Floral Time Lines

Practicing line drawing with another quick timed sketch and watercolor, using a Tombow 977 and extra palette "mud" (leftover paint washes), in my Canson sketchbook. Less than five minutes, start to finish.  I really like how it turned out.  It's fun to just be loose and play.

Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind. Nathaniel Hawthorne

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La vie en rose

Inspiration from a Lila Rose hang tag -- I liked the abstract line drawing of a rose and tried it two ways...scratching out while still wet with the end of my paintbrush  and then direct painting/drawing (with the brush!) and filling in the spaces.  I like both!   Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal

30 Paintings in 30 Days & Sunday Funday

"Roll with it" Rerolled bag of kolaches, two watercolor sketches in one. The dangers of painting and sketching at the kitchen table on a Sunday afternoon and the same time fending off the hands and the Q & A "Is this the bag of kolaches?"

I also tried Angela Fehr's idea of "Palette Mud" - using the leftover colors in my palette from a previous painting for the shading/values.

And I put a new Art Graf water-soluble Carbon Intense Black disc ($2.89 from the Hobby Lobby clearance section) through its paces to sketch and practice line/contour drawing a la Charles Reid.  

I thought it was fun (and the kolaches were delicious!)

Update 1-23-17 - The other sketchbook paintings from yesterday...much easier to photograph in the morning sun than indoor lighting.

House of Pies Chocolate Cream pie!

Practicing painting people!
And I enjoyed a delicious Caramel Macchiato!

Life's a hoot!

Playing around with two different papers - my first time using Fabriano Hot Press 140 pound, 25% cotton - and then using a sheet of Strathmore Cold Press 140 pound 300 Series (Better).  Personally, I have created nice paintings using the Series 300.  Most of the time I will use Arches, but I get good results from Strathmore, especially when experimenting.

I found the water and paint sat atop the hot press paper, not quite like Yupo but similar.  I thought the colors were more vibrant and also "bloomed" and blended nicely.  In both paintings I was trying to drop in more wet paint and having them mix on the paper.  I liked the results!  Surprisingly the effect was more "watercolor-y" and elicited a lot of thumbs' up from friends and family.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to road test my new purple paints in the background -- Qor Dioxazine Purple, Winsor & Newton Cobalt Violet, Daniel Smith Carbazole Violet and American Journey Raw Umber Violet.

I think both of these folk art owls seem to be reminiscent of Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos sugar skulls, too!

Three Free

I thought the Naples and the Charcoal made an interesting combination.

The other day I received in the mail three (free) tubes of Grumbacher watercolors - Charcoal Gray A042, Naples Yellow Hue A146 and Vermilion Hue A224 in the 7.5 ml size.  They retail for $4.95 each.

Charcoal Grey - Charcoal Grey is a dark neutral gray made, from carbon. This color has excellent tinting strength and is perfect for the grisaille technique.
Pigment Info   PBk6
Lightfastness Excellent
Non-Staining
Temperature Cool

Naples Yellow Hue - Naples Yellow Hue is a lightfast Light Yellow with a Red undertone. It is similar to a Cadmium Yellow Light, but with a muted chroma. Originally made with a toxic lead pigment that is no longer available, Grumbacher's safe version duplicates the masstone, undertones and mixing qualities of the original in every way. Traditionally used in landscape where a receding yellow is required. Also incorporated in flesh tones.
Segment Info  PY3/PBr7/PR178/PW6
Lightfastness Very Good
Non-Staining
Temperature Warm

Vermillion Hue - Vermillion Hue is a bright mid-range red that has a masstone and undertones identical to the obsolete and toxic mercury based Vermillion of the past. This red has infinite uses in painting.
Pigment Info   PY65/PR188
Lightfastness Very Good
Staining
Temperature Warm

While technically these are student artist grade watercolors, Grumbacher has a reputation for excellent quality and I had fun playing with them.  It's an affordable way to try and add different hues. They will make a great addition to my multi-media and journaling/sketchbook palette.

World Watercolor Month - Day 3

"Lunar Moonflower"

This turned out differently than I expected, but I like it!  Opening moonflower bloom surrounded by Daniel Smith Lunar Black, with the crazy granulation.
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Sketchy

This is the watercolor sketchbook I've been using for the World Watercolor Month this year.

