Hahnemühle: Cézanne, Harmony, and Expression Papers with Watercolor

Posted on August 28, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


In Part 1 I tested inks on the papers, creating a simple journal; now I added watercolors
to each Hahnemühle paper: Harmony, Cézanne, and Expression.

Let me cut to the chase.  I am probably going to buy these papers in this order:
Harmony (I am very comfortable with this paper)
Cézanne
Expression (partly because it is not readily available yet in the states.)

I am relatively new to watercolor —
I switched in 2014 from huge acrylic canvases to ink+watercolor and
began doing it almost exclusively.  I am not interested in realism per se —
I’m interested in art journaling and story telling,
with imaginal images and graphic images.
I adore books, and I will use these papers by creating
small folded journals with just enough pages to explore a story.
(Check out this link to win a giveaway!
Win a journal by commenting “I want to win!”)

It’s important to know about an artist before you heed their preferences…
Any one can tell you why a paper may be terrible, but to sell you on why you
may like it you should aspire to the kind of art the artist creates!
I’ve nailed one expensive watercolor journal paper because it balled and sloughed
fibers like crazy!  I hate the sketchbooks that fall apart halfway through your time with them!  But for you to heed another artist’s advice about choices in good papers — and these are all good papers — you need to know if you have the same goals.

I prefer my paper “hard-surfaced” (my word).
It needs to be strong in order to make a good folded journal,
but not too heavy/thick, as it needs to fold.
I prefer textural and so like cold-pressed paper best —
despite the fact that smooth paper would be better for my ink drawings.
I will strike a happy medium!
I want the combination of a well-sized surface —
not too absorbent or linework feathers —
I want it to satisfy both watercolor and linework —
texture but not too textured for my ink lines…
After a month of direct watercolor
(cheating occasionally and using watercolor pencil for guidelines),
I concluded I love line work! Should be no surprise —
I spent years creating amazing Rapidograph pen images as an architect.
One reason I left the business was the move toward computers
for thinking and presentation… I don’t mind the time-saving parts of their use.
Most great creatives need to think with all faculties involved —
that is, eye, sound, physical contact — to be creative.
They draw onsite, get a feel for the land, the views, the weather…
They sketch their ideas.
Maybe that is why I am so disappointed in the built environment now…
Okay, I digress…

That is why I choose Harmony, Cézanne, and Expression in that order.
Cézanne will push me just a bit to be a better watercolorist, and I will enjoy the push!
For my folding journals, though, I think Harmony is a better choice.

In Part 1 (I tested inks on the papers), I gave you the stats on the papers:
ALL acid free, surface sized, and are 300g/m2 or 140 lbs, intended for watercolor.
All are a lovely natural white (not bleached bright), which I prefer to bright white papers.

Following, some of their anomalies, differences,
and the watercolor test images from the papers in the order I prefer:

HARMONY

Harmony has a finer tooth Cézanne or Expression, a bit better for finer nibbed pens.
The tests were created using Platinum Carbon Fine Nib (also called Medium nib on some sites) and Da Vinci watercolors, above; Primateks and Iridescent watercolors were added on the folded journal.  Of the three papers, the water seemed to sit on top of the Harmony paper a bit longer… making it a bit less absorbent, a slight difference.
This paper is suitable to glazing or layers.   Masking fluids and proper masking tape
can be removed without residue; watercolors can be easily lifted without burning holes in the paper or without the paper fuzzing out (a highly technical term!) or balling fiber.

I loved working this paper in the journal on my Mother’s Jewelry Box.
The ink laid down without feathering, and the watercolors were bright, moved well, allowing me enough time to “get it right” before they settled forever where they
wanted to lay.  This is very much about me being a newbie to this medium.
I want the paper to support my goals, and I have stories to tell, whereas someone else may want to become the world’s greatest watercolorist.

It is also available in Rough and Hot Pressed,
and unlike the others which are 100% cotton, is acid free/archival alpha cellulose.
It is suitable not only for watercolor, but also for gouache and acrylic.
Harmony can be found at:
Art Materials; Jacksons (UK); and SAA (UK).

CEZANNE

The tests were created using Platinum Carbon Fine Nib (also called Medium nib on some sites) and Da Vinci watercolors, above, with the addition of other watercolors in the sunflowers.  This paper is suitable to glazing or layers.   I loved how the watercolors moved in the wet-on-wet experiment, as the paper is more absorbent than Harmony.
Masking fluids and proper masking tape can be removed without residue; watercolors
can be easily lifted without burning holes in the paper or without the paper fuzzing out
or balling fiber.  I was able to erase MOST of the pencil marks, but the HB or 2B graphite
wanted to hang onto this paper more than the others.

