Solitary Sketchcrawl

And here are the results of my morning hike to the lake. Okay, so is it still considered hiking if one does not have to scale mountains? Because admittedly, I just walked on flat terrain to the neighborhood lakes. :) Florida is FLAT, there is nothing I can do to change that! arrrrgh!

It was very relaxing, and I enjoyed stopping along the way whenever I found something of interest to sketch. And here I am, sketching... I even had to take my own photo on my solitary sketchcrawl. I need some friends. ha ha!

My gear for today...

This is what I packed for today's sketchcrawl. Unfortunately, it was just me, myself and I... and all the wildlife I saw along the way. A solitary sketchcrawl, but I had a wonderful time anyway.

I was sure that the ground would still be damp, so I decided to pack my Walmart fishing stool (I think it cost around $16.00) with my watercolor kit, sketchbooks, colored pencils, ink pens, cell phone, camera, paper towels and water bottle.

It has a lot of pockets, and the shoulder strap is fairly comfortable. But I am going to look in the camping store to see if I can buy some webbed staps with quick clips on the end... I'm hoping to construct two "back-pack" like straps when I want to carry it on my back. Seems like it shouldn't be too hard to add one more carry option to an already incredible bag. I'll figure something out!

Zinnia Reference Photo

I thought you may like to see the photo I took of this zinnia-like flower that I used as a reference point for my painted sketch as seen below. I was visiting Winter Park, Florida, a small town outside of Orlando, and these were growing in a brick flower box alongside Park Avenue. I set my digital photo to "macro" setting to capture a lot more detail.

As you can see, the photo only served as a structural and limited color reference, for I allowed myself to create my own "look" as I painted and altered the colors, adding hues that helped me achieve what I wanted to portray as an artist.

After I painted the Moleskine background (see below entry), I saw this photo in my files while I was skimming through my stash and decided it just "worked" for me over the golden underlayer. So, take lots of photos... you never know what you will use.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I hope you keep painting and experimenting!

Mixed Media Zinnia

Today was an experiment day where I was trying to cheat and do some base color with acrylic paint before adding subtle shading with watercolor pencils. It saves lots of time to underpaint first!

I prepped my Moleskine with acrylics, scumbling burnt sienna, burnt umber, and quinacridone gold...

Then I found a floral photograph that I took of a red zinnia type flower when I was at Winter Park one afternoon. I penciled it in and painted the local color with Cad. red and Alizarin... then added highlights with Naples Yellow and White.

After the base coat layers dried, I used watercolor pencils over the top to add depth in the shadow areas (purples and indigo for the petal shading). I also used some Albrecht Durer sap green colored pencil to add subtle color to the background.

I wanted this to look a bit "old world" style... maybe even a parchment feeling for the background. I really enjoyed using the acrylics and colored pencil together and will do more like this in the future. :)

My left hand?

Don't be afraid, it's not a wild animal's claw... it's just my left hand. I can see where you may be mistaken (take a look at the length of that middle finger!) At least my wedding band looks nice. LOL

I sketched this while listening to my daughter's violin lesson. She was running through the most glorious Mozart No. 5 concerto with her Russian teacher. You'd think with such beautiful music playing in the background that I would create a masterpiece. HA! Well, I can see that I will be doing "hands" for a very long time, like for the rest of my artistic lifetime. :)

8B graphite and watercolors in my sprial Mead sketchbook.

Grackles NOT Catbirds! :)

I was experimenting with combining graphite and watercolor as I sketched my sunglasses lying on the studio table when a horrendously rude group of what I thought were catbirds invaded the birdfeeder. They look huge compared to those wee sparrows who frequently visit. A friendly reader of my blog informed me that these were probably Grackles and not catbirds. I definitely need a bird book so I can identify some of my visitors.

I tried to paint one at the bottom of this page, but I don't think I managed to get the length of the body correct. They sure did make a lot of noise though.

Bird Watching

I moved my bird feeder right outside my studio window so I could watch the daily bird show. It gives me something to gaze at while I'm daydreaming instead of working. I did a quick sketch from an internet photo so I could compare it to my feathered visitors when they came back to eat at noontime.

The other sketch I did REAL fast while Jeff went into Tijuana Flats to order us some Mexican lunch. We sat outside on the raised porch, for the weather today is gorgeous! I tried not to stare at these unsuspecting models who were just trying to eat their lunch in peace. I finished adding the color when I got home. I used a Sketch and Wash pencil by Generals to draw the figures, but it didn't lay down a dark enough line for me. I will have to experiment to find a black pencil that is water soluble and dark enough to please me! LOL

I love my cardinals. I have 2 sets living in the yard, one set in the front azalea bushes and another set someplace in the backyard area. They chirp all day long and zoom in and out of the courtyard, flying low, and diving back into the thick bushes whenever I walk through.


These are tiny little birds, and I dug around the internet for some kind of photo that I could use to identify them. I think they are Chipping Sparrows? Well, they congregate with about 4 birds at a time on my feeder, and occasionally chase each other off--a lot of fun to watch.

A new plant to paint...

My victim...

The Process...

The Finished Art:

Here is the jade plant that I picked up at Target two weeks ago for 50% off. I love the shape of these leaves, and it's a good thing they store their own water, because living with me is a dangerous thing if you are a houseplant. Hopefully I can keep this alive on my back porch and remember to water the poor thing.
I included some not-so-great camera photos to show the execution of the process. I started with a light pencil drawing in my small Moleskine, then I added Winsor and Newton pan watercolors with my Niji waterbrush. I'm so lazy, that I even use the Niji in the studio, so I don't have to swish the brush in the water bucket. EEEEK!

It took me about one hour total. Now, it's about 9:28 am, and I'm heading off to the art store for a fun morning of lurking and hopefully purchasing. I'd like to pick up some more open stock watercolor pencils. I'm hoping that there are some Albrecht Durer ones to try, but if not I'm certain I can find something new to add to the collection.

Red onion and garlic study

Red Onion and Garlic

I've been working with pen and ink a lot lately, so I thought it was a good time to work tonally and omit the pen lines. It's always a good idea to switch gears once in a while.

These were sitting in my green kitchen bowl, so I brought them into the studio to do a watercolor study this afternoon. I used my small Winsor and Newton kit and my Niji brush after sketching out the placement with a number 2B pencil. Painted in the small Moleskine.

Coneflower Study

Coneflowers

Last night I pulled some reference photos out of my botanical file, grabbed my watercolor pencils and headed for my chair in the family room. Two hours of American Idol means endless opportunities for sketching during the blast of commercials they torture us with! Yes, commercials equate to "creative" time for me.

This is a floral study I did with water soluble pen and watercolor pencils in my small Moleskine of Coneflowers (Echinacea).

And here is a photo of the jumbo, handpainted mug I picked up at the Mt. Dora Flea Market this past weekend. I have a weakness for all things "pottery/ceramic". I bought it for 50 cents, and it is perfect for transporting my pencils, Niji waterbrush and ink pen to the family room. I like that I can see the pencil colors standing up... makes it easier to grab the hue I want without fiddling around in a pencil bag, especially as I am working within the commerical time slots, I don't want to waste time looking for that perfect shade. :)

A small floral sketch

Stargazer Lily

The past few days have been "remodel" and gardening days, which put a hold on some of my recent art activities. We have remodeled the kitchen ceiling, adding new recessed lighting and will be adding a new deck off of the bedroom next week. It's always messy cleaning up after these type of projects. I don't want to wipe down the kitchen again from all the sanding debris. Hopefully we are at the prime and paint stage as of today.

It looks like a front is moving into Central Florida today, so it's quite cloudy... unpredictable. I'm not sure if I will be able to get outside to sketch on location. This is a small floral atc that I did from photo references while waiting for my remodel guy to arrive--a quickie, warm-up project.

Watercolor and ink on watercolor paper.

Universal Studios

It's spring break week for my daughter, so we took advantage of our 2 year Universal Studio passes and spent the afternoon at the theme park. Jeff and Caitlin rode all the wild rides, and I brought along my traveling art studio (no surprise there!). This is where I started my late afternoon at Universal Studios, in Starbucks with a Caramel Frappacino sitting on purple fuzzy sofas.

Water soluble colored pencils and ink in my Mead sketchbook.



I found this fountain tucked back in a corner by the Dueling Dragons ride. The sound of the water splashing into the rock pool was soothing. I loved the colors of the square tiles, and the exotic music playing in the background made me feel like I was in a different country. Water soluble colored pencils with ink in my small Moleskine.

The light was slipping away, but I quickly sketched the Fire Eater's Grill before the sun disappeared completely...


Unfortunately the park closed at 8:00 pm, and when we tried to get some dinner at Margaritaville, we found there was an hour and a half waiting list---so we settled for Firehouse subs on the way back. :)

Music, Art and Photography

Caitlin playing her antique violin.

My collection of vintage cameras.

I'm still here...

We are busy with house remodeling, spring break activities, and lawn upgrades. But we're hoping to find time for the music, photography and art projects that we want to engage in also. The weather is beautiful, and tonight I think we're heading out to see a local performance of Grease.

Have a fun-filled weekend.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise
Shakespeare Center, Loch Haven Park, Florida

Today I was supposed to go out with the plein air group to paint in Osteen, Florida for the day. Unfortunately, I woke up not feeling all that great. I think I have worked the old body too hard this week. We've been trying to get the yard ready for spring planting, and I just didn't pace myself all that well. So I took some Ibuprofen and lounged around in my pajamas, trying to give my joints some rest. I still have much to do outdoors, but maybe I need to learn moderation. LOL

I took a photo of some flowers growing outside the Shakespeare Center last year, so I used one of them as a reference for this botanical study in my small Moleskine. Once again, I used the Rotring ArtPen and my watercolor kit.

Winter Park sketching

Rotring ArtPen with Watercolors in my small Moleskine.

Sketched at the courtyard area of Winter Park, near the rose garden and train station.

A Musical Day...

Yesterday began with a local concerto competition sponsored by the Orlando Music Club. Caitlin performed the first movement of the Kabalevsky. We were thrilled to find out that she had won first place! She works so hard, and is so excited to be honored with this ribbon and music scholarship. We just purchased her antique 1889 German violin from Gainesville Violins. She calls it the "King Franz." Sounds like she has a winner here!

Later that evening we met my Mom and Dad for an evening of Broadway Romance music featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

Today, Caitlin plays 2 solos at two different church services. It has been a music-filled weekend! Nothing better than that. :)

Azalea Time!

Azaleas in my courtyard. It's spring here in Florida!

Pony Tail Palm Drawing in Moleskine

After the sun came up, I decided to sketch this Pony Tail Palm that I have growing on my porch. I love the mosaic bowl and the way the leaves curl and spin around from the bulbous root. This was sketched with my Rotring ArtPen in my small Moleskine, and I used my small Winsor Newton travel watercolor kit to add the color.

My Golden Retriever played with his new "indestructible" ball that I bought for him at the upscale doggie store in Winter Park. So far it is holding up very well, and it should be, considering how much I paid for it. He destroys all his toys. Jeff drank his morning tea and read the paper.

After our glorious rest time, it was back to the spring cleaning of the backyard. So I'll be sore again tomorrow. This is day three of body abuse, but the yard is looking so good! Soon I'll just be able to do some light weeding and enjoy the flowers.

Morning Tea Time

Sun peeking through my hibsicus bushes...

Rising behind the bird feeder...

Lighting up the sky behind the pineapple palms.

I woke up early and started my Saturday with a nice hot cup of tea. This is what I saw from my screened porch. A wonderful start to the day.

For Mom

Botanical Sketch in my Small Moleskine.
Rotring Art Pen, water soluble ink and watercolors.

My mother was talking with my daughter on the phone last night, as they usually do during each American Idol show, and she wanted to know why I hadn't added anything to my blog recently. Seems like she is one of my biggest fans, although I'm not sure that she has ever left a comment. You can comment Mom, it's not just for my art friends. ;)

I've just been busy with music events for my daughter and trying to keep things organized around the house. I worked out in the yard the entire day yesterday, pulling weeds, creating new beds, moving bird feeders and shrubs, and draining the hot tub. Due to all that exercise, I woke up at 3:00 am this morning--- feeling like I could get up and run a marathon. For some reason I just felt completely refreshed from 4 hours of sleep.

So, mother, this botancial sketch of the "Angelique" Tulip is for you. I don't want my readers to get bored... especially Mom. Okay, it's 4:27 am, and now I'm going to either read the rest of my email, or try to slip in a few more hours of sleep.