D.Katie Powell Art

Revisiting Palms

Posted on April 2, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I repeatedly draw certain images. I am not sure why, and I don’t look too closely at why. Maybe I am superstitious about creativity and don’t want to question it too much.
Maybe I just want to trust my Muse and not question her choices!

This is an image that was taken by Randy Boyd of home, Laguna Beach.
Palm trees, Pacific and Catalina Island at sunset are iconic and say home home home.

Two versions of the exact same image — the top was a quick sketch with fat pens and bright colors experimenting. I make notes sometimes on “failures” to discuss it in my own journal and in my own head. I wasn’t paying attention and the fronds are not right —
a bit like having your arms come out of your belly!

The second is on the Hahnemühle Aqua Post Cards, my first test on the watercolor paper. It will take some getting used to, but lays relatively flat and is all ready to stick a stamp on! I imagine cards will be sent to friends, especially if I use their images as inspiration.

i will eventually write a review on the postcards*

Two images of another photo of Laguna which is evolving.
The image speaks to me as it is personal — meditation, palms, sea —
a reoccurring theme in my work over 30 years.

The medium in the first image I am just beginning to play with again…
Colored pencils over a light wash of color and ink in the Hahnemühle Grey Book.
Below, bolder color, and I’m not sure I want the bolder color…

I don’t know where I am going but I trust my Muse…

Do you come back to the same images over and over again?

To hear about art journalling classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Hahnemühle Aqua Post Cards, Hahnemühle Grey Book, with Platinum Carbon pen in medium and fine with De Atramentis Document Brown ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen, colored pencils of many varieties, and Sennelier, Holbein, and DS Primatek watercolors, and Daniel Smith Watercolors.

w16-watercolor-sq w16-8-10-pentalic-middle-night-03-sq w15-inks-sq w16-9-24-pens-color-3-sq w15-ds-paints-sq

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

☾

As 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, creativity, drawing, landscape, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Hahnemühle Grey Book, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Holbein, meditation, muse, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, palm tree, palms, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Polar Brown Noodlers ink, Primatek, Sennelier, sunset, watercolor | 8 Comments

SoCS: Dentist

Posted on April 1, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Because I journal and do morning stream of consciousness exercises,
I am again trying to participate in Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday.
I write to a timer, 15 minutes, no editing except spelling, and of course I add my art!
You can do it too!

Any day at the dentist is a bad day. I hate them I really do. Not the woman, but the profession. I had two fillings and due to terrible experiences from age 14-35 with dentists who did not believe or understand that the pain meds were not working despite me screaming and crying I endured pain pain pain and so now the smell of the dentist and the sound of the drill sends me into an actual anxiety attack. Shaking. Really.

Any day mark-making is a good day, in the end. I was able to draw for the teeth cleaning a month ago because they gave me only a Valium, but yesterday I took a muscle relaxer and a pain killer so I was well out of it and I still was shaking to much to make art, literally shaking — yes people do that when they are scared out of their minds. So no art, no mark making, and so not a great day. Walking through the market picking up dinner was an experience and I had to hold onto M’s arm for stability and was sleepy but there was cake.

To hear about art journaling classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Lamy LX pen with De Atramentis Tobacco ink.

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

☾

As 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, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, #SoCS, art journal, De Atramentis Tobacco ink, dentist, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Stream of Consciousness Saturday | 4 Comments

WATWB: Roy DeLeon

Posted on March 31, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Roy DeLeon‘s stories are simple and mesmerizing, like a zen poem.
Simple truth, compassion, reflection.
His sketches are delightful.
They bring a smile to my face, even when they are dealing with sorrow,
because there is a message of compassion.

I can’t imagine a better artist to share for our first month of
We Are The World blogfest!

☾☾☾

“We were going to pass each other in a couple of minutes. I saw her face.
Dark, frowning. Each step heavy. Instinctively, I breathed in, held it for a few secs,
then exhaled. And for the next few breaths until we passed each other, I inhaled as I imagined breathing in whatever was worrying her, whatever was burdening her.
Then I breathed out whatever will make her feel at peace and calm.
I hope it made her steps and her heart a little lighter.
☾
May we, during our dark hours, know that there’s always someone
praying for us or holding us in their heart without us knowing it.
Maybe even they don’t know they’re praying for you. Oremus.”

“wednesday morning
in the constant drip of rain
a daffodil sings”

“From a Seattle Starbucks, I see them standing in the cold morning temperature as people passed them by. “Anything helps” read their sign. They were young. Looked able-bodied. Easy to think, ‘Why should I help them? Why don’t they get a job like everyone else?’
When I was done with my coffee and drawing, I nodded and smiled at
them as I handed them a few bills. At least as a thank you for being my
unwitting models for my drawing, which I also do for buskers.
☾
May donors and volunteers towards the end of hunger,
poverty and homelessness be doubly blessed by those they bless.”

“She was our food server at the restaurant last night. All the while, I tried to figure out if her hand tattoos were real, or henna. When we were done, I asked if they were real. Slowly, she nodded her head.
Later, before we left, I asked if I can photograph her hands.
She asked: for real?
Me: of course.
She: I thought you were kidding.
(I got the vibes that her tats were not appreciated by some.)
And then she did this gesture.
On each of her 8 fingers was a calligraphic treatment of each letter spelling BONA FIDE. Latin for ‘in good faith.’ It also means genuine, authentic.
☾
Divine One,
Lead us from lies to truth,
From the fake to the authentic,
From meanness to kindness,
From fear into peace.
Peace. Peace. Peace.“

“you’re on in the night
a guiding light in the dark
’til the morning light
☾
May we keep our light on for those lost in the darkness of or victimized by
fear, ignorance, lies, malice, unkindness, and hatred.“

“As I drew this from a photo by the WPA photographer Dorothea Lange during
the depression in 1938, I felt the hot Texas sun on this lady’s skin and bones in
her tattered dress and pained expression. I felt the suffering, the injustice,
the violence of the widening divide between the haves and the have nots.
Sketching can be a powerful tool for meditation on compassion and loving-kindness.
☾
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor,
it cannot save the few who are rich.”
~ John F. Kennedy
☾
May we help in anyway we can. Like the panhandler’s sign says: Anything helps.“

☾

Interested in lifting the vibration in th world with stories of compassion and positivity? Sign up in the
WE ARE THE WORLD Linky List below to
join us and be visited on the last Friday when you post your article! Please help spread the word via
the hashtag #WATWB.

Click here to enter your link on this Linky Tools list…

☾

Sign up in the WE ARE THE WORLD Linky List below
if you want to join us and be visited on the 31st when you post your article!
Please help spread the word via the hashtag #WATWB.

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list… Powered by Linky Tools (BTW I am new to Linky so if there are problems please tell me!

☾

To hear about classes on art journaling,
follow me on Facebook!

☾

W16 7 16 PENTALIC BLUEPRINT PALMS 03 SQ

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

Posted in art journal, commentary, journal, meditation, memory, writing | Tagged #WATWB, blogfest, compassion, In Darkness Be Light, open heart, Roy DeLeon, tonglen, We are the World | 29 Comments

VSW: Oaxaca, 2

Posted on March 29, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

When sketches go wrong… blobs from a bad pen!
*how to “fix”? add more blobs… then smear… oops*

I feel good about the looseness of these sketches.
I put the brush between my teeth to get me to play fast and loose!
*kidding… but maybe some days i should*

I love the bright yellow circle as a design element for the cactus divider.

The statue in the museum comes to life.
*not only did the pen leak, but it smudged despite half-hour drying*

I’m happy with this wonky page!
Loose, color ties together, nice design element…

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

Moleskin A4 Watercolor Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink, Super5 Frankfurt,
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,
Sennelier, Holbein, and DS Primatek watercolors, and Daniel Smith Watercolors.

☾

NELIPOT IFJM

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

I agree to Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which you can learn more about by visiting the site, or,
visit my web page for a more user-friendly summary on my terms.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back to dkatiepowellart.

☾

As 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 architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, virtual sketching | Tagged architecture, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 2 Comments

VSW: Oaxaca, 1

Posted on March 28, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Trying to keep things loose.
This sketch was started in pencil in early March and finished at the yesterday.

Time can make one move toward looseness!
this whole sketch took a few minutes, and the color splashed on.
It feels closer to what I want… tho a bit top heavy in color value.

These two pages (another one on its way) were fraught with mishaps.
Can you find the mistakes?

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

NELIPOT IFJM

I also created an accompanying Flickr group!

