Category Archives: color

Tools: Watercolors, 8, Primateks

Posted on September 24, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

When I painted with acrylics (above) I was in love with the textural qualities of Golden Acrylics: ground hematite, sand, metallics. I mixed and pushed them to create textural patterns on both huge canvases and small paper sketches. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in color, painting, process, watercolor | Tagged #danielsmithwatercolors, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, M.Graham watercolors, Mayan paints, Primatek, watercolor | 9 Comments

Color is Not Enough

Posted on September 21, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Sometimes I start with color… I think color will be enough, because I am mad for color… But color is never enough. There is the line, and it has a lot to say. Because you can’t read my handwriting: Playing … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #linework, #nostalgiejournal, #robertosterink, art journal, color, Lamy Al-Star, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Robert Oster ink, Sunflowers, watercolor | 27 Comments

My other job….

Posted on September 14, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I am also a conservator, and we have the charge to recreate the first flag of the State of Washington. I will be creating the painted medallion on the flag, and doing the hand stitching (endless), and Mitchell is recreating … Continue reading →

Posted in art, color, history, oil paint | Tagged #gamblinartistcolors #gamblinoilpaint, #replication #paintingonsilk, #washingtonstateflag, flag, painting on silk, replication | 8 Comments

Ganesha and Matteo Grilli’s Paints

Posted on August 30, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Sometimes I try small handmade paint companies. I took a chance on Aussie painter and paintmaker MatteoGrilliArt handmade paints! and liked his so much I ordered more! LOOK AT THOSE COLORS!!!! Intense pigment, beautiful, not as creamy smooth as a … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, Buddha, color, gods and goddesses, journal, process, ritual, sketchbook, tools, watercolor | Tagged Ayers Creek Farm, Chester, crescent moon, fire, Ganesha, gratitude, lunar, Matteo Grilli, Nostalgie by Hahnemühle, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, watercolor | 7 Comments

In place of Tools: Black and White

Posted on August 13, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

No post on tools today, but two cool interviews to share: Robert Gamblin and others from Gamblin paints interviewed by Savvy Painter And a very interesting read (or I thought so) by Robert Gamblin on Getting the Right White. And … Continue reading →

Posted in color, commentary | 2 Comments

Tools: Brushes

Posted on April 23, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I use cheap brushes, a LOT. I don’t want to buy hair. I’m not a vegetarian, but am particular about how what I eat (and use) is killed, and don’t want to kill a critter for my brush — too … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, color, tools | Tagged art journal, brushes, da Vinci's Cosmotop Spin Synthetic, dagger, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, Lamy Joy, Leow-Cornell, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, oval, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, quill, slanted liner, Super5 ink, ultimate wash, watercolor | 4 Comments

Tools: Organizing Studio Watercolors

Posted on April 16, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

My studio paints were overflowing from my big 30-years-old Prismacolor tin into a QoR watercolor tin. I hated the QoR tin. The rounds which you think would be great for watercolor mixing but they made the tin so it flips … Continue reading →

Posted in color, tools, watercolor | Tagged Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Holbein, pan watercolors, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, studio set-up, tins, tools, watercolor | 10 Comments

Tools: Hahnemühle Post Cards

Posted on April 9, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Okay, I admit it… I bought these for the TIN. My studio paints are overflowing into lots of little tins, and I loved the flowers on these tins and the size. (How I used these tins and organized my paints … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, color, ink painting, paper, pen & ink, review, tools, watercolor | Tagged Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, De Atramentis Tobacco ink, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Hahnemühle review, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lamy LX, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 4 Comments

SoSC: Gifting Tea Bag Art

Posted on April 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Giving art is one of my pleasures, especially as a thank you to the friends who lend me their photographs… they give me their photos without asking for anything in return, and surprise they get a gift back! The post … Continue reading →

Posted in color, painting, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, #SoCS, Daniel Smith watercolors, gift, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Stream of Consciousness Saturday, teabags, watercolor | 6 Comments

Tools: Daniel Smith Watercolors

Posted on March 26, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

What do you do when you have the flu? Sick, fuzzy-brained, I was seduced by the new line of Daniel Smith watercolors! I say seduced because I did not do what I should have, which is check the the Munsell … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, art journal, color, tools, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline masking fluid, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Holbein, Lamy Joy, M.Graham, Nostalgie by Hahnemühle, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, watercolor | 13 Comments

Hearts + Flowers

Posted on February 14, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Fooling around with cheerful flowers for a handmade card for Mitchell. Doodling while watching British Mysteries… Grabbed some of my shellacked papers to play with, and a dip back into markers and pencils. SPRING IS COMING!!!!!! I swear. Even though … Continue reading →

Posted in cards, color, drawing, painting, pencil, process, watercolor | Tagged Daniel Smith watercolors, doodles, doodling, floral, flower power, hearts, Nostalgie by Hahnemühle, Sennelier, shellac, White Pitt pen, White Uniball Signo pen | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 25, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Our tree is eclectic, having a history of Jewish Buddhist Catholic Vedic ornaments, and a serious Santa Claus ornament collection. This year we are opting for restive… Family out of town, we are frankly exhausted, and so, ordered in, a … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, creativity, ink painting, journal, pen & ink, process, sketchbook | Tagged art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, KWZ Foggy Green ink, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Super5 ink | 4 Comments

Pentalic: Grisaille Peek-a-boo Sheep

Posted on December 12, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Dan Antion provided a compelling image for middle of the night insomnia painting. I love his peeking-at-you sheep. Next to the bed, I had two mark-making items and frankly it was pretty cold, and I didn’t want to get out … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, color, ink painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, waterbrush | Tagged art journal, Dan Antion, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Pilot Desk Fountain Pen, sheep, Super5 ink, watercolor | 19 Comments

Tools: Grey Inks for Grisaille

Posted on December 11, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

“Grisaille (/ɡrᵻˈzaɪ/ or /ɡrᵻˈzeɪl/; French: gris [ɡʁizaj] ‘grey’) is a term for a painting executed entirely in shades of grey or of another neutral greyish colour… A grisaille may be executed for its own sake, [or] as underpainting … working … Continue reading →

Posted in color, pen & ink, review, tools | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, architecture, art journal, Diamine Ink, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pilot ink, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Super5 ink, urban sketcher, USk, virtual sketchwalk, waterbrush | 6 Comments

Tools: Brush Pens

Posted on December 4, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I don’t sketch with brush pens often, because I like a juicy wash and/or pen and ink — BUT I do occasionally, and so, here is my take on them. They are great on the go for quick sketches, thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in color, drawing, ink painting, painting, review, tools, waterbrush | Tagged De Atramentis Document ink, highlighter, Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Brush Pen No. 22, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Noodlers ink, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Preppy, refillable felt tip pen, refillable highlighter, review, Super5 ink, watercolor | 8 Comments

Tools: Favorite Journals

Posted on November 27, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

NOTE: This is about my preferences and why. Other artists will have other preferences, so reading what they like and what they say about this or that journal is good. The only negatives I will write are very bad experiences…. … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, art journal, color, journal, paper, sketchbook, tools | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Nostalgie by Hahnemühle, Pentalic Aqua Journal | 16 Comments

VSW: Buffalo the Town, 1

Posted on November 21, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I want to play with color in unexpected ways. And loosening up, always trying to loosen up. Moleskin A4 Watercolor Journal, Lamy Al-Star with De Atramentis Document Black ink, Platinum Carbon Pen with waterproof cartridges, Sennelier and Daniel Smith Watercolors. … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, creativity, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, waterbrush | Tagged art journal, buffalo, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Lamy Al-Star, Moleskin Watercolor journal, New York State, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Tools: Painting with Ink

Posted on November 6, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Inktober and two new purchases pushed me even further into playing with just inks, or mostly inks, instead of watercolor. Today I write about my first month of using inks in a painterly way… and that means I am moving … Continue reading →