Category Archives: color

New Black Moon, Dragons Night

New Moon today at 1:28 pm PST. This new moon is also a Black Moon, meaning the second New Moon in a month. There is also a solar eclipse, so I think it is safe to say the heavens will … Continue reading

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Tools: Schminke Supergranulating Paints

☾ I wanted to try Schminke’s Supergranulating paints.  I liked the idea of two or more pigments that separate through granulation when painted. I bought nine of them, along with Schminke’s pan set “Wintertide” of 10 basic colors, plus two … Continue reading

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Tools: My Current Palette

Whenever I start a new journal, I always record my current main watercolor palette. I have a few palettes for specific tasks, but this is the largest main palette with a mix of a few Daniel Smith Primateks and many … Continue reading

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Easter Cherry Blossoms

Very late in posting… The cherries are nearly ripe! (Not really.) The thing about the cherry blossoms in the park is that they are not only a feast for the eyes but sometimes you can smell their fragrance… Also, they … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Petroleum

Above, Birmingham Petroleum on the bright white paper of a Hahnemuhle sketchbook. I test my inks on many drawing and watercolor papers. Remember that others review these inks just for writing; I am also interested in how they are used … Continue reading

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End result, Good Flesh Tones

Caput Mortem (or Caput Mortuum, aka Mummy Brown or Dead Head) has legends about how it came to be.  It was likely made from the residue from the production of sulfuric acid.  The residue was colcothar. Another legend says it … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Two Twinkles

Twinkle is all about the shimmer! Birmingham Pen Co has fifteen Twinkle inks right now, and if you love shimmer, these are the best! These inks are Mitchell’s favorites.  He loves shimmery inks, and Tributary Twinkle is probably his favorite.  … Continue reading

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Three Cats: The End of a Sketchbook

Sleeping in Mitchell’s legs, all three of them. I don’t know how he does it… but maybe that’s what keeps him warm on cold winter nights! Chonky Gibbs, left, Yaman, center, and Savitri, far right. To hear about classes, follow … Continue reading

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Accordion Hearts

Home sick last week, a cold… Feeling really punky. Not able to wrap my fuzzy mind around anything, so went to icon I’ve doodled and painted all my life, hearts. Cheery.  A symbol of love.  What’s not to like? I … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Kentucky Bluegrass

Above, Kentucky Bluegrass ink on two different watercolor papers; right, in a Hahnemühle Nostalgie Sketchbook. Writing samples on a Post-it and on fountain-pen friendly paper in my Moo Journal, below Birmingham Kentucky Bluegrass ink is from the Crisp Formula ink … Continue reading

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VSW: New Caledonia Beach

The Virtual Sketchwalk group on Facebook is exploring New Caledonia this month with wonderful images from Aniko Szedlak (pic below)! They are a balm to this beach-loving gurl’s soul… A chance to work on washes… getting enough made before I … Continue reading

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Tools: Updated M.Graham Palette

Recently I reorganized my palettes, and the M.Graham was moved into a smaller Schminke palette.  I still find MG watercolors a bit stinky, but remember I returned the following pigments out of my palette and that stopped the headaches: Sap … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Black Olive

Gads I love this ink! I am a huge fan of grey inks, and have never loved a black ink (though I’ve loved them for their waterproof qualities when sketching). This ink is not grey, and is not black… In … Continue reading

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Posies: Cynthia’s Sedum

You n ever know how you change someone… I have a friend who is an artist and also has an amazing garden. Cynthia shares her whimsical garden with us daily, and also lets me sketch from her flowers. This morning … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Krishna Pencil

Remember that others review these inks just for writing; I am also interested in how they are used for ink-painting! I love this oddball ink.  It looks mauvish then can also look biscuit grey, and I have no idea why … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: The Maker’s Palette 

I have a lot of inks… way too many to use in my lifetime even with painting. But, really, why have a boring crayola 8-pack when you can have the 64-pack with every color imaginable? I’ve also found the makers … Continue reading

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Process Ink Painting, Blooms

Above, I simple use a Pentel Aquash waterbrush filled with water, Hahnemühle Nostalgie Sketchbook to try inkpainting a peach. I am trying to get the hang of not always ending up with “blooms” or dark edges. I used a small … Continue reading

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Tools: Robert Oster Glorious Inks

There  is nothing like the gift of color! All that possibility wrapped in glorious juicy inks from Robert Oster Signature inks!! I will be playing with  these soon, but had to at least share my newest bounty! A couple I’ve … Continue reading

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