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Category Archives: process
Random thoughts about architectural school
Musings today. And continuing to finish off this breaking apart Pentalic! Being a student in a great architectural school prior to the advent of CAD, and exposed to some amazing and innovative thinkers was a huge gift. Los Angeles was … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, drawing, journal, pen & ink, process, sketchbook
Tagged architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, drawing architecture, Holbein, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, watercolor
2 Comments
Hand-Mind Creative Connections
Liz Steel asked this morning if the architects she knows who draw needed to learn observational skills in order to sketch as artists. I sketch, practiced architecture until I left it to pursue art, and am an artist. Most of … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, making a living, memory, process
Tagged architecture, creativity, dialogue, drawing architecture, mind-brain connection, perspective
4 Comments
Pentalic: Grisaille Peek-a-boo Sheep
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
VSW: Alamo, a Fast Study
In an effort to begin to discuss how I look at buildings in order to begin to draw them, I took an image of the Alamo and dissected it. Most of this I do by simply looking, but what helps … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, art journal, class, drawing, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, timed painting, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged Alamo, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, drawing architecture, Lamy Al-Star, learning perspective, Moleskin Watercolor journal, perspective, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, Texas, urban sketchers, USk, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor
13 Comments
Karla’s Chair after Treatment
Shared the before picture of Sammy on Karla’s chair yesterday… We (MPF Conservation) took the lovely old chair apart, repaired the frame joints, rebuilt the innards using the original parts, and reupholstered it in the loveliest fabric. Sammy was not … Continue reading
Posted in art journal, furniture, journal, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching
Tagged art journal, chair, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ink, Fineline masking fluid, J. Herbin ink, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, MPF Conservation, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Victorian
8 Comments
USk: Alphabet Tile Home
You might remember the sketch I did of this door and “blue” tiles at a home the other day >> It wasn’t the first time I’d drawn the house. I’m drawn to it: it is close to the studio, the … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, process, sketchcrawl, urban sketchers, watercolor
Tagged #thursdaydoors, Alphabet District, Alphabet District Portland, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, architecture, art journal, Art Nouveau, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Lamy Al-Star, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, Thursday Doors, urban sketchers, USk, watercolor
17 Comments
Tools: Painting with Ink
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
Posted in color, drawing, paint brush, painting, pen & ink, process, review, sketchbook, waterbrush
Tagged art journal, brunaille, Daniel Smith Walnut ink, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, grisaille underpainting, KWZ Foggy Green ink, Lamy Al-Star, Lamy LX, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, NW Portland, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Oregon, Sennelier, Super5 ink, Thurman St, urban sketchers, USk, verdaille, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor
2 Comments
USk: Thurman “Thursday” Garage Doors
Mitchell and I like to walk up Thurman Street sometimes (and should do it more!). So many old garages and oddities and lovely gardens. Some of the old garages look like they are never used; the vines cover the doors. … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, memory, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor
Tagged architecture, art journal, brunaille, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, grisaille underpainting, Lamy Al-Star, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Sennelier, Super5 ink, Thurman St, urban sketchers, USk, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor
18 Comments
Jantzen Beach Carousel 6, Roman
One of my favorites, the Roman Horse! Jantzen Beach Carousel is a series, and this is the sixth and last of this set. (Below are links to others previously posted.) The many layers, above. 1) I began with a sketch … Continue reading
Posted in animals, architecture, art, commission, history, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged #inktober, amusement park, architecture, armored horse, armoured horse, commission, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline Masking, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Holbein, horses, Jantzen Beach Carousel, Lamy Al-Star, M.Graham, Mason Monterey, Oregon, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland, Primatek, QoR watercolors, roman horse, Sennelier, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor
7 Comments
Jantzen Beach Carousel 5, Eagle
The all-American Eagle Horse! Jantzen Beach Carousel is a series, and this is the fifth in the set. (Below are links to others previously posted.) De Atramentis Document brown (brunaille) and Noodler’s Lexington grey (grisaille) worked the undertones. A video … Continue reading
