Tag Archives: #deatramentisdocumentink

Sketchpack Project, 2026, Days1-15

I’ve been swamped with our business for a few years, and this year is no different, but I wanted to participate. For this year’s Sketchpack Project I simply took it to line drawings only! I sketched smallish object randomly chosen. … Continue reading

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VSW: Palms is Where I Wanna Be

On the last day of one of the worst years, 2024, I looked to a Virtual Sketchwalk palm-tree-and-beach image from Vietnam to lift my spirits, and said prayers, partly because I knew where our country was headed in 2025. I … Continue reading

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Chinese Lion Guard

We get such interesting projects in the studio. These pocket-sized Chinese Lion Guards were beautiful after being cleaned and oiled. I drew her in De Atramentis Document Brown ink. After grisaille work in Lexington Grey ink, I began layering Robert … Continue reading

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Sharada Navratri, 1

Sharada Navratri, nine nights (ten days) which celebrates the many faces of the goddess, is a post monsoon season autumn Hindu festival which often falls in the Western calendar months of September-October.  I take liberties to honor the Goddess in … Continue reading

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Tools: Drywall Repair Tape

I was buying product for the business and found this Drywall Repair Tape. (Image from their company, above; hopefully they will be okay with me using it.) I had a thought that it might be a fun tool to lay … Continue reading

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Taking Classes

I enjoy taking classes — the camaraderie, and also, even if I know a lot about the subject, I always learn something. This was a class by Pat Southern Pearce, called Paperbag Blossoms.  Pat often sketches on toned paper; that … Continue reading

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Recipes: Tacos

We buy a side of beef from local ranchers, and this means we get a lot of grand beef. I’ve never done much with it but finally, I am loving our Taco Nights! Sauteed diced red onions and browned beef … Continue reading

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Keeping an Art Journal

I’ve kept a journal with sketches since college… I started using lined journals I bought in Chinatown in San Francisco, above, for architectural notes, and every page has drawings made during lectures or tours or just thought about what I … Continue reading

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20th Anniversary

Why is it harder to sketch when the subject is “important”? We were married 20 years ago in a sweet colorful ceremony. When I wanted to draw our ceremony I am afraid my poor people drawing skills kicked in and … Continue reading

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30 Posies: 24th Avenue Camelias

This was a little bit of urban sketching, a little virtual sketching…. sketched on a walk with watercolors added in the middle of the night! Above, a detail of the line drawing and the finished camellia watercolor. 24th Avenue is … Continue reading

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Ukraine Faces

The war in Ukraine bothers me so… Sketching the lovely faces on the internet is a way to connect when I feel so unempowered to do anything, and marks this wartime. I cannot comprehend why we are again walking through … Continue reading

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Pink Echincea

I sketch, daily, even when not posting. Nothing earth-shattering, often from a photo late at night when I am not yet sleepy. During the day I am usually too busy with work. I haven’t been posting because I got sick … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Blue Cat Salt Shaker

We found this somewhat angry little palm-sized blue cat salt shaker in one of our treasure hunts in second hand store. A treasure. I am looking forward to Covid going away so we can search for treasures again. Happy Halloween! … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Waxed Linen Twine

Mitchell goes through so much of this twine in a year when he has upholstery projects. This is the twine that ties the seats and backs! Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is still sold at Barnes … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Venus of Willendorf

Venus of Willendorf is palm-sized. I think she is a poured modern fetish; The bee-headed goddess! I have painted her HUGE, see below… Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is still sold at Barnes and Noble), Lamy … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Tiny Dewar’s Bottle

Mom was a scotch drinker but not a Dewar’s fan. Not sure why we have this palm-sized bottle but it has been around forever. Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is still sold at Barnes and Noble), … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Waterman Inks

Waterman inks are ancient, not a trendy newcomer. They come in few but lovely colors, are a great price, and they take good care of our pens. Happy New Moon! Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Platinum Carbon Pen

I adore my Platinum Carbon pen> They made a HUGE mistake when they discontinued them… I bought a few when I heard the news (guess that makes me a hoarder) because this is my workhorse pen. I free-handed this wonky … Continue reading

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