☾

NELIPOT IFJM

☾

As 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 architecture, art journal, challenge, landscape, painting, pen & ink, virtual sketching | Tagged architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | Leave a comment

Tools: Daniel Smith Watercolors

Posted on March 26, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

What do you do when you have the flu?
Sick, fuzzy-brained, I was seduced by the new line of Daniel Smith watercolors!
I say seduced because I did not do what I should have, which is check the
the Munsell numbering System to see how close they might be to what I already own.
I don’t have unlimited funds so this is important… Ah well.
I am going to talk about the colors I have and the ones I am glad I bought…

(If you don’t understand the Munsell system see the bottom of the article.)

The colors I bought:

I tested them all over Noodler’s grey ink, to see the color shift over grisaille.
Reading the sides allows you to mix the paints if you prefer.
Also, you can get most of the info here by reading the paint tubes of artist grade paint.
In fact, one way to know that they are not artist grade is by the info on the tube.

Verona Gold Ochre is made from Yellow Ochre PY43.
I like how transparent it is for an ocher! I own a sample of Ochre from QoR, above,
and it is very thick and muddy, as is raw ocher. I rarely use it because I love transparency in watercolors. Monte Amiata (a Primatek, Sienna PBr7) is quite close
(it is the long strip above the Verona Gold), and I think I like the Primatek a
bit more, but the test with this paint will be using it.
Note that Monte Amiata and Verona are different pigments : PBr7 versus PY43,

UPDATE: It is a color I won’t buy again. Just too *meh* for me, but for someone who paints golden fields far far away… Maybe.

Burnt Sienna Light is a keeper!
Made of Transparent Red Oxide PR101 + Quinacridone Gold PO48,
I love how it is both a deep hue and yet transparent.
BTW, Transparent Red Oxide; PR101 (the tiny vertical rust to the left)
is NOT transparent as far as I am concerned!
Some comparisons: Pompeii Red (made from Burnt Sienna PBr7) is an excellent comparison, but it is quite opaque, and so I like the Burnt Sienna Light better.
Terre Ercolano (Primatek, Raw Sienna PBr7) does not granulate quite as shown —
the scan was wonky — but I rarely use it because it is such a pale paint.
I may mix it with the Burnt Sienna Light.

Aussie Red Gold is a lovely color, made from Diarylide Yellow PY83 +
Transparent Red Oxide; PR101 + Quinacridone Red PV19.
(I have shown M.Grahams which is PR209.)
M.Graham Nickel Quinacridone is the best comparison (Nickel Azo PO48 + Quinacridone Orange PY150), then DS Quinacridone Burnt Orange (Quinacridone Gold PO48).
M.Graham Indian Yellow (Isoindoline PY110) is a bit yellow.
If I were inclined to buy this color again
(I’m not as I use Holbein and DS Quin Gold all the time)
I’d replace M.Graham’s, only because of the drying time in the field.
Not a good buy… I bought it for the NAME!

UPDATE: I love this color!!!! It has an underlying brilliance none of the others have — I take it all back!

Paynes Blue Grey is a keeper! Made with Indanthrone PB60 + Lamp Black PBk6, it is unnecessary — I mean, you cn add a bit of blue to Paynes Grey — BUT,
I will not bother to buy DS Paynes Grey again (Ultramarine Blue PB29 +
Ivory Black PBk9) because I like the smokey blue shadow color.
This will end up in two of my travel palettes.

Okay, Quinacridone Lilac is just a sales snow job! It is Quinacridone Magenta PR122. Compare it to QoR’s Quinacridone Magenta PR122… same dang color!

Rose Madder Permanent is a lovely color (Quinacridone Coral PR209 +
Quinacridone Red PV19 + Quinacridone Magenta PR202). These pinks are totally frivolous, but so pretty. To my eye this is not really a Rose Madder, as it is a bit bright — but on the plus side it is permanent, and true Rose Madder, like Opera Pink, is fugitive.
In my palette it is not close to any other color, and I am not inclined to mix pinks.
I admit to owning a dozen pink-coral colors and enjoy them all.

I enjoy painting Victorian homes, or “Painted Ladies.” I have mixed quite a few of the Victorian paint colors in pans to carry with me, and this is one that I would keep. Lavender (made from Titanium White PW6 + Ultramarine Violet PV15 + Ultramarine Blue PB29) is close to Greenleaf & Blueberry’s Mayan Blue PB82. I love their paints, but they fill them to overflowing in the pan, and so I rarely use them — they are not convenient to my way of painting. I would probably buy this once every five years!

Finally, Wisteria, made of Titanium White PW6 + Quinacridone Magenta PR122. Again, an excellent color for Painted Ladies and orchids and…
Not necessary, but quite pretty.
I do not think Daniel Smith is telling the truth about the pigments, however, because Quinacridone Magenta and White do not make this color…
There must be a blue in there! Just saying.

Keepers? Yes, a few…
But I would not have bought half of them
had I not been feverish!

☾

Note: To understand the initials after the colors you may need to read my post about learning not to buy unnecessary paints and how you can duplicate paints easily (different names for the same color), and eventually, you should visit and become familiar with handprint. I printed quite a bit of it so I can read in bed late at night… More info than you will ever need BUT dip into it and soon you will be amazed at how differently you look at your paints and make your choices. NOT while delirious in bed…
Here is another good article on palette, not color of paints!

☾

Nostalgie Journal by Hahnemühle,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
and Daniel Smith Watercolors with a few others as comps.

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

☾

As 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, color, tools, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline masking fluid, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Holbein, Lamy Joy, M.Graham, Nostalgie by Hahnemühle, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, watercolor | 13 Comments

James Gurney, Gouache

Posted on March 24, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Still working on our business deadlines and will begin posting soon…
I am keeping my drawing daily intact but the posting I have no time for!
In the meantime sharing a few good teachers.

James Gurney is a prolific poster, and a great teacher.
I value him for his Gouache info (I bought Gouache in the Wild), because I am not adept —
dabbled with it in the whites/silver/gold tones, use it a bit in watercolor.

We also share working with museums, so that is fun for me too!

Sharing two posts, his most recent, a Q&A, and one on materials…

☾

Gouache: Tubes or Pans?

Today let’s take a look at some questions that blog readers often ask about gouache.

Do you use gouache squeezed out of tubes, or dried in pan form? Secondly, how do you reactivate the gouache after it dries on your palette?

It is possible to use gouache in pans, since gouache is water soluble. It has the same binder as transparent watercolor does, namely gum arabic, which will reactivate when it gets wet again.

It used to be more common to find gouache manufactured in pan form, but there’s at least one company that still offers it that way. Caran d’Ache offers a 15-pan set of pan gouache. More about their gouache line on this previous post.

If you want the ability to rewet your gouache, don’t use any of the various “acrylic gouache” products, such as Acryla Gouache, which has a closed surface after it dries, meaning water won’t dissolve the dry paint.

Can you use watercolor and gouache together?

Yes! In fact, transparent watercolor and “artist’s” gouache aren’t that different, because these days most quality manufacturers don’t add a lot of whitener or filler to their gouache, as they did in the old days when it was called “designers” gouache.

Gouache and watercolor from reputable manufacturers such as M. Graham, Holbein, or Winsor and Newton tend to be pigment-rich and relatively transparent, unless the natural pigment tends toward opacity, such as Venetian red. Because of their close kinship, gouache and watercolor …. continue reading at Gouache: Tubes or Pans?

The other is an excellent materials list!
Learning from others what they use saves me so much money trying this or that!

Gouache Materials List

I was putting together a gouache materials list for an upcoming workshop, so I thought I would share it with you, too.

Surface

You can use illustration board, watercolor paper in sheets, a watercolor paper pad or spiral bound watercolor sketchbooks. However, I prefer to paint gouache in 5.5 x 8.5 inch hardcover stitched-in watercolor journals…. For more on brushes, medium recommendations, and his set-up, read Gouache Materials List!

Posted in art journal | Leave a comment

Marc Holmes One Minute Sketch

Posted on March 22, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Marc is one of my favorite teachers — he is SO good. Rarely is someone both a great artist and a great teacher! Here is a one-minute exercise which is sure to loosen you up.
He also has a download (PDF) which is excellent… follow the link above!

You can find his classes on Craftsy, and his book is excellent!

☾

I am feeling better and have to play catch-up at
work / taxes so not much drawing/posting this week!

Posted in art journal | Tagged Marc Holmes | 4 Comments

Tools: Hahnemühle Grey Journal

Posted on March 19, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

In the spirit of my new forays into working with inks, pencils, and Neocolor II
watercolor crayons, I was delighted to be given Hahnemühle’s new THE GREY BOOK.