I found it at Tuesday Morning as part of a zip-around sketchbook and brush portfolio.
Alas, this Daler-Rowney Classic Watercolour Wirebound Sketchbook seems to have been discontinued.  (Probably why it was at Tuesday Morning) It's difficult to find a 140 pound watercolor paper in a sketchbook format, and in this 10" x 7" size.  Hopefully they will bring it back or maybe there is a newer version available.  If you find something similar, post a comment!

#worldwatercolormonth

Sunday Sketching - New toys!

What is a field trip without stopping to get souvenirs?  Several of us from WAS-H (Watercolor Art Society Houston) visited local Houston galleries to see current exhibitions, and then to meet for lunch afterwards.  We finished our list early, several were closed probably being a Friday in the summer -- good idea to call ahead and see if they are open -- and we were very close to Art Supply on Main.  It's all good and well to use coupons at Michaels and Hobby Lobby, but even better to support local independent businesses.  You can often find better deals and better depth of products and services - and people who are artists.  Even those shopping in the store aisles beside you.

Anyways, I was able to find several "souvenirs" to play and review in my sketchbook. . .

First up - Derwent ArtBar watercolor crayons
I bought Baby Blue (A29), Gooseberry (A13) and Cool Gray (A45)

A bit disappointed in the Gooseberry, I thought it would be more vibrant like the Baby Blue and Cool Gray, which I just loved.

It also was more fragile, breaking apart into three pieces.  Due to the color?  I didn't drop it and it didn't feel broken when I selected it.

Three times a crayon...?!

All colors blended beautifully when used with a wet brush.  I also liked the effect directly adding color into wet paper.  A brush would further dissolve the pigment, but I thought it looked neat.

The triangle shape with three flat sides and three points was also versatile in laying swaths of color and fine sketching detail.  I am a little unsure of its physical strength with the Gooseberry literally falling apart as I held and used it.

I thought these blended better than the Caran d'Ache watercolor crayons I've previously tried.  Art Supply on Main sells these individually, not as a set.  Pick up a few and try them out.

The blue and the gray will be popped into my mobile sketch bag kit.  Color me impressed with those colors.

Neocolor II Water-soluble Metallic Rose

Someone gave me very good advice when presented with a wide variety of colors - choose what your eye goes to first, or go with primary colors to mix.  This pretty purple pink caught my eye immediately.   And metallic, how fun would that be to play with?

Turns out a wise choice on two parts.   The crayon easily put down a generous amount of color and you can see a definite metallic sheen (hard to capture in the photograph)

It dissolved and blended well from dry paper to wet paper.

I'm thinking of  picking up a few more of these in different colors for accents and special effects, particularly on toned paper.  The metallic shimmer is subtle, not gaudy.

Art Supply sells these individually also - grab a handful of the ones which appeal to you.

Thank you Pinterest! (Enabler)

I saw this Daniel Smith color on Pinterest, Duochrome Green Pearl - painted over white and black paper - gorgeous!!  Art Supply had it.

How beautiful is this?!

Can't wait to try this on toned or black paper either!

Like Tailor's Chalk for artists only in graphite!
(And a yummy chocolate color!)

Oh I loved this ArtGraf Viarco water soluble graphite in Sepia in a square format!  So versatile.  I had seen the set of 6 earth tone colors on Amazon but heard the box it came in wasn't that great.  I thought I would try one, with its own individual case.   I love the color, I love how you can use it wet or dry, adding water afterwards or before, and using directly from the block with a wet paintbrush.  This is also going into my grab & go sketching bag.  I may also go and grab some additional colors. 

I had played with this version in class a few months ago and immediately bought on Amazon, but didn't have a chance to play at home until this weekend. . .

This was all one swipe from the tin!

I loved the intensity and the granulation from this graphite tin.   As you can tell, a little goes a long, long, long way.  You can even mix it with water using the inside of the cap.  

I do a lot of traveling, particularly flying as of late, and admit I am little cautious carrying semi-solids/liquid paints/pigments in a palette.  I like these solid forms of graphite for portability, creative innovation and great colors.

One of my watercolor instructors said she always likes to look for and use browns and turquoises in pens and paints.  They can add a richness and yet an understatedness to make your artwork sing.

