I've been working in my Aquabee Sketch Book (6 x 9 in. = 15.24 x 22.86 cm.). This first one was looking out the sunroom at the neighbor's yard which rises up from ours. The sun was shining to make a nice shadow on the fence behind the little tree. I sketched it using a black Tombow pen (which, when wet, makes a nice blending of colors). But then I put down watercolor and water and it blended with the black and made everything look a bit muddy. So I overloaded the colors again using watercolor. Then I took some graphite and resketched it. What a mess! But I am learning from this so it's all just learning right now until I get the right mix of mediums to use and how to learn to leave certain things alone.
For the second one I sketched using just a #2 graphite pencil, then added a bit of the Tombow black pen where the darker shadows were. I then touched in some lemon yellow for the bright side and mixed that with the Tombow black for the darker parts. Cleaner and fresher looking - just a sketch and that's what I'm looking for as a final result of these experiments.
For the final one, I got out my set of watercolor pencils and sketched with them. I will wet some areas later to get a wetter look.
I think I like the 2nd version best so maybe the Tombow pen for the shadows and watercolor (lightly applied) for the light areas will work.
If I go out in the field, I can take my watercolor pencils, though, and work the colors and then wet them later if I don't want to carry water with me. I'm thinking of moving out of the sunroom and maybe into the local park as a starting point... (remember, I'm new to this and, in the past, didn't do well with plein air painting - not liking too much sun and heat and bugs doesn't help so the conditions have to be just right for me to try! ha ha)
For this week, the weather turned cooler - almost nippy in the morning and nice and sunny and warm with a cooling breeze during the day. Makes me feel like I have more energy. I've even been walking again, around the neighborhood. Tired of sitting on the couch like a spud!
I'm picking up my mother this morning, driving her over to Mariemont to see the watercolor show, then maybe a walk in one of the nice little parks in the area or around town (Mariemont is such a pretty little "village" type place with nice sidewalk areas and nice parks); and maybe lunch out, too - if the weather holds for us and no storms.
5 comments:
Hi, Rhonda,
All three are interesting, but I like the first one most. Yes, experiences teach us. I'll tell you I make tons of messes. But actually some of them are very good references. Graffiti are assets. Have a wonderful time with Mom and enjoy days.
Best wishes, Sadami
Beautiful intense greens! Love them. I have Tombow pens too and haven't used them in awhile: I love the instensity of the color but am frightened by it too! Weird!
Fun experiments, Rhonda! Try a waterbrush. Nylon bristles with self contained water barrel in the handle. Love them! I use Niji and you can find them at Dick Blick, Cheap Joes and probably more... Michaels sells them too under the name ZIG. Laure Ferlita at Painted Thoughts blog did a great demo but I can't find it... and I'm late getting outside to paint the full moon. I'll get back to you with the link :)
Found the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvzhlBnKqP4
Thanks, Sadami! Mom and I actually had our day out today (Thursday) because we got rained out yesterday. But it was a good day.
Laura, I like the Tombow pens but will have to learn how to use them - perhaps just value studies. I know what you mean about the color intensity - almost a nuclear green!!
I'll have to pick up one of those Niji brushes (or order one sometime). Thanks for the link - I'll look at it next. And hope you made it to paint the full moon - I always think of you out there when I can see it shining through the window.
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