12 6th Street

 I have a fondness for old homes full of character and charm, and this place was a joy to paint!  As I scouted the area, I really wanted to include the garden and tree house, so I went back to my car for a longer paper.  I first start my line work with De Atramentis Archive Ink in a favorite TWSBI Diamond fountain pen with an extra fine nib.  I then start in with a broad nib and Levenger's Raven Black ink.  This second ink will move with a little water in a brush pen while the first stays put. As I bring the drawing to completion, I go back in where needed with more ink.  I love the way a fountain pen nib drops a line of ink, and the feel of the nib on the handmade paper.  I guess I really am a fountain pen nerd! Painting number 3156 in 3156 days, and day 7 of the current #stradaeasel challenge. 

Fairy House

Fairy House
Oil on glass, 9x12
print available here

Today I have tried something completely new - painting on glass!  I was brought an old 6 pane window to paint, each panel a part of a larger scene.  I drew out my sketch, keeping in mind the big picture, and started laying down paint.  It wouldn't stick!  It slid all around giving me a buttery mess.  I hadn't even thought about applying gesso first, but it was the only option I had.  So, I wiped the painting completely off, so I could prime the glass with gesso. It was so much easier to apply the paint.  There is no texture to work with, but at least the gessoed surface will pull the paint off my brush.  This subject matter is completely new as well!  I can't just go out in the field and paint this scene from life, thus my imagination has full reign now.  Once I get all 6 completed, I will probably need to adjust them, "marrying" the colors just a bit.  As the paint dries a bit, I will also go in and add a few strokes to define the faces better...or I may just leave them loose.  I'll cross that bridge when I get there!  Painting number 387 in 387 days and day 22 in the 30 day painting challenge.  It is harder to just pull this stuff out of my head!