Category Archives: pencil

VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 2

Posted on November 11, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo. I tried a new layout this time, trying an overlapping, more relaxed look. Not that I don’t love a grid. … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, landscape, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Angra do Heroísmo, art journal, Atlantic, bay, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Ilha Terciera, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, painting with inks, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy, Platinum Preppy pen, Portugal, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 1

Posted on November 9, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo. Such a treat — I’ve never even heard of this island! My push for myself is to continue to work … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, landscape, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alto da Memoria, Angra do Heroísmo, art journal, Atlantic, bay, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, landscape, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy, Platinum Preppy pen, Portugal, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 2 Work Happens

Posted on October 28, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Small business owners rarely get to really take time off. You can’t ignore a new client (or they may go elsewhere) and you can’t ignore the absolutely only time for a delivery, in our case. Crater Lake is one of … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, drawing, furniture, journal, landscape, making a living, memory, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, CCC table, Civilian Conservation Corps, Crater Lake NP, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Holbein, Moleskin Watercolor journal, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, object conservation, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, staycation, Super5 ink, watercolor | 4 Comments

My Secret Journal: Six, Goat-Milk Ice Cream

Posted on October 20, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Note: I am writing a story/journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full. These are some of the illustrated pages in the sketchbook for the story. Home-made organic goat milk ice cream became a possibility … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, drawing, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, ice cream, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, Super5 ink | Leave a comment

VSW: Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco

Posted on October 18, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

The inspiration for this virtual walk came from a Preservation Leadership blog on Early San Francisco Parking Garages. I love funky old buildings, and these are anonymously designed (in some cases) and I don’t want them torn down! To see … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, commentary, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchcrawl, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, California, Haight-Ashbury, Moleskin Watercolor journal, parking garages, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, San Francisco, virtual sketching, virtual sketchwalk | 25 Comments

Inktober, Week Two

Posted on October 15, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Again, mostly I feel like I am cheating because I use ink for under-drawings all the time. Under-drawing for watercolor, our soapstone Quan Yin. I am going to ink her or watercolor her . . . stay tuned! We own … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Buddha, challenge, gods and goddesses, graphite, pen & ink, pencil, urban sketchers, virtual sketching | Tagged #inktober, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Black Eyed Susan, Burger Meister, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Haight-Ashbury, hub survival stout, Mahadurgha, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, OE sketchbook, Quan Yin, recipe, risotto, Super5 ink | 13 Comments

Inktober, First week

Posted on October 8, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I feel like I am cheating with this challenge in that my drawings usually begin with ink then watercolor is applied — though sometimes more ink is applied — hell, I dunno. Feels like cheating not to do a separate … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, furniture, making a living, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged #inktober, art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Oregon, Super5 ink | 15 Comments

USk: Slabtown New Seasons Opening!

Posted on August 12, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

We are so happy to have New Seasons blocks from our studio! No more driving all around for groceries! YAY! We went opening day before we opened the studio. Mostly they were setting up and greeting their new customers, and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, journal, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, New Seasons, Noodlers ink, NW Industrial Sanctuary Portland, NW Portland, organic, Portland, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Slabtown, Strathmore journal, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW (Short for Virtual Sketch Walk): Amsterdam

Posted on August 4, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

A virtual sketch walk is one in which you never leave your chair. The opposite of urban sketchers, which is all about sketching your environment from real life, as a virtual sketcher you are sketching from your own, another person’s … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, drawing, graphite, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Amsterdam, architecture, Oude kerk, virtual sketchwalk, Zeedijk | 107 Comments

IFJM 30: Rome, Our Last Day

Posted on May 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

April 30 From my journal: “Hard to believe it is our last day. We thought to go to Vatican City, but we saw the lines and decided, another trip. . . and back to Castel Sant’ Angelo, or the Roman … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, journal, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook | Tagged art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Fake Journal, International Fake Journal Month, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Rome, Super5 ink | 4 Comments

IFJM 29: Genoa to Rome, A Slow Drive on the Coast

Posted on May 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

April 29 From my journal: “Last day in Genoa, and we wandered into the Mercato Orientale . . . a well-kept tourist secret. We wandered the stalls, bought more chocolate (we ate what we bought in Nice — oops!), bought … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fake Journal, Genoa, International Fake Journal Month, Mercato Orientale, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Puccini, QoR watercolors, Super5 ink, watercolor | Leave a comment

IFJM 25: Old Port, and Being Tourists in Marseille

Posted on April 27, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

April 25 From my journal: “Poked around Old Port, because this was a possible place E & M could be. We shopped, finally, for gifts for Ruth and Family: soaps, chocolate.” “Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, journal, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Fake Journal, International Fake Journal Month, Marseille, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Old Port, Parc Longchamp, Polar Brown Noodlers ink, Super5 ink, watercolor | 1 Comment

IFJM 19: Montpellier, Closer to the Camino

Posted on April 20, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

April 19 “The only valuable thing is intuition.” Einstein From my journal, our vision, as this journal is writing/painting us into our new life: “Our dream is to finish the book together within twelve months. On Sundays after yoga or … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, drawing, graphite, journal, meditation, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Cathedrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Eglise Saint Roch, Fake Journal, Holbein, intention, International Fake Journal Month, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Montpellier, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Primatek, QoR watercolors, spellcasting, Super5 ink, watercolor | 8 Comments

IFJM 15: Horses and Bulls and Flamingos, Oh My!

Posted on April 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

15 April “Gardian House Carmargue Region” From my journal: “Maybe it’s France. We’ve had a shift in travel schedules . . . languid! Took time for our lovemaking, and then a heavenly very French breakfast and favorite breakfast. . . … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, journal, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Arles, art journal, bull, Carmargue, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fake Journal, flamingo, France, Gardian, Holbein, International Fake Journal Month, journal, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Roma Gypsy, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, sketching, Super5 ink, watercolor | 16 Comments

IFJM 14: Marseille to Arles to Visit Van Gogh

Posted on April 15, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

14 April 2015 From my journal: “11am Arles France. Made a fast decision to head straight to Arles, so said our goodbyes, got in a cab to Marseille Airport, picked up our car and boogied.” “Oddly, as we were on … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, furniture, graphite, history, journal, museum, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook | Tagged art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fake Journal, International Fake Journal Month, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen | 4 Comments

IFJM 2: Rome

Posted on April 3, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

2 April 2015 Landed, picked up the car, and then headed into Rome for food and to visit the pen shop to buy inks. My journal: “It was fun watching Mik navigate a rental in Italian! Our van is the … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, journal, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Ahab Flex pen, ‪#‎IFJM2015, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fake Journal, Holbein, IFJM, International Fake Journal Month, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Novelli pen store, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Rome, Santi Apostoli, Super5 ink, sushi | 10 Comments

USk: Glisan’s Painted Ladies

Posted on March 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I drive by these painted ladies several times a week, always thinking I should give them a go. The complicated details and the colors were a challenge for me to do loosely and not too “architectural.” I wanted them to … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Glisan St, Holbein, painted ladies, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Sennelier, Strathmore journal, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, Victorian, watercolor | 7 Comments

Review: Pentalic Field Book

Posted on March 11, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I did a quick sketch to try out my new Pentalic Field Book. 140lb. Acid Free; Cold Pressed; Exceptional wet strength; Professional grade watercolor paper. I love their pencils — my favorite — and they are an Oregon company: I … Continue reading →