… line drawings because I haven’t added watercolor yet 🙂
A week in line drawings
Category: Uncategorized
(Almost) a week of drawing my days…
Previously posted:
(I think this sketch of Clara might be my favorite)
Yeah, that’s me, kinda, because for some reason I didn’t draw on Wednesday, then by Friday couldn’t remember doing ANYTHING. I think maybe we went for a movie?? :
Oh, that orange scone. I think I predict another trip to Panera… :
(working in a Stillman & Birn Beta Softcover Sketchbook, Heavyweight 180lb, Cold-Press, White, 28 Sheets – 5.5×8.5Â
I’m very pleased with this book. The pages lay flat when the book is open, and they don’t curl a lot. The paint dries very quickly on them, though. They aren’t 100% cotton. But works well for this project.
Using a variety of watercolors… a combination of Daniel Smith, Schmincke, M Graham, EEM, Holbein, and QoR.
And my favorite brushes, Winsor & newton Series 7 kolinsky sable. sizes 6 and 4. These really are AMAZING brushes. I have lots of less expensive brushes which I never use. I can only find a small one OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive on Amazon, so I’m not linking it. Wait for sale prices at Jerry’s, Jacksons, Cheap Joes, Wet Paint, etc! )
Rose bookmark
Sunday and Monday’s journal: how do you paint a black dog?
Sunday we went to Colonial Williamsburg for a short time, and I thought the entrance to this basement bookstore would be fun to try. I love Mermaid Books… it is nicely crammed with lots of “vintage” books. (My favorite kind!)Â And, it is hidden away in a basement!
Today I went in to work for some interviews, and paperwork I had to get done. That didn’t sound fun to draw, so I drew Clara, my one year old newfoundland “puppy”. (At 120 pounds, it’s hard to think of her as a puppy!) She is solid black and in photos is often just a black blob with pretty eyes.
(How do YOU do black animals? Any tips to share?)
Quick Watercolor Studies
Using Schmincke and Daniel Smith watercolors, I did these very quick studies following a little book called 10-Minute Watercolours   (these particular sketches only took 1-3 minutes each) This is a tiny book (3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″) which claims to offer “inspirational advice to help you paint quick and spontaneous watercolors of people, landscapes, seascapes, buildings, animals, flowers, and still life.” Also says “Think you have no time to paint? See what you can achieve in just 10 minutes!” An admirable challenge. If I were completely new to the medium I may find it more helpful, (or once I actually READ THROUGH IT), but right now it is a great resource for ideas for me to copy and practice while learning and developing techniques, and I really do appreciate the idea that I shouldn’t use a time constraint as an excuse not to paint.
Heliotrope, pelargonium, a strawberry (duh), and lavender sprigs.
This one is my favorite, although it doesn’t look the one in the book. Schmincke’s Perylene Violet is amazing in purple or even green mixes. I used it in both the petals and the leaves here.
If you purchase the book through the above link on Amazon, I receive a few cents compensation and it doesn’t cost you any more…if you are an experienced painter, this may not be the book for you. I bought it thinking I’d include it in a little watercolor kit I’m giving someone for Christmas, and I may still, but actually it may be a little too MUCH information for that. I don’t want to overwhelm her. Plus… I’m suddenly enjoying it myself… maybe after I finish with it!
Do you have any favorite watercolor books? Let us know in the comments!!
Urban Sketching in Hampton Roads
I joined the Hampton Roads Urban Sketching Club for a fun morning of… yeah, you guessed… urban sketching. 🙂 We met in the shopping strip of historic Hilton Village… my husband grew up in that neighborhood and I have hoards of fond memories of the place, so it was really nice for me to be there. It was great meeting other people who want to draw bits of their daily lives, and share creative ideas with each other. Our next “meeting” will be the first Saturday in November (if anyone is local and wants to join us?? Painting, and pumpkin bread… what could be nicer than that?)
The neighborhood itself is over a hundred years old, and full of history, and interesting homes. And cats. Lots of cats. We had planned to meet at Indulge, a little bakery and cafe there on Warwick Blvd, but their power was still out … one of Hurricane Michael’s residual effects! The owner (I assume?), however, brought us out huge, moist slices of pumpkin bread and banana bread, which was so thoughtful of her! AND made us loyal fans forever. It was a small kindness that we will all remember!
I hope the other artists aren’t going to mind me sharing some of their work:
I loved being allowed to take a peek at some of their art, and swap A.S.A. (art-supply-addiction) tales, and seeing all of our different techniques! Art is really for the artist. It is nice when others enjoy it, really nice, but the creation of it soothes the artist’s soul. I think that is the purpose of it. Between the perfect weather, the quaint area, and the lovely companions, this outing was a WIN.
I meant to bring some new watercolor boards I had purchased just for this event, but forgot them, so took the opportunity to make today’s entry in my daily journal. I’m glad, now, that I forgot the boards.
I think I have one of the ladies’ names wrong. Consider it a typo! 🙂
To catch you up, here are my other journal entries. I have completed an ink, or ink and watercolor, page each day in October…
This journal is turning out to be so much fun! The size is great, too. I’m looking forward to being able to look back and see a journey of improvement! And also remember a little about each day.
So… what did you do today?
Inktober days 4-9 (daily journal)
Embarrassingly… I’ve done SIX JOURNAL ENTRIES since my last post. (????) I am halfway participating in the big Inktober challenge. I’m not following the suggested prompts, but I AM trying to practice with ink every single day in October. It’s really more of a journal challenge for me.
These days were painted in with QoR watercolors. To be honest, they worked fine, but I enjoyed using the EEM handmade paints (Eventually, Everything Mixes) better, from the previous week’s pages. Except QoR’s sap green which is QUITE lovely. Seriously. I like it. Might just be out of practice with QoR? Or maybe… I haven’t used them in so long, I simply like the other brands better now. (Daniel Smith, Schmincke, M Graham, EEM) Mostly, I am addicted to THEM ALL.
MI did the sketch on the left Saturday. I hated it, and tried the one on the right from the same photo on Monday… much improved! The second one isn’t quite right either but significantly closer. I didn’t want to post the first one but then I thought, sometimes it is nice to see other people’s messed up attempts!! Suggestions for improving my sketches of people, please???
Still drawing my days :) 9/30-10/3
Here are the next 4 days of my drawing journal…
It’s really fun. I highly recommend this if you are ever stumped about what to draw, or just want something pressure-free.
I used my EEM (Eventually, Everything Mixes) watercolor paints for these. I’ve learned one thing about myself recently. Whichever paint set is most easily accessible is my favorite to paint with!!!
These paints are moist and rewet like a dream. She fills the pans super full and has some interesting color combinations.
Drawing My Days
I found this book, Draw Your Day , by Samantha Dion Baker, a couple of days ago, and I simply love it!
It’s what I’ve been doing a little on my own, but she has me looking at it in a new way. This book is light, easy to read, has a lot of pointers for (in my opinion) both a new artist and an experienced one. Basically, she simply tells her theory on journaling, why she does it, how, and what she uses. She also makes some really helpful observations about making mistakes. Things we all know inherently but need to hear repeatedly.
Some people may find it too basic, but honestly, it was worth the money ($11) to me just to be able to flip through some of her journal drawings. I love that she includes notations about the weather, and food she ate.
My style is similar to hers, and I love drawing mundane every day items. She helped me to see that drawing simple anythings or nothings has value as much as creating something special to sell or exhibit. I loved the idea I found two months ago about drawing a doodle each day about the day in my calendar, but this is even better. I’m excited to start journaling my days without feeling like I need to write things out, unless I want to. I am not committing to doing this every single day, and won’t let myself feel GUILTY when I don’t, but it is relaxing, it is great practice, and I plan to try as many evenings as realistically possible. Here is what I’ve done so far:
I’ve included the Amazon link to the book (at the top of this post). There’s a journal as well (workbook) that she offers, but I’m using the Stillman & Birn 5×8 mixed media book… the pages are thick and luscious. I use the smaller ones and really like them. Plus…  (the real reason!!) I already had it. 🙂 If you purchase either through these links, I’ll get a few cents, and it doesn’t cost you any more… these are the best prices I could find right now… however, don’t be afraid to look around for better prices! I’d love to see some drawings, if anyone tries drawing their day? Have you looked at this book? What did you think?
People studies. (While waiting for my car to be inspected.)
In a very small travel journal.
ThreeSixFiveArt 