As a general rule, I avoid people.

Sketching them, that is! Especially out in public where you usually find people. LOLAM! (Laughing Out Loud At Myself!) I'll sketch a tree, a door, a window, a building, plants, even a dog, but a person? No, thank you! I think about sketching people. I even go so far as to sketch them in my head.....so what happened that was different this time?

This gal had a thing for her hair–it was very much a part of her identity. It was also quite breezy and she kept flicking it out of her face as she was trying to eat her lunch. The dark shades helped because I didn't have to try the whole face. I caught a decent "impression" of her in just a couple of minutes, but it's not an actual portrait. She was much prettier and with a lot of personality that I didn't capture correctly, but I managed (finally!) to sketch a person in public that looks like the individual!! Woohoo!

Okay, who's next?!!

Working late at night, when I'm way too tired to be painting, can lead to thoughts of grandeur, illusions of prowess, imagined deftness of handling difficult passages, and a unrealistic satisfaction in a sketch that is short lived......



.....upon waking and viewing the same sketch in the brilliance of the morning light. Not only is this not what I saw when I went to bed, "someone" stuck an extra "i" in my geraniums! How inconsiderate!

The cool thing about all of this is that I can simply say, "Next!" and turn the page......

Today's post is a continuation from the two prior posts where I've discussed waterbrushes and pens to be used with watercolor. The swatches above are from my new Daniel Smith* paints. The top one is Isoindoline Yellow and it is pure bottled sunshine!! The color just radiates! It is clean and smooth with no granulation to it. When my Indian Yellow runs out on my studio palette, this will be the color that I will be putting into that well. It is glorious!

The next swatch is Fired Gold Ochre which I keep wanting to call fried okra. It is a brick red with a lot of granulation. By itself it is unimpressive, but it makes some lovely mixes with Ultramarine and Cobalt blues. The brochure for the pigment states that it "makes an exquisite range of skin tones." I can see that, but I'm not sure that will make it a keeper. More exploration is needed before I will add it to my palette permanently.

Last is Mayan Red. It's a strong red with rose undertones at full strength going down to a very sublime pink. Again, rather unimpressive by itself. It does well in mixes, staying clean and vibrant. More experimenting will be needed before I decide it gets to stay.

Above you can see all of the pigments in mixes (please ignore the lower corner - that was another exploration unrelated to this one). You can click on the image to get a better view of the granulations and colors. All of these colors are single pigment paints rather mixtures of two or more pigments. I find that by staying with single pigment colors (for the most part) I tend to avoid making mud. Or at the very least, I have to work harder to make it!

Daniel Smith currently has "dot cards" with these pigments, so if you're placing an order be sure to request one!


*I do not work for Daniel Smith and I receive no kickbacks from DS for endorsing their paints. However, I have to say that I've used DS since the early '90's and have always been thrilled with their pigments colors and the quality. Should you decide to try them out, I don't think you'll be sorry!

Continuing from yesterday's post, New Art Tools!.....

We're fortunate to also have a Michaels nearby to compete with JoAnn's and I decided to go and visit them once I found out about the brushes just to see if they might carry them also (forgot to mention this in the prior post) and they do! In different sizes though. (Thanks, Pam, for reminding me!)

The next fun thing I found was a VersaMarker Pen with dual tips–one for writing and one a brush! This is a watermark pen that is used a lot by stampers and scrapbookers. This tool allows for precise marks to be made on a stamp and then the stamped onto the paper. The "ink" is clear and creates a resist or it can be embossed with embossing powders. So what is a watercolor artist doing with this? Well, they say curiosity killed the cat, but what they don't add is that the cat died satisfied! It's a pen, right? I figured I could forgo the stamp and see what would happen when I added watercolor over the top!

The darker marks within the "bush" are from the VersaMarker. The ink absorbed the watercolor, making it darker in those areas. I had to create several samples before I find what would work. You have to let the ink dry completely (more than an hour) before watercoloring over it or it doesn't work well. I think this has future applications when creating designs, but is probably not going to be an "everyday" tool. I paid $3.99 for it at JoAnn's, and at this time, I can't recommend it. The VersaMark ink also comes in a pad usable with stamps.