Working on the Cézanne was a challenge for me; I had to
shift as the paper was more absorbent than the watercolor journals I use, or the Harmony.
If I hit the paper with a saturated brush, it sucked it up quickly
and I am used to having a bit more time to move paint.
This is not a bad thing, but it does show my inexperience as a watercolorist, I am sure.
The paper itself is beautiful, and I like the way my colors appear on the paper.

100% cotton, and suitable not only for watercolor, but also for gouache and acrylic.
The matte cold-pressed Cézanne is mold-made; also available in rough and hot-pressed (smooth).  Cézanne can be found at: Cheap Joes;
Fine Art Store (I find them frustrating because sizes are often not on the site);
Art Materials;  Jacksons (UK); and SAA (UK).

EXPRESSION

The tests were created using Platinum Carbon Fine Nib (also called Medium nib
on some sites) and Da Vinci watercolors, above, with the addition of other watercolors
in the sunflower.  This paper is suitable to glazing or layers, and is more absorbent than Harmony.  Masking fluids and proper masking tape can be removed without residue;
watercolors can be easily lifted without burning holes in the paper or without the paper fuzzing out (now that is a highly technical term!).  Erasing HB or 2B graphite is
a bit more difficult than on Harmony, but all traces were erased.

Working on Expression was easier than Cézanne but not as comfortable as Harmony.
I still had to shift as the paper was more absorbent than the watercolor journals I use.
If I hit the paper with a saturated brush, it still sucked
it up quickly but I had a bit more time to move paint.
I wish this paper was available in the USA; perhaps if it becomes so I will use it as well.
The paper shows off my colors beautifully.

100% cotton, and suitable not only for watercolor, but also for gouache and acrylic.  Expression is similar to Cézanne but is not mold-made.
At this time Expression can be found online from European countries:
Jacksons (UK); and SAA (UK).

For an opportunity to test drive one of these papers in a small handmade journal, win one by commenting
“I want to win!” ON THIS LINK!

Platinum Classic Cassis and Lavender added.
Platinum Classic Citrus.

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 journal!

☾

Hahnemühle Cezanne, Hahnemühle Harmony, Hahnemühle Expressions,
Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Fineline Masking Fluid,
Platinum Carbon pen in medium and fine with De Atramentis Document Brown ink,
Lamy Al-Star with De Atramentis Document Black ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Da Vinci, MatteoGrilliArt, JazperStardust, PfeifferArt, Sennelier, Holbein, MGraham and  DS Primatek and Daniel Smith watercolors.

 

 ©D. Katie Powell
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in art journal, ink painting, journal, landscape, painting, paper, pen & ink, sketchbook, tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Hahnemühle Review of Cézanne, Harmony, and Expression Papers, 1, Ink

Posted on August 24, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


I use a journal MOST of the time, mostly because right now I am still working full time.
But I have lovely watercolor blocks from Hahnemühle, and they were bought or given to me (full disclosure) to review.  I finally found a great way to review them, because I made a simple journal to allow me to fully play with each page using watercolors or inks…
I can take my small handmade journal to bed with me and experiment in the middle-of-the-night, and I have a great little reference tool for future!

The various watercolor papers in this review are Cézanne, Harmony, and Expression.
* i keep wanting to say expressions, not expression without the ‘s’ *

This is Part One of the review, on using ink pens and painting with inks.
Part Two will be using Watercolors.

☾

COLD-PRESSED (“NOT”),
HOT PRESSED, AND ROUGH PAPER

Before I go further, I am reviewing only the cold-pressed versions of these papers.
(“NOT” is the European term for Cold Pressed, meaning the paper is NOT hot pressed.)
I prefer cold-pressed papers, or possibly rough — I like tooth and texture!
Hot pressed is a smoother paper, but doesn’t fit my mark-making/watercolor style as well.
I like to give watercolors and inks, who seem to have a mind of their own, their head resulting in happy accidents (and sometimes unhappy accidents).
Because I love Daniel Smith’s Primateks and small independent watercolor makers
who often have more texture in their pan paints
(MatteoGrilliArt, JazperStardust, PfeifferArt),
cold-pressed texture furthers my intentions in mark-making.

But let’s talk about how these textures are made… simplistically.
Being a paper maker I could say lots more but let’s keeps it simple!

Hot Pressed Paper is rolled between heated glazing rollers with great pressure.
This pressured rolling creates a smooth, almost polished finish.
Artists who prefer hot-pressed like heightened brush detail and bright crisp color.
If the paper is quality, it usually tolerates a certain amount of lifting.
Smooth combined with surface sizing results in a surface which resists paint absorption; the paint tends to stay on the surface. Of course, hot pressed papers are
more welcoming to fountain and dip pens as well, as they are smooth!

Cold Pressed Paper or “NOT” Paper (and let’s also include Rough Paper)
are made by hanging the sheets to dry or by rolling the sheets with light pressure
through felt covered metal rollers (mould made papers).
Cold pressed papers can have varying levels of texture from different manufacturing houses.  If the paper is quality, it usually tolerates a certain amount of lifting,
and is congenial to almost any style of painting.
Cold-pressed is usually less absorbent than rough sheets.

Watercolor paper is also sized to alter its absorbancy.
“Internal sizing” is added to the pulp before the sheet is created and bonds to the fibers. “External sizing” is applied to the surface of the finished sheet after it has dried,
usually by dipping the sheet into a vat of sizing solution.
*you can re-size paper and I am testing this now*

The term “acid free” usually means the paper was made of cotton, linen, or wood cellulose; never bleached; and contains no aluminium sulphate (alum) in the sizing.  Archival Papers meet these standards.

Note: Paper should last for centuries if stored properly, that is,
sealed so that it is kept away from the environment.
Acids attach themselves to papers that are not properly stored, though I would not worry about this if you have a paper block that you are using in a relatively short time.
Otherwise, keep your final pieces and your back stock in a sealed plastic tub
or in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from absorbing acid.
Acid is a particularly destructive hazard to paper.

☾

The Hahnemühle papers reviewed below are
ALL acid free, surface sized, and are 300g/m2 or 140 lbs,
intended for watercolor and other mediums.

 

CEZANNE

I tested matte cold-pressed Cézanne; it is a mold-made paper.
It also is available in rough and hot-pressed (smooth).
It is a lovely natural white (not bleached bright), which I prefer to bright white papers.

I want to see how it plays with INK!


On each of the samples, I tested using my daily use pen, stub types, and ink combos.
The reason?  Different inks, pens, and stub types run dry, or very wet.
This dry and wet combo is a good way to test the paper.
Platinum Carbon Extra Fine Nib (also called Fine nib on some sites) is going to be the most “scratchy” of my pens, because it is the finest nib with drier ink.
The Lamy and Goulet stub nibs with the De Atramentis Document and
Super5 inks (both waterproof) are wetter inks.

Cézanne had a nice surface for the inks to grab onto, no skipping, but does give a bit of feedback (scratching noise) on the finest nibs, which may bother some people.
As long as it doesn’t interfere with the ink flow, I am okay with feedback.
Like all these papers, cold-pressed has enough tooth that
using fine or extra fine nibs  might bother some who prefer
hot-pressed or Bristol papers (the latter are extremely smooth).
Note: The OM Lamy nib appears a bit scratchy…
This is an oblique medium nib, and the scratchiness
is due to it being my first time using it, not the paper!

My next ink test for Cézanne was to see how it reacted to
multiple layers of inks and lots of water layered over the inks!

WATERPROOF DeAtramentis Document Red washed with a brush.
Platinum Classic Cassis and Lavender added.
Platinum Classic Citrus.
All the inks over the DeA Doc square, but before the water wash.

Inks with a water wash to move the inks; fairly heavy water wash on top of the semi-waterproof and waterproof inks.

On top of the base of waterproof ink, writing in both waterproof
and non-waterproof inks was layered heavily using Pilot Metropolitans in medium or the calligraphy (small stub) nibs and the Lamy with 1.1 stub nib.
At no time did repeated layers of ink on ink cause lifting of the paper or
begin to drill a small hole: this is a sturdy paper.

I used the Platinum Classic ink line, which has a some water resistance, and found this ink used with the stub nibs feathered just a bit on the Cezanne… not a problem in this application, but as with every paper, test before proceeding with any new ink or color!  I do this at the back of each journal.

Finally a clean water wash went over the entire cover to move the semi-waterproof inks.
As you can see, I tend to clip my papers, but there was little buckling on this lovely paper.
The inks when washed did not sit on top of it but moved and
interacted with the other colors very much like a watercolor.

I will love using this paper for ink painting.

Cézanne can be found at: Cheap Joes;
Fine Art Store (I find them frustrating because sizes are often not on the site);
Art Materials;  Jacksons (UK); and SAA (UK).

Cézanne ready for watercolor washes!

EXPRESSION

Expression is similar to Cézanne but is not mold-made.
It is cold-pressed, or at they refer to it, “NOT Paper”, or not hot pressed!


Expression pulled a bit on the extra fine
fountain pen points.  I rarely use fine points
in my work, preferring mediums and stubs,
and so is not problematic for my use.
I was curious about how the Platinum
Parallel pen (right) would play on a textured paper.  There is a lot of scratchy texture!
Remember the Parallel is primarily a lettering pen…  I had little to no drag using the
Lamy 1.1 stub or the Goulet stub nibs,
and both are lovely for lettering.


In in the wet ink painting test, I used mostly Pilot Metropolitans in medium
or the calligraphy (small stub) nibs for the colored inks,
and the Goulet stub in the Jinhao for the fat writing.
At no time did repeated layers of ink on ink cause lifting of the paper or
begin to drill a small hole: this is a sturdy paper.
DeAtramentis, Super5, and Diamine Ancient Copper ink behaved well on the paper.
The Diamine Chocolate tended to feather (last line), but it is a very wet ink with a wet nib, which I think catches on every little bump in the textured papers.

The inks when washed across the paper loved the paper, and did not sit on top of it but moved and interacted with the other colors very much like a watercolor.

I will love using this paper for ink painting.

At this time Expression can be found online from European countries:
Jacksons (UK); and SAA (UK).

Expression ready for watercolor washes!

HARMONY

Harmony is also natural white, but the tooth is finer than than Cézanne or Expression.
It is also available in Rough and Hot Pressed.

It is acid free/archival alpha cellulose.
I learned something about Hahnemühle’s papers and also with other papers:
if it does not indicate Cotton or Bamboo its Alpha Cellulose.


From a nib/ink point of view, this is the best of the three papers for ink.
Extra-fine nibs glide over this paper with no hang-ups.
Also, there must be a bit more sizing and/or the pulp content allows for less feathering.
Please excuse my pen on the last line; running out of ink during testing!


I used Pilot Metropolitans in medium or the Lamy 1.1 stub nibs for the colored inks,
and the Goulet stub in the Jinhao for the fat grey waterproof lettering.
At no time did repeated layers of ink on ink cause lifting of the paper or
begin to drill a small hole: so again, strong paper!
Super5, Platinum Cassis Lavender, Robert Oster Jade and Diamine Blue Velvet ink behaved well on the paper, almost no feathering even in very wettest inks.

The inks when washed across the paper loved the paper, and did not sit on top of it
but moved and interacted with the other colors very much like a watercolor.

I will love using this paper for ink painting.

Harmony can be found at:
Art Materials; Jacksons (UK); and SAA (UK).

Harmony ready for watercolor washes!

SUMMARY

I would use any one of these papers for ink, but if I was drawing
a highly detailed drawing before adding watercolors (or for an ink drawing)
would probably choose Harmony for that endeavor.
If I was to use exclusive extra fine or fine nibs I also might stick with Harmony.

However, all the papers behaved well with inks overall.

Next, I test with watercolors!

For an opportunity to test drive one of
these papers in a small handmade journal,
win this and handmade papers by
commenting “I want to win!” on this blog post:
Hahnemühle: Cezanne, Harmony, and Expression Giveaway!

Platinum Classic Cassis and Lavender added.
Platinum Classic Citrus.

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 journal!

☾

Hahnemühle Cezanne, Hahnemühle Harmony, Hahnemühle Expressions,
Pilot Metropolitan with Platinum Cassis Black ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Platinum Citrus Black ink,
Lamy LX pen with De Atramentis Tobacco ink,
Pilot Preppy pen with Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Diamine Ancient Copper ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Robert Oster Jade ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Diamine Ancient Copper ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Diamine Blue Velvet ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Diamine Grey ink,
Lamy Al-Star with De Atramentis Document Black ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Sennelier, Holbein, and DS Primatek watercolors, and Daniel Smith Watercolors.

 

 ©D. Katie Powell
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in art journal, ink painting, journal, landscape, painting, paper, pen & ink, sketchbook, tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Sketchpack Project 2018: Pen and In, Week 3

Posted on August 23, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

This year’s theme: Pen & Ink

This year my Sketchpack is to be all inked drawings
with a bit of water to move ink color. 
I almost passed on Di’s challenge but I always have a good time!

Making it simple, and all about
the ink, the mark, and water.
MOST sketches took 10-30 minutes;
if it took longer it was due to
waiting for layers of ink to dry.
No pencil but for one sketch,
the checkerboard Jinhao!

