Pensive Santa

 

He's making a list and checking it twice - and it's so fun to paint Santa for Christmas!  After a gathering of the Frank side at my cousin's today, it has only left a little time for painting and posting.  It's lovely to see cousins, aunts and my uncle with my brother's family and Mom, too.  And I remember all those that once joined us on this holiday, too. Painting number 4738 in 4738 days. 

Santa painting the Nutcracker

 

Santa is very busy on these last days before Christmas!  I love painting him in black and white acrylic, for a change.  There's nothing like switching between mediums to bring a fresh eye to painting!  Time grows short and my to do list is long, so good night, and I'll try to add more later!  Painting number 4737 in 4737 days. 

Santa Chicken Mini Green

 

What a lovely green ink I opened behind door nine 9 - Bittersweet! Crisp and clean, I've captured Santa deep in conversion with one of my girls!  I've never painted Santa in green ink before, but I think I like it! There does not seem to be much chroma variance in this ink, but the color is so fresh. I don't understand the name, though.  In my neck of the woods, bittersweet is a burnt orange color.  The foliage is not even close to this color, either, lol.  Painting number 4730 in 4730 days. 

Santa and Meringue

Behind door number four of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar is this lovely warm brown ink called Smokey Tobacco.  If gives a vintage glow to this Santa drawing, as he cuddles Meringue, one of our Calico Princesses. Once quite yellow, she has gotten lighter as she matures, nearly white on her undercarriage and tail! I've used a matching glass dip pen, and I'm working on an unknown handmade paper.  I often tear up small pieces into miniature ATC size. This painting is number 4727 in 4727 days. 

A special thanks to all who stopped by to see my paintings at the Historic West Bottoms Holiday Open House last night!  It was a lovely evening to celebrate the West Bottoms community with artwork created during the Historic West Bottoms Plein Air event in May.  I've had so much fun exploring this historic area with paint. 

 

Santa and Chicken Mini

 

Day 3 ink in the Inkvent Calendar is Carousel - a vivid red pigment ink!  I LOVE the color - but it was SO HARD to wash off of my glass dip pen!! It's my first experience with such an ink!  A gorgeous red like this called for a Santa sketch - so I have drawn him with sweet Betsy, who is one of the first gens to jump on my lap!  I love the vivid color, but I prefer an ink that moves with water.  I had to actually scrub and use a brush to get the red ink off of that glass dip pen!  That's crazy!  Painting number 4722 in 4722 days. 

Tinsel Santa

 

For several years now, I have explored Diamine's Inkvent Calendar as Christmas approaches.  It is a treat to use glass dip pens and sparkling new ink to create the magic of Christmas!  I've got the 2025 one on order, and I can't wait to open each little door containing the gift of a new ink!  Come see this miniature Santa Claus painting in person, now showing at Powell Gardens!  Painting number 4707 in 4707 days. 

Winterberry Santa

Santa has been very busy on his journey around the world, and now he's dozing off.  Winterberry is another lovely fountain pen ink from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, and a perfect color to use on Sleepy Santa.  I sketched this one lightly with India ink first, then went in with glass dip pen and Winterberry red.  I used a little water to move the ink, then a little more ink with the pen to finish. I love this beautiful pen, too.  It's a work of art on it's own!  Painting number 5053 in 5053 days. 

Santa at the Christmas Tree

 

It's a Merry Christmas Eve to capture Santa at the tree - as I finish all those last details with a mug of hot tea!  I'm sending out love and light to all tonight, as preparations wrap up.  On such a night, memories flood back from past Christmas eves, when we waited for all the kids to be asleep before setting out all the presents. Santa would come in the night to fill stockings and to leave something special for each girl and boy.  I loved the days when the house was full and big hugs were just around the corner.  When the family all gathers here tomorrow, we will be a large bunch indeed, and it will be another Christmas of cherished memories together.  Painting number 5048 in 5048 days. 

Santa Painting the Nutcracker

I love the vintage feel of black and white whether in ink, graphite or paint. I've been using many mediums lately, bouncing from one to another daily!  I've picked up acrylics for this one as I also work on a commission at the same time.  Santa is hard at work these last days before Christmas, and i love capturing it all in paint!  Merry Christmas Eve Eve!  Painting number 5047 in 5047 days. 

Thoughtful Santa

 

Santa Claus is on my easel tonight as I burn the midnight oil.  This day has been filled with side by side rides, outdoor and indoor fun as we gathered  with Danny and the boys on this last day in town.  So, I'm coming to my easel late and I'm also working on my Christmas cards - which I'm also getting to much later than ever.  This season has had me busy getting paintings out right up to the last minute!  Which is awesome, and has also set me back on getting my own work done.  I think Santa understands all about that.  Painting number 5045 in 5045 days.  

Tinsel Santa

 It's so fun to sneak in a quick Santa painting with pen and ink!  This is Surprise Murder Mystery Birthday Party day for our oldest daughter, and we've all been busy with preparations.  The glass dip pen and a little water are perfect to move this ink as I work.  There's always enough time for a miniature painting - even on a day like this!  Painting number 5038 in 5038 days. 

Santa Painting a Nutcracker

 

Santa is on my easel tonight, as he paints a nutcracker!  It's super fun to play with acrylics again - in between commissions.  I've been VERY busy this season, so it truly is a little bit of therapy time to work on something like this.  I've used a base of mars black, with ivory black on the final layers. The first is cool while the next is warm, allowing depth in the simple black and white.  Additionally, I use titanium along with white gesso for the same reason.  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Copper Nutcracker Santa

What fun it is to work metal for the holidays!  These absolutely shine on a Christmas tree - and I'm hoping to get several done in the next few days. I'm using one of our Santa Nutcrackers for inspiration, and work from the front and back until the form emerges.  These days are filled with family dinners and games nights - so I'm happy to get this squeezed in before midnight!  Artwork number 3998 in 3998 days. 

Santa Portrait Inked

Diamine's Black Ivy ink is behind today's door on my Inkvent Calendar - and bleeds a lovely green and blue when wet.  The line work is pretty dark, and I expected it to be blacker, which would be lovely for a vintage Santa face.  This color would be very nice for a grove of cedars, though, and perhaps I should let down a heavy patch to see what it can do.  My husband has been off this week - and I am not getting nearly as much done in any day.  I sure hope I can finish a few more things before Christmas - time is growing short!  Painting number 3260 in 3260 days. 

Santa Wreath

sold

On a busy day spent writing nearly all of my Christmas cards, there is still enough time for a miniature painting of this Santa wreath!  I've been revisiting my fountain pen collection, one at a time, and here I have an artisan pen. My favorite nib is a medium, due largely to the 100% cotton rag paper I use with a rough texture. Fine and superfine nibs are too aggressive, tearing the surface instead of leaving a smooth line.  I like the broad and flex nibs on dip pens, but have yet to order one on a fountain pen. Perhaps my next one?  Painting number 2546 in 2546 days. 

Santa!

gifted

What fun to create special pieces for our Tri-County Art League holiday party!  Since I was out of town for our last meeting, I worked on these at home.  I painted this on some new watercolor cards that I ordered by mistake.  The paper is smoother and thinner than I like, but I was able to bend it to my will. I will try to use it up, but I will not order them again.  Life is too short for substandard art supplies.  Painting number 2534 in 2534 days. 

Santa Claus

sold

It's that time of year again!  Since I've only arrived home from an extended time in Ohio, I am just starting my Christmas cards!  I have decided on winter scenes in ink, but just couldn't resist a Santa for tonight!  I'm doing a couple for our Tri-County Art League holiday lunch tomorrow - which I only found out about tonight at a sorority dinner!  I can sure tell I've been out of town!  Oh well, I'll catch up eventually!  Painting number 2530 in 2530 days.

December 26

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Getting in a little sketching after all the cooking, cleaning and gifting!  Always nice to spend time with all the family during the holidays. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas!  Painting number 2160 in 2160 days.

Santa Profile

After spending a bittersweet afternoon at my Aunt Diana's house, I had the bright idea to swing by the Christmas in the Park event.  We are still waiting in line 45 minutes later. Santa can not believe how long it is taking!  He may miss his midnight ride!  Merry Christmas Eve to you all!  Painting number 2159 in 2159 days!

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Tree Trimming Santa

We celebrated an early family Christmas with Michaela and Cooper today, since they will be with his family in the actual day this year.  As the first celebration of the season, it is bittersweet without my dad here.  I can see him sitting in his regular chair, sharing in the family fun.  The older children have left, the dinner mess is clean, and now we sit watching sappy Christmas shows. I return to my ink and watercolor for some Santa painting, exploring the mix of inks and watercolor.  I'm really enjoying the switch to my brown black blend tonight.  The ink pushes a little green and a little red as it spreads with water.  SO COOL.  All of the fun is in the process, after all!  Painting number 2158 in 2158 days. Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

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