Category Archives: sketchbook

Copyright, Chagall Card, Riffs, WTH?

Posted on April 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I am breaking with my normal posts to say this timely bit regarding copyright, and the lawsuit against Led Zep over the riff. I don’t give a toss about any of it, but the topic is under my skin. I … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art journal, copyleft, creativity, meditation, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged copyleft, Copyright, Creative Commons, pan watercolors, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Sennelier | 10 Comments

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: Harold Washington Library, Chicago, 1Ink

Posted on April 11, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I look at my pages now that my comfort with fountain pens and watercolors — my materials — to move my eye to design a pleasing page. I love this postmodern building and had little knowledge of it so this … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged architecture, caput mortem, Chicago, Harold Washington Library, Italian Renaissance, Lamy Al-Star, Platinum Preppy pen, Sheaffer calligraphy pen, virtual sketchwalk | Leave a comment

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

Gratitude Journal: Chocolate Bunny

Posted on March 31, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

What is it about the power of a chocolate bunny? And more importantly, we’ve had SO many years without them because we stopped eating non-organic sweets! If we are going to fill our bellies with sugar and all means of … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, gods and goddesses, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, caramels, Daniel Smith watercolors, Easter Bunny, Holbein, Moleskin Watercolor journal, non-GMO, organic, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, spring., sugar, watercolor | 7 Comments

Electric Pencil: A Sketchbook from an Asylum

Posted on March 28, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

It speaks for itself, fascinating. From this posting: http://www.electricpencildrawings.com/EPrevealed-english.html I love this kind of thing….

Posted in journal, sketchbook | Tagged history, journal, Missouri, storytelling | 6 Comments

Laguna Starfish

Posted on March 27, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

From a photo, middle of the night, watercolor pencil, splashing paint, no ink. Missing the ocean, need to dip my toes in sand and sea soon…. Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, Caran D’ache watercolor pencil, White Uniball Signo, and Daniel Smith … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Caran D'ache watercolor pencil, Daniel Smith watercolors, ocean, starfish, watercolor | 4 Comments

How I Make Creative Decisions

Posted on March 24, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Sometimes it is hard to pick a project, or say no to an opportunity. April is arriving, and I have two art projects on my board in addition to making a living (conserving antiquities — this is what I am … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, creativity, drawing, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Blackfriar Pub, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Holbein, IFJM, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, London, pent, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, St. Paul's Cathedral | 12 Comments

Recipes, and Taking Classes!

Posted on March 17, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I post this with recipe on my foodie blog, but this is a thanks to Tracey and a commentary about taking classes. I am taking an online class by my favorite Aussie, Tracey Fletcher King, called Delicious Paint. A class … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, drawing, pen & ink, recipe, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #deliciouspaint, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, food, grisaille, online classes, Platinum Preppy pen, QoR watercolors, Sugar Chili, Super5 ink, watercolors, White Uniball Signo | 4 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

Eye to Eye with Humpback Baby

Posted on March 11, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Rich German was eye to eye with a baby humpback whale. He took a picture, and allowed me to use it to sketch. I did this very quickly, and am happy with it. I only wish I could have the … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, color, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, humpback whale, Laguna Beach, Pentalic Field Book, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, Rich German, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, whale watching, whales | 18 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

Drawing Rich German’s Whales

Posted on March 3, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Rich German lives in my home-town, Laguna Beach, and loves the ocean’s creatures. He garnered international attention from his video of a close encounter with a pod of orcas. (Board and Rich shown right.) He garnered the attention of some … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, challenge, drawing, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Daniel Smith Masking Fluid, Daniel Smith watercolors, Hol, humpback whale, Laguna Beach, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, Rich German, watercolor, whale watching, whales | 2 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 in Four Seasons

Posted on February 28, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Kamala lived outside for many years before coming into our home. We did what we could to take care of her — she wasn’t feral, but was uncomfortable with us because we told her to go home when we first … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, cats, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, full moon, Holbein, Kamala, lunar cycle, Noodlers ink, Oregon, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentalic Nature Sketch Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, seasons, Super5 ink, watercolor | 6 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 →