The Roasterie Batik

Oh how I love the unpredictable nature of watercolor batik on rice paper!  I can remember when I first started this technique years ago, and I was aggressive enough with that soft sable brush to wear a hole right through it!  It happened so fast, I simply couldn't believe it!  There are many, many times where painting experiments go awry, and on each one, I just try it one more time. Perseverance has perks!  Painting number 2281 in 2281 days.

Starbucks Sketched

A coffee house is a really great place to sketch people.  There are often some waiting in line, waiting for coffee, standing with their beverage, or sitting around the tables.  All of these situations are relatively still, offering a few minutes to get down those poses.  I like to get all my drawing finished before adding watercolor, but this is not always the case.  This week is the #oneweek100people2018 challenge, which means each artists renders 100 people however they wish.  Yesterday, I used pen and ink, today I'm using India ink and watercolor.  I did this challenge last year, too - and I can see the improvement in my figures.  Not only is my speed better, but their shapes are more life like.  I should probably do this challenge monthly to nail those quick pose skills!  Painting number 1875 in 1875 days.

Roasterie Roaster

What a fun urban sketching event!  This morning we all met at the Roasterie in 27th Street for our monthly sketch crawl.  SO much to paint!  The cafe, the bakery, the cupping room, and this big, beautiful roasters - wow, what a treat!  I could have stayed all day to capture all the wonderful equipment and bustle!  Painting number 1840 in 1840 days.

Coffee & Red Umbrellas

Coffee & Red Umbrellas
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Today, I feel like I have turned a corner on the small street scene paintings.  After struggling with these compositions, this one came together more naturally.  For one thing, I squinted way down to see the masses, and blocked them in by chunks.  I had been blocking in each person as they entered the composition, and this was not at all fluid.  I also used my palette knife (Princeton catalyst) to add some interesting texture.  I have not picked up a real palette knife since I first used a catalyst.  They have completely taken over the knife work for me.  I hope the next cafe scene flows even more smoothly!  This painting makes 1177 in 1177 days :)

Guarding Her Filly

Guarding Her Filly
Instant Coffee on paper, 12x9
Jeek's Farm, Augusta, Missouri

I have sketched this in charcoal and painted it in oils this last month, but THIS time - I have painted with instant coffee!  That's right, I said coffee!  Folgers is the best brand, and it leaves a wonderful glossy look where the "paint" is the heaviest.  A couple of years ago, this was something we tried in a monthly Tri-County meeting for our workshop.  Finding my supplies for this - I remembered how I loved the rich, warm color these leaves on the paper!  It makes me want to paint more subject matter with it!  It flows onto the paper beautifully, and has such an antique feel to it.  I can just see cowboys on their horses painted in such a medium.  It is important to use Folgers brand instant coffee, because I am told that the others do not have the same color and gloss.  You simply mix a little coffee with water, and start painting.  So fun!  This is painting number 199 in 199 days :)

Coffeepot Peonies

Coffeepot Peonies
Oil on panel, 9x12

Today was such a beautiful day to be outside!  I opened all the windows - letting the warm spring air flow through.  After the big snow just days ago, this is certainly a welcome change!  It is spring break, and the house was full of kids, their friends, and grandchildren - so no plein air painting for me today.  I wouldn't dare leave them to run amuck while working out in the pasture.  So, here I brought in this antique enamelware pot and set up a still life.  Good thing, too, as I started and stopped this painting about a million times today!  I have yet to take friends home, and drop off children - so I must hurry with this post.  This is painting number 84 in 84 days, and I think the next few will need to be quite small to get them done in the busy week ahead :)