I have spent a very long week in "technology" and haven't had the brain cells left over to do any sketching at the end of the day.

However, when I was at the grocery this week, my heart did a little happy dance to see Rainier Cherries were back in season! Yummmm! Love those cherries! And almost (but not quite) as much as I love to eat them, I love to paint them.

So this morning, before I could burn out the last few brain cells I have left, I decided to get busy and sketch some of the juicy gems of goodness! I literally tossed a handful on the counter and started straight in with my brush—no sketching, no ink. Just paint.

Just getting started

I did this in part because I was short on time and second because there is something quite freeing about going into a page with just paint. I wasn't too worried about the making the cherries look just like the cherries on the counter because they're organic. No one's going to revoke my artistic license if they're not identical.

A few more on the page

The other reason I did this was because I wanted to play with my pigments and see what kind of mixes I could used to render the cherries convincingly.

Stems and Shadows Added

I wanted to find a good pigment combination that would make the cherries look real. I tried Azo Yellow, Hansa Yellow, Isoindoline Yellow, Quin. Gold and Raw Sienna. For reds, I tried Perylene Red,  Perylene Maroon, Anthraquinoid Red and Alizarin Crimson.*

Title added

I found that a mixed of Azo or Hansa Yellow with Quin Gold on the paper really made the best yellow for the cherries. Perylene red and Anthraquinoid Red made the best reds. The Perylene Maroon made a super dark for the cherries.

Tracing paper overlay with the pigment names and mixes used

But how was I going to remember that tomorrow let alone months down the road? By making notes. I just didn't want to make them on my artwork. So I made my color mixing notations on a piece of tracing paper.

The page taped in at the middle of the sketchbook. I still have to trim down the edge.

I've taped it to the page near the middle of the page and will be able to enjoy the artwork without the notes.

Final Page - Watercolor Only

Now, I could have made color charts and experimented with the different pigments that way, but isn't this more fun?!

*Alizarin Crimson is a extremely fugitive paint pigment. The replacement available on the market today is called Permanent Alizarin Crimson, but it isn't much more light fast than it's predecessor. However, in my sketchbook, which is my playground, I will use less than permanent paints to see the various effects and colors they make in mixtures.

If I create something wonderful that I don't want to lose, I take a high-resolution scan of it.

Watercolor Gerber Daisy on Canson Limited Edition Paper Pineapple Sketchbook

More practice of painting loose with no pencil.

I purchased some leftover Valentine's Day flowers after the big love fest was over. Since I love Gerber daisies and I hated seeming them go to waste, I thought they would make good practice.

They've done well, but they're just about on their last legs. I decided it was time to get busy with the paint!

Everything was going along fairly well this morning until I managed to smear the lower right corner of the daisy.

Since I was working with both Perylene Red and Anthraquinoid Red, I knew there would be no lifting the color—both pigments stain. Not to mention that this paper doesn't allow for corrections very well anyway.

So, if you can't fix it, feature it!

I threw some paint at it and called it done. I may or may not go back and add some journaling.

What have you been "featuring" on your sketchbook pages lately?

People are pigs. Nasty, filthy pigs.*  Does that statement shock you? Does it come across with every ounce of viciousness I can summon? It should.…because it also contains anger, nay, fury at the stupidity of of some people. And what might be driving this fury and viciousness you wonder?

This.

Please click to enlarge

This is a no-name creek where Chris and I went to sketch Saturday morning. In case you can't tell what this is an image of, I've added captions to the various items in the creek. Please enlarge to see for yourself.

And this.

Old carpet padding, old paint cans rusted through, empty motor oil cans/bottles, a clothes detergent bottle, an old frilly nightgown, broken glass of every make, color and kind, beer bottles, soda cans, styrofoam cups, plastic bags, and more. We counted 3 televisions/computer monitors and a full size mattress IN THE WATER. The box springs was up underneath the foundation of the bridge. The next good rain and it will be in the creek as well.

Are you disgusted yet?

How would you feel if you knew this little guy lived in this creek?

Memory Sketch Created with J. Herbin ink and Fountain Pen in my Handbook Watercolor Sketchbook

"Go away and get outta my creek!" Memory Sketch Black gel ink and watercolors in my Handbook Watercolor Sketchbook

Mind you, I live in a county that provides a drop off areas at various places for paint, mattresses, old TVs, computer equipment and the like. For FREE. You don't even have to show ID. There is NO reason, none, for this trash to be in this creek. None that I'll have. Other than some human beings don't deserve to walk upright.

*(I apologize to all pig lovers and do not mean to malign pigs in anyway.)

Okay rant over. For now.

The two images of the otter were done much later in the day as the whole encounter with that sweet face lasted less than a minute! The otter was none too pleased that we interrupted his romp. I was thoroughly scolded with an annoyed bark as he disappeared down the creek. Looking to see if we could see where he went, we encountered that pile of trash....and my heart broke.

The top image of the otter does not quite capture his agitation and annoyance at the intrusion. The bottom one comes much closer. And if we humans are responsible for the deplorable shape of his creek, who can blame him?

To those of you who paint with such freedom and abandon, with paint drips, splatters, mingling and backruns, you are my heroes!

This watercolor postcard was painted from life. I decided I wanted to just paint - no lead, no drawing, just me and my brush and the paint. I let the colors run. I let the water fall. I let it run and mingle.

Not sure this is a successful sketch, but it is a success in that I managed to stay out of the way and let the paint be the boss.

Maybe after a few 100 tries, I'll have a more successful end product. Until then, I think I'll just enjoy the process.