Moving on, I found an Inkssentials Opaque White Gel Pen at Michaels. Yippee, I thought! My go-to white gel pen has always been the Uniball White Signo Gel Pen.....it still is:


(Please forgive the poor photography as it doesn't show the colors well.) The bloodstone is a light taupe and the heliotrope is a grayed purple. The pens are $1.99 at Michaels with a line of other unusual ink colors available. They are also available from other retailers online. Both of these colors lend themselves well to sketching and are not as harsh or obvious as black ink. Being fade-proof, the ink is also waterproof and I could easily watercolor over these. These are definitely recommended!

So how do these tools work for a watercolor artist? Take a look......

Is there anything better than new art toys tools to play with? I think not!! ;•) This week is going to be Tool Week here at Painted Thoughts as I seem to have acquired a number of new tools to share !

First up:
As some of you may know, I strongly advocate the use of waterbrushes for painting on location during the Imaginary Trips. They will change the  way you work and the ease with which you work. You'll be more likely to sketch in the moment with a waterbrush as it is as easy to make a mark with one of these as it is with a pen or pencil. 


So it comes as no surprise that when I spied a waterbrush at  JoAnn's Etc. craft store, I just had to purchase it because it was one I had not seen before. Despite the $8.99 price tag, I decided to do it in the name of research. ;•)  (Yes, I had a coupon, but I still think that's a ridiculously high price for a waterbrush, IMO!) It is a Zig® BrusH2O or Brush H2O, depending on where you're looking.....

This is the detailer brush. The brush tip is about equivalent to a size 2 in a round watercolor brush. If you enlarge the image you can see all the tiny, precise marks I was able to make with this brush. As nearly all complaints I hear about the waterbrush is "I can't do any details," this would seem to be a great answer. 

CAUTION: This is a double-sided blessing. Yes, you will be able to get the nitty-gritty details into your sketch, but I would NOT take this out on location. Why? A) When sketching on location, you need speed, speed, and more speed. B) Details are not your friend (on location). Instead, I would rather leave this in the hotel room or at home then in the heat of the moment. C) See reason below.

I looked online to see the availability of this brush and was pleased to learn that Zig is part of Kuretake® and they are a company out of England. This means worldwide availability. The other thing I learned is there are other sizes....

Again, in the name of research, I ordered the other sizes. If you enlarge the image you can see the various marks made with these brushes. I just received them and have not yet created a painting with them, but I can tell you that I like them. And here is reason C) from above - the large point made almost as precise a mark as the detailer yet still gave me the ability to create a wash. The detailer does not have that versatility.

So here are the pros...nice, sharp tips • large water reservoir • plastic barrels are easy to squeeze without being too soft or too hard • good water control • option of different sizes • great availability • great price.

Now, of course, there are cons....the large could be larger. It is not quite the same as my large Holbein • the detailer will trip up the detail lovers among us • the barrel has a black "stopper/dam" and you are suppose to expel the air while holding the barrel under water so that is fills with water. I took the dam out (using my fingernail), filled the barrel under the faucet and replaced the dam. The problem with this is that if you lose that dam, the brush is useless.

I found the brushes at Marker Supply for $3.95 USD each. Shipping was nominal. I received them within 2 days of ordering. Unfortunately, this company only ships to the US and Canada, and I have not found a source online for international artists. Yet. (If someone finds one/know of a reliable online resource, please let me know.) See the update below!!

I am always on the lookout for replacement waterbrushes as the brush tips do wear out. I have been very dissatisfied with the ones on the market today. I have recently learned that Kuretake also makes the Niji waterbrush line. I have a set of Niji's, but they are different from these. My Niji's are also several years old. That may explain the differences.


UPDATE!: If you look down in the comments, Molly from MarkerSupply.com stopped by and said that yes, they do ship internationally!! YAY! Thanks, Molly!

Whereas this is not one of my best efforts, every time I look at this sketch, I have to laugh. At myself. For not really realizing the "true" speed of life - until I tried to capture it on paper. And, yes, I'll try again. And I'll be just as amazed (and amused) when I ask nicely, and the latest creature to be immortalized in my sketchbook rushes past me, getting on with the business of their lives, completely ignoring my request to stand still and pose.

Yesterday, I was in the master bathroom when I heard the unmistakable sound of little furry paws scuffling around as though chasing something. I cautiously peeked around the door into the bedroom to see Booger chasing after a phantom....something.....on top of the bed.

The very second she saw me she froze. Game over! We both knew the game was up, whatever it may have been, and that she would soon resume her matronly, elderly,* "stiff-upper-lip," "I'm-too-old-for-this-kitten-nonsense-anymore" routine. I also knew she looked about as cute as cute can look AND that the camera was at the other end of the house AND that there may, or may not, be a memory card in it! What to do, what to do!

Instead of running for the camera, I ran to grab paper and pencil. By the time I raced back into the room (30 seconds later), Boogs had moved over to the corner of the bed and commenced with her morning bath. She looked up at me as  if to say, "What?! You can't prove anything and I ain't 'fessing to nothin'!" If you are owned by a cat, you understand this cattitude all too well.

So, I closed my eyes so that I could see her in my mind and then went to work sketching what I had seen.....

Morning. I'm working on a project. I'm thirsty. Coffee mug is empty. I refill it.

I find myself standing in my kitchen, looking at my mug, wondering what's wrong.

The coffee doesn't taste right.

The project calls. I head back to the computer. The coffee taste remains a mystery.

Later, the coffee mug catches my attention. Again.....my muse is calling.

I sketch & paint it.......

"So here I am with all the props. Pretty cute, huh?

I thought so too. A little over the top for my tastes, but then these kids I work with, it's ah, it's sometimes a little difficult to curve their.....enthusiasm.

Not sure why they stuck that goofy stuffed rabbit in MY photo–isn't that the point, that I'm SUPPOSE to be the Easter Bunny? (Sorry, too many jelly beans makes me a grouch.)"

Not sure this really counts as en plein air as I was in my studio, looking out the north window. This little birdhouse is a new addition to our smallest maple tree, and as of yet, has no residents. The tree is just beginning to bud out, so maybe we'll see some action soon.

I really thought this was going to be rather quick and easy to sketch–wrong! The front of the birdhouse is built at an angle and rather than show the angle, I managed to make it look as though it were leaning. Kind of a drunken stupor, if you will! All was not lost as I discovered some very cool color combinations for copper. Now I have to go dig out the names of the pigments before I forget how I did it!

Look who I saw this morning on my daily walk–all cozied up together on the same log!!!
You can click on the image to see the details better. I was about 15 feet from these guys. Unfortunately, I did not capture any distinguishing marks on the turtle that would result in a positive identification. The bad boy on the right is a small (not baby) American alligator. He is between 3 and 4 feet long. He's young, but he's no baby, and he could put a hurtin' on you if you messed with him! They didn't hang around too long after I took the photo or I would have tried for a sketch on location.

As to why they were on the same log....I'm thinkin' they were just drunk on sunshine!

For those of you that are Nature lovers, I want to invite you to hop over to Elva Paulson's blog, Elva's Field Notes, where she has been sharing the story of her time in Yellowstone National Park back in 2000 when they were reintroducing the wolves.

The series is in three parts and is absolutely captivating to read. Elva shares the sightings of the wolves, the ups and downs of hearing good news and not so good news about the wolves. It's as if you're there and can "almost see it" for yourself!

Whilst there, poke around a bit as Elva is also a wonderful wildlife artist who has recently joined the 100 Paintings Challenge. 

Enjoy!

.....just as I finished up on my quick sketch of this bridge in Snowdonia!* I ran for the bus just as they were about to close the doors and head to our next destination. This sketch was quick, down and dirty as we only stopped for about thirty minutes. But I had to try! The wildflowers and grasses are blooming like crazy and everything is so vivid! Can't wait to get to my room tonight and give this another (slower) try without rushing to keep up!


**Snowdonia is a region in the north part of Wales and a national park with 838 square miles. This area was designated a national park in 1951.

I had Spring Fever something fierce last year and decided to paint all the blooms I could find. This hyacinth turned out to be absolutely gorgeous and I had so much fun painting the progression of the bloom. Nature unfolding before my very eyes. The changes seemed hourly! I've only finished up the last sketch in this past month! Just small things, little touches still needed here and there.

In finishing up the sketch, I realized I have not made the time to do as much painting this year as I did last Spring. What a mistake! One that I am working on correcting with restructuring my workday and refocusing my priorities.

I will be putting this in my Etsy shop early next week. Until then, this print is available to purchase below at $19.95 + 4.00 Shipping and Handling. If you're interested in purchasing it, please use the PayPal button below, and Happy Spring, Y'all!!!

Please note: The colored bar and copyright information does not appear on the actual print. Artist retains all copyrights.

$19.95 + 4.00 S&H