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 ;-)



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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.

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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.  


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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

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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....

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.




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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.


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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.

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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!!!


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Gate in Pen and Ink - Ravenstonedale, Cumbria

This photo is of one of many gates across the countryside my friend Clare came across while on a walk in the village of Ravenstonedale, Cumbria, during their holiday last week.  For the month of August, Clare set this as a monthly photo challenge for several to capture in watercolor. 




I'm not sure if I'll go any further than this pen and ink or maybe add watercolor.  I haven't decided yet.

The main emphasis is the gate area I sketched in pen/ink with the countryside faintly added with pencil.

The Handbook sketchbook
Noodler's Flex pen / black ink








As you can see, I've decided to take color to my pen and ink sketch.  I find myself feeling a little timid for some reason.  I guess most of us have days like that............some days feel courageous and confident diving right in whereas other days dragging one's feet and hesitantly tip toeing in.......lol

Paints Used:

W&N - Bt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Fr Ultra, and Cob Blue.
DS - Sap Green, New Gamb, Quin Gold, and not sure what the dried puddle of gray green is made up of........from last painting session.

#8 Round and 3/8" Angular Flat

I wanted to stop before the gate area and scan but forgot until this point.

Viewing this on screen, I see there's not much difference in value between foreground I've started and the area behind the gate and stone wall.  I need to work on this so the middle and background are pushed back giving me some depth.  Hopefully I can do that without over-working everything.  My goal is to complete this and still maintain a fresh feel to it.

FINISHED

Landscape Doodles

The page I did the last mini landscape on I finished off with various landscape elements like trees, rocks, etc.  The mini landscape looks like an odd ball on the page though considering the overall usage of Fr Ultramarine versus what went into the doodles.  It definitely stands out!

Doodles:

W&N - Fr Ultra, RS, BS
DS - Sap Grn, Phthalo Blue (green)

#8 Round and #2 Rigger

The Langton 140lb Cold

I think what I'm learning about the ink I use in the Noodler's Flex pen is that it does not dry very fast or sits on the surface of the paper that has any amount of sizing in it.  It bleeds when watercolor washes are applied.  One reason I went light with my washes just barely applying pressure with the brush.  I had to go back over some areas with the pen to emphasize some of the detail.

The ink I'm using is Noodler's Black and it claims it's bullet proof (water proof??)  I think it definitely depends on the paper.  Maybe if the ink sits for a few hours, it might not bleed.  I'll have to test that out.

Another little quick landscape in Watercolor

Did this today between household chores.  Nothing fancy but at least I'm still taking brush to paper. 

W&N - Fum and Light Red
DS - New Gamboge and Sap Green

#8 Round which seems like a huge #30 Round painting this size (3 1/2 x 2 1/2")  Thank goodness for a really nice point on this brush!! 

The Langton 140lb Cold

Talk about granulation!!!  It's REAL evident in the sky