Sunday Sketching - Package

Just a quick sketch I did of a kangaroo on a package I was mailing of Australian goodies to a friend.  I like decorating and sometimes even telling a story or writing a letter on the outside of my boxes.   I used a black Schneider Xpress 0.8 mm pen

Sunday Sketchbook - Wheeee-l!

I have been going to Open Studios each week, and we have been watching Ken Hosmer's DVD series, with the opportunity to learn new techniques, experiment, paint, discuss and have a great time.
This week we began his "More Dynamic Color" and we saw how he set up his color wheel and the colors he uses.  Most of us had most of the colors he used, if not, there was a substitute chart and we could complete a close-enough one.  Of course, any excuse is a good excuse to go paint shopping. . .

I wanted to set up a separate, more limited than my class palette to experiment with his unique combinations.

It was difficult to find a palette in the store, which had wells for 13 with room for  3 smaller ones/areas.  And in a circle so it would make it easier for me to understand and play along with different color exercises.
So I made my own!

I found these storage cubes at Hobby Lobby for $1.99.  Good thing I got two packages, for I thought/assumed each box had its own lid.  No, only two at the top of each stack.  But you know, the stack would also be a cool way to carry a limited palette of paint vertically, too. . .  Yes, very good indeed I bought extra.

10 containers - 2 lids
I just saw storage boxes and assumed they each had lids

Then I dug around the upper shelves in my kitchen for a Dollar Tree Christmas plate, I had bought a few several years ago to take treats to parties and not have to worry about losing my good stuff.  Funny, but every one always returned these along with a compliment for such a pretty and must be a good plate!  The "gold" trim and paint really stayed nice, go figure.
Bonus this plate has a recessed white center for mixing.

I hot glue-gunned (low melt) the boxes and three of the lids on the plate.  

Love my Brother PTouch label maker!

For some reason I put Winsor Green paint in the Winsor Blue (Green) box.  No biggie, I pulled off the boxes to switch (and they removed easily) and I reglued them. 

Looking good here!
I probably need to add more yellow to the Yellow-Orange Mix and Yellow-Green Mix
It was pretty dominated by the red and the green when I was mixing them.

My version of Ken Hosmer's color wheel palette!   He does use pretty colors, doesn't he?  It will be easier for me to visualize and use the paints for the different color exercises instead of spinning my main palette around or trying to make room on it with dabs of the other colors I haven't used before.   I bought the Permanent Magenta at Hobby Lobby and just love it.

I've had eye-opening fun so far just playing around after watching the DVD, putting combinations together I never would have before, just by seeing and working with a (more) limited palette and putting the color wheel to good use.  I will post those exercises and experiments separately.

But in the meantime, I'm really happy with my color wheel plate!  Using and playing with new colors and combinations is a real treat...and calorie free!

Sunday Sketching - The Value of Pathfinding...finding my way

I have been attending a weekly open studio workshop, wherein we are currently watching Ken Hosmer's Famous Ink Sketch DVD and learning how to do three value pathfinding sketches using a Tombow N15 pen, a brush and water.  And practice using the techniques demonstrated, and learned.

This was my first attempt of an adobe house on Bristol Smooth paper, using a print from the photo he used in the DVD. Just like with handwriting, all of ours looked different, depending upon artistic style and yes, skills.  I was in great and talented company.

You can see where I tried to start the pathway in the lower left corner and exit on the upper right side

Second try in my watercolor paper sketchbook.

Watercolor sketchbook
I liked how the black ink turned into additional colors, too

Then I practiced over the weekend with a daffodil at home - Bristol Smooth paper

We hadn't seen the flower section of the DVD yet...

Just add water!

On Friday we watched the flower and the animal section of the DVD. . .wherein Ken demonstrated "suggesting" the lines and not outlining completely.   Oh, OK.  That makes sense.  I still liked my daffodil, though.  Also seeing him work again with the Tombow pen helped.

His technique was beginning to sink in, and I was starting to understand in this hodgepodge of plumeria blooms.

Plumeria

Using Bristol Board.  Had to wrap my brain around seeing all the middle values in the photograph and translating to the value sketch.  Which I corrected with the blooms by making them darker, and made it really pop.

(Disregard the leaves, for at that point, I wanted to try another photograph - of a pansy.)

Pansy

I thought would be less complicated.  

Need to practice and work on "suggesting and simplifying, " and being a creator not a recorder in composition -- but I'm making progress.  I tried to use more lost and found edges. 

I did the pansy in my watercolor paper sketchbook.  It really does bring out the colors of the Tombow N15 black ink more so than the Bristol Smooth.

I am certainly beginning to understand and to see the value of doing value sketches to improve the look and feel of potential watercolor painting projects, before starting to paint.  Seeing and learning to link the shapes of darks and lights values, along with creative cropping, helps in the composition of a painting.   Ken ascertains that ink sketches are easier to paint from than a photograph and it is easier to choose your colors.   I am definitely starting to see that way.  

Pumpkin Paint Play

Working on my shadow play.  Qor paint palette and my Visual Journal Watercolor 90 lb. sketchbook.
I like the pumpkin in the first one, but not so much the shadow.  The colors don't look that blue in reality.
The second was done wet in wet.  I like the colors, how they softened and ran together.
When I started the third, I skipped the drawing and just painted directly onto the sketchbook page.  I like how cream/white part of the pumpkin popped and the color of the shadow.
One pumpkin, three different painting perspectives and results.  A nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.

What Does It Madder?

Oops!  Correction:  Rose Madder is Non-Staining

Permanent Rose versus Rose Madder --

One of the first colors suggested by my watercolor instructor was to get Permanent Rose.  Somehow along the way I read a book/a suggestion and picked up a tube of Rose Madder.

Permanent Rose is cool, semi-transparent and staining.
Rose Madder is cool, transparent and non-staining (I corrected my sketch after photographing)

I was using them interchangably, as when I set my palette down, they are on the opposite side so I see the colors grouped together but not the labels I put on the side.  Finally my instructor said, "Take out that Rose Madder!"

Though first,  a side-by-side comparison for a visual lesson opportunity.

Not much difference at first glance, right?  Though the Rose Madder did seem to lay down paint in a pretty way.

But Rose Madder is considered a "fugitive" color and Permanent Rose was developed to replace it, hence the Permanent in the name.

However, I thought this was an interesting comment from Jeanne Dobie -  

Winsor Newton Rose Madder Genuine: The closest alternative color is Winsor Newton Permanent Rose. However, the two pigments have different qualities. Rose Madder Genuine is very transparent and identified by Winsor Newton as an unique pigment used for luminous light effects that cannot be obtained by any other pigment. Rose Madder Genuine is a favorite color among artists who desire glowing flowers, delicate portraits, glazing, and atmospheric effects, etc. Although not listed as permanent, Rose Madder Genuine can remain durable IF your painting is framed properly with UV protected glass and not placed near a window or in direct sunlight (applicable to all watercolors).

Winsor Newton Permanent Rose, slightly bluer in color, is a staining pigment and thus, creates a permanent color stain on your paper. Although a staining pigment is resistant to fading, be aware that it may not result in capturing a luminous effect, if that is your goal as a watercolor artist.

I also found a nice link for additional watercolor tips and paint information - Ken Bromley Art Supplies 

Little tidbits here and there help feed the creative appetite.

Sunday Sketching and Gardening Adventures - Morning Glory and Red Hatch Chile Pepper

Volunteer Morning Glory
6 1/2" x 5"
watercolor

Red Hatch Pepper
2 1/2 x 3 1/2"
watercolor

Sunday sketchbook sketching and painting.  Did you know that Hatch peppers will turn red?  I didn't.   Haven't tried it yet.  I'm still trying to get more experience and get over my fear of adding shadows.  I'm happy with the highlights, though.

We planted moonflowers in the backyard and were growing them over a trellis.   And evidently purple morning glories!  They appeared about a week ago and are giving the moonflowers a run for the money/trellis.

Morning glory versus moonflowers

In the pink. . .

Strathmore Visual Journal - 90# cold press watercolor paper

Just playing around on a Sunday morning with a pink lily and 15 minutes waiting for everyone to get ready. . .

I can't wait until my watercoloring classes begin!

Sunday Sketching - Lalique Art Nouveau Hair Comb

I love Art Nouveau and found this beautiful gold, enamel, sapphire and horn hair comb by René Lalique from the Art Nouveau Jewelry Show at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston website.  The Fibonacci spiral design, which also rings my bells, is bonus!