Another Sketching Kit

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

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

NOTE:  Where to buy:

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

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

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

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

Just showing the back - no pockets.

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

My Day Yesterday

Now that I'm FINALLY getting out and about, I'm able to work pages like this that I have envied others doing for quite some time.  I love the story telling aspect of pages like this.  Sitting at home working on things I like, or playing with techniques and supplies, is just not quite the same (although it does tell about me as a person).

I had a full day and loved every minute of it.  Came home and continued into the night to finish the two page spread and even this morning as I made up my mind what to place in the final corner of the spread.

First I had worked the top left and bottom right while actually sitting on location....minus adding the watercolor.  Knowing I wouldn't finish the page, I took photos that I could refer back to in order to add to the other two corners.  The last thing I decided on was the bottom left.  I could have included other things from the class or location I went to for it but remembered I had stopped at the art shop before the class.  Thought that would be perfect to include.

Fabriano Artistico 140 lb CP watercolor paper in hand sewn journal
Platinum Carbon Pen w/Lexy Gray ink
Falcon Fountain Pen w/Lexy Gray ink
Daniel Smith watercolors

Legion's Stonehenge Aqua CP - One Side Complete

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

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

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

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

Making a Simple Accordion Fold Journal

There are a few different ways of folding paper to make these accordion or meandering journals depending upon size paper one is starting with and the size of the finished journal one wishes to end up with.

I learned from watching this YouTube video by Cathy Johnson.

For my post here, I'm using an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of bond paper just as a visual example.  In fact I practiced this a couple of times on bond paper before I made one out of watercolor paper.

When I made several mini journals out of watercolor paper, I went all out adding covers as seen in this earlier post.......

http://sbwatercolors.blogspot.com/search?q=accordion

Also.......if you want longer accordion folded journals, you can glue two together making sure the folds remain at the join folding in the direction you need it to continue.  (Hopefully that made sense)

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

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

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

So far I'm liking this paper :-)

New Line of Paper - Stonehenge Aqua

A few weeks ago I received a sampler package of Legion Stonehenge Aqua paper.  In the sampler pack was a sheet of 300 lb CP, 140 lb CP, and 140 lb HP watercolor paper.

Taking the 140 lb CP, I folded and cut into a small accordion journal to see how it handled being folded.  Unlike Arches which cracks at the folds, this paper seemed to handle it well.  How long it holds up to being folded and unfolded remains to be seen.

With this little journal, I've decided to dedicate it to practicing sketching people as I learn how the paper handles different mediums.

With this couple, I first used an 0.3 mm mechanical pencil to test how a very thin lead worked on the paper surface.  It didn't do bad and no breakage of the lead.

Next I used my extra fine fountain pen, Platinum Carbon desk pen to see if the nib hung in the paper fibers.  That too handled well even with nib held upside down for thinner line applications.

Final was the watercolor (DS) and I liked how it went down, blended, and lifted.

Note:  As I experiment with this paper, I am mentally comparing with my favorite - Fabriano Artistico.

First impression............Not Bad :-)

First two folded pages scanned:

Little Clay Pot Creation at Simon Seed

After yesterday's sketch crawl, a few of us decided to meet up at Simon Seed Farm and Garden Center in Leesburg.  We wanted to check the place out to see if it might be a future meeting place for our sketching group.

It's a small shop but has a lot of really interesting things over and above seed and plants.  There are cages with a couple of exotic birds plus a cage with doves or pigeons and I think at one time they had chickens (although I didn't see any).

The shop also has antiques scattered around inside and out like old wood dollies, bike and what looked like a tractor of some kind.  For me there was definitely a nice array of interesting subjects to sketch.

One item that jumped out at me was this guy standing in one of the windows facing the outside garden center.  He was just too cute to pass up.

Strathmore Visual Journal - Watercolor
Platinum Carbon Pen / Lexy Gray Ink
DS Watercolors.

January 12th Sketch Crawl - Mote Morris House

Our group met this morning at this historical building called the Mote Morris House.  Meeting time was set for 10:30 a.m. but I was there about an hour and a half earlier taking photos and sketching one side of the building from my car.

When everyone arrived, we all picked a spot around the building and spent a couple hours sketching and painting until we stopped for lunch.

I'm actually surprised I did as much as I did.  While on location, I sketched in pencil only.........saving ink work and any painting for after I returned home.

It was an absolute gorgeous day and we all had a great time.

Met up at Blooms for lunch and then most went home while a few of us checked out Simon's Seed Shop we may return another time to sketch.  The shop has a lot of interesting ideas to sketch other than flowers and plants.  They have a few exotic birds in cages plus some antiques sitting around inside and outside the building.

Strathmore Visual Journal - Watercolor
Falcon and Platinum Carbon fountain pens
DS Watercolors

I have to say that by the time I got to inking this page, I was pretty tuckered out.  Decided to just ink and forget about painting.

Down the Street

Started this yesterday but finished early this morning before heading out for our group's sketch crawl in Leesburg.

Strathmore Visual Journal - Watercolor
Pilot Carbon fountain pen
Watercolor

Playing Again with Liquid Pencil

Nothing really to elaborate on with this one.  Was just playing around.

Added a bit of watercolor just to see how it might interact with the liquid pencil.

Strathmore Visual Journal Watercolor
Liquid Pencil - Red Tint
3/8" Angular Flat
Watercolor

Metal Egret in Back Yard

This is of a metal sculpture we put out last year of an Egret.  It stands right outside the Florida room surrounded by greens and at times flowering plants.  We've been pleasantly surprised by how well it has been standing up to the elements.

Working this watercolor sketch, I realize the garden area could use a bit of TLC.  It's a bit un-tidy with a few scraggly looking remains of plants that have gone dormant or didn't get enough water due to the sprinkler head being blocked by an over-grown lantana and sedum.

Strathmore Visual Watercolor journal
QoR watercolors
Falcon fountain pen
Lexington Gray Ink

Quick Sketch - First Camellia of the Season

Although I've now been in Florida over two years, I'm still not used to the Winters here with all the green canopies and blooming vegetation.  Coming from the north where it's brown with bare trees and many days of gray, it's such a blessing to me.

This is our first camellia flower that bloomed a few days ago.  It's the first of many to come and Terry brought it in to me in a glass of water.  The bloom lasted several days before it dropped off the stem.

They are white with reddish brown patches and have no fragrance.  Wish they did.

Quick sketching to record this first flower of the season.

Handbook
Pilot Prera F nib
Lexy Gray ink
Waterbrush/watercolors

Young Osprey - Graphite

This is a rough sketch of a young Osprey that was sharing a nest with two other youngsters.

We were on the Dead River on the Pontoon, May of last year, when we saw them........all three standing in their nest looking up evidently waiting for food to be brought to them.

Handbook
Mechanical Pencil .9

Items Found in My Purse

I am working on a personal daily challenge I set for myself and this is one of the ideas I had written down.  Although I have them listed 1-31, I have not set a particular drawing idea for any specific day.  I just pick from the list and cross it off as I work through the month.

Handbook
Platinum Carbon Pen
Lexington Gray Ink
Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils (keys)
Watercolor

Mummified Brown Anoles

Where we live is an abundance of brown anoles (lizards) as well as green anoles and geckos.  In fact we have geckos living in the garage.

The anoles manage to find their way into the house or squeeze between screen and glass pane of our windows.  Anytime we see them either in the house, or trapped, we'll try to save them.  The two here in my journal are ones we didn't see in time to keep alive.

Handbook journal
Platinum Carbon Fountain pen
Lexington Gray ink
Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils

Owl Aromatherapy Necklace

For Christmas 2016, I received two necklaces.....One was this owl and a another was a round tree of life necklace.....along with a set of essential oils.  My favorite being Ylang Ylang.  I use these necklaces more as a hanging ornament where I sit than wearing them.

Love the shape of this owl and it's neat they take little lava balls that have been soaked with the essential oils.

Handbook
Falcon fountain pen
Platinum Carbon fountain pen
Lexington Gray ink
Abrecht Durer watercolor pencils.

Play Doodling with the Sailor Fude 40 Degree Angled Nib Fountain Pen

Play doodling with the newer Sailor Fude pen received.  It has a 40 degree angled nib whereas the first Sailor Fude I purchased had a 55 degree angled nib.

After playing with this SF 40, I think it's much easier for me to maneuver obtaining the various line widths I can achieve.  It seems I can hold the pen in a more natural angle (for me) than I can with the SF 55.

Even with that said, I do like the Sailor Fude line of fountain pens.  I like the lighter weight pens and with these, I like the longer barrel which holds an extra ink cartridge.

Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe

Christmas Day my husband and I decided to get out and drive around knowing the traffic would be light.  We chose to visit a few places for sketching ideas.

First we drove to Spanish Springs Square in The Villages, then to downtown Leesburg, and finally down to Mount Dora.

For me it was particularly important to check out Leesburg as our next sketch crawl is scheduled there for Jan 12th.  I wanted to get a "feel" of the area as we're not real familiar with it. Although we live in Leesburg, we are at the southern end closest to Tavares and tend to do our shopping south of us.

