Month: March 2019

Not-Technically-Urban-Sketching 3/31/2019

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , Leave a comment

I spent a little time Saturday in Norfolk, VA kind of urban sketching. I recently purchased a book by Marc Holmes called The Urban Sketcher, which gives a brief history of the recent urban sketching trend, and he says that technically, urban sketching means COMPLETING the artwork on location, sketch, color, and finishing touches. I did not do the whole thing… I sketched, but then painted at home, even though I brought my paints with me! I had prepped a really lightweight, slim, TEENSY paint set. Something fun about mini paint sets! The container weighs really nothing, so I’d wanted to try it out. I used empty makeup pans in a credit card case…

I sketched on location, but in the end I painted at home. (Urban Sketch 101 fail) AND wasn’t terribly happy with anything. Here it is anyway, because I want you to see how much I improve over time 🙂

IMG_7854

IMG_7856

IMG_7828IMG_7857

Nothing dynamic about ANY of it, although I did try one or two little things I was happy with. I felt awkward and uncomfortable, and didn’t draw well at all.  I had learned, though, even planning to paint, I needed VERY little with me, as opposed to several outings ago, when I brought way too much stuff. So that’s something. I didn’t even use a pencil (oh, maybe that’s why I was awkward, now that I think about it.) Just drew in ink, then added color.

I keep missing our local sketching events, so I was really happy with myself for just getting out and doing it. I’m trying to get out at least once a week to sketch something, and I’ll definitely head back out to Norfolk again.

Acrylic poppies 3/29/19

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , Leave a comment

So yesterday I posted this one, watercolor poppies:

IMG_7797

Today I got a Sketchbox subscription box in the mail. Sometimes I put these aside for a bit… I almost never use the whole thing at once. All of the art subscription boxes suggest we try to make something using all the supplies. (Always seems like WORK…??) So today I thought, “hey I’ll try using all the supplies!” To be honest, Sketchbox makes it easier, by providing paper (or in this case, a little canvas board) so there’s no excuse not to at least TRY. This month was acrylic paint… yay! So I decided to go ahead and try to redo my poppies in acrylic.

IMG_7805

Okay, not as good. But not horrible. A few more intelligently placed layers and I could have something. I do not feel capable of any more intelligently placed layers yet, though. I already cheated a tiny bit by adding some blue paint I had here, because I couldn’t get anything for the background but a muddy mess with the colors they provided. But I’m happy to say I did use ALL the supplies they sent me. Ta-daa!!

Poppies! and other pretty watercolor stuff 3/29/19

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , 1 Comment

I keep coming back to this “type” of sketch… obviously my favorite, what I think I do best, and most comfortable to me. I will be taking a watercolor class in April to try to strengthen my ability to do looser paintings, without ink or pencil, but I imagine this type is actually “me”.

IMG_7797

A. Gallo watercolor, Fabriano 100% cotton paper 140 lb, uniball deluxe micro pen

I love these poppies! I’d frame them, but this is actually for a watercolor swap, so I’ll have to do another for myself! My partner is new to watercolor, and I wanted to show her several different ways of painting. So I also did this leaf on a notecard for her, painted directly:

IMG_7800

and this little notecard (I used some stickers for inspiration!):

IMG_7802

None of these required pencil sketches first, they are all pretty basic.

Which do you like the best?

A little (sub)-urban-ish sketching 3/22/19

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Some adorable homes in Chesapeake… ok, prettier in person. I parked my car and totally creeped on these nice neighbors, just sketching away. Then painted it at home. Does that count as urban sketching? I have so far to go.

IMG_7573

IMG_7594

IMG_7595

I REALLY did not capture the character of this line of homes. 😦

 

Spring Tulip 3/20/19, and da Vinci Quill Brushes

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments

This is direct watercolor using A. Gallo watercolor paint on Arches 100% cotton cold press paper (in the book I made in a previous post), using one of my new favorite brushes, the da Vinci Casaneo Quill Brush, size 2. (This is an Amazon affiliate link, and I get rewarded (a little!) if you purchase through this link, without it costing you more… but shop around! I haven’t checked prices on these elsewhere recently. It is $29 right now, but I only paid $21 a few weeks ago… maybe try to wait out a price decrease?)

 

Quill brushes are sized differently than round brushes (though both are round!) and a 2 quill is maybe like a 6 or 7 round brush. A pretty convenient size. The brush is soft, keeps a beautiful thin tip, holds a ton of water, and this one snaps back nicely. It is actually made from synthetic fibers, and I was surprised by the water it holds. … the brush head itself isn’t as long as I thought it would be. I wonder if that explains the snap back that it has? So far i have enjoyed it immensely, and love the size 0 I got just as much.

This afternoon, I was reading this blog post by a friend of mine, Chandra, from Swap-bot, … She takes beautiful photographs, and always has such thoughtful things to share. I was inspired to try painting one of her tulips tonight. Ok, it turned into something very different, but it’s all good practice! If it looks unfinished to you… that’s because I don’t really know what I’m doing yet. I’m more comfortable sketching in ink, and filling in.

Happy first day of Spring! Go paint a tulip or something anyway!

🙂

IMG_7516

3/19/19 More transparent watercolor petals…

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , 2 Comments

In honor of the first day of spring, coming up quickly, FLOWERS!

Lots of people on youtube show techniques for painting delicate, transparent watercolor flower petals. The first time I ever tried this technique was following a Jay Lee tutorial on youtube. I’ve found several since then… Here is Emma Lefebvre’s video “Layered Watercolor Flowers”

This is the one I was watching a few days ago. I watched it again tonight, and made this little page of practice blossoms.

IMG_7507

Use lots of water. and let each layer dry before applying the next.

With practice I know I can get better at this. It’s pretty relaxing, too. 🙂

3/18/19 “pressed” flowers

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , 7 Comments

Okay, actually Watercolor Flowers, but if you have ever pressed flowers, they may remind you of pressed flowers. The petals become thin and delicate like that… of course, I followed a youtube video to do these flowers!!

IMG_7490

Happy St Patrick’s Day! 3/17/19

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , Leave a comment

A. Gallo and Daniel Smith watercolor, moleskin watercolor journal… sketch idea from this“Drawing Wiff Waffles” Youtube Video… well, I borrowed the basic figure pose from the idea she discarded…

IMG_7484

You can’t see it here, but the purple is DS Amethyst Genuine, and has actual amethyst sparkles in it. Pretty! Maybe I’ll add a streak or two of sparkly copper to her hair as well. I think she’s dancing.

First page for my handmade watercolor journal (3/16/19)

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , 4 Comments

I just copied the design on the cover. 🙂 A.Gallo’s watercolor “Morellone” came in very handy. (I use A. Gallo paints for the whole thing… but particularly that color, a nice thick deep PR101.)

IMG_7480

IMG_7477

A little shimmery copper color here and there:

IMG_7478

My binding job looks worse and worse to me. But… I still love it. 🙂

You can see the original post HERE, showing how I made the journal.