Thousand Oaks Inked

Drawing in the quiet of an early morning fog, I feel like the only one here.  I love to work when all is still, before the landscape wakes.  So quiet I can hear the leaves falling from the maple, I render each line as I see it.  Using my favorite fountain pen, I complete my composition before adding a wet brush to move the ink a little.  I like to get my middle values this way, instead of the cross hatching of the old days.  I still turn to the India ink once in a while, but once I tried the water - I never really went back.  Painting number 1764 in 1764 days.

Thousand Hills in Ink

Oh how I longed for another panel this morning!  If only I'd opened my thumb box before leaving the house, I would have seen the wet painting inside!  I turned to my ink for solace, sketching first the painting to come. These leaves are turning more brilliant by the hour, and simply must find their way into a painting.  Using my fountain pen, I render all lines, coming in after with my favorite Koi water brush pen. These brushes let out a smooth flow of water, allowing me to move that ink and get my middle values. I can't wait to do this in paint!  Painting number 1761 in 1761 days.