Category Archives: watercolor

Gratitude Journal: Chocolate Bunny

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Laguna Starfish

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

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How I Make Creative Decisions

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Midnight Palm Full Moon

Been so stressed for so many reasons. Middle of the night drawing.  Moons on my mind. Watching Mitchell breath while painting ocean and palms and moon in her fullness, all calming. I almost woke him bringing salt back to bed … Continue reading

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Tools: Watercolors

Last week I was asked what my favorite watercolors were over a half-dozen times. I’m thinking it is a sign, so am using it as a prompt! I have favorite brands overall (Daniel Smith — DS — and assume a … Continue reading

Posted in color, review, tools, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Recipes, and Taking Classes!

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rich German on his Board

Took on foreshortening and portrait (EEEK!) and lions and tigers and bears, oh my! I’m pretty happy with the turnout! The suggestion of Marley’s and Hendrix’s portraits was done with masking fluid over yellow, then splashy splashy!  I’m pretty happy … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Whales and Dolphins and Sea Creatures, Oh MY!

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sugar Corn

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Playing with Tracey Fletcher King, 2

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

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Eye to Eye with Humpback Baby

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Playing with Tracey Fletcher King, 1

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Tracey Fletcher King’s Delicious Paint

I am taking a course by my downunder buddy, Tracey Fletcher King. Why do I take classes?  I’m no expert (I know few watercolor experts) but I’m okay. . . I take them because I want to see what she’s … Continue reading

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Drawing Rich German’s Whales

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Kamala Steals the Blanket, 2

I tried this earlier but was not happy with the result, right, and decided to try it again.  I am happier with this one.  She is difficult to capture — black, but not, and suspicious!  I still used the Masking … Continue reading

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Gratitude Journal: Spring Tulips

You can feel the shift, even on this chilly March day. A gift for Mitchell, lovely yellow tulips and strawberries! Spring has sprung! Moleskin 8×11 watercolor journal (I love the texture of this paper, even more so after working on … Continue reading

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Doc Youping Qin

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Kamala in Four Seasons

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments