Category Archives: sketchbook

VSW: Basílica de Guadalupe, 2

This leaning portion of the facade of the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico city is from an image from Margaret Metcalfe. It was fun to do… ink then watercolor. I also tried this odd reflection and played with it, took … Continue reading →

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VSW: Basílica de Guadalupe, 1

This month, we are painting the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico city, with images from Margaret Metcalfe (and a little help from Google maps). I am also trying, with resistance, the no line work first. I place a couple of … Continue reading →

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Painting Without Inking

The 30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge started June 1… The idea is to begin to paint directly with no inking and no real pencil work.  (I cheat.) If it were not Marc Holmes thang, I might not try it. He is … Continue reading →

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Buddha Om

Playing around, like ya do… Was a bit blue when I did it, and it cheered me.  Art cheers! I thought I was done but then I came back in with crayons and played around with deeper color.  A throwaway … Continue reading →

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Tools: Review: Hahnemühle D and S Sketchbook

What is it about a new journal? I love the blank page — not one of those peeps who hates them. The Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook (Draft and Sketch) is a new journal for me. I wanted to try … Continue reading →

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VSW: Mexican Church

Growing up, I attended a Mexican mass at the San Juan Capistrano mission church. The shapes of Mexican architecture and the sounds of the language feel like home. The colors are also my colors in our home, warm and bright. … Continue reading →

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Sketching for Presentations: French Sofa

More design sketches for our client, the owner of the Louis XVI Settee. Silk bolsters for the arms, with flirty tassel-dangly-bobs. French knotted India silk creating scrunchy pillows for the back. The entire sketch… You may remember that the LouisXVI … Continue reading →

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Curry is Magic

A good meal feels like it can solve anything. Or maybe it is just the cooking and the smell of curry filling the house. To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory … Continue reading →

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USk: Walk in NW Portland

Late Spring walk in NW Portland; people are gardening! Passion-flowers, late daffys, lavender… seem a bit confused as we are having such strange weather! Had mom on my mind… Loving the Platinum Lavender Black ink, black with a touch of … Continue reading →

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VSW: Diego Rivera’s Museum

From Frida to Diego! Or the place they shared together…. That amazing blue of hers is on her building! Sometimes it is simply better to leave line drawings alone… I liked them and I didn’t take but a couple pics. … Continue reading →

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Sketching for Presentations: Pair of Louies

I created design sketches from images and samples, so that we could better talk with our client about ideas for her sofa pillows. These are fancy pillows and the colors are lovely rusty jewel tones with touches of green and … Continue reading →

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VSW: Frida Kahlo’s Museum

This virtual walk is exciting for me because I love the vibrant colors of Mexico! For food, Chinese or Japanese is home; for color and furnishings, it is Mexican or Spanish! I started our walk at Frida Kahlo’s home/studio and … Continue reading →

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Cat Squares, 1

I just keep the pen moving… Don’t think, just journal. Keeping this sketchbook at my work desk I remember little things all day… like the crazy stuff with the cats. Fifteen minutes for most of these, no thinking, just draw, … Continue reading →

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New Journal: Hahnemühle DS Sketchbook

I’ve had this journal for a long time and as I am writing more I decided to give it a go! It is a draft and sketchbook, but of course I will push boundaries and eventually tell you what it … Continue reading →

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Full Moon of Kurma Jayanti

Keeping this new Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook at my work desk. I can drop in a fast sketch on what is happening…  Full Moon last Sunday night and the turtle played a central theme.  I realized I needed no … Continue reading →

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Tools: Ink Journal

In the back of new journals, I make sure I try all inked pens on the new paper. It is the second test I have for inks to see if they are waterproof, the first here. I also get to … Continue reading →

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Tools: Waterproof Inks Review

If you are a watercolor artist your definition of “waterproof” must meets the highest standards. A lovely drawing in ink has to hold while washes of watercolor pour over it; the linework must stay put. When people say, “It is … Continue reading →

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Toilet Time

Our Morning Rituals are important. To Her too! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is more indelible than ink.” Anita Loos, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. “I think not….” Me… why I … Continue reading →

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