Cardinal Pair

These cardinals are so fun to watch AND paint!  We have so many coming to the feeders, they perch on nearby branches while waiting.  I used my fountain pen loaded with Robert Oster's Thunderstorm, an ink that lends itself well to winter scenes.  With a little watercolor to fill out birds and branches, I was ready to head in.  I think it helped to have warm water in my water brush pen, it was very cold at 15 degrees.  I wonder what would happen if I worked sloppy wet in such temps?  Well, this miniature painting on 3x3 paper was fast, so there was no need for warming up or worrying about freezing ink.  I keep my supplies in the warm pockets of my down coat!  Painting number 2955 in 2955 days. 

Twisting Creek

How quickly the world is changing with this new social distancing!  My very full schedule has wound down to a luxurious choosing of times and tasks to be done in any order I see fit, with no alarms and no guilt about late bedtimes.  I am already getting so much done!  Without all those restrictions, I can work until I finish a thing before moving on.  After accomplishing so much, my sweet reward is a long run and pen and ink at water's edge.  These moments are where I find my zen.  Michael moves back from college tonight to finish his semester online.  Thank goodness for these little slivers of normal in my day!  Painting number 2633 in 2633 days.

Cedar by the Road

purchase here

It is so fun to experiment with new art supplies!!  Love the feel of a new fountain pen in my hand, especially one as smooth as this one!  Trying to match the ink to the pen, I have loaded it with Robert Oster's Thunderstorm ink.  It does magical things  when water is added, bleeding to violet and turquoise.  Considered a blue black, it is the first one of this shade that I have tried.  I really like it.  I am definitely going to take a closer look at the other inks offered by Robert Oster.  They are stunning for artwork.  Painting number 2587 in 2587 days.