As it turns out, downtown Leesburg was not one of my favorite areas to spend much time at.  Maybe it reminds me too much of Fairmont, WV.  One thing for sure, it was mainly of shops with little extra to grab my attention.  I did find a few things I liked like statues outside the Library and a clock that stands in front of City Hall.  The most intriguing sight in particular that caught my attention was this sign that stands outside on the walkway advertising a wine shop called "Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe."

Worked in my hand sewn journal of Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper all in Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils.  Love this brand of watercolor pencils!!!

Not Exactly How We Planned on Celebrating New Years!!!

December was a really challenging month for us with several unfortunate things happening.  We were wishing for December to be over with the hopes of the New Year starting out on a good note.  Guess it wasn't meant to be as the New Year has already started off poorly.

Hubby woke up yesterday with abdominal pain that progressively grew worse as the day went on.  He ended up at the ER early evening and ended up being admitted due to a bad infection in his Kidney caused by a large kidney stone blocking passage to the bladder.

This morning a stent was put in to bypass the blockage allowing for drainage from the kidney.  This will help to clear up the infection along with antibiotics so they can do whatever necessary to help break the stone free.  Maybe in another 10 days to 2 weeks.  Either shock wave will be used or laser surgery but we won't know until that time what might be the best course of action to take.



This is a sketch worked showing a corner of his hospital room.

Handbook journal; Falcon fountain pen; and QoR watercolors.

The Dreaded Dentist Visit

Over three years ago one of my back molars broke below the gum line.  Although it hurt for several days, the pain went away and I've gone all this time without any issues.........until last week.  After a week on antibiotics, this morning was the dreaded trip to have it dug out of my jaw.  That was NOT a pleasant experience and especially since they couldn't get me numb enough to make it tolerable.  Rather than being rescheduled to try again another day, I told them to do whatever and get the tooth out of my head.  The last thing I wanted was to put it off any longer.

While in the waiting room, I started the sketch of a girl sitting across the room with her parents and brother.  I was called back shortly after I started so didn't get very far.  Then while waiting for the first injection to start working.......then the second..........then the third..........I tried sketching the xray drape hanging on the wall.  I tried to sketch hoping it might help me relax a bit but I was shaky and struggled maintaining focus.  At least I did manage a little sketching.

Stillman & Birn Beta journal and Micron 01 pen.

Sketch Crawl Event December 19, 2016

Right before Christmas our group met up at the Spanish Springs Square at The Villages for an afternoon of sketching.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it.

Spanish Springs is one area of The Villages I had been to before taking a few pictures but really wanted to go back and take more so I could sketch about the event I would have liked to have participated in.  Terry and I drove out on Christmas Day, which was wonderful because there was very little traffic and businesses were closed.  We walked around taking lots of pictures.  We actually made an afternoon of it driving to various locations taking lots of photos for sketching ideas.

The first subject I chose to sketch was the statue of Harold Swartz........founding father of The Villages.  And with this statue I decided to try working a different way than I'm used to as if I were on location and wanting to speed up a bit (eliminating the pencil sketching to save time).  The idea is to use brush and paint first capturing the shape or blocking in and then fine-tuning and detailing with pen and ink.  Not sure this method is for me but it's early yet to really know for sure.  It takes me just as long if not longer to work this way but probably because it's a new concept.

For my example, I chose not to use pen and ink but instead dry watercolor pencils for line detail (until later when I went back in with a few light ink lines).

To complete the 2 page spread, I chose what stood out the most in my photos.  I used my normal method of quick pencil sketch, followed by pen and ink, and then dry watercolor pencils as the ink I was using is water soluble (as seen with a little shading taking a damp brush to the ink).  I would have preferred to use watercolor but wasn't thinking when I grabbed the pen to start inking.

Hand sewn journal with Fabriano Artistico WC paper, Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils, and the Sailor Fude 40 degree bent nib fountain pen.  Ink is what came with it in cartridges.

Desert Rose - Still Hanging in There

You remember the post where we received a desert rose that was damaged?  Well it actually bounced back and was growing really nicely until several leaves developed rust spots causing several leaves to drop.

Still trying the save the plant, I brought inside hoping the dryer air might help.  It's been so humid outside and the plant was already sick when it got here.  I've placed it in the Sun or Florida room with southern exposure.  I can only keep my fingers crossed now hoping this helps and not do it in for good.

Thought I would try something different after viewing a couple videos.  One was mixing color pencil and watercolor and one was about slapping on color loosely and then adding details and some texture using color pencil.  Well this is neither, actually, but tried a few concepts from both videos using watercolor and watercolor pencils.

With this I used a water brush loosely (if you can call it that) blocking in the main shape without much fuss.  The idea is to capture things quickly.............suggestions for those who go out and sketch and paint in the field like sketch crawls and urban sketchers.  Well..........I can't say I actually managed to be any quicker.  In fact I found myself working at the same pace or possibly slower (maybe because the concept is not one I normally follow).  I will probably have to practice this more before I can say it helps to speed things up.



