Tag Archives: Primatek

National Train Day: Portland Union Station

This is in response to a friend’s request to post for National Train Day! (Go visit him here if you love trains and that will lead you to others who are posting, and the logo also was stolen from him….) … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, history, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

USk: Painted Girls, Alphabet District

We see these sweet homes on the way to our vets, and on walks. They are no where near special enough to be saved when the bulldozers come, which they will because way laid back Portlandiars won’t fight to save … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, commentary, creativity, drawing, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

USk: Trinity Episcopal Church’s Red Doors, Alphabet District

Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of 19th and Everett, across from where the NW Outdoor Market is often held.   I rarely see it like the image right (Wiki) — trees obscure the lovely old building except when it … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Travel Palettes and Color Mixing Charts

Prepare for a total geek posting. I’ve finally created an entire mixing chart. Who knew what I might learn! I wrote about finding a great deal on a Sennelier travel palette with pan watercolors, above.  I’ve not owned pan paints … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, color, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

USk: Vaughn St and 18th Street

Near Lindy Ltd., Vaughn curves into 18th and there is a lovely set of older buildings. I’ve seen chickens in the street in this odd quiet part of the city. Quick studies, not that happy with outcome — trees are … Continue reading

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USk: Pro Photo Supply, 18th and Marshall, NW Portland

Had little time to sketchcrawl last weekend, but found a great corner near us in NW. Around the corner from the main Pro Photo shop on 19th is the new-old building, where they’ve taken a dull green-grey corner at 18th … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

VSW: Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago

Loving this virtual walk in Chicago, I found a lovely Louis Sullivan church I’d not known about. Chicago has to be the Queen City of Architectural Monuments! Playing in virtual sketching gives me the ability to try techniques, and here … Continue reading

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

USk: Native American Student Center PSU

Above, a quick sketch (with Diamine Ancient Copper ink in a Lamy Al-star) of the Native American Student Center at the south end of the PSU campus, off the park.  Watercolor wash moved the inks: three colors were used: Yavapei, … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

VSW: Getty Tomb by Sullivan

Thanks to a tour of Chicago + Louis Sullivan, I found the Getty Tomb in Graceland (which the name always makes me think of Elvis, of course.) I couldn’t get the Getty Tomb out of my head. Best to get … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

VSW: Harold Washington Library, Chicago, 2 Watercolors

I added a wash coat of color and a bit of detail to the ink sketches. Being a line-work gal, not sure which I like best…  You? Moleskin 8×11 watercolor journal, watercolor pencils and Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, challenge, creativity, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

VSW: Chicago, 1, Newberry Library

Nice to have Sue lead the Virtual Sketchwalk in Chicago this month.  I’m taking the opportunity to play on Canson Colored papers, ink and watercolor on grey paper! The watercolor buckled the paper, but it stood up to it — … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, process, series, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tools: Watercolors

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

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

Eye to Eye with Humpback Baby

Rich German was eye to eye with a baby humpback whale. He took a picture, and allowed me to use it to sketch. I did this very quickly, and am happy with it. I only wish I could have the … Continue reading

Posted in animals, art journal, color, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Kamala Steals the Blanket, 2

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

Posted in animals, art journal, painting, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Doc Youping Qin

Dr. Youping Qin is my acupuncturist.  My images here are part of a larger set, depicting the history of acupuncture and Chinese immigrants to Oregon.  (This post is about the painting, not the story!) Doc Qin has been a Portland … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, creativity, drawing, making a living, painting, pen & ink, pencil, portrait, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Doc Zhou

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

Posted in art journal, painting, pen & ink, portrait, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

NW Portland Industrial Sanctuary

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

Posted in architecture, art journal, commentary, history, making a living, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Full Moon Prayers

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

Posted in art journal, Booby Gurl, creativity, gods and goddesses, journal, lunar cycle, meditation, painting, pen & ink, pencil, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments