Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Mr. Puddleduck


Pencil Crayon

Mr. Puddleduck will become my planner page for next week.  Photo from Paint My Photo.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Baby Shoes with Grisaille


Watercolor with Ink Washes

I've drawn my baby shoes before, but I thought they would make an interesting grisaille subject because they are white.

I broke out my new hardcover Strathmore 140lb watercolor journal for this.  A big step; I must keep repeating "This journal is not precious.  This journal is not precious."  You'd think being an accountant that I might understand the concept of "sunk cost" a little more than I do.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Hannah Hinchman Inspires


I mentioned Hannah Hinchman in my post yesterday.  For those who are curious about her journaling style, these pages were inspired by her.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Grisaille in the Back Yard


Watercolour with Ink Washes

I finished another drawing done for Steven Reddy's class using the grisaille technique.  I drew this in my back yard where I sit on sunny, summer days enjoying a cup of tea and a good book.  

Right now I'm revisiting a favorite Hannah Hinchman publication:  A Trail Through Leaves - The Journal as a Path to Place.  I must admit, my sketchbook/journal is trying to look like hers right now.  I'm a hopeless mimic.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Working on Toned Paper


Pencil Crayon

I've been thinking more about the various ways of rendering values since my study of grisaille this past week. With colored paper, one way to do this is to let the paper tone stand in for the middle value.  The next pages in my journal were these creamy ones, so I chose these wooden items for my planner page next week.

There is just no end to the variations available with drawing!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Learning Grisaille


I just finished a new online class, Dynamic Detail in Pen, Ink & Watercolor  Steven Reddy is a wonderful teacher, and the Craftsy platform is great.

The class teaches contour drawing, and creating depth with grisaille, a grey ink wash.  Watercolors and finishing touches are then added to the drawing.

Here are the various stages of my drawing, so you can see how easy it is:


Contour Drawing



Three Grisaille Layers


Watercolor Glaze


Finishing Touches

Needless to say there are all kinds of new ideas and questions rattling around in this brain of mine:

  • Size:  I worked larger than I usually do - do I like this?
  • Paper:  Do I need another journal? (LOL)
  • How can I apply this ancient technique to other media, like pencil crayons?
Stay tuned!


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Ah, Wisdom

Pitt Brush and Uni-Ball Vision Pens

Easier said than done!

Sunday, June 7, 2015

More Free Collage Paper


I finally got around to putting the final layers on the blue collage paper.  Again, feel free to download it and use it in your art work.

And for those who only want the first or second layer:


Layer Two


Layer One



Wednesday, June 3, 2015

June Challenge



I was drawing each day in May, with the Every Day in May challenge.  This month I'm going to be concentrating on lettering.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Paper Quilt Blocks



Inspiration comes from many different places.  When I listened to an interview with a quilter, I was inspired to make another couple of paper quilt blocks.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Every Day in May - a Birdhouse


We have a wonderful birdhouse in our backyard made by an artist from one of the lovely Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia.  I was happy to draw it for the Every Day in May challenge.