Category Archives: process

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: 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

Creativity: Stumbling Blocks + Play

Posted on April 2, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Creatives get blocked. Creatives need play time! It has been a long time since I’ve been involved in a project — I’m not talking about recipes or art challenges but real projects — a couple of years of learning watercolors, … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, making a living, process, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, architecture, cake, Caran D'ache watercolor pencil, creativity, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, Platinum Carbon pen, play, watercolor | 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

Sugar Corn

Posted on March 13, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Working from an image for the class, yellow watercolor pencil, Platinum Carbon pen…. Layering watercolors, yellow to deeper yellows and greens, to touches of pinks and Paynes grey, salt added, then white Pitt pen and splatters. I am taking an … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #deliciouspaint, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Caran D'ache watercolor pencil, corn, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Polar Brown Noodlers ink, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, Tracey Fletcher King, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 9 Comments

Playing with Tracey Fletcher King, 2

Posted on March 13, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

My style, but trying to get the layering of watercolors to work from Tracey’s instructions, with under-painting then top detail painting. I am taking an online class by my favorite Aussie, Tracey Fletcher King, called Delicious Paint. Pentalic Nature Sketch … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, drawing, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #deliciouspaint, art journal, Caran D'ache watercolor pencil, Cretacolor Sepia Pencil, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentalic Nature Sketch Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Polar Brown Noodlers ink, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, Tracey Fletcher King, watercolor | 4 Comments

Playing with Tracey Fletcher King, 1

Posted on March 9, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

The great thing about taking a class is what you might be pushed to do if you follow try to follow almost follow another artist’s instructions. I am taking an online class by my favorite Aussie, Tracey Fletcher King, called … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, creativity, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #deliciouspaint, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Caran D'ache watercolor pencil, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Polar Brown Noodlers ink, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, Tracey Fletcher King, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 8 Comments

Doc Youping Qin

Posted on February 29, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Dr. Youping Qin is my acupuncturist. My images here are part of a larger set, depicting the history of acupuncture and Chinese immigrants to Oregon. (This post is about the painting, not the story!) Doc Qin has been a Portland … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, creativity, drawing, making a living, painting, pen & ink, pencil, portrait, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged acupuncture, Alphabet District, art journal, Daniel Smith Masking Fluid, Daniel Smith watercolors, Dr. Youping Qin, Golden Needle, Holbein, Holbien, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, Strathmore journal, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 16 Comments

Kamala Steals the Blanket

Posted on February 23, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Just to show what it looks like when you are playing to learn a new medium and it doesn’t work. This so didn’t work! The masking fluid is tricky. It takes its own talent to use it right! Then I … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, tools, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Cat, cats, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Kamala, Platinum Carbon pen, Strathmore journal, tuxedo cat, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 3 Comments

Creative Blocks

Posted on February 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

This is a journal entry I like — it caught the look and feel of my grandparent’s ranch. There have been lots of questions swirling about that all point back to one: How to be creative — keep an art … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, process | Tagged block, creativity, critic | 18 Comments

A Walk in the Haight

Posted on February 19, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I agree to Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which you can learn more about by visiting the site, or, visit my web page for a more user-friendly summary on my terms. My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back to dkatiepowellart.

Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, pen & ink, pencil, process | Tagged art journal, California, Haight-Ashbury, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, 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

Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching

Posted on January 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I found Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching this morning in my early early early in-the-dark wishing-for-coffee (M makes ours) and joyful-that-taxes-were-done meanderings. Not all “free” books are decent. While there are dated links, Stutler’s his material is fresh. I recommend … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, process, review, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Jetpens, Russell Stutler' | Leave a 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

Reflecting on an Anniversary: Watercolor Sketching

Posted on December 28, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Two years ago I started moving away from large acrylics on canvas (above left) or small acrylics on my hand-made paper (above right). I wanted to paint again, in a smaller space, and so, thought to try watercolors and shellac … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art journal, Booby Gurl, Buddha, creativity, gods and goddesses, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged anniversary | 11 Comments

Restore Oregon Endangered Places 2016, Painting the First Set

Posted on December 4, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

This is part of a series for Restore Oregon. Thanks to Drew Nasto, Craig Powell, and for the various locations for allowing me to use historic images to place into sketch format to commemorate the projects! This post shows the … Continue reading →