Category Archives: watercolor

VSW: Capetown South Africa Beachwalk, 1

Posted on May 15, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I haven’t much time this week. Necessity is making my goal for this sketchwalk to capture the essence of the view, let go of details. What stands out about the view? the buildings? the beach? the sky? the mountain? Capture … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, landscape, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, timed painting, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, beach, Capetown, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Holbein, Moleskin Watercolor journal, ocean, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, virtual sketchwalk | 3 Comments

National Train Day: Portland Union Station

Posted on May 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

This is in response to a friend’s request to post for National Train Day! (Go visit him here if you love trains and that will lead you to others who are posting, and the logo also was stolen from him….) … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, history, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Daniel Smith watercolors, details, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, industrial age, NW Portland, Pearl District, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, train station, trains, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 9 Comments

USk: Painted Girls, Alphabet District

Posted on May 12, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

We see these sweet homes on the way to our vets, and on walks. They are no where near special enough to be saved when the bulldozers come, which they will because way laid back Portlandiars won’t fight to save … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, commentary, creativity, drawing, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #thursdaydoors, Alphabet District Portland, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, NW Portland, painted ladies, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, red doors, Strathmore journal, Thurman St, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 22 Comments

Palms Waves Sand Surf = Home

Posted on May 10, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Longing for home, the one I can’t go back to… It is never the same as when we were kids. An all-class reunion was this week. Part of me would love to have gone, part of me never ever wants … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, memory, watercolor | Tagged beach, De Atramentis Document ink, going home, home, Lamy Al-Star, palm trees, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Sennelier | 6 Comments

USk: Trinity Episcopal Church’s Red Doors, Alphabet District

Posted on May 5, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of 19th and Everett, across from where the NW Outdoor Market is often held. I rarely see it like the image right (Wiki) — trees obscure the lovely old building except when it … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #thursdaydoors, Alphabet District Portland, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, Strathmore journal, Trinity Episcopal Church, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 14 Comments

Travel Palettes and Color Mixing Charts

Posted on May 4, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Prepare for a total geek posting. I’ve finally created an entire mixing chart. Who knew what I might learn! I wrote about finding a great deal on a Sennelier travel palette with pan watercolors, above. I’ve not owned pan paints … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged color, color charts, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Primatek, ProArt watercolor journal, Sennelier, travel, watercolor | 21 Comments

USk: Vaughn St and 18th Street

Posted on May 2, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Near Lindy Ltd., Vaughn curves into 18th and there is a lovely set of older buildings. I’ve seen chickens in the street in this odd quiet part of the city. Quick studies, not that happy with outcome — trees are … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, chickens, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Pomarius Nursery, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, Strathmore journal, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, Vaughn Street | 2 Comments

USk: Pro Photo Supply, 18th and Marshall, NW Portland

Posted on April 28, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Had little time to sketchcrawl last weekend, but found a great corner near us in NW. Around the corner from the main Pro Photo shop on 19th is the new-old building, where they’ve taken a dull green-grey corner at 18th … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #thursdaydoors, Alphabet District Portland, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, Pro Photo Supply, PSU Outdoor Market, Strathmore journal, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, White Uniball Signo | 12 Comments

VSW: Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago

Posted on April 25, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Loving this virtual walk in Chicago, I found a lovely Louis Sullivan church I’d not known about. Chicago has to be the Queen City of Architectural Monuments! Playing in virtual sketching gives me the ability to try techniques, and here … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, color, creativity, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Art Nouveau, Chicago, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Gothic, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Hero pen, Holbein, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Louis Sullivan, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, virtual sketchwalk | 2 Comments

Thursday Doors: South Doors Washington Legislative Building

Posted on April 21, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Because we are in the middle of expanding our business studio space (and yes, I get a bit bigger art space to boot) I am pulling up old images with a new twist for Thursday Doors, (Check out Norm’s amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged art journal, central axis, circulation, Delta journal, Holbein, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, marble, Pentalic, Platinum Preppy, Prichard Building, rotunda, Sennelier, Stillman & Birn, Thursday Doors, urban sketchers, Washington State Capitol Legislative Building | 12 Comments

USk: Native American Student Center PSU

Posted on April 16, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Above, a quick sketch (with Diamine Ancient Copper ink in a Lamy Al-star) of the Native American Student Center at the south end of the PSU campus, off the park. Watercolor wash moved the inks: three colors were used: Yavapei, … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged Daniel Smith watercolors, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Native American Student Center, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, PSU Outdoor Market, Strathmore journal, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 10 Comments

VSW: Getty Tomb by Sullivan

Posted on April 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Thanks to a tour of Chicago + Louis Sullivan, I found the Getty Tomb in Graceland (which the name always makes me think of Elvis, of course.) I couldn’t get the Getty Tomb out of my head. Best to get … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Chicago, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Getty, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Hero pen, Louis Sullivan, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, tomb, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor pencil | 22 Comments

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

Tools: Sennelier Watercolor Pan Kit and Pentalic Aqua Journal

Posted on April 8, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

It seems that when I get my watercolors in order and say “I need nothing,” I end up buying something new. Blick’s is having an amazing sale which I came across looking for a replacement tube; I had put my … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, journal, paper, review, watercolor | Tagged pan watercolors, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Sennelier | 7 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

Black HUB IPA Can

Posted on April 3, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Okay, first off, do NOT sketch in a black watercolor pencil when your first coat will be an Indian Yellow or Quin Gold. Dumb. I tried to wet and wash it off; alas, it did not work well. Also, the … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, pen & ink, recipe, watercolor | Tagged #deliciouspaint, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Organic HUB IPA, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen | 14 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 →