Category Archives: sketchbook

Inktober, 1 Changing Seasons

Suddenly it is Autumn.  I know that this was coming, by the smell of the air, and quality of light, but then it is here.  And I was about to mourn for the last of the berries, especially the Chesters, … Continue reading →

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Inktober 9, Goodbye Can Opener

I haven’t named our can openers, but the old green one (top) has memories. I did what I could to keep it going, lubricated and all that, but at some point, it died.  Froze.  Creaking.  Would no longer move. We … Continue reading →

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Inktober 5, USk Ross Island Bridge

It started with a sketch looking north at the Ross Island Bridge while waiting to see a client, a beautiful fall day. In anticipation of Inktober coming, I also had a waterbrush filled with diluted grey ink. Watercolors back in … Continue reading →

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Tools: Inks, Part II, Soluble Inks!

In preparation for Inktober, I am reviewing inks. As always, these posts are about my relationship with inks, and is not definitive. You might want to read yesterday’s post on waterproof inks! *again, a bit of advice, especially if you … Continue reading →

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Tools: Inks, Part I, Waterproof

In preparation for Inktober, I am reviewing inks. As always, these posts are about my relationship with inks, and is not definitive. *peeps, a bit of advice, especially if you are not made of money and have to budget:  look … Continue reading →

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USk: Water Towers

I’ve been getting my pens in shape for Inktober. I had received a Goulet nib in the mail and was out sketching the water tower in NE Portland… The dang Conklin nib is sooooo awful, I switched it between sketches. … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Buddha, drawing, journal, landscape, memory, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

USk: Pelikan Hub 2018

The 2018 Pelikan Hub happened Friday night.  My first time, and wow I will never miss another.  It happened at the Lucky Lab on Hawthorne.  Oddly, my sketch while waiting for it to start (after dinner) is in Robert Oster’s … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

USk: Trip to Lacey Washington

Trip across the big wide Columbia to make a presentation in Lacey, Washington.  Labor day the bridge was very slow due to  traffic; this meant I could draw while Mitchell drove.  Robert Oster’s Motor Oil ink is becoming a go-to … Continue reading →

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I Lost the Centre for Transformative Work Design Competition

*entry not enter (end of video)… no way was i doing this a third time with yaman driving me crazy!* I don’t enter many competitions, but the Sketching Work competition for the Centre for Transformative Work Design out of Perth … Continue reading →

Posted in challenge, creativity, drawing, furniture, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

How-To: Simple Folded Journals

There are good online tutorials on fancy precise folded journals, with hard covers at each end and measured numbers. I can do THAT… BUT it takes a long time to be precise, and the journal becomes quite precious! I want … Continue reading →

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Hahnemühle DS Art Journal: Last Look Back

I finished my Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook and am well into my new Nostalgie journal; this is a rambling last look back, at the things I had no time to post that I can share. Sometimes I can’t share, … Continue reading →

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Hahnemühle: Cézanne, Harmony, and Expression Papers with Watercolor

In Part 1 I tested inks on the papers, creating a simple journal; now I added watercolors to each Hahnemühle paper: Harmony, Cézanne, and Expression. Let me cut to the chase.  I am probably going to buy these papers in … Continue reading →

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Hahnemühle Review of Cézanne, Harmony, and Expression Papers, 1, Ink

I use a journal MOST of the time, mostly because right now I am still working full time. But I have lovely watercolor blocks from Hahnemühle, and they were bought or given to me (full disclosure) to review.  I finally … Continue reading →

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Hahnemühle: Cezanne, Harmony, and Expression Giveaway!

You know that I am enjoying making folded journals… (Above and below, a hand-made journal from Harmony paper.) I will be writing a bit more in the next couple of weeks about how I am using them. AND, I am … Continue reading →

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Sketchpack Project 2018: Pen and In, Week 1

This year’s theme: Pen & Ink This year my Sketchpack is to be all inked drawings with a bit of water to move ink color.  I almost passed on Di’s challenge but I always have a good time! Making it … Continue reading →

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VSW: Florida Trailer Park 1

This month’s walk is through four trailer park neighborhoods in Florida… Taking a look at dying neighborhoods, torn down for more lucrative places, happening not just in Florida. I took three images and put them together (I admit to taking … Continue reading →

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VSW: Rockport Chairs

From sketch with a fat stub pen to watercolor wash! One more of Rockport — such excellent images! With us in the biz, I had to try the chairs in front of Habitat for Humanity! Thanks to Tom Brudzinski for … Continue reading →

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WWM: Day 29, Journal painting

*Warning, this is not a happy post! A roller-coaster ride is more accurate.* All through World Watercolor Month I’ve been writing like I haven’t in years. I had so much to be upset about, and then on the heels of … Continue reading →

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