Posted in animals, architecture, art, commission, history, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged #inktober, Americana, amusement park, architecture, bald eagle, commission, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, eagle, Fineline Masking, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Holbein, horses, Jantzen Beach Carousel, Lamy Al-Star, M.Graham, Mason Monterey, Oregon, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland, Primatek, Sennelier, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor
11 Comments
VSW: San Antonio Zoo’s Dragon
This is part of an older virtual sketchwalk (see below) and I kept meaning to get to it. I love this gorgeous dragon/ I saw it painted in Daniel Smith Serpentine Primatek! *how perfect is that name?* One of my … Continue reading
Posted in animals, architecture, art journal, creativity, drawing, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, tools, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged #inktober, art journal, carousel, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, dragon, Fineline masking fluid, Holbein, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, QoR watercolors, quinophthalone yellow, Riverwalk, San Antonio, Sennelier, serpentine primatek, virtual sketchwalk, zoo
6 Comments
Jantzen Beach Carousel 4, Pinto Fishing
I had to work a Pinto into the series! Jantzen Beach Carousel is a series, and this is the fourth in the set. (Below are links to others previously posted.) The many layers, above and below. I think the fish, … Continue reading
Posted in animals, art, commission, history, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged #inktober, amusement park, architecture, commission, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline Masking, fishing horse, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Holbein, horses, Jantzen Beach Carousel, Lamy Al-Star, M.Graham, Oregon, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, pinto, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, trout, virtual sketchwalk, water serpent, watercolor, White Uniball Signo pen
25 Comments
Jantzen Beach Carousel 3, Floral
One of my favorites, the Floral Horse! Jantzen Beach Carousel is a series, and this is the third in the set. (Below are links to others previously posted.) The many layers, above. Grisaille (pronunciation, taken from the French word for … Continue reading
Posted in animals, architecture, art journal, commission, history, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged #inktober, amusement park, architecture, commission, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline Masking, floral horse, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Holbein, horses, Jantzen Beach Carousel, Lamy Al-Star, M.Graham, Mason Monterey, Oregon, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo pen
13 Comments
Tools: Filling Ink Converters
This post is for Deb. Filling and cleaning go hand-in-hand. Goulet offers the pen cleaning package! Goulet has amazing videos and I highly recommend Fountain Pens 101. I was crazy not to take the time to watch the whole series … Continue reading
Posted in class, pen & ink, process
Tagged converter, filling ink pens, fountain pens, needle syringe, studio set-up
6 Comments
Janzten Beach Carousel 2, Grapes
Jantzen Beach Carousel is a series, and this is the second in the set. (Click here to see the first, the Chinese Water Serpent Horse.) I named this Horse with Grapes! Why am I naming them differently than CW Parker … Continue reading
Posted in animals, architecture, art, commission, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged amusement park, architecture, commission, cornacopia, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline Masking, grapes, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Holbein, horses, Jantzen Beach Carousel, Lamy Al-Star, M.Graham, Oregon, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo pen
3 Comments
Tools: Travel Palettes (and a Review of Prima Watercolor Confections)
I’m happy with my travel case from Sennelier. I recently cleaned it and changed out two colors. There is one little thing: It doesn’t fit into my small purse. I know, artists are always fussing, right? But it is about … Continue reading
Posted in color, painting, process, review, sketchbook, tools, watercolor
Tagged palette, Prima Watercolor Confections, review, Sennelier, travel palette, urban sketcher
20 Comments
Birdhouse
(Image provided by Sharukh Bamboat: friend, tour guide, writer!) I thought it would be fun to show how the choice of an ink color can change-up your drawing. I keep a stash of good images (both mine and other folks) … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor
Tagged birdhouse, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, India, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, Vasai
15 Comments
D.Katie Powell Art 
Motherwell, Must Read
Two years ago, for the first time, I steeped myself in learning technique as a shortcut
with watercolor. My editor soon became in charge of my paintbrush.
When I first wanted to paint, over breakfast at the West Beach Cafe I asked
Billy Al Bengston whether I should go back to school for a MFA. He said, “Do you want to paint or teach?” and advised me to take the money I’d spend on college and take the
time off and buy cheap paint and canvas and go to it. I took his advice at 29.
Now at 60 it is time to unlearn and go back to my own screwy sense of whatever I want to play with and not think about being technically correct. It took me two years to undo what technical drawing did to me as a artist. Let’s hope this time I remember the path. Continue reading →