Category Archives: watercolor

Gratitude Journal: Spring Tulips

Posted on March 1, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

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 →

Posted in art journal, journal, watercolor | Tagged architect, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, romantic, spring., Super5 ink, tulips | 4 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

Doc Zhou

Posted on February 24, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Wanting to test some techniques for a more serious piece. I’m no portraitist! But I practice, with a little help from my friends… This sketch is way too pale to begin… Liking the darker colors… Wanting to frame and brighten… … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, painting, pen & ink, portrait, watercolor | Tagged acupuncture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Dr. Guangyin Zhou, Golden Needle, Holbein, Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Brush Pen No. 22, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Strathmore watercolor pad, watercolor | 4 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 →

Posted in art journal, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, tools, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Cat, cats, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Kamala, Platinum Carbon pen, Strathmore journal, tuxedo cat, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 3 Comments

NW Portland Industrial Sanctuary

Posted on February 18, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Our studio sits in the NW Industrial Sanctuary. When most think of a sanctuary they think of preserving bird and wildlife habitats, but there are other kinds of sanctuaries. Once this was a gorgeous waterway and lake , used for … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, commentary, history, making a living, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, Centennial Exposition, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Guild's Lake, history, Lewis & Clark, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentalic Nature Sketch Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Portland planning issues, preservation, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Super5 ink, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 16 Comments

Kamala Notices I Have Pen In Hand

Posted on February 12, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Kamala is the most difficult cat, so smart, and does not want her image captured. She seems to know when I am studying her for a sketch, and moves away into a cozy box. I have to use a photo … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Cat, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Kamala, Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Brush Pen No. 22, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Strathmore watercolor pad, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 14 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 4

Posted on February 9, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I am running out of time this month due to other commitments, so decided to take scrap colored paper and do an insert. Blue seemed a good color for a place where this color adorns many homes! Still playing with … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, pencil, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, canals, Canson paper, colored paper, colored pencils, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pitt pens, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, tip-in, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 3

Posted on February 7, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Rounded out my pages with teeny watercolors. The top one I like a lot. I rarely use my fat Pitt White pen, but did on the water. Happy with that outcome too. The other was a big impatient experiment and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, canals, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pitt pens, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 4 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 2

Posted on February 3, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I turn away from the church (above) and head toward the canals in Burano Italy; The color begins in the shops along the way! My process below, from guidelines to sketch to ink grisaille to watercolor. I was asked, and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 7 Comments

VSW: Burano, Italy, 1

Posted on February 2, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

New month, new virtual sketchwalk with Facebook group page, to Burano Italy, an amazingly colorful island town in Venice. Starting in Chiesa di San Marino Piazza, my process below, from guidelines to sketch to ink grisaille to watercolor. Map below! … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Burano, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Venice, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 1 Comment

Full Moon Prayers

Posted on January 26, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

This last SuperMoon I set the day aside to look at intentions and directions. Too many opportunities are not always good, and can dilute the path. Making choices are important, even if you change your mind. The boat can’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Booby Gurl, creativity, gods and goddesses, journal, lunar cycle, meditation, painting, pen & ink, pencil, watercolor, writing | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe, art journal, Booby Gurl, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, full moon, Holbein, intuition, meditation, Noodlers ink, palm, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentalic Nature Sketch Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, Super5 ink, Tathagatagarbha, watercolor | 12 Comments

Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching

Posted on January 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I found Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching this morning in my early early early in-the-dark wishing-for-coffee (M makes ours) and joyful-that-taxes-were-done meanderings. Not all “free” books are decent. While there are dated links, Stutler’s his material is fresh. I recommend … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, process, review, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Jetpens, Russell Stutler' | Leave a comment

VSW: Alberobello, Italy, 4, Silliness

Posted on January 17, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

You’ve seen the sketches of the Trulli homes as they really look, below, but there was a good deal of discussion on our FaceBook page about how white the town was (yes, grey roofs and white walls), sooooo, I sketched … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alberobello, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Trulli, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Sketching Memories of our Staycation: Ever Hopeful

Posted on January 16, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I didn’t fill our Staycation sketchbook, so am continuing it with sketches on our days off. Jai is doing better with his IBS (carrageenan in wet cat food), but there are changes that will be with him as long as … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, drawing, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, carrageenan, Cat, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Delta journal, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Hero pen, IBS, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, sick cat, staycation, Stillman & Birn, Super5 ink, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Alberobello, Italy, 3, Full Layout

Posted on January 10, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

The last two images of Trulli architecture, and a bit more color. A deep corner going around a corner and the long view; a challenge to draw. I decided to color the white walls… a bit anyhow. I love the … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, challenge, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alberobello, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Holbein, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Trulli, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 8 Comments

VSW: Alberobello, Italy, 2, Blocking the Trulli Homes

Posted on January 10, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Presenting how I SEE a scene, from both the perspective and detail aspects, might be interesting. I drew on the google image for you, not that I do this, but to show you where my eyes go — studying before … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, challenge, creativity, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alberobello, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Holbein, Italy, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, Trulli, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Organic Fudge: From my other blog!

Posted on January 8, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Posted first on my other blog, katwritesfood. I stopped making fudge at Christmas because we stopped eating anything with GMOs, and so many recipes for things like fudge were full of very nasty things. But I discovered organic Sweetened Condensed … Continue reading →