back and fix something if I can help it.

The right berry is done with brush and color taken off the wc pencil tip adding a touch more color (with brush) as the area dries. With me personally, I just feel I have better control of what I'm doing.

Flower - Sketched dry / Color Washed out / Painted on Darks and Streaks)

Next is a close-up of the flower.  For this example I started out sketching color dry on paper first and then applying a wet brush.

I lightly sketched by outlining the petals with the red pencil and then shading with up and down hatch marks where I would want my deepest color concentration.

Notice how smoothly the color washed with the wet brush.  I pulled the color from the base of each petal out towards the edges.  Had I used another brand of watercolor pencils, I may have ended with harsh pencil strokes showing after the wash created with wet/damp brush.

As the petals were drying, I picked color off the pencil tip with a damp brush and applied extra color giving the streaked look and adding some deeper tones.  .

* I took my pen and Lexy gray ink last for some detailing after all was dry.

These steps illustrate the direction and how the original hatch marks were put in before the wash.  The hatch marks were placed between petals and at the bottom of the front petal.  Color pulled from base up towards top of each petal.

The stem was done coloring one side with dark green and then taking a damp brush over color fading out to one side.  Also darkened the one edge with wet pigment from my brush after pulling color off the pencil.

The Leaf was done both dry sketching and washing out plus "painting" the color on with pigment taken from tip of pencil to add darker values of the color.

Tree Illustration - Sketched Dry and Color Washed

This final illustration is a better example applying or scribbling in color first (as seen to the left #1) and then using a wet brush to blend the color with first results showing in #2.  I went one step further in #3 as noted in the example.

The minus for me sketching or filling in color first straight with pencil and then applying wet brush is not having any idea how an area will look from dry to wet until after it's been done.  At the same time, look at the neat effect one gets using different colored pencils together scribbling in an area and THEN using a damp to wet brush.  It would be difficult to achieve that look grabbing color off tips of pencils with damp to wet brush first and then taking to paper.  There IS an element of surprise this way but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing :-))  Sometimes that surprise can make it fun and exciting.

My Personal Conclusion from Playing

This is one of those areas where each person might have a personal preference in application depending upon what they might be after at any given time and/or subject they are working.

If one wishes for no surprises and better control, taking pigment off the pencils and "painting on" might be the answer.  For those who love that element of surprise and the ability to play with unpredictable results, sketching dry first and then applying water would be the way to go.  Or as in my examples above, one can use both ;-))

Trying New Supplies

All I've ever been familiar with in watercolor pencils has been the Derwent brand.  After learning how differently the Faber Castell behave with water, I decided to purchase a few and experiment.

The major difference between the two brands turns out to be the initial line one puts down and how well it washes out or dissolves.

The Derwent watercolor pencils tend to leave the initial sketch line with some of the color washing out when a damp or wet brush applied.  The Faber Castell tends to totally wash out.  There are times I might want that initial sketch line to remain but more often I might just want the color wash without the line.

I really liked the feel and results of the Faber Castell.  Will be a nice addition to a travel kit :-))

Also wanted to try out the Derwent Graphitone pencil which is different from my Derwent Sketch water soluble graphite pencils.  The bigget difference right now that I'm seeing is how once wet and dried, one can apply a light watercolor (like yellow) and it not be contaminated or look dingy from the graphite.  I fear saying too much, at this point, until I've played more.

**Lines you see in the little primary color swatches happens to be ink..........not the watercolor pencil marks after taking a damp brush.  I went back afterwards and added the ink lines to represent flower petals as there were no marks at all with color completely washing out.

Pages from Stillman & Birn Alpha series journal book.

Lost Mojo

Now and then I go through slumps (as I'm sure everyone does at various times and I've mentioned before)..........some lasting for long periods.  Not sure what's going on with me right at the moment; but, I don't think it's one of my normal slumps.  Instead it just feels like I've lost my mojo.

If I were to say that to my family, they'd say I'd lost more than that (which may be true...ha ha ha).

I try combing through books and pictures hoping to initiate some motivation.  Thought I had last night but the results (to me) were .......... disappointing.  Another trick I use is playing with the online scribbler.  So far I'm still feeling like I've lost it.

Not sure if it's the weather or after holiday blues or what.  In all honesty, I just haven't felt up to doing much of anything to include my normal computer regime of reading my favorite art blogs, answering correspondence, etc. etc.  And going through books and photos has only been a half effort.

I did manage this using Scribbler hoping it might help....so far - not really.

And although a bit hesitant to share, here's what I managed last night.  Maybe when I'm in one of these moods, I should NOT try something totally foreign to me.  With this I was trying a brush pen, which at this point I can say I do not much care for.  Why, is a question I can't answer even to myself.  I even tried to dress it with some watercolor hoping that might help.............nope.

Here's hoping this lost mojo feeling doesn't last long!!

Painting Snow - Examples from the Past

Thought I would share some examples of my snow scenes I've done through the years.

Idea to post now is from a question I read from someone asking to be directed in how to paint snow.  One person's work I studied to help me was Suzie Short.  (Link takes you to a you-tube video example)  I've also picked up ideas from Susan Scheewe as well as Peter Saw, Gordon MacKenzie and Sterling Edwards.

Basically what I learned is that we don't paint snow..........we paint shadows to create contours of the landscape and cast shadows from surrounding elements.

I practiced laying down lines and curves of gray blues and lavendar untoned blues on paper and while still wet took a clean damp brush and softened the top edges of the paint mark to blend into the white surrounding area.

With snow still covering the ground outside, I really should try some more snow scenes.  They've always been my favorite!!!

Brain and Hand Don't Quite Connect

Have you ever experienced where you look at something thinking......."Oh, I can do that.........doesn't look hard or complicated"...........only to find it doesn't quite work out as you might have thought?

I can sit and look at something and even sketch it out in my mind.  Then something happens when I take pen or pencil to hand trying to capture what I see onto paper with all the fine curves and angles.  That is what happened here with the rope and knots.

It might pass as rope and knots but the curves in the strands are not right or as they should be.  And really is not a complicated subject to try to render (at least I didn't think so).

Here's playing using Derwent Sketching water soluble pencil 8B............sketching out the lines first and then creating a pool of ink on my palette surface and painting on the graphite with a nylon brush for shading and tone.  To finalize, I went back over with either my Pilot Prera or Noodler's Flex pen and Lexington Gray ink (it blends in beautifully with graphite sketches).

Using Stillman & Birn Epsilong series journal.

Primary Daily Staple - Vegetables

After days/weeks of straight pen and ink, I was in need of some color so I broke out my palette and brush.

As my subject, I decided to go with what I'm having to eat as my main stay diet.......Veggies.

What's not included on this page are jalapeno peppers and cauliflower (my substitute for potatoes).  Some days I might have green beans or a leafy salad but these vegetables make up the bulk of our daily meals.  As for meat, we stick with a lot of ground turkey, chicken, fish and little red meat or pork.

These were done in the Stillman & Birn Beta journal painting with Daniel Smith pigments first and then Pen and Ink using the Pilot Prera and Lexington gray ink.

Colors Used:  Aureolin, New Gamboge, Raw Sienna, Fr Ultramarine, Sap Green, Aliz Crimson, Perm Red, and Bt Umber.

Brushes used:  3/8" Angular Flat and #8 Round

What a sight for sore eyes after staring at gray cold days and working with black and white for so long.  For me this is definitely therapeutic.  

Platinum Carbon Pen Ink Sketches

It's been a week since I've posted anything.  This should help make up for it :-))

All sketches done with the Platinum Carbon pen with Black ink in the no-name sketchbook.  The little bear door stop was also done with the Pilot Prera with Lexington Gray ink.

Out of all these sketches, my favorite page is top left with the dogwood and building.  Next favorite is the flowers in the bowl followed by the simple palm landscape.

Least favorite are the mushrooms (don't think I really did all that great in shading) followed by the man and child.

Rendering people is difficult enough for me but then add the challenge working with pen and ink.....ohhh boy!!   Just means more practice :-))  The one plus is that I feel I came close with overall shapes and proportions.  It's in the shading I don't care for.  The guy looks super hairy (especially his leg) as does the child with the hatching and cross hatching I tried to use conveying shadows.  Plus I should have pulled the dark on the guys shirt more towards center of back (not leave so much sun-lit area......easy enough to fix).

The little bear doorstop is a neutral where I don't necessarily like the results nor do I dislike the results.

When I sit down to do anything.......I have this idea of what I hope to achieve (as I'm sure most do).  I may already have an image in my head and it's that preconceived idea I use to critique my own results.........sharing feelings and thoughts in what I may have done to my own liking and that which I don't care for and why.

I do feel great that I'm still putting pen to paper as I am even if some of the sketches might not stand up to my own personal standards.  :-))

Snowman Mishap

Several people under facebook have been posting photos of snowmen standing on their heads.  While I was waiting for two of my sons to come out for dinner, I did this graphite and ink sketch for kicks and giggles what I would imagine happening if I tried to build one standing on its head.  :-))

Was done in the Stillman & Birn Epsilon sketchbook using a Derwent Light Wash HB pencil, stump, and the Pilot Prera and Lexy Gray ink.  (Mostly graphite)

Snow and Memories

Our first snowfall for the season and we ended up with maybe 2 to 3 inches.  Not bad but I could have gone for more!!

Today it's sunny with deep shadows of all the trees stretching across the blanket of snow.  To me this is one of the neatest sights!!  Fresh, crisp air so inviting until you step outside for any period of time :-))  Just feels like it cleanses the lungs.

I love living up on this hill top away from traffic and city dwellings, as it's absolutely gorgeous!!!  The only thing one might see besides the shadows are the foot prints of some of our forest residents and dark speckles of seed hulls that have fallen from the bird feeders.

As I sit mesmerized looking outside my window, I go back in time when the boys were young having snowball fights and building snowmen.  This scene before me and the memories inspired me for today's sketch.  All from imagination using the no-name sketchbook and my Pilot Prera with Lexy Gray ink.

Wasn't really sure how I would go about depicting snow with pen and ink but I think I achieved it OK thinking on terms of how I might do so with brush and watercolor.

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas

Mr. Hanging Ho Ho I crafted many years ago when my three sons were all little boys.  It's made out of a wood shaped egg and wood cup holder pegs.  He was painted using acrylics (back in my acrylic painting days).

One has to have a strong Christmas tree to hold these babies up due to the weight.  But so much fun watching the arms and legs swing if the tree is bumped.

I sketched this little guy before in graphite a couple years ago along with several other hand crafted ornaments I treasure similar to this one.

This time I decided I wanted to try him in pen and ink adding a bit of artistic license having him hold an item.  In this case a miniature tree and making him look like he was hanging from a limb.

Here are the steps as I worked on him using my Pilot Prera and Lexington Gray ink in the sketchbook my granddaughters gave me (the no-name sketchbook).

Next is strictly some digital fun using the finished pen and ink, adobe photoshop elements and my Wacum electronic tablet and pen.  Color was added to make him look like he actually does in real life plus an added decorating touch to the tree he's holding.

I've decided to use this as one of my Christmas cards.....

So Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone!!!! 

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

It's officially the next day as I sit up watching movies and TV.  One of those nights where I'm having trouble going to sleep.  Wind is blowing hard as Draco comes closer with the potential of a little snow over the next 24 hours and my youngest dog on edge.........gonna be a long night!

One of the movies I just finished watching was The Odd Life of Timothy Green.  As I played the movie, I would pause it now and then and do some sketching.  The page was finished about an hour after I finished the movie.

I used the Pilot Prera with Lexington Gran ink in the no-name sketchbook.  The writing was added with the Noodler's Flex and Lexy Gray ink.

Normally I don't watch tear jerker movies but this was definitely a heart warming story.  Glad I broke my personal rule for not watching movies that can cause tears.

This was fun :-))

Rockport Texas Near Boat Docks

Not sure how I feel about this one at the moment.  I first started out with the Pilot Prera and Lexington Gray ink.  Then used the Platinum Carbon pen with Black ink.

As I view it, it's difficult to tell the difference between water and land areas.  Plus such a large area to try and cover with ink.  This sketchbook is approx 9 x 12.  Definitely would have been easier with watercolor (or even graphite) but I'm determined to continue on with my ink sketches in this sketchbook I've dedicated to straight pen and ink.

My perspective is off with eye level not being right in relation with distant water and land.  I probably should have only done the land and water area in the foreground and left the back ground off.  Live and learn :-))

Plus side..........another day of sketching - mistakes and all!

Rock Studies using Platinum Carbon Pen

Talk about an eye-opener with this pen!!!  Compared to the Pilot Prera and the Noodler's Flex using Lexington Gray ink, this pen and the black ink that comes with the pen is a real contrast.

Even in the sketchbook where my other two pens skip across the paper, this Platinum glides smoothly and evenly.  The results being bold compared to what I've been achieving thus far.

Except for the long handle, which I plan to cut down, I absolutely love how the pen handles and nib lays down ink.  Gonna be another favorite of mine once I get used to the bold darkness of the ink. 

Here's a photo I took while at the Texas Coast.  This is what I'm using as a reference for the sketches above.

Working the rocks, I find myself getting lost a bit from one rock to the next and working the lights and darks.  Just going to take more practice :-))

Rock Studies

A very dear friend and mentor, Hany, shares his work with me on a regular basis to include all medias as well as digital sketches.  He's been using a new Wacom Cintiq 24HD tablet working on various rock studies of late.

One of my favorites that he recently shared was this from a series of photos he took.

Following his example, I attempted to do a rock study in my sketchbook.  It's not exact but very similar.  With his permission, here is what I produced.  I was trying a different pen this time..........the Pigma Micron 03.  I really liked the various line values I was able to achieve with this pen.  I find myself rather timid with pen and ink trying to work light to dark if the pen and paper allows it.  The sketchbook I'm using for this study is still the one the granddaughters got me for my birthday.

My next post will be more rock studies but using yet another pen called the Platinum Carbon with black cartridge ink. 

Seashore Birds in Rockport Texas

During our stay in Rockport, we made a trip to Aransas Wildlife Refuge.  Now that turned out to be a long drive for nothing.

Due to the drought conditions, there just wasn't much to see there.  We did see one alligator and while we were driving scared up two small doe; but other than that we didn't even see much in the way of birds.  And the worst of that trip was getting out walking down a trail only to be completely covered in black mosquitoes.  THAT WAS AWFUL.  We ran back to the car swatting at them trying to get them off before getting in the car.  Unfortunately we ended up taxiing several until we opened the windows to force them out.  Rest of the adventure was basically driving around the park saving ourselves from becoming more mosquito food.

We were at the refuge for a couple of hours and then decided to go on back to Rockport.  What we learned that day and the rest of our trip was that we didn't need to travel any distance to see wildlife.  It was all around us right there where we were staying and fishing.

This page only shows three of several variety birds we came across.

Pilot Prera with the Lexington Gray ink and no-name sketchbook.

Rockport Beach Access Fee

I've been going back through my photos of our trip to Rockport Texas.  We had such a nice time there that doing these sketches takes me back as if reliving that trip.

This little building is located across the street to the crab tower I posted yesterday.  We were considering going to the Rockport beach until we got there seeing there was an access fee just to walk on the beach.  According to reviews, it's a very nice clean beach and I guess that's what the fee is for to help maintain.  But we opted out considering there were so many other places we could walk and explore without having to pay to do so.

This page was done using the Pilot Prera (F) for the lighter ink lines and then a Noodler's Flex (same ink) for the darker areas.  On this sketchbook paper the nibs skip so one can obtain real light shading with the ink.  A plus in many ways.  It's taken some getting use to but I'm adapting and trying to utilize in a positive way what some might see as a negative.

Getting perspective right with all the angles is still an issue for me but I figure the more I practice, the easier it will become.

Revisiting Rockport and Aransas Pass, Texas

For this page I decided to do a quick sketch of some buildings we saw across the bay area when we were heading for the Aransas Port Ferry.  It was done using the Pilot Prera and Lexy Gray. 

Bottom sketch is using both Pilot Prera for light ink work and the Noodler's Flex with Lexy Gray ink for the darker line work and shading.

Still using the same sketchbook the girls gave me for my birthday.

Not mentioned in the notes on the page, there is a large Rockport Park to the right but there was an admission fee to get in so we didn't go there.  Not sure why a fee as there was only beach area there that we could see.  Instead we just parked across the street where there was some ground area with benches and this crab over-looking the bay/inlet area.

Baby Alpacas - Graphite and Pen and Ink

Yesterday I didn't feel up to using pen and ink.......so instead completed this top sketch using my Staedtler 925 09 HB mechanical pencil.

The top alpaca in graphite is the first baby born to my cousin's family last month (11/30/12).   It's white and tan in color.  My cousin's family already had nine with baby making ten.


The bottom alpaca (reddish brown) was born this month (12/09/12) making #11.  They still have yet another due in the Spring.

Second illustration was completed today using pen and ink.  I initially used a Pilot Prera (F) with Lexington Gray ink and went back with a Noodler's Flex with same color ink that has a larger nib giving me the darker lines.

Both done in the no-brand-name sketchbook.

Alpacas are new to me and my cousin explained they are in the Llama and camel family originally from Peru, Chili.  They are mainly raised for their fleece but also known for their meat in South America.  They normally have a very sweet gentle nature but like with any creature......some are more so than others.  Some alpacas friendlier towards humans compared to others.  When upset they are known to spit as a means of defense/offense but primarily towards other alpacas.

The alpacas my cousin own appear to be super sweet and gentle according to what she shared with me and the photos she has shared with different family members..........to include very young children.

Wood Pilings - Pen and Ink

Although I wasn't exactly in a mind-set to do any sketching, I made myself do so and glad I did.  I definitely felt better after I finished this page.

