Kansas City Chalk Walk

It was barely misting when I started my lines with a favorite fountain pen.  Teetering on the fence between soluble ink and India ink, I decided to go with India ink.  So glad I did!  As I worked, the mist increased to more of a drizzle, and my paper grew damp. My first lines continued to spread as I added in my watercolor.  I held my paper under the edge of an umbrella table to try to protect it, because rain and watercolors do not mix!  I used a light touch with the water, as my paper was already saturated.  As I dropped in the final ink marks, they intensified and spread in a tight, spidery fashion, as only India ink works wet.  Chilled to the bone, wishing I had my rain jacket, I finished up and headed inside Crown Center to warm up!  Yes, I had boots and extra jackets and rain gear in the car, I just didn't want to walk all the way back there to get them!  Painting number 2057 in 2057 days.

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Sister Bay Barn in Watercolor

I've not used my watercolors for a while, and yesterday, I could have used them in the field.  So, today finds me filling in ink drawings with color!  Sometimes, I only have time for a sketch, which I can come back to later, if I choose.  This is one of my favorite journals, and I especially love the rough texture and how that paint glides over the surface.  The sizing is a little thick in this particular journal, so my watercolor brushes are far more effective than the brushpens.  When I use the brushpens, I need water handy to rinse out the gunk periodically.  I sketch in my line drawing with India ink, which is waterproof, and then follow with paint.  I'm using my watercolor confections for this.  They are small and can be slid in a pocket for in the spot plein air.  I almost never get out my Daniel Smith's now, strictly due to the convenience.  I'm having so much fun, I think I'll do another!  Painting number 1768 in 1768 days.

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Western Auto in Ink

This building is a Kansas City icon - and so much fun to draw!  Whenever I have to come to the city,  I take advantage and capture something cool in ink!  I'm using a  sepia ink pen on this one, and I like the vintage feel.  Tomorrow will find me back in the paint,  but for today I'm reveling in the ink!  Painting number 1592 in 1592 days. 

Nutcrackers for Sale

I am "drawn" to nutcrackers!  These are the first I've seen for the season - and they demanded my attention!   I found these three lined up on a shelf, and I took out my favorite fine Pitt pen and got to work.   With only 30 minutes to draw before meeting the others in the cafe for lunch, I worked fast.  As I finished my sketch, I checked my watch for the time before grabbing my watercolors.  Darn!   It was time to go, no time for adding color today!   Now I'm wondering if I should add color or not?  Maybe I should just do one in oils, or acrylics?   This handmade sketchbook is SO special!   I may never go back to ordinary again......!  This painting is the 1401st in 1401 days :)

Bluebird Batik

Bluebird Batik
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 6x5

Bluebird in the Pear Tree

Bluebird in the Pear Tree
Pen and ink on paper, 5x7

Oh my!  This bradford pear tree is glorious with blooms!!  It is so full, I can hardly see the birds as they fly into it’s branches!  This tree was one of the first we planted so many years ago - and now it is 30 feet tall and nearly as wide!  What a beauty it is each spring, and it turns a fiery red each fall!  The bluebirds love flying from tree to tree up the lane, and it is a joy to see them getting closer to the house!  This piece is the 1175th in 1175 days :)

Goldfinch in the Plum Tree

Goldfinch in the Plum Tree

I’ve been stretching myself way too thin lately, so I am taking a little “pen and ink” vacation, where I revel in the ink for a little art therapy!  I will return to the figures in a day or two, but for now I am enjoying the freedom of the birds in my fruit trees!  Everything is exploding in bloom - and I am drawn to capture it in pen and ink!  I may have to get some of this down in paint, as well!  Spring may just be my favorite time of the year!!  Drawing number 1174 in 1174 days.

Cardinal in the Flowering Pear

Cardinal in the Flowering Pear
Pen and ink on paper, 5x7

The flowering pear on the front lawn could not be more abundant with blooms, and this sweet little female cardinal has found a favorite perch!  I love capturing the spring beauty with pen and ink, freely using my pen as I squiggle on those petals feathers and bark.  I have a wonderful collection of india ink Pitt pens, but I return again and again to my favorite superfine and brush tips.  It seems I don’t even pick the others up until my favs runs completely out of ink.... and then, of course, I do!  This drawing is the 1173rd piece of completed artwork in 1173 days.

Monarch

Monarch
Pen and ink on paper, 5x7

Another day reveling in the freedom of drawing butterflies!  I should be working on figures, and I really need to work on my cafe scene skills, but instead I choose india ink and paper for a light and airy butterfly sketch!  I love to watch them fly about, and with spring unfolding before my very eyes - the grounds will soon burst with them!  This drawing is number 1172 in 1172 days.  Perhaps, I’ll return to my figure work tomorrow......

Swallowtail

Swallowtail
Pen and ink on paper, 5x6

Today, I draw butterflies!  No more of yesterday’s stressful cafe scene painting for me.....well, not today.  I do need practice, and practice I will, but for now I am retreating to my happy place!  I am using Pitt pens, black india ink, to complete this butterfly drawing.  I work loosely with my pens, letting the image unfold as the strokes spill out the tip.  I have not kept up with completing a pen and ink drawing every day, but I will continue to draw whenever I get the chance.  I sure wish there were more hours in each day, I never have enough time.  This pen drawing makes 1171 in 1171 days.

Chickadees in Ink

Chickadees in Ink
Ink on paper, 5x7

After getting a little frustrated with a large painting today, I am turning my attention to something cheerful!  These darling little birds are joyful creatures to watch.  They are quick, light, and hop along the branches cheerfully, as they wait for an opening at the bird feeders.  They are so abundant today!  It feels so like spring with the warm, balmy temps and calm breezes......even though the winds are due to change, and possibly bring us some snow!  Oh no!!  I am not a cold weather fan, and truly could not live any further north than Kansas City!  Give me the heat any day!  But, these birds are a staple, no matter the weather, and a joy to draw as they flit back and forth to feed.  These little chickadees make the 1127th piece in 1127 days.

Blue Jay in Ink

Blue Jay in Ink
Ink on paper, 5x7
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I have several bird feeders outside of my bay window in the kitchen - and so many birds frequent the area!  I could sit there at the table and draw them during all the daylight hours - if I had the time!  Today, I am capturing one of the big boys - a blue jay, as he commands attention close to the window.  The old Rose of Sharon is the perfect perch, though it leans more every year!  I am using black india ink with the fine point and brush tip pitt pens tonight.  This drawing makes 1124 in 1124 days :)

Screech Owl in Ink

Screech Owl in Ink
Pen and ink on paper, 5x7

With so much on my plate this last week, I’ve been longing for my pens, paper, and some quiet time!  Finally, tonight, I have gotten the chance to get back to this very organic medium.  Drawing is the most natural thing in the world for me, and to slip back into it is like wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot cup of tea!  We have various owls around, and hear them often at night.  I have always loved their noises, but now that we have a tiny dog - I think of them in a whole new way.  I must go out with little Chewy at night - just to guard him!  They are still beautiful to draw, but I’m keeping them away from our puppy!  I have also decided to sign my pen and ink work along the form of my drawing, instead of sticking out by itself at the bottom left or right.  Doing so just feels more artistic, as if it adds rather than distracts......Artwork number 1123 in 1123 days, and Day 30 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge - another successful event!

Rainbow Sailing Batik

Rainbow Sailing Batik
India ink, watercolor, wax on masa
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Today's experiment?  Masa paper!  It is a little thicker than the rice papers I have been using, which is a good thing when it comes to wadding the waxed paper up into a ball.  When the wax does not crack enough in the first stage, I wad it up again, and sometimes a third time until the paint will be able to reach the paper's surface in the cracks.  There is a smooth and rough side to all of these rice papers - be sure to paint on the rough side for better workability.  I used the hot wax for the resists in the water using a small, round bristle brush.  Once you did any brush in wax - it will always be dedicated to that purpose. There is just no coming back from the damage of wax on brushes.  The wax permeates this paper so much that if I flip it over, the back side looks exactly like the front side - only the image is reversed!  Crazy!  I painted today from reference that I took out at the Perry Yacht Club on a race day.  I have so many wonderful photos to work from - and this technique must be done in the studio.  There are no electrical outlets in the great outdoors for hot irons and little crockpots!  Painting number 640 in as many days and Day 30 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge!  That sure went by fast!