Okay, I cheated!  Three SHARK pens for three days!


Days 17-24 of Sketching Pens!

.

Past years: 2015: MPF Conservation,
2016: My Practice….

   ABOUT SKETCHPACK PROJECT: The project began in 2011 to get folks to draw daily. The sketchpack is a small zigzag journal with two usable sides, allowing one to sketch on both sides of 15 ‘pages’ to complete the month of August. There was much enthusiasm and the project is now repeated yearly in August, with a Facebook page for us to share as we go along.  (The page is closed for viewing but you can join to play along!)
There is an Exhibition held in October at the Artsauce Studio in
Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa of mostly local Sketchpacks!

w15 sketchpack openingDrawn on Pentallic folding journal
with pen and ink as named daily + water.

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

Posted in calligraphy, challenge, drawing, ink painting, painting, pen & ink | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Hahnemühle: Cezanne, Harmony, and Expression Giveaway!

Posted on August 22, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

You know that I am enjoying making folded journals…
(Above and below, a hand-made journal from Harmony paper.)
I will be writing a bit more in the next couple of weeks about how I am using them.

AND, I am about to review
Hahnemühle’s Cezanne, Harmony, and Expression watercolour papers…

And that means GIVEAWAY!


18 lucky peeps will be sent a folded journal,
handmade by me in one of the three Hahnemühle papers,
plus handmade papers (some of mine — hay, jeans, cotton, kozu, gampi — some bought)
and stickers with which to embellish and create your own marks!

To enter, write, “I want to win!” below in the comments…

Winners will be chosen by cat-paw August 31!

Sorry, USA peeps only…

*Hahnemühle offered papers for me to create the lovely folding journals as giveaway!*

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 journal!

☾

Hahnemühle Cezanne, Hahnemühle Harmony, Hahnemühle Expressions,
Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Fineline Masking Fluid,
Lamy Al-Star with De Atramentis Document Black ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Da Vinci, Holbein, MGraham and  DS Primatek and Daniel Smith watercolors.

 

 ©D. Katie Powell
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in art journal, ink painting, journal, landscape, painting, paper, pen & ink, sketchbook, tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

Moms Stuff, Jewelry

Posted on August 18, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

My mom’s jewelry box was a mess when it came to me.
She had taken to only wearing few things
(arthritis kept her from changing necklaces and earrings.)
I had to sort to find earring pairs and backings.
On top of that, she had lots of small boxes within the jewelry box.

I see where I get my proclivity toward collecting containers!

I made a folding journal from a sheet of  Hahnemühle Harmony paper.
The paper takes ink beautifully, and is extremely strong and stiff,
curling only slightly under a very wet wash.
(Review later this month!)

On the back side the simple drawings are a backdrop for
memories about Mimi and Mom and jewelry, above:
the front side is artwork that can face the office on our bookcase.

I see more of these small autobiographical or storytelling journals in my future…
This is my second, and it allows me to do a short dedicated journal
without making a year-long commitment to a subject.

I pushed myself to solve the problem I have with metallic or iridescent paints,
that is, I don’t like the way they photograph and don’t much like
they way they look, sort of floating on top of the paper…
I decided to see if I could solve that issue,
possibly by adding a transparent color to the silver and gold.
I was painting jewelry, you see….
I added Daniel Smith Quinacridone Gold to Daniel Smith Iridescent Gold
in a 1:3 ratio to create a lovely gold paint, and added
Daniel Smith Black Tourmaline Genuine to QoR Iridescent Silver
in a 1:4 ratio for a better silver.
I liked the result and decided to play with it in this small journal
(Now I will mix a pan of each!)

Platinum Carbon pen and ink told the line story.
Waterproof (on this paper) Lexington Grey ink created the shadows.
I wanted the silver box would pop a bit with a bit of silver over the grey ink.

I created the background by dipping into transparent oranges, coral, and yellows, moving the color around, and as it dried I added more for a splotchy appearance.
This was topped by a shadow of unknown mixed Primateks left in my mixing palette
(probably Piemonite and Sepia or a bit of a Quin Red.)
I used a big brush to keep it only moderately controlled, letting splash around.

Finally detail color and the mixed metallics were added,
and a blush of pink and blue to the inside of the polished scallop shell
(hard to see in a photograph).

Please bear with me as I learn to use videos, below…
these were formatted for Instagram and I see I need to do TWO!

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 journal!

Hahnemühle Harmony paper,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink in Pentel Aquash waterbrushes,
Da Vinci, Holbein, MGraham, QoR, DS Primatek and Daniel Smith watercolors.