This was a good subject as it wasn't too mind-bending :-))  I went through photos from my Texas trip and sketched a small portion of what was showing in one photo.

Done while watching TV in the no-brand name sketchbook and Pilot Prera with Lexy Gray ink.

I couldn't focus as I needed when rendering the rope.  Was having trouble with right side fighting the left side of the brain where I was sketching what I thought it should look like rather than focusing on what I was actually seeing.  (Probably distracted with the TV on with a show I kept getting drawn into while trying to do this sketch.........ooops.)

Cartoon Sketch of My Week

Four out of five days this week (resulting in about 6 to 8 hours) will be spent sitting in a waiting room and dentist chair (mainly dentist chair).  The positive...........getting it over with rather than spread out over several weeks. 

This cartoon is what I have to look forward to but not what I've actually had done .......... yet.  Consultation for this part of all the work I'm having done is today.  Whoopie (laughing).

The clocks represent to me the long hours I'm having to spend in one of those "lounge" chairs being examined, poked at, and worked on :-))

I can only blame myself though as I drag my feet year after year seeing a dentist.  I wonder just how many people like me are guilty of that?

One Son's Christmas Wish List

I managed Day 8 with a little sketching.  Wasn't really up to it and I'm not sure how today and tomorrow will go.  Undergoing some extensive dental work I don't look forward to and my initial visit yesterday was draining!!!

Decided to doodle some items one of my son's has on his Christmas wish list..........nothing elaborate........just some simple doodling using the Pilot Prera and Lexy gray.  Still using the sketchbook gifted to me.  :-))

Country Mail - Pen and Ink

Here is Day #7 so far with the pen and ink sketching.

Unlike living in town or city, our mail boxes are along the main road rather than in front of our houses.  We sit on top of a steep hill off of a gravel side road, up a steep gravel/dirt curvy drive with our mail box in amongst a nest of boxes at bottom of hill.  It's about 1/4th mile from the house.  So for us, watching for the mail is no longer something to look forward to.

Plus out here there's confusion between physical address and mailing address.  Mail is put in wrong boxes or returned as undeliverable.  Many of the rural routes are being given actual names and that too causes confusion for the mail carriers.  Lots of fun :-((      So we've gone paperless with most of our financial statements and the rest is re-routed to house in town where two of my sons live.  I may check our mail box out here once a month and normally just full of junk mail.

Sketch done in no-brand-name sketchbook with Pilot Prera and Lexy Gray.

Good Ole Country Living

My day yesterday included sitting at the Toyota service department while a problem was being fixed that happened all of a sudden.

Thursday while out running around my SUV's heating blower fan started making a horrible thumping sound.  My car is only a year old and sits most of the time as I rarely go anywhere...........so it really took me by surprise.  And of all days it had to be the coldest day we've had so far.

Get home and immediately called Toyota.  They said not to run the fan and I needed to have it looked at as soon as possible so I grabbed the first appointment I could get.

Ten minutes into sitting in the waiting room, I get called back into the shop to see what we were dealing with...............a large nicely built nest pulled out where my cabin filter sits.  Then the tech says inside the dash in the middle of the blower fan unit sits a mouse............dead of course after being caught in the fan unit.

An hour or so later and $160 poorer, I'm on the road headed home.

Never knew this but was told if I turn the inside air circulation button to recirculate rather than outside fresh air, it closes some hatch or whatever and will help keep critters out.  At least it wasn't a snake :-))

Pilot Prera used in the No-name brand sketchbook.

Lucky Bamboo Plant - Day 5 Pen & Ink Sketch

So far have completed five days pen and ink sketches.  This is another of the Lucky Bamboo plant.

I was off on the glass vase (as noted on the page).  Was good practice with rocks and the glass itself.

Worked in the no-name sketchbook using the Noodler's Flex and Lexy Gray ink.  Think I'm ready to move back to the Pilot Prera.

Started the sketch while watching TV late Thursday night but was too caught up in the shows and put it down.  Worked the majority yesterday.

Today's Pen and Ink - Christmas Doodling

I'm not exactly committing myself to another 75 Day Challenge but taking one day at a time.  If it turns out I do go 75 days with an ink sketch each day.........great ;-)  If not...........that's OK too :-))

This sheet done in the Unknown sketchbook from my granddaughters using a Noodler's Flex and Lexy Gray ink.

For some reason this page really caused me grief achieving dark filled in areas with my pen not wanting to lay ink down very well.   I may have to rethink filling the entire sketchbook with pen and ink and try other dry media instead.