The architect in me loves the wood-patterned
dark grey cover. The name evokes the days of the modernists, grey and red and black and white — even down to the red ribbon bookmark. It is nice in the hand, opens flat, and like all Hahnemühle journals, is thread stitched and built to last.

The lightest sketchbook I normally buy is 150 gms, 93lb paper. THE GREY BOOK is 40 sheets of 120 gms, (55lb), of smooth acid-free light grey sketch paper. Hahnemühle advertises it is ideal for Indian ink, fountain pens and acrylic markers as well as other water-based pens with minimum abrasion. So you can understand why I wanted to see if this light-weight sketchbook could take a beating with all the mediums I normally use.

Tests were done on sample sheets which accompanied THE GREY BOOK.

I used water-brushes filled with inks and liquid watercolors to test the “wet” papers ability, and piled on 2-3 layers (which is not typical) the paper held up. I turned it over, and only in those areas where several coats were applied did the paper ghost, right. It is clearly not intended for watercolor, but
it is nice to know I can apply a light wash of inks for grisaille if so moved!

This paper loved gel pens and even the Pentel Brush Pen without ghosting and
made for a smooth ride for my scratchiest fine point fountain pens.

What did not work well on the paper was watercolor pencils. In the first and
fourth squares, above, I tried two brands of watercolor pencils, Hahnemühle (yes, they make watercolor pencils!) and Caran Dache, and both did not perform well when used with water. The paper is so smooth and the pencil pigment simply is pushed around.
However, pencils by themselves went on creamy and rich!

The paper is amazing for line-work!

Above, I tested Neocolors and a water-soluble graphite pencil over ink,
with a light touch with a water-brush to move the pigments. It is not my medium,
so don’t judge THE GREY BOOK by my crayon work — the paper held up swimmingly!

Finally I clamped down edges and decided to push the paper again.

A quick ink drawing of my beloved palm trees.

Piling pale watercolor washes onto the grey, above and right, I thought it was important for you to see the paper as it saturates. Yes, it buckles (it is a sketch-weight paper) and looks like a dapple-gray during Holi!
However, after drying, much
of the buckling eased and
the pale watercolors looked
good on the grey paper, below.

I played with touches of colored pencil on top of the watercolor and am happy
with the result! How will I use this journal? I will take it with me to the
small class of pen and pencil artists gathering this summer to share techniques
on grey paper in the Pacific Northwest countryside and islands.

BTW, enter the competition to be shown in the Calendar,
and to win a Hahnemühle creative package!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

Hahnemühle Grey Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
Super5 Frankfurt (Amazon when they have it or buy from Europe),
Lamy Al-Star with De Atramentis Document Black ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
White Uniball Signo, Pitt White pen, Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen,
various colored pencils (watercolor and not), NeocolorII, and Daniel Smith Watercolors.

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

☾

Interested in lifting the vibration in the world with stories of compassion and positivity? Sign up in the
WE ARE THE WORLD Linky List below to
join us and be visited on the last Friday when you post your article! Please help spread the word via
the hashtag #WATWB.

Click here to enter your link on this Linky Tools list…

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, graphite, ink painting, painting, pen & ink, pencil, review, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Hahnemühle Grey Book, Hahnemühle journal review, Hahnemühle sketchbook review, Holbein, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Neocolor II, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, watercolor | 5 Comments

Dan

Posted on March 17, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Dan writes No Facilities.
If life were 100% right and running smoothly, I’d be able to read all his blog posts!
I love his weekend, “If we were having a beer…” series —
though that is not what it is called! Stream of consciousness, dialogue, slice of life…

I met Dan through Sammy, and through Dan met a whole world of great bloggers.

Blogging friends may be the modern equivalent of pen pals…
My Aunt Elsa tried hard to get me to converse with kids in Russia and
Germany and Hungary, but I could not imagine what to say or how to
care about someone I’d never met! If she could only see me now!

I’ve painted Maddie, Dan’s Irish Setter, too!