 

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in challenge, creativity, drawing, ink painting, painting, pen & ink, process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Sketchpack Project 2018: Pen and In, Week 2

Posted on August 15, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

This year’s theme: Pen & Ink

This year my Sketchpack is to be all inked drawings
with a bit of water to move ink color. 
I almost passed on Di’s challenge but I always have a good time!
Making it simple, and all about the ink, the mark, and water.
MOST sketches took 10-30 minutes; if it took longer it was due to
waiting for layers of ink to dry. No pencil.


Days 8-16 of Sketching Pens!

.

Past years: 2015: MPF Conservation,
2016: My Practice….

   ABOUT SKETCHPACK PROJECT: The project began in 2011 to get folks to draw daily.The sketchpack is a small zigzag journal with two usable sides, allowing one to sketch on both sides of 15 ‘pages’ to complete the month of August. There was much enthusiasm and the project is now repeated yearly in August, with a Facebook page for us to share as we go along.  (The page is closed for viewing but you can join to play along!) There is an Exhibition held in October at the Artsauce Studio in Observatory,Cape Town, South Africa of mostly local Sketchpacks!

w15 sketchpack openingDrawn on Pentallic folding journal
with pen and ink as named daily + water.

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

Posted in art, challenge, color, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Whale Dream

Posted on August 13, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I turned to speak with her and it appeared she was walking on water.
Then I saw them, huge whales just under the surface of the water.
They knew her, and were coming to say goodbye.

I adore whales, and have had the wonderment of being in the water
with these gentle giants as a kid growing up in Laguna Beach.

What is happening to them is breaking my heart.

If you want to stop the losses, stop eating Chinook Salmon at all;
Orcas are starving partly because Chinook is being overfished.
There are wonderful varieties of salmon and even clean-harvested farmed salmon
(look for those with no dyes and ocean grown).
Boycott Chinook and ask your market to not sell it.

Also, stop using plastic.
We were raised thinking that we have to wrap everything in plastic.
Get glass containers (jam jars in various sizes work great and are inexpensive)
and stop topping things in plastic.
I am amazed how often we simply don’t need it.
WRITE each time you get a package that has been unnecessarily wrapped in plastic,
(Amazon I am talking to you and also the makers of cat littler for God’s sake)
and write the companies that are switching from paper to plastic to stop
(Salt containers, many liquid products.)

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 journal!

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Da Vinci watercolors.

©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

 

Posted in animals, art journal, journal, loss, memory, ritual, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sketchpack Project 2018: Pen and In, Week 1

Posted on August 7, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

This year’s theme: Pen & Ink

This year my Sketchpack is to be all inked drawings
with a bit of water to move ink color. 
I almost passed on Di’s challenge but I always have a good time!
Making it simple, and all about the ink, the mark, and water.
MOST are 10-30 minutes; if it took longer it was waiting for ink to dry. No pencil.


Days 1-7 of Sketching Pens!

.

Past years: 2015: MPF Conservation,
2016: My Practice….

   ABOUT SKETCHPACK PROJECT: The project began in 2011 to get folks to draw daily.The sketchpack is a small zigzag journal with two usable sides, allowing one to sketch on both sides of 15 ‘pages’ to complete the month of August. There was much enthusiasm and the project is now repeated yearly in August, with a Facebook page for us to share as we go along.  (The page is closed for viewing but you can join to play along!) There is an Exhibition held in October at the Artsauce Studio in Observatory,Cape Town, South Africa of mostly local Sketchpacks!

w15 sketchpack openingDrawn on Pentallic folding journal
with pen and ink as named daily + water.

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, series, sketchbook, tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

VSW: Florida Trailer Park 1

Posted on August 6, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

This month’s walk is through four trailer park neighborhoods in Florida…
Taking a look at dying neighborhoods, torn down
for more lucrative places, happening not just in Florida.


I took three images and put them together (I admit to taking liberties.)
Grisaille in Lexington and Super5 Frankfurt greys, permanent inks.


Love the lines on the older trailers, very mid-century.

Thanks to Eliska for the great images from which to sketch!

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 journal!

Hahnemühle Watercolour Journal,
Pilot Metropolitan with Super5 Frankfurt ink,
Da Vinci, Holbein, MGraham, DS Primatek and Daniel Smith watercolors.

I started a Facebook group page (you must join to view) to allow everyone to share their virtual sketches, and also where we will, from time to time, take virtual sketch walks together.  Come join us On Facebook if you are inclined!
If you want to know more about what a virtual sketchwalk is review my first post.
There are a few more notes/pointers on our first walk through Laguna Beach, California.