Worked in my hand sewn journal / Fabriano watercolor paper.

Sketch Crawl Work in Color - Lake Sumter, The Villages

OK........so I ended up taking color to the two pages I originally worked in graphite and sprayed with a workable fixative.

Added the color using a dagger brush and after that was dry, I used my Lamy Safari with Lexington gray ink for inking.  I even tried wet in wet over the fixative and had no problems.

Working Watercolor over Spray Fixative

Wanted to share the results of working graphite with a spray fixative and adding color afterwards using watercolor.

Here is a section of the sketch crawl page I worked in graphite:

Using Blair, Very Low Odor Spray Fix, I sprayed the page with enough coverage to where I knew the graphite wouldn't smudge.  I spray lightly so not to get runs holding the can about a foot away from the surface.slowly sweeping back and forth.

Once I knew it was completely dry (which this stuff dries quickly), I applied light washes of watercolor.  Because there is a coating over that graphite, when I apply the watercolor, it doesn't turn all muddy like it would if applying directly over top without the spray.  The sprayed surface is like working on internal and external sized papers.

And, like painting on sized paper surfaces, if you go back over top a painted area, it could lift the previous layer back off.  Just need to use a light touch.  In my case I was using a dagger brush for this because it's soft.

Once the watercolor was dry, I went back in with my Lamy Safari pen and Lexington Gray ink.  I chose the Lamy because it has a super fine nib applying just enough ink without taking over the graphite (mainly to emphasize just a bit some areas).

Did the same thing with this guy at the table......

Boats at Lake Sumter Landing

This was actually done a few days ago from photos I had taken last year when Terry and I went to Lake Sumter Landing.  There are various areas with boats out in the lake anchored in place just for viewing.  All the boats have female names like this.  Not sure if there's any significance to that or just for show.

I used two pens for this one.  Used the Platinum Carbon pen for the initial sketch, painted with watercolor, and then went back over using my Lamy Safari as the nib is a dryer feed which works better for me when going over watercolor.

The day I took the pictures, it was very cloudy and dismal looking.  I worked this as if a nice sunny day with the brighter colors and tones.

Hand sewn journal with Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press watercolor paper.

Sketch Crawl - Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages

Ohhhhhhhhh what a wonderful day this has been!!  Couldn't have asked for better weather too!

The group of about 12 today met up at Lake Sumter Landing at 9 a.m. this morning.  Had a little meeting and then everyone disbursed heading in various directions.  There is soooooo much in this area one could spend hours or days or even months capturing on paper.

Before the majority showed up, Alice came to sit with me and I shared with her one of my hand made spiral journals made several months ago as well as an accordion fold journal I had made.  She's new to working in sketchbooks and journals and thought she might like having a couple different type journals to try out.

After the meeting when everyone showed up, three of us (Tina, Kathy, and myself) headed for Starbucks (I believe that was the place) to get coffee and while the other two were in line, I waited at a table.  Grabbed my sketchbook and thought.......I only have a few minutes, what can I quickly sketch in that time.  I chose this guy half sitting in his chair at another table.  I was actually surprised I did as much as you see on the page as I'm normally slow.  (Working on that)

After they bought their drinks, Tina headed one way and Kathy and I headed in the opposite direction to sketch the restrooms that looks like beach bath houses.

At that point Carol arrived and the three of us headed back towards where we started along the boardwalk and water.

Kathy wanted to sketch a partially sunken rusty boat and I decided I wanted to sketch the tower in the opposite direction.

About an hour before it was time to meet up for lunch, I decided to walk around a bit.  Took a few pictures and then headed back towards the water and sat down sketching the lamp on the post and the no fishing sign.

At lunch we all sat and shared what we had done.  Ate and then everyone went their separate ways.

I still don't feel comfortable painting out in public.  I'm normally an introvert not feeling real at ease out in public anyways.  But that's something I'm working on using art as a means to help me through this.  I'm finally meeting people I can see face to face and spend time with who enjoy doing the same things I like to do.  I love my internet friends who share the same passion but it's really nice to have bodies to sit next to.....sketch....and have a conversation as well.

Ohhhh, and my art kit on wheels worked out beautifully too!!!

I chose my hand sewn journal of Fabriano Artistico 140lb cold press watercolor paper to work in.  Using a mechanical pencil, I worked these sketches in the numerical order shown on the pages.  My plan was to use pencil first, go back over with pen and ink later, and then take watercolor to the pages.  However, after I got home, I decided to go back over with darker pencil and leave as graphite sketches.  I may spray the pages and then at a later time use ink and watercolors but I'm happy with just the pencil sketches.