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

Click here to enter your link on this Linky Tools list…

☾

Sennelier Pastel (grey) journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
Pentel Aquash Water Brush with Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink,
Super5 Frankfurt ink, various liquid watercolors,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
White Uniball Signo, and colored pencils..

w16-9-11-pentalic-cheryl-sunflower-09-sq-sm w14-2-sick-buddha-faces-0-sq w14-5-2-web-sq w15-8-9-gratitude-journal-001-sq w15-6-27-gratitude-journal-003-sq

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

Posted in art journal, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, pencil, portrait, sketchbook, virtual sketching, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, No Facilities, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, sennelier pastel journal, Super5 ink, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 21 Comments

Cheryl

Posted on March 16, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Awwww, Cheryl and hubby, from a selfie I think!
I went bolder with crayons in these…
I SO don’t know what I am doing… No nuance!

I am happy that the line-work looks like them…
I think I caught Cheryl‘s smile! I keep playing.

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

☾

Click here to enter your link on this Linky Tools list…

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Sennelier Pastel (grey) journal, Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges, and Neocolors II.

w16-9-11-pentalic-cheryl-sunflower-09-sq-sm w14-2-sick-buddha-faces-0-sq w14-5-2-web-sq w15-8-9-gratitude-journal-001-sq w15-6-27-gratitude-journal-003-sq

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

Posted in art journal, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, sketchbook | Tagged art journal, Neocolor II, Platinum Carbon pen, sennelier pastel journal | 4 Comments

Sharukh

Posted on March 15, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

If I am to draw people, then they have to be people I care about…
I’ve met some interesting people through blogging!

Sharukh let’s me steal his images and paint them —
He is a travel writer and guide, so he has lovely images and stories of India!

These are more personal images of Sharukh and his wife, Sarah.

Putting it all together.

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

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Click here to enter your link on this Linky Tools list…

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w16-9-11-pentalic-cheryl-sunflower-09-sq-sm w14-2-sick-buddha-faces-0-sq w14-5-2-web-sq w15-8-9-gratitude-journal-001-sq w15-6-27-gratitude-journal-003-sq

Posted in art journal, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, waterbrush | Tagged art journal, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Neocolor II, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, sennelier pastel journal, Super5 ink, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 11 Comments

Liz

Posted on March 13, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Oh amazing Liz Doyle whose site I landed on because of her abstract prayer flags,
and stayed hanging around the blog because I was fascinated by cold wax and
her images were mesmerizing… Now we are friends. Ain’t life grand?

I continue to play at this new pencil-and-crayon thang…

To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

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Sennelier Pastel (grey) journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
White Uniball Signo pen, Pentel Aquash Water Brush with Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink and Super5 Frankfurt ink and assorted liquid watercolors, colored pencils, and Neocolors.

w16-9-11-pentalic-cheryl-sunflower-09-sq-sm w14-2-sick-buddha-faces-0-sq w14-5-2-web-sq w15-8-9-gratitude-journal-001-sq w15-6-27-gratitude-journal-003-sq

☾

As 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, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, pencil, portrait, sketchbook, virtual sketching, waterbrush | Tagged art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Platinum Carbon pen, sennelier pastel journal, Super5 ink, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 3 Comments

Neil, Father of Uncle Paul

Posted on March 12, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Neil is another artist who delights me!
He is the creator of Uncle Paul… those who know him know Uncle Paul.
Sorry to leave you out of an inside joke but we are trying to get him to publish!

He also has a wonderful face and has some quirky images floating about,
so I tried him in the #oneweek100people…

I thought I’d end up using colored pencil, but I was curious how much
wet watercolor or ink the Sennelier pastel paper could take.
The journal I have is 30 years old! No paper weight!

I ended up using almost no pencil… just a touch for hair and lips.

My quote — I have NO idea if this is how Neil feels!

I thoroughly enjoyed playing this way, even if it is a FACE!

To hear about my classes on art journaling and architecture,
follow me on Facebook!

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Sennelier Pastel (grey) journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
Pentel Aquash Water Brush with Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink and Super5 Frankfurt ink,
TWSBI with DeAtramentis Black Brown ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
three oddball colored pencils from many years ago!

☾

As 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, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, waterbrush | Tagged #365sketch2017, #oneweek100people, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, sennelier pastel journal, Super5 ink, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | Leave a comment

Pat in Pencil

Posted on March 11, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Pat does magic with pencil, pen and colored papers.
In the #oneweek100people craziness I decided to play again with colored pencils in an homage to Pat. She has a cheery face and style and I hoped to capture her.
Mitchell says I am too critical but her face is too wide.

