Journaling on 'Whitelines' Paper

We picked a great day to go to the beach on Hilton Head Island, SC.  Instead of a mid-week visit, we chose Saturday.... the day of check out/check in for vacationers. While everyone else was stuck in traffic on Route 278, we and a decent amount of people were enjoying a beautiful day at the beach :)

On the technical side...
I made this journal entry in a new journal by WHITELINES. This is a Swedish company that makes a toned paper using white for lines. They also offer paper with grids (squared), isometric lined notepads and perspective lined notepads. There are many choices of binding: hard covered spiral, soft covered flexible and glued pads.

The paper has a nice feel. I estimate it to be about 24# in weight. I've been using Pentel energel and Signo uniball ballpoint pens on it and have experienced no smudging. The ink in these pens is water soluble. Micron pens remain waterproof on it's surface.

I used watercolor pencils on the page above with minimal water using a Niji waterbrush. The paper did buckle but, that was no surprise. I think colored pencils would really work well on this surface, perhaps even pan pastels. When you turn the page over you can see a little bleed through, but not nearly as much as you do with Moleskine's regular journal paper.

WHITELINES claims that when pages are copied or scanned the white lines and toned background will disappear.

Click to enlarge

As you can see above, that was not the case when I scanned the page at my scanners normal settings. I had to lighten the overall exposure of the original scan, lost some subtle tones, but the page on the right is a lot cleaner looking.

I do like how the ink really stands out on the paper. And the toned surface is easier on your eyes versus looking at dark lines on a white surface. I liked working on a paper with grids. My type lines remained square to the page :)

Overall, I like the paper for the written word. Perhaps next time I choose to add an illustration I'll test colored pencils...

Strawflowers: two more sketches and original

August 2011: Strawflowers, a photo by apple-pine on Flickr.

I finally took photo of the original ;)

And did two more takes:
Grayscale.

Liquid watercolors.


And here links to two previous blog posts about how it all started:
http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/08/strawflowers-and-paper-challenges.html

http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/08/strawflowers-and-paper-challenges.html

Lifting Watercolor Pencils? SURE!

Sometimes we're told watercolor pencils (or even watercolor) can't be lifted, once it's down it's THERE and there's no fixing it.

Not true. Even Derwent Inktense lifts fairly well, allowing you to regain a lighter value, adjust color, or soften an edge.

The trick is to use a stiff brush and clear water, and quickly blot away loosened pigment. Do it again, if you need to, but don't damage your paper.

You can use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, too--find them in the laundry and kitchen-cleaner section of your store, but don't get the one with soap built in!

Here's a demo with three different brands of watercolor pencils...give it a try!

Test Driving a new Sketchbook

Because my usual Moleskine is busy with a road trip, I tried a new sketchbook to see if it lives up to its claim to be the "only sketchbook you'll ever need", the Bee Paper Company Super Deluxe Sketchbook.

See the whole story of the test drive (and the Morning Glories, bunnies, and pepper) on my blog:

http://www.wisdomwoman.com/whatever/?p=286

jessica

Watercolor or Watercolor Pencils?

Are you in a hurry? Here's something to consider...



Of course this is not a slow, careful and controlled buildup of color, as you can do so well with watercolor pencils, but it is something to think about, depending on how you like to work...

This was done for my upcoming mini-class on watercolor pencils, but since it's on Joseph's YouTube, I thought I'd make it more widely available here!

Let us know what you think, and how YOU like to work!

Strawflowers and Paper Challenges - Update.

August 2011: Strawflowers, a photo by apple-pine on Flickr.

I think what is the most challenging thing for me is how much colors change when they dry on this paper... This is watercolor version, and below are gouache and marker versions.

August 2011: Straw Flowers and Paper Challenges

August 2011: Straw Flowers, a photo by apple-pine on Flickr.

This is one of the most colorful flower arrangements I've ever had - very fiery and very strong! I wanted to paint it very much.
But current sketchbook is giving me hard times with colors in it... And since I am in the mood to accept this challenge of 30 definitely not perfect pages, I decided to do several takes on the same subject. This is strictly black and white version. But I will try all sorts of alternatives in search for the best portrait of this fire and best technique with this slick and buckling paper. Stay tuned :)