Category Archives: challenge

National Train Day: Portland Union Station

Posted on May 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

This is in response to a friend’s request to post for National Train Day! (Go visit him here if you love trains and that will lead you to others who are posting, and the logo also was stolen from him….) … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, history, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Daniel Smith watercolors, details, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, industrial age, NW Portland, Pearl District, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, train station, trains, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 9 Comments

USk: Trinity Episcopal Church’s Red Doors, Alphabet District

Posted on May 5, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of 19th and Everett, across from where the NW Outdoor Market is often held. I rarely see it like the image right (Wiki) — trees obscure the lovely old building except when it … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #thursdaydoors, Alphabet District Portland, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, Strathmore journal, Trinity Episcopal Church, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 14 Comments

VSW: Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago

Posted on April 25, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Loving this virtual walk in Chicago, I found a lovely Louis Sullivan church I’d not known about. Chicago has to be the Queen City of Architectural Monuments! Playing in virtual sketching gives me the ability to try techniques, and here … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, color, creativity, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Art Nouveau, Chicago, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Gothic, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Hero pen, Holbein, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Louis Sullivan, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, virtual sketchwalk | 2 Comments

VSW: Getty Tomb by Sullivan

Posted on April 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Thanks to a tour of Chicago + Louis Sullivan, I found the Getty Tomb in Graceland (which the name always makes me think of Elvis, of course.) I couldn’t get the Getty Tomb out of my head. Best to get … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Chicago, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Getty, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Hero pen, Louis Sullivan, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, tomb, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor pencil | 22 Comments

VSW: Harold Washington Library, Chicago, 2 Watercolors

Posted on April 12, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I added a wash coat of color and a bit of detail to the ink sketches. Being a line-work gal, not sure which I like best… You? Moleskin 8×11 watercolor journal, watercolor pencils and Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, challenge, creativity, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, caput mortem, Chicago, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Harold Washington Library, Italian Renaissance, Mummy Bauxite, owl, Primatek, Sheaffer calligraphy pen, virtual sketchwalk | 10 Comments

VSW: Harold Washington Library, Chicago, 1Ink

Posted on April 11, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I look at my pages now that my comfort with fountain pens and watercolors — my materials — to move my eye to design a pleasing page. I love this postmodern building and had little knowledge of it so this … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged architecture, caput mortem, Chicago, Harold Washington Library, Italian Renaissance, Lamy Al-Star, Platinum Preppy pen, Sheaffer calligraphy pen, virtual sketchwalk | Leave a comment

VSW: Chicago, 1, Newberry Library

Posted on April 4, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Nice to have Sue lead the Virtual Sketchwalk in Chicago this month. I’m taking the opportunity to play on Canson Colored papers, ink and watercolor on grey paper! The watercolor buckled the paper, but it stood up to it — … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, process, series, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Canson paper, caput mortem, Chicago, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Henry Cobb, Italian Renaissance, Lamy Al-Star, Mummy Bauxite, Newberry Library, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Shungite, virtual sketchwalk | 2 Comments

How I Make Creative Decisions

Posted on March 24, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Sometimes it is hard to pick a project, or say no to an opportunity. April is arriving, and I have two art projects on my board in addition to making a living (conserving antiquities — this is what I am … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, creativity, drawing, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Blackfriar Pub, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Holbein, IFJM, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, London, pent, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, St. Paul's Cathedral | 12 Comments

Whales and Dolphins and Sea Creatures, Oh MY!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I’m using this “sketch-swim” to loosen up and try new things. I am in love with Reuven Dattner‘s wonderful sketching images. One thing I’ve wanted to try is the use of odd colored or complementary colored inks in a sketch. … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Daniel Smith Masking Fluid, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, humpback whale, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Pacific Ocean, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy pen, QoR watercolors, Rich German, watercolor, whale watching, whales, White Pitt pen | Leave a comment

Drawing Rich German’s Whales

Posted on March 3, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Rich German lives in my home-town, Laguna Beach, and loves the ocean’s creatures. He garnered international attention from his video of a close encounter with a pod of orcas. (Board and Rich shown right.) He garnered the attention of some … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, challenge, drawing, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Daniel Smith Masking Fluid, Daniel Smith watercolors, Hol, humpback whale, Laguna Beach, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, Rich German, watercolor, whale watching, whales | 2 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 4

Posted on February 9, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I am running out of time this month due to other commitments, so decided to take scrap colored paper and do an insert. Blue seemed a good color for a place where this color adorns many homes! Still playing with … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, pencil, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, canals, Canson paper, colored paper, colored pencils, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pitt pens, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, tip-in, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 3

Posted on February 7, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Rounded out my pages with teeny watercolors. The top one I like a lot. I rarely use my fat Pitt White pen, but did on the water. Happy with that outcome too. The other was a big impatient experiment and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, canals, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pitt pens, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 4 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 2

Posted on February 3, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I turn away from the church (above) and head toward the canals in Burano Italy; The color begins in the shops along the way! My process below, from guidelines to sketch to ink grisaille to watercolor. I was asked, and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 7 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 1

Posted on February 2, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

New month, new virtual sketchwalk with Facebook group page, to Burano Italy, an amazingly colorful island town in Venice. Starting in Chiesa di San Marino Piazza, my process below, from guidelines to sketch to ink grisaille to watercolor. Map below! … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 1 Comment

VSW: Alberobello, Italy, 3, Full Layout

Posted on January 10, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

The last two images of Trulli architecture, and a bit more color. A deep corner going around a corner and the long view; a challenge to draw. I decided to color the white walls… a bit anyhow. I love the … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, challenge, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alberobello, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Holbein, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Trulli, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 8 Comments

VSW: Alberobello, Italy, 2, Blocking the Trulli Homes

Posted on January 10, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Presenting how I SEE a scene, from both the perspective and detail aspects, might be interesting. I drew on the google image for you, not that I do this, but to show you where my eyes go — studying before … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, challenge, creativity, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alberobello, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Holbein, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Trulli, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Organic Fudge: From my other blog!

Posted on January 8, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Posted first on my other blog, katwritesfood. I stopped making fudge at Christmas because we stopped eating anything with GMOs, and so many recipes for things like fudge were full of very nasty things. But I discovered organic Sweetened Condensed … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, painting, pen & ink, recipe, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, bittersweet, chocolate, creme de cocoa, Daniel Smith watercolors, fudge, gluten-free, Holbein, holiday gifts, journal, kahlua, katwritesfood, non-GMO, organic, Primatek, QoR watercolors, semi-sweet, Sennelier, sweetened condensed milk, walnuts, watercolor | 5 Comments

VSW: Alberobello, Italy, 1

Posted on January 7, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Sketchwalk in Alberobello, Italy. The Trulli homes are so charming, magical! I want to visit in person! Virtual sketchwalk in Italy thanks to google! This piece was created in conjunction with 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. Moleskin 8×11 watercolor … Continue reading →