I laid in line-work, then began to play with grey inks to accentuate.
I’ve not worked on this paper before — I need a lighter touch with the waterbrush.

Finally I added pencil and writing in white pens and black pens…
Yes, I am copying her style and will until I morph into my own.
Any artist that tells you they DON’T do this is lying their arses off!
It is how we learn! I am hoping to take a class from her this year!

For me to love the colored pencil again I need to be able to get that
pop of color she manages to pull out of a pencil — brilliance!

Finally, another insight into challenges.
I may be through with them except for Inktober (October) or
World Watercolor Month (July) or Sketchpack (August).
Those challenges are about doing what you love, each day, not rushing
through an exercise for speed. I know that many urban sketchers WANT to
do this because they need to develop the skill to sketch people fast in public places.
It just is not for me.
For me the push to do 100 people in a week is not what I want.
I didn’t ENJOY it, and that is a key element in any creative endeavor.
I enjoyed Mitchell (yesterday) and Pat, and Neil (tomorrow).
They all were mush more than random faces or people —
They are people I care about and I was working them creatively.
I had FUN trying out Pat’s pencil techniques.

To hear about my classes on art journaling and architecture,
follow me on Facebook!

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Sennelier Pastel (grey) journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
Pentel Aquash Water Brush with Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink and Super5 Frankfurt ink,
Lamy Al-Star with De Atramentis Document Black ink,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges,
White Uniball Signo, and a mess of oddball colored pencils from many years ago!

☾

As 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, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, waterbrush | Tagged #365sketch2017, #oneweek100people, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fineline masking fluid, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, sennelier pastel journal, Super5 ink, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | Leave a comment

Mitchell on the Louis XVI Sofa

Posted on March 10, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I like doing full images more than a hundred…
THAT’S what I learned from #oneweek100people.
I did this from a picture of Mitchell laying on a fully re-tied spring set.

I’m happy with the way it turned out, and wish our camera had not gone out on us
(buying a new one) as this one is a bit so-so on color… the colors are quite nice.

I still hate the Fabriano A4 Watercolor journal, and am sorry I did this nice sketch in it.
The paper hates watercolors… seriously. I made it look like the splotchiness was intentional, but this should not have done that and it is all about the worst-paper-ever.
I will finish it with sketches without watercolors.

To hear about classes on art journaling, follow me on Facebook!

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Fabriano A4 Watercolor journal, Lamy Joy with De Atramentis Document black ink and Platinum Carbon pen with Platinum Carbon ink;
Noodler’s Lexington Grey; Sennelier, Holbein, and Daniel Smith watercolors.

☾

As 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, furniture, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Louis XVI Sofa, MPF Conservation, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Sennelier, upholstery, upholstery studio, virtual sketching, watercolor | 6 Comments

My Lino101 Book

Posted on March 9, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I usually make study books, and this one was made in a
little block print book that Tracey gave me — purr-fect for a block print
memory of my first dive into the medium!
This little book is a wrap-up of my participation in
LINO101, a class by Tracey Fletcher King.

The book is made by Catherine Money; expect to see them from me any day now!

Expect some profanity… Expect some gossip… but you have to read fast!

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To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook!

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Linoleum or rubber block, Bristol, handmade papers, shellac, printing ink

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Posted in art, cards, creativity, ink painting, print making, prints, process | Tagged #365sketch2017, Bristol, hand-printing, handmade papers, linoleum block, printing ink, rubber block, shellac | 2 Comments

#OneWeek100People2017 (I thought I was done)

Posted on March 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Okay this was fun for a bit… But still faces a no-go for me!
Gregory allowed me to have a bit of fun with them, and find a way in…
ONE more day, and no more. This time I mean it!

These are actual mug shots in the public domain…

Danny Gregory’s video inspired me to give a try at Mug Shots!

☾

Fabriano Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil,
a fat watercolor charcoal pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush with
DeAtramentis Document Black and Super5 Frankfurt, misc liquid watercolors.

w16-15-handbk-santa-paula-01-sq w16-16-handbk-santa-paula-03-sq w16-10-26-pentalic-la-cuesta-inn-sq w16-9-22-pentalic-laguna-beach-days-of-yore-05-sq w16-10-25-pentalic-san-louis-obispo-wine-02-SQ

☾

As 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?