Northeast Pasture in Watercolor

Oh what a difference a new pen makes!  I've been trying to squeeze every tiny bit of ink out of my other pen. It took me forever to remember to get a new Pitt pen in my bag, so I HAD to use what should have been tossed days ago!  I use India ink when I want to continue with watercolor.  This ink stays put, unless I use it on wet paper.  Then, it spreads with a life of it's own! I have some beautiful yellows in my watercolor confections sets - the perfect ones for this autumn color!  When I'm finished, I embellish with a little more ink.  Painting number 1785 in 1785 days...... I think, I'm going to have to check that!

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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Ephraim Cottage in Watercolor

I have never watched a watercolor artist complete a painting from start to finish before last week.  Vladislav Yeliseyev is an amazing artist, and watching how he approached the plein air landscape was eye opening!  I have only worked wet on wet before, without the foggiest notion on how to add another layer.  Watching that one artist work has inspired me in a whole new way!  Can't wait to see what this media can really do!   Painting number 1666 in 1666 days.

Belfast Castle in Ink

Oh my goodness - what a gorgeous castle this is in Northern Ireland!  I am drawing her today with a fine dark sepia Pitt pen.  With such complicated architecture, I begin with light, sketchy lines until I'm sure my proportions are correct.  Sketching is like handwriting, no two artists are the same.  I let the marks emerge as I concentrate on the scene, loose and energetic in their motion.  I'm not concerned with perfect cross hatching and line structure, though I do like the line to follow the form (just like brush strokes).  I've decided to fill the pages of this journal with places from around the world, rendered in ink alone.  This sketchbook is pretty, which is why I bought it, but the paper is rather thin.  I have to be careful not to get my ink too dark, and watercolor is out of the question.  I check my stats each day on my blog, and choose a unique location that someone has visited me from on that day.  Today, I had one visitor from Ireland - and voila, a little research led me to this composition.  It is just like I've had a little vacation in my warm chair, with a hot cup of lemon ginger tea, and my sketchbook.  Drawing number 1492 in 1492 days.  Now, I'm going to do a little reading on Belfast :)

Raymore Presbyterian Church in Ink

Circa 1876, this historic Raymore Presbyterian Church was the first church built in this town. It has a charm and character that does not grace newer buildings.  Until a few years ago, there was a beautiful 2 story parsonage on the property, but it has been torn down.  Unsure of whether or not to add watercolor, I stopped. You know the old adage, "..if in doubt, don't! "  After a little thought, I may just loosely add in some watercolor later.  I like this building so well, I may just paint it in oil after the gym tomorrow!   This drawing makes 1476 in 1476 days :)

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Pickering Farm

After breakfast with my parents this morning, we drove back to the horse barn at the Owen Good Farm, originally the Pickering Farm.  It's been awhile since I've been back there, and it is slipping into ruin.  Once a grand stable, there is even a ballroom on the upper level where parties were held.  I plan to capture many drawings here while it still stands.  I get my lines in with a Pitt pen, and then wash with a light coat of watercolor  - the classics by watercolor confections in this case.  What a beautiful barn, rich in history, and this is my 1452nd painting in 1452 days :)

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Christmas Tree in Ink

After a family night of Rogue One and board games, I am doing a little sketching in my treasured watercolor journal.  Once the pen and ink is down, I then decide to add some watercolor.  I have a tiny kit that fits in a pocket, and that's what I pull out for this.  I am getting used to the very opaque pigment of these pan watercolors, even though my preference has always been for the transparent hues.  Painting in low light, the color is a little stronger than I intended!  Painting number 1442 in 1442 days :)

Santa and Alastair in Ink

After this very busy day, I am drawing in my favorite journal as my daughter teaches me quantum physics!  Everyone else is in bed, and this is my first chance to get in a little art therapy.  I plan to paint this beautiful childhood scene, so I thought a drawing would help get me very familiar with my subjects.  I'm using my superfine Pitt pen in black exclusively.  It reacts in a rather unpredictable way on this super rough handmade paper - and I like it!  The "scratch" noise the pen makes is also new!  It normally glides over the surfaces I draw on.  This paper is SO cool.  What will I do when this book is full?  Painting number 1440 in 1440 days :)

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