I also created an accompanying Flickr group!

NELIPOT IFJM NELIPOT IFJM NELIPOT IFJM

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in animals, art journal, challenge, creativity, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

VSW: Rockport Chairs

Posted on August 4, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

From sketch with a fat stub pen to watercolor wash!

One more of Rockport — such excellent images!
With us in the biz, I had to try the chairs in front of Habitat for Humanity!

Thanks to Tom Brudzinski for the great images from which to sketch!

As I move along, I’ll put all my Rockport images here!

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

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 journal!

☾

Hahnemühle Watercolour Journal.
Pilot Metropolitan with Super5 Frankfurt ink,
Winks of Luna Silver and Gold metallic brush pens,
Da Vinci, Holbein, MGraham, DS Primatek and Daniel Smith watercolors.

I started a Facebook group page (you must join to view) to allow everyone to share their virtual sketches, and also where we will, from time to time, take virtual sketch walks together.  Come join us On Facebook if you are inclined!
If you want to know more about what a virtual sketchwalk is review my first post.
There are a few more notes/pointers on our first walk through Laguna Beach, California.

I also created an accompanying Flickr group!

NELIPOT IFJM NELIPOT IFJM NELIPOT IFJM

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in animals, art journal, challenge, creativity, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We have our winners!

Posted on August 2, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


We have our confirmed WINNERS,
picked at 12:05 on 1 August!

Kris from Oregon Wisconsin,

and

Marieanne from Edmeston!

Congratulations!

Posted in drawing | Tagged | 4 Comments

WWM: Day 31, USk Thurman Firehydrant

Posted on July 31, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


Walk to the market from the studio.
A fire hydrant with a tree growing round it….
I want them to retire the hydrant not touch the tree!

And this ends another World Watercolor Month!
My takeaway from this year is that I learned to knock out a fast sketch,
to NOT be so picky, to just do it and not think so much!
Until next year!

LAST CHANCE!!!!
Tonight is the draw for
 TWO lucky winners to win
my favorite middle-of-the-night
watercolor surfaces!
Cold Press Hahnemühle PostCards
+ Goodies Galore!
Click here to enter!!
Giveaway closes midnight July 31st!
YOU MUST ENTER TO WIN!

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find your tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Da Vinci watercolors.

  ☾

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in challenge, landscape, painting, pen & ink, process, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

WWM: Day 30, USk Optomitrist

Posted on July 30, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


Waiting for Mitchell at the KP optometrist, after I picked up my glasses.
We can see our studio from the window, though it is too tiny to draw!

Don’t forget: I’m giving
away to TWO lucky winners
my favorite middle-of-the-night
watercolor surfaces!
Cold Press Hahnemühle PostCards
+ Goodies Galore!
Click here to enter!!
Giveaway closes midnight July 31st!
YOU MUST ENTER TO WIN!

 

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find you tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Da Vinci watercolors.

  ☾

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in challenge, landscape, painting, pen & ink, process, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WWM: Day 29, Journal painting

Posted on July 29, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

*Warning, this is not a happy post!
A roller-coaster ride is more accurate.*

All through World Watercolor Month I’ve been writing like I haven’t in years.
I had so much to be upset about, and then on the heels of that there were
some lovely wins and ideas and the whole month was a roller-coaster.

Early in the month Mitchell made this observation
when we were discussing evil in the world:

“In this world both angels and demons whisper
thoughts within the sanctuary of our minds…
It depends upon our hearts to what voices we listen
and upon what thoughts we choose to act.”

That was followed a bit later in the day by a quote from Lama Tsultrim Allione:

“A collective demon can become a raging force in which individual people function like cells in the demon’s body.  The monster takes on a life of its own, and individuals may not even realize how they have helped to create the monster.  As both history and contemporary life so tragically underscores, collective demons can lead to genocide and other horrors that ordinarily would be unimaginable.”
Feeding Your Demons, Tsultrim Allione

This offers some explanation for why so many have lost their minds and are being dragged around by various news outlets instead of thinking about what their values are and whether they want to dance to the push from corporate news.


This sadness I’ve been feeling between issues with my mom and the loss of the Endangered Species Act and the reintroduction of the USA allowing elephant and other animals to be shot and killed for their parts and the decimation of our National Park System and the lack of caring about global warming and overfishing and the reintroduction of serious pesticides again (shame on you California) and and and…
(I mean really, does anything matter once we’ve screwed the planet royally
and cann0t breath and life as we know it is gone?)

Anyhow, I keep coming back to the Lennon and Maisy song (below) and finally wrote the lyrics in my journal as a happy marker, because I have the best husband.

I experimented with colors in this journal as I am embarking on a new venture soon…
Will tell you as soon as possible!

And then more writing, more pages, a book filled in a month…
inspiration and sadness and the whole chaotic mix!

Don’t forget: I’m giving
away to TWO lucky winners
my favorite middle-of-the-night
watercolor surfaces!
Cold Press Hahnemühle PostCards
+ Goodies Galore!
Click here to enter!!
Giveaway closes midnight July 31st!
YOU MUST ENTER TO WIN!

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find you tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
and many other pen and ink combos!
Da Vinci watercolor mostly.

©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in acrylic, art journal, creativity, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

WWM: Day 28 Flower Doodle

Posted on July 28, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


Pairing this great quote with watercolor doodles…
Made-up flowers while I listened in a business meeting, then painted later.

Don’t forget: I’m giving
away to TWO lucky winners
my favorite middle-of-the-night watercolor surfaces!
Cold Press Hahnemühle PostCards + Goodies Galore!
Click here to enter!!
Giveaway closes midnight July 31st!
YOU MUST ENTER TO WIN!

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find you tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Pilot Metropolitan with Platinum Cassis Black ink,
Pilot Metropolitan with Platinum Lavender Black Ink,
Pilot Metropolitan with Nemosine Solar Storm 1859 ink,
Lamy Vista with Nemosine Aeolis Palus Red ink,
Lamy Al-Star with Robert Oster Jade ink,
Lamy Vista with Monteverde Californian Teal ink,
Pilot Metropolitan  with Super5 Frankfurt ink,
Da Vinci, MGraham watercolors.

 

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in art journal, challenge, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

WWM: Day 27, Blueberry

Posted on July 27, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


This blueberry is symbolic of things I can’t share — but still a watercolor a day!
Writing a book… some things you don’t want to trot out toooo early!

Don’t forget: I’m giving
away to TWO lucky winners
my favorite middle-of-the-night
watercolor surfaces!
Cold Press Hahnemühle PostCards
+ Goodies Galore!
Click here to enter!!
Giveaway closes midnight July 31st!
YOU MUST ENTER TO WIN!

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find you tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Da Vinci watercolor mostly.

©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in art journal, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WWM: Day 26 Rosh Chodesh

Posted on July 26, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


I wrote on Rosh Chodesh about the massive changes
that are happening in our lives, our family, and the world.
Pages of writing and unfortunately nothing I feel comfortable sharing.
I am far more likely to share my “stuff” that another person’s “stuff”!

I sketched the moon, then did a fast color around her.
The sky was Prussian Blue and orange!
I am limited in the time I have to watercolor these days,
and feel much more like writing through the craziness of family.
In the Draft & Sketch journal I paint alongside entries, bits of color.
The sliver of the crescent moon had a bright tag-along in Venus!

I love flipping through my journal,
even with the paper not suitable for watercolor!
It is a challenge and this journal is memorable with deep flowing colors.

Don’t forget: Giveaway
to TWO lucky winners:
my favorite middle-of-the-night
watercolor surfaces!
Cold Press Hahnemühle PostCards
+ Goodies Galore!
Click here to enter!!
Giveaway closes
midnight July 31st!
YOU MUST ENTER TO WIN!

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find you tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Jinhao Shark with Robert Oster Torquay ink,
Da Vinci watercolors.

 

 ©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in art journal, challenge, creativity, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

WWM: Day 25, Savirtri Sleeps

Posted on July 25, 2018 by D. Katie Powell


Savitri tends to sleep deeply near us at night…
We make noise, move pillows, and really, the only thing that wakes her is if she somehow smells cheese or ice cream or hears chips… food rocks her world!
My kinda gal.  Wish I could sleep like that!

My stabs at catching the essence are paying off…
this was a very quick memory in my journal,
next to writing of a more personal nature..

“Paint as you like and die Happy!*”

Want to join in the fun?
Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth
when you post your drawing on any platform,
and add your watercolor to the gallery!
And come join Doodlewash…
find you tribe…  I’m there!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com

☾

Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Da Vinci and Daniel Smith Watercolors.

 

©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back  to dkatiepowellart.
*Henry Miller, who also was a watercolorist!

☾

W14 4 27 WC PALMS PAT SQAs my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.

I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head?  GONE!  How great would that be?

Posted in acrylic, art journal, creativity, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments