tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17648224751958164272024-03-13T07:26:17.989-05:00Artists' Journal WorkshopKate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.comBlogger499125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-19157912135368614872019-07-15T10:04:00.000-05:002019-07-15T10:04:54.937-05:00Come To Jekyll Island For An Art Workshop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKpQxwVZjIw/XR0PsmT8RGI/AAAAAAAAHrg/XCWSy8fRYeUdd-dl6L-YWh5VC-N3XOnVgCLcBGAs/s1600/HorizontalLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKpQxwVZjIw/XR0PsmT8RGI/AAAAAAAAHrg/XCWSy8fRYeUdd-dl6L-YWh5VC-N3XOnVgCLcBGAs/s640/HorizontalLogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>5-Day Sketching Workshop</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Work on location with Laure at <b>Jekyll Island,</b> see <b>live demos</b> on sketching birds, dolphins, beach treasures, native flora, fauna, the inescapable beach kitsch and more! You’ll receive a full color handout with step-by-step instructions on many of these subjects PLUS one-on-one feedback and help on your work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The workshop will start each day at 9:30 a.m. and finish up in the late afternoon, leaving you with plenty of time to strike out on your own for a little exploring, relaxing, shopping or whatever your heart desires!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFKWFXd0umM/XR0Qh2-StKI/AAAAAAAAHrs/Qm3Jod2FY50JVCsUE2k0_EcavF2HQTLewCLcBGAs/s1600/dunes-1936086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFKWFXd0umM/XR0Qh2-StKI/AAAAAAAAHrs/Qm3Jod2FY50JVCsUE2k0_EcavF2HQTLewCLcBGAs/s400/dunes-1936086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Jekyll Island</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of the four barrier islands along the coast of Georgia known as the Golden Isles, Jekyll Island has a long but quiet history. Guale and Muskogian Indian tribes once made their home on the island before it was discovered by Europeans in 1510. Eventually, the English gained occupation. The island was home to a number of plantations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the late 1800’s, a plan was created to turn the island into a winter playground for the wealthy. Members joined the Jekyll Island Club of one hundred patrons and began building “cottages.” These mansion-sized residences were the homes of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan, and Pulitzer families. They played and vacationed on the island up until World War II. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After the war, the island was eventually bought by the state and the Jekyll Island Resort Club was opened in 1985 as a luxury resort hotel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For more information on Jekyll Island, please click <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jekyll_Island"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #000099;">here</span></a>. For more information on the club, please click <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jekyll_Island_Club"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #000099;">here</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Our Visit</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Each day will have us exploring the island with time in the historic district, visiting the beaches, spending time with some turtles, enjoying the Mosaic Museum and nearby areas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We will be capturing these visits and more in our sketchbooks so we can enjoy them long after we leave the island. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEc9PMjCrkQ/XR0Q0vj8Z8I/AAAAAAAAHr4/7vgPXq0hRfItpV5uXjHV5LXFqhqPcVRsgCLcBGAs/s1600/deckchairs-355596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEc9PMjCrkQ/XR0Q0vj8Z8I/AAAAAAAAHr4/7vgPXq0hRfItpV5uXjHV5LXFqhqPcVRsgCLcBGAs/s400/deckchairs-355596.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Activities Galore!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Whether you’re into kayaking, hiking, walking, birdwatching, or simply soaking up the warmth of the sun, there’s plenty to do on the island and in the nearby areas of St. Simons and Brunswick!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>Want To Join The Fun?!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Please click <a href="http://www.imaginarytrips.com/events/painted-travels-jekyll-island-an-artists-beach-holiday/" target="_blank">here</a> to learn all the details and to download the Registration Form! As always, I hope you can join me as it's going to be soooo much fun! Please let me know if I can answer any questions. </span></div>
Laure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-20498690313324045862019-03-21T08:44:00.003-05:002019-03-21T08:44:41.157-05:00Come Join The Fun On An Imaginary Trip To SW France!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.imaginarytrips.com/events/an-imaginary-trip-to-the-southwest-of-france/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mud0OLFBFP4/XI_w1a-Ga-I/AAAAAAAAHoE/n9Lovy_EIGsNK3N0plRvnocysSg9_n0cACLcBGAs/s400/Header-TIR.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I've always heard about the gorgeous light in Paris, but I never imagined that all of France (well, the parts I visited anyway) would have that same light! At times, it seemed pearlescent or iridescent...and so very clear.<br />
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It was a delight to walk around medieval towns and villages to sketch and paint (and take photos) because of that light. But I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the subject matter of said sketches and photos...delightful visits to so many small towns, parks, rivers, castles, gardens, and cities made this trip worthy of being made into an ImaginaryTrips.com' <b>online class!</b><br />
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I hope you'll join me for the <b><a href="http://www.imaginarytrips.com/events/an-imaginary-trip-to-the-southwest-of-france/" target="_blank">Imaginary Trip To Southwest France and Le Vieux Couvent</a></b>! We'll explore the lovely convent and its gardens, where we stayed as well as some of the most intriguing small villages (Saint Cirq Lapopie and Beynec), larger cities (Sarlat) and some off the beaten path destinations (Castelfranc).<br />
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There is something for everyone! I will be sharing my sketchbook and the pages I created while in France and I'll also show how I create a more finished look to those pages once I'm home.<br />
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Class starts on <b>April 18th</b> and will feature four assignments. There is an <b>interactive class</b> as well as <b>self-study class option</b> available.<br />
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To join in and <b>get registered today</b>, please click <a href="http://www.imaginarytrips.com/events/an-imaginary-trip-to-the-southwest-of-france/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for more information!<br />
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<a href="https://www.imaginarytrips.com/events/painted-travels-lvc-workshop/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1200" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FJYvi8HVD0/XI_zUrom0GI/AAAAAAAAHoQ/gzDlEESdLHUnrloGQaNc9grdl3t8O_Y8gCLcBGAs/s400/2019Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I am going back to LVC in <b>September</b> this year and <b>would love to have you join me</b> for the <b>10-day travel and art workshop!</b> It's not to be missed! The convent was originally built in the 1600's and has been lovingly refurbished into an art retreat complete with secret gardens, a koi pond and lovely courtyard. The classroom and art library are both huge and available 24/7.<br />
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This is a true immersion experience as we will get out to explore, sketch and paint the <b>Dordogne and Lot Regions</b> each day! We'll make use of the classroom to finish our pages in the evenings and during any inclement weather.<br />
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And I have to say, the people of LVC make this place truly magical! From the wonderful meals they create from local sources to the care they show in everything they do, this is one of those rare workshop opportunities that transcends the words, "travel art workshop!"<br />
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I hope you can join me for this awesome experience!<br />
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To learn more and get registered, please click <b><a href="https://www.imaginarytrips.com/events/painted-travels-lvc-workshop/" target="_blank">here</a></b>!<br />
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I hope to see you in France!Laure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-81447356526344377812019-01-23T11:54:00.000-06:002019-01-23T11:54:39.509-06:00Ink Spots!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y889psEjak/WBs7bEu1FNI/AAAAAAABcdk/1EvLA87i4WIxOtEY6MZtwiQxcS57bPSFACLcB/s1600/20161101_145719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y889psEjak/WBs7bEu1FNI/AAAAAAABcdk/1EvLA87i4WIxOtEY6MZtwiQxcS57bPSFACLcB/s400/20161101_145719.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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Well, not really ink spots! But I'm always on the search for The Perfect Ink for my purposes.<br />
<br />
I'm still looking.<br />
<br />
What I want most <i>often </i>is
an ink that dries waterproof (or at
least water-resistent) in a relatively short time, so I can use
watercolor over it...and that's tricky, in most fountain pens. I've
tested dozens and usually go back to Noodler's Lexington Grey, which
seems to perform best for me, given my usual "requirements." <br />
<br />
Often,
we blame our fountain pens for not feeding well, but it may be the ink
instead. (And of course some pens write wetter and some dryer...meaning
some make a finer more delicate line, and some really flow readily. My
original Namiki Falcon is like that, somewhat juicy.)<br />
<br />
I'd love a dependable brown that doesn't clog my pens, but so far except
in RARE cases, that's been tough to find. (My Carbon Desk Pens, the TWSBIs, and my
inexpensive Preppies seem most amenable to brown ink, and the brown that
works best for me seems to be <i>Noodler's Brown #41</i>.) But for the most part, Lexy Grey is my go-to ink. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVOTnp3TU3A/WBsug4-VHYI/AAAAAAABcdU/r_Z20-Du7co1yL-GhRCk3t0iN6guYvjWwCLcB/s1600/20161102_144556.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVOTnp3TU3A/WBsug4-VHYI/AAAAAAABcdU/r_Z20-Du7co1yL-GhRCk3t0iN6guYvjWwCLcB/s400/20161102_144556.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gouletpen.com/">GouletPen.com</a> has a lovely sampler set of browns to try out! (And come to think of it, there ARE some "ink spots," someone leaked!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2TQCxLfwM/WBs8fPoUfvI/AAAAAAABcdo/XHgQuxZnvvQy0FXjhqBgZg3mF6FH7VldwCLcB/s1600/img910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2TQCxLfwM/WBs8fPoUfvI/AAAAAAABcdo/XHgQuxZnvvQy0FXjhqBgZg3mF6FH7VldwCLcB/s400/img910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used Noodler's Brown #41 in my Materia Medica, in a Carbon Desk Pen you can read about in<a href="http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/06/yet-another-new-pen.html" target="_blank"> this post.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I was really excited when I
heard about DeAtramentis Document Inks, and some people are finding them
PERFECT for their needs, not a bit of trouble; my dear friend <a href="http://lizsteel.com/" target="_blank">Liz Steel</a> loves them! (The inks seem to work perfectly in many of the Lamy pens, which, unfortunately, I don't care for.)<br />
<br />
And
I just paid a professional to clean my vintage Sheaffer--I couldn't get
it to work even with Goulet's pen cleaner, which is normally magic!
She recommended that I either change to water-soluble ink or flush it
about once a week!<br />
<br />
(My favorite Noodler's Creaper pen that I <i>only </i>write
with is always filled with a water-soluble ink that hasn't failed me
once in almost 3 years...it's De Atramentis, a dark green-black, and I
love it!)<br />
<br />
NOTE: There's a big difference in <i>dye inks</i> and<i> pigmented inks</i>.
The latter is much more likely to be water-resistant, but also more
likely to clog since pigment particles do tend to clump. That's why
some cartridges, like the Pilot Namiki, some with a tiny ball-bearing
inside that keeps the particles more evenly distributed. Some of my
converters have that option too... <br />
<br />
I recently bought
another Noodler's Konrad pen, which holds more ink than the Creaper, and
was amazed when it quit working after a few weeks. I'm not, any more.
That's its feed and nib, on the left, in the first picture below. The
other is my normally dependable, foolproof Hero M-86 nib.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UaCkKLmXW0/WBo6ABX-VmI/AAAAAAABcbI/wHaYd8DAyjY3k9tjF7iSSfd05C-wwG6ZQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UaCkKLmXW0/WBo6ABX-VmI/AAAAAAABcbI/wHaYd8DAyjY3k9tjF7iSSfd05C-wwG6ZQCLcB/s400/IMG_2311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MbUNEeTOjg/WBo6AIhiQ_I/AAAAAAABcbA/K8xtXe9S-1c0SgnpfugfImMHNuGEvdkMQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MbUNEeTOjg/WBo6AIhiQ_I/AAAAAAABcbA/K8xtXe9S-1c0SgnpfugfImMHNuGEvdkMQCLcB/s400/IMG_2312.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, that's the new Konrad's feed...almost totally clogged.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCbx7TCScH0/WBo6AERGAcI/AAAAAAABcbE/tTTXLBL2Z9UYH5nuhNRpLNHFBcuCKDYGQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCbx7TCScH0/WBo6AERGAcI/AAAAAAABcbE/tTTXLBL2Z9UYH5nuhNRpLNHFBcuCKDYGQCLcB/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
is the Hero nib, likewise--but it had been in the pen considerably
longer, so not as surprised. BOTH took a nice bath in pen cleaner and
got a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush, though...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_KT5tdExwQ/WBo6AeYnW7I/AAAAAAABcbM/-eQDLl_iaVw0yvAjOoAp011uyH4Yq87AwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_KT5tdExwQ/WBo6AeYnW7I/AAAAAAABcbM/-eQDLl_iaVw0yvAjOoAp011uyH4Yq87AwCLcB/s400/IMG_2317.JPG" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just
for the heck of it I put the Hero under a magnivying glass...yuck. I'd
be reluctant to work too if I were clogged like that...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So will I continue to use my De Atramentis Document
inks? Of course. But I'll be much more mindful of cleaning and
flushing my pens and nibs, and use them in my juicier, more dependable
pens, at least the inexpensive ones like the Preppy and Metropolitan,
definitely not the vintage pens! And they're great with dip pens.<br />
<br />
Obviously
this is not an issue only with the De Atramentis Document inks,
either...many pigmented inks can be challenging to use. I'm careful
with Platinum Carbon Black and other similar inks as well.<br />
<br />
And of course you do NOT want to use India Ink or one of the acrylics in a good fountain pen. They dry <i>hard</i>!<br />
<br />
It
is more than possible to draw with water-soluble ink, and wet the lines
for halftones...it's a lovely and often luminous effect, just not one I
go for often! I may have to branch out a bit...<br /><br />Soooo...what works for you, in which pens? Water soluble, water resistant?Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-54654362834356073772018-09-28T12:47:00.001-05:002018-09-28T17:16:27.931-05:00Draw with Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWESG3Nnubg/W65l5JsEw3I/AAAAAAAB53A/m9gkKTeeCuMa-FBYFr_biyara0pUAZCfwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180904_184916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWESG3Nnubg/W65l5JsEw3I/AAAAAAAB53A/m9gkKTeeCuMa-FBYFr_biyara0pUAZCfwCLcBGAs/s640/20180904_184916.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi all! I woke up with a bit of a wild hair this morning--well, I know my hair is ALWAYS a mess, not that. I mean an idea! What would you think of an occasional "Draw with Me" event, perhaps monthly, perhaps quarterly, perhaps when the mood hit? (Or Paint with Me, sometimes? Or just whatever medium you prefer?)<br />
<br />
<br />
We'd have a basic subject matter each time--like this one I did for Self Portrait Sunday, where we work from life, using whatever medium we want. We could do something around our house, not necessarily a still life (though it could be), but maybe a favorite reading corner, your desk, what's on the plate for dinner, a view from a window; a pet--cat, dog, alpaca, goldfish, sugar glider, whatever; nature drawings; a favorite tool; your family, past or present; a favorite pastime; something from your imagination...<br />
<br />
It won't be a demo, per se, but more of a chance for all of us to draw together for an hour or two, or a morning, virtual but "live." There will be a set starting and ending time, of course--it would be a realtime event. That said, it may be day-long, and for those in far-different time zones, you can check in the next day.<br />
<br />
We'd have a place to share our work when the event is over--a blog of our own, Flickr, Facebook...<br />
<br />
It's not a "challenge," exactly--I won't say "draw an apple," for instance--as close as I'm thinking is the above, something around the house.<br />
<br />
I won't be judging work and there won't be "winners"--except that we DO win, by creating! I was surprised to open Facebook this morning to see the wildly talented James Gurney came up with a similar concept, his contest for drawings of cell phone towers! Great minds...or something...<br />
<br />
So what do you think? I don't know about you, but I've been coming out of a dry spell, and I'm feeling inspired--and want to share it!<br />
<br />
And of course--it's a FREE event. Let's have fun with it...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-72318073438858634602018-06-16T12:28:00.001-05:002018-06-16T14:54:05.723-05:00The Current Sketch Kit!So...attempting once again to organize and simplify! I have just gotten 3 new/old vintage pens from <i><a href="http://www.piergustafson.com/">Pier Gustafson</a></i> (more on those soon!) and wanted something better to protect them than the old plastic pocket protector that I've been using for years--you know, the ones with the open top. Things kept falling out, and it really wasn't quite big enough--not with the delicious new pens to play with.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, all the closed pen cases I found were too small, only holding 2 or at most 3 pens...and of course when I saw this small <a href="https://www.jetpens.com/Lihit-Lab-Smart-Fit-Actact-Compact-Pen-Case-Navy/pd/15798">Smart Fit case from Jetpens</a>, I decided to give it a try. It's about 4" x 7", and zips shut for much more security.<br />
<br />
The problem, of course, is that it really holds TOO much--and not quite enough at the same time! Consolidating all my travel kit in one place is lovely, but...it's gotten kind of fat and heavy as I keep thinking "okay, I need that...and might use that...and I always wish I had one of <i>those</i>...and oh, look, that fits right there...and want to try <i>that </i>out..."<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuYoi7Re8L8/WyU-8siQTpI/AAAAAAAB1YM/RCt_A5en7xQVew-10Dujgoch_iugVuFKwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180612_155009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="1600" height="325" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuYoi7Re8L8/WyU-8siQTpI/AAAAAAAB1YM/RCt_A5en7xQVew-10Dujgoch_iugVuFKwCLcBGAs/s400/20180612_155009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As it turned out, the pens work best on the right side, and I knew I wanted to keep one technical pen and one mechanical pencil, in addition to two of my vintage pens, and a dependable TWSBI Eco, and my old Frankenpen I discussed in <a href="http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2015/12/sketching-with-bent-nib-calligraphy-pens.html">this post</a>, and<a href="http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2015/12/kates-frankenpen-part-two.html"> this post</a> and OOOPS, out of room on that side! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceXnKdmxyVk/WyU-8XL91_I/AAAAAAAB1YI/WlCY8WgbylAQ_sySJi3gc56RPW2AXz2iwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180612_155045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceXnKdmxyVk/WyU-8XL91_I/AAAAAAAB1YI/WlCY8WgbylAQ_sySJi3gc56RPW2AXz2iwCLcBGAs/s640/20180612_155045.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So here's what made the cut for now...plus the tiny kids' watercolor kit from <i><a href="http://www.wetpaintart.com/">Wet Paint</a></i> I filled with my own choice of artist colors and a wee telescoping brush from an old Winsor & Newton kit in that small front pocket...that's the new/old blue Waterman from Pier Gustafson and my old red Eversharp from the 1950s.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcuPGvyNUy0/WyU-8q0ipCI/AAAAAAAB1YQ/JO5Ot0qUiFofgR5l_vOym7pf_r78wSxIgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180612_155203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcuPGvyNUy0/WyU-8q0ipCI/AAAAAAAB1YQ/JO5Ot0qUiFofgR5l_vOym7pf_r78wSxIgCLcBGAs/s400/20180612_155203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mesh side has room for a sharpener and a small magnifying glass, plus two waterbrushes, two "real" brushes of a nice size, cut off to travel, and one wee tiny one for the occasional serious detail (cat whiskers anyone?), 3 colored pencils (2 black or grey and one white), an antique folding pen given to me by a friend (that's the aqua dealie), and yes, another pen, the ever-dependable fine-nib <a href="https://www.gouletpens.com/products/platinum-refillable-carbon-fountain-desk-pen?variant=11884874793003">Carbon Desk Pen</a> I cut off so the cap would post. You can read about that process <a href="http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/06/yet-another-new-pen.html">here</a>.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp8GfdEH7dU/WyVHguRknGI/AAAAAAAB1Yg/hDnOZooberoHLf2nKD6UYGxC8EzyK2fLACLcBGAs/s1600/20160820_100342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp8GfdEH7dU/WyVHguRknGI/AAAAAAAB1Yg/hDnOZooberoHLf2nKD6UYGxC8EzyK2fLACLcBGAs/s320/20160820_100342.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how they come from Wet Paint and others, still with the kid colors in it at that point...and a totally useless brush!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh, yeah, that tiny watercolor kit? That's what I used for all the sketches but ONE to fill <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cathy.johnson1/media_set?set=a.10207814198740949&type=3">this journal</a> when we went to Charleston, SC! (If you're not on Facebook, my account is public so you may be able to see anyway...) I CAN travel light...it's just not easy. <br />
<br />
So at 7.7 ounces this setup is not exactly super light, and full, it's about 1-1/2" deep, so not really skinny, either...but oh well! Like a Boy Scout, I'm prepared!Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-43130592352159803922018-06-09T14:24:00.002-05:002018-06-09T14:24:54.024-05:00Repurposed Prang Box, 10 years later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3dWKQkvF84/Wxwkv7XHMqI/AAAAAAAB03k/MJQDKbsQwWETAAdSuBnNeGZZ7GC6wF4mgCLcBGAs/s1600/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1500" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3dWKQkvF84/Wxwkv7XHMqI/AAAAAAAB03k/MJQDKbsQwWETAAdSuBnNeGZZ7GC6wF4mgCLcBGAs/s400/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If
you've been with me for a while, you may remember this repurposed Prang
watercolor box, from the 1950s--when the boxes were still metal rather
than plastic! I took out the kids' paints and replaced them with larger
pans of professional colors I actually like...<br />
<br />
The
photo is from 2008, so I've been using this little jewel for 10
years...I have carried it from Missouri to California to Nevada, and
love using it...it makes me feel like a kid again! That's the one in our banner here, too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucOgJdA589M/WxwlZX6tdSI/AAAAAAAB04A/v7Y8PcUPK6c4FJz_8AfJmzyOHCjuW03IgCLcBGAs/s1600/PrangboxSamples.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="1000" height="83" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucOgJdA589M/WxwlZX6tdSI/AAAAAAAB04A/v7Y8PcUPK6c4FJz_8AfJmzyOHCjuW03IgCLcBGAs/s400/PrangboxSamples.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the colors I added then, or close to it...there's an orange in there, too, in place of one of the yellows!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBK91ldD_UQ/Wxwkv3YsCEI/AAAAAAAB034/4KDTU2LfUfgK--e-sjRCRHBjsAd-_T-4QCEwYBhgL/s1600/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="800" height="194" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBK91ldD_UQ/Wxwkv3YsCEI/AAAAAAAB034/4KDTU2LfUfgK--e-sjRCRHBjsAd-_T-4QCEwYBhgL/s320/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually,
I have a couple of them...one with Old Faithful, the Yellowstone geyser
on it, as well as this somewhat newer one...I found them on eBay, and a
quick check showed you can still find them there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3UCRVzyxbM/WxwkwZbArJI/AAAAAAAB030/Uknn-_HMXMo4p6lujRX2jABwvZGocqzogCEwYBhgL/s1600/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="800" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3UCRVzyxbM/WxwkwZbArJI/AAAAAAAB030/Uknn-_HMXMo4p6lujRX2jABwvZGocqzogCEwYBhgL/s320/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pan of kids' colors pops right out...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1gtBC4dIa8/Wxwkv0IUtoI/AAAAAAAB034/xwaVjzy4cJs_TCBzKtgGDxX9TAyWyPO0ACEwYBhgL/s1600/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1500" height="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1gtBC4dIa8/Wxwkv0IUtoI/AAAAAAAB034/xwaVjzy4cJs_TCBzKtgGDxX9TAyWyPO0ACEwYBhgL/s400/RepurposedPrangNew%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I
stuck empty full pans in with rubber cement, so they're easy to pull
out and replace if I want...and then filled with my own choice of
colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well. That was then, this is now. 10 years, many miles, and a whole lot of sketches later!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6tx29HUNLQ/Wxwk0F79cKI/AAAAAAAB038/Zxx0f4r9XcATADmgxJTWHfySWvykbRPCQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180609_115225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6tx29HUNLQ/Wxwk0F79cKI/AAAAAAAB038/Zxx0f4r9XcATADmgxJTWHfySWvykbRPCQCEwYBhgL/s400/20180609_115225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The
mixing area has gotten rusty and I may sand and repaint it...or not.
Some colors have been replaced. I added a few half pans for more
versatility...Manganese Blue Hue, Indigo, Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet,
and Quinacridone Gold...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see, it's been well used and well loved,
and will continue to be so. (And yes, I cleaned it up some for its
photo op. Really I did!) At 4.9 ounces, it's my heaviest travel kit,
but sometimes you just have to deal with it! Worth it, to feel like a
kid and give yourself permission for whimsy...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X32bC3D5EF0/WxwnvEC_JHI/AAAAAAAB04M/5jtnrVCifu4PpWXTRmlf3l73rwUdaoDDwCLcBGAs/s1600/CA%2B2012%2B086.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X32bC3D5EF0/WxwnvEC_JHI/AAAAAAAB04M/5jtnrVCifu4PpWXTRmlf3l73rwUdaoDDwCLcBGAs/s640/CA%2B2012%2B086.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a beach in California...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-18356358855883635392018-06-08T16:08:00.001-05:002018-06-08T16:08:51.541-05:00Lighten Up!I find that over and over I try to simplify my gear and lighten my
load--and since I want to be prepared for almost any sketching
contingency, it's not that easy! <br />
<br />
Recently I've been exploring the fun little Pocket Palettes from <a href="https://expeditionaryart.com/" target="_blank">Expeditionary Arts</a>--and Maria Coryell-Martin keeps refining and offering new types, formats, and kits! Check out her "toolkit" page at the <a href="https://expeditionaryart.com/shop/art-toolkit/" target="_blank">link</a>...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwW6KL_NR-0/Wxrr8gwpgEI/AAAAAAAB0xg/SiTTSpRpiWYddRhSPlHxZ3SUbQZrds4gQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180608_143114.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwW6KL_NR-0/Wxrr8gwpgEI/AAAAAAAB0xg/SiTTSpRpiWYddRhSPlHxZ3SUbQZrds4gQCLcBGAs/s320/20180608_143114.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here
you see the original palette on the left and a newer model with a
brushed steel case (I think she's offering a traditional black one now
too, but I didn't see it on the page.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JPte3MsCf8/Wxrr8s46NaI/AAAAAAAB0xc/qBVkjwm3_cgbzcBGFdkcNRyiNeTzD58ywCLcBGAs/s1600/20180608_143121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JPte3MsCf8/Wxrr8s46NaI/AAAAAAAB0xc/qBVkjwm3_cgbzcBGFdkcNRyiNeTzD58ywCLcBGAs/s320/20180608_143121.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know it's silly, but I'll keep carrying the original<i> shiny</i>
one because sometimes a girl just needs a mirror...or a signaling
device...or...and the little bag it comes in protects the finish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEqDVJiHuLI/Wxrr8sBuq_I/AAAAAAAB0xk/nnkyzmeZ6rQw9O8gOpLjZxNMEZPA1dLCQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180608_143537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEqDVJiHuLI/Wxrr8sBuq_I/AAAAAAAB0xk/nnkyzmeZ6rQw9O8gOpLjZxNMEZPA1dLCQCLcBGAs/s400/20180608_143537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The
very first ones had small pans, like those on the right in the filled
palette, but many of us like to work with a larger brush, so Maria added
the square pans. Perfect! <br />
<a name='more'></a>The newer model in
the right has a HUGE pan in the right, plus wee ones for those colors
you don't use often. They all fit in place like a jigsaw puzzle, held
in place with magnetic rubber on the bottom of the pan, so you can
arrange them in whatever configuration you want.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OVpJb4tr-g/Wxrr81qbEnI/AAAAAAAB0xo/-BLFsCKkn0YGVimFTndX_OEJLxeJd2nTwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180608_143545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OVpJb4tr-g/Wxrr81qbEnI/AAAAAAAB0xo/-BLFsCKkn0YGVimFTndX_OEJLxeJd2nTwCLcBGAs/s400/20180608_143545.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
one fits my needs best since I like to carry a limited palette in the
field...a warm and cool of each primary plus a couple of convenience
colors...in this case, cadmium yellow light and Indian yellow,
quinacridone rose and pyrroll scarlet, thalo blue and ultramarine, plus
burnt sienna and indigo. I can do about anything with those few
colors...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can buy extra pans in case you want to switch things around or change palette colors in an instant, too!<br />
<br />
The
white mixing palette will stain...but so will virtually ANY palette
when you use--wait for it!--staining colors! I scrub it off with a wet
paper towel and a bit of soap and that seems sufficient.<br />
<br />
A
pencil, a pen, and a waterbrush or two and you'd be good to go almost
anywhere...without adding more than a few ounces to your kit.<br />
<br />
If you're familiar with my book, <a href="http://cathyjohnson.info/bookpages/workshop.html" target="_blank">Artist's Journal Workshop</a>, you'll have seen Maria's amazing paintings done on the spot with this little kit!<br />
<br />
(And yes, I did post this in my blog, Cathy Johnson--Art, Life, and Other Oddities. This nifty little kit deserves a wider audience!) Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-4091292107831890712018-04-11T10:59:00.001-05:002018-04-11T10:59:58.056-05:00which green?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gCiP-vCsbw/Ws4tz5e5WoI/AAAAAAAAFtM/TxAbmV2X_GISat7KRHu3JPBv1tQOJc3UACLcBGAs/s1600/AD2F581D-C46C-4258-AD48-7F15DC028671.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gCiP-vCsbw/Ws4tz5e5WoI/AAAAAAAAFtM/TxAbmV2X_GISat7KRHu3JPBv1tQOJc3UACLcBGAs/s400/AD2F581D-C46C-4258-AD48-7F15DC028671.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have tweeked the limited palette that I recently put together, replacing the raw umber with burnt sienna — I can always mix a near-match to the raw umber with ultramarine. Then I wondered whether to keep the one single-pigment green as perylene green, or replace it with phthalo green BS?<br />
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So I mixed it with my other colors. If what I’m after is “bright”, the phthalo is a better choice; for subtle, realistic color, the perylene works better. . . . . Still undecided. What do you think?<br />
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The other choices in this limited palette are quinacridone rose, quinacridone gold, Hansa yellow medium, phthalo blue GS, ultramarine, burnt sienna, Payne’s gray, and a dab of white gouache. Plus a Loew-Cornell #8 round and a 3/4 flat for my brushes. The flat’s handle has been shortened to fit the box and pointed for scratching effects.Vicky L. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-42102550479590166742018-03-21T08:46:00.000-05:002018-03-21T08:46:18.899-05:00Texas wildflowers <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bgztdaGmu0/WrJdfINsWHI/AAAAAAAAFpE/HmyGIz1nwtQzsowDi_2lElLitsgmZaC1gCLcBGAs/s1600/85573658-CD5E-4A1D-89D4-D4DE11631F00.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bgztdaGmu0/WrJdfINsWHI/AAAAAAAAFpE/HmyGIz1nwtQzsowDi_2lElLitsgmZaC1gCLcBGAs/s400/85573658-CD5E-4A1D-89D4-D4DE11631F00.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The first explosion of native wildflowers has begun, the first I found up close being the blanket flowers growing on a street corner in Somerville, Texas. Yesterday I stopped to get a closer look at the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and tickseed blooming near highway 36 and FM 1948. Washington county will soon be covered in glorious color — this year, the peak bloom time is expected on Easter weekend, though they will continue through next month. And summer varieties will soon follow . . .<br />
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Lately I find myself not sketching every day, but just adding bits here and there to my journal when the mood strikes, whether text or drawings. But I just can’t let the first wildflowers of the season get by without trying once again to capture their likeness.Vicky L. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-72246436925907158482018-03-16T15:48:00.000-05:002018-03-16T16:29:10.479-05:00Mini-peeks into my sketchbook! #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UR_WXPc4cHs/WqwrRCVmbHI/AAAAAAABw1Y/a_XbQTyhnC0SuPwQYyA_BwOTW_jMkMC4gCLcBGAs/s1600/Watercolor%2BArtist%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UR_WXPc4cHs/WqwrRCVmbHI/AAAAAAABw1Y/a_XbQTyhnC0SuPwQYyA_BwOTW_jMkMC4gCLcBGAs/s640/Watercolor%2BArtist%2B7.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
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I was recently asked to do a short article for <i>Watercolor Artist</i> magazine for a new column they've begun, Open Book (our friend Liz Steel was in this month's issue!) They asked for 3-4 images to pick from, but will only use one in the magazine...and as usual I overproduced! I came up with 9 images, but controlled myself and only sent, um, 5...or 6...<br />
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So I have leftovers to share with you!<br />
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This one was from a fall trip to Bennett Spring state park...I was wanting to explore wet in wet but with touches of gouache against that dark background to pop out and suggest a bit of depth.<br />
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I painted the dark, shadowed background hill, the warmer stream bank and the water first, and quicky laid in splashes of orange for the colorful tree and its reflection. When those washes were dry, I painted the taller, darker oak tree, using a kind of quick, loose scrubbing motion to suggest foliage.<br />
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The dark trunks and limbs were added next, with a round brush and a small rigger brush, and allowed to dry.<br />
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Then I used my old friend spatter in watercolor and gouache, plus touches of pale green gouach on the bankside bushes. An opaque gel pen made linear sparkles in the water...<br />
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Fast, fun, and I was satisfied with the effect, for the most part.<br />
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I'll add more of these as I get time... <br />
<br />Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-19636244378795885722018-01-30T04:38:00.000-06:002018-01-30T04:38:02.681-06:00A NEW Sketchbook Cover For My Paris Sketchbook - Laure Ferlita<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c87NwvteB8s/Wm-C0c3YvSI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/_NKu6-nJUd0_OJ6DreyySFvpAfjMZMqnQCLcBGAs/s1600/DailySketch-1_27_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c87NwvteB8s/Wm-C0c3YvSI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/_NKu6-nJUd0_OJ6DreyySFvpAfjMZMqnQCLcBGAs/s400/DailySketch-1_27_18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the cool things about planning out a trip to Paris so far in advance is that I have plenty of time to start playing with my sketchbook NOW rather than just before time to go. The image above shows my layout plans for my new sketchbook cover with the finished item at the top right.<br />
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I knew early on that I would be making a sketchbook to take to Paris as I wanted to play around with a variety of page configurations and I LOVE square format sketchbooks. I also wanted control over my paper choice. Using Moulin du Roy 140 lb. CP paper, I have already torn down four signatures of four pages each. The pages all have different folds and some of are different size though the overall size of the sketchbook pages is 5.75 x 5.5 inches. The cover is 6.25 x 6 inches...not quite square, but close enough!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Flexibility</span></b><br />
The reason I make the sketchbook cover SEPARATE from the signatures is because I can easily take the pages or signatures in and out of the book. If I don't want to carry the entire sketchbook, I can remove a section. If—heaven forbid—I were to lose my sketchbook, there's a good chance I would not lose everything.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMON1aCDoIU/Wm-GqlLpHgI/AAAAAAAAHRM/G1X5JfELwZQ0NDId8pktnbf_lWISfNuYQCLcBGAs/s1600/Paris_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMON1aCDoIU/Wm-GqlLpHgI/AAAAAAAAHRM/G1X5JfELwZQ0NDId8pktnbf_lWISfNuYQCLcBGAs/s400/Paris_Cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The other reason I like this layout is because it allows me to pull individual pages in and out to work on rather than try and rustle with a whole book. Once the signatures are bound, this won't be possible, but until they are it makes working much easier. The elastic loops securely hold the pages in place. Also, because I've been adding a lot of "extra" items (maps, stickers, stamps, ephemera, etc.) If the sketchbook gets too bulky to handle easily, I can slip a section out of the book.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJjQzKHK15E/Wm-P-xp-34I/AAAAAAAAHRk/hsg5E6dR8joojC05TR5eiC9TCZvjpfZDwCLcBGAs/s1600/Loops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJjQzKHK15E/Wm-P-xp-34I/AAAAAAAAHRk/hsg5E6dR8joojC05TR5eiC9TCZvjpfZDwCLcBGAs/s400/Loops.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Once my pages are complete (after I return from Paris), it may be that I didn't use all the pages/signatures I expected to. I can use these books in a different sketchbook. I have the option of binding the completed signatures into a more permanent cover (which is my plan) or I can continue to use the sketchbook cover you see in the images.<br />
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I used this system way back in 2014 on my trip to Acadia National Park and it worked tremendously well. You can see the leather cover I made for that trip <b><a href="http://paintedthoughtsblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/is-there-such-thing-as-too-much-fun.html" target="_blank">here</a></b> and read about it as well.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Leather vs. Material</span></b><br />
When I started to plan out my journal cover, I was going to use leather and even made a leather cover. However, there are some advantages of using material over leather:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Pockets - It's pretty easy to sew a pocket onto a piece of material. Leather is a bit more challenging. The pocket allows me to carry a few pieces of ephemera, tracing paper, etc. and it's an excellent place to tuck items away until I can add glue them to the page. I only added one, but it would be fairly simple to add one to the front of the cover if you so chose. </li>
<li>Pen Loop - You can buy a clip that has a pen loop to use with a leather cover, but they're metal and they add weight to the sketchbook. With the fabric, I incorporated a piece of elastic into the seam. The weight is negligible and it is more secure.</li>
<li>Speaking of Weight - Leather weighs substantially more than material and if I'm going to lug this sketchbook all over Paris along with my other art supplies and a cell phone and umbrella and so on, I want to stay as light as I possible can. By saving an ounce or two here and another over there, I'm saving my neck and shoulders a lot of stress and strain. </li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How Did I Do It?</span></b><br />
If you have basic sewing skills and a sewing machine, it's not hard to create a cover to your specifications. I read a lot of posts and watched a lot of videos on how to make a DIY fauxdori sketchbook cover, DIY Traveler's Notebook, and other combinations. There are a host of posts out there. Some of them do not require sewing.<br />
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Because I wanted a bit more structure to my sketchbook cover, I combined two ideas to make mine. You can see them <a href="http://seriousplay.typepad.com/cinback/2015/10/my-midori-travelers-notebook.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In1vmGEVz3Y&t=854s" target="_blank">here</a>. I wanted a spine, but I wanted the soft flexibility of the DIY Traveler's Notebook cover.<br />
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The size, the number of signatures and so on are completely customizable so you can create a sketchbook that is uniquely your!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Are YOU Coming To Paris?!</span></b><br />
Would you like to?! You know you want to! I am so looking forward to going to Paris. It's been a pleasure to start working on this project already. My sense of anticipation has already started to build as I learn and read and sketch. By the time I return home, I hope to have a sketchbook worthy of my experiences while I'm in the City of Light. I would LOVE to help you create a sketchbook that captures your love or travel and art into a sketchbook you'll cherish for years.<br />
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A small group of artists will be joining me and we'll be exploring Paris off the beaten path as well as some of the iconic sites. I will be providing spontaneous demos each day based on where we are and what we see. I will also be available to guide you and answer questions as you capture your memories and create a sketchbook like no other! I hope you'll come and join the fun! Come and check out all the details <a href="http://paintedthoughtsblog.blogspot.com/p/paris-2018.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> and <a href="http://www.thebluewalk.com/watercolor-sketching-in-paris-france-with-laure-ferlita/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.Laure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-46358494703454995602017-11-19T08:25:00.002-06:002017-11-19T08:25:50.454-06:00The Best Pencils...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfIdu0L25fE/WhGTFmZBTaI/AAAAAAABpKk/XDDkdN-b8ZUPjDIRqUByQ9VSSeSTThtCACLcBGAs/s1600/20171031_143317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfIdu0L25fE/WhGTFmZBTaI/AAAAAAABpKk/XDDkdN-b8ZUPjDIRqUByQ9VSSeSTThtCACLcBGAs/s400/20171031_143317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been meaning to share this article with you for some time, and I'm finally taking care of some "to-do" list items! <a href="http://wonderstreet.com/blog/choosing-the-best-pencil">http://wonderstreet.com/blog/choosing-the-best-pencil</a><br />
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As always, "the best pencil" is a very personal thing, of course, and depends as much on what you're doing at the time as it does the person using it. I recently rediscovered one of my mentor Ann Zwinger's favorite pencils, a Berol Turquoise HB--I treasure the two I had hoarded, and was afraid to use them much, but picked one up at the cabin recently and loved it, all over again.<br />
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(Unfortunately, we discovered when we went to buy more that Turquoise is now made by Prismacolor, and though they're okay--they're not the same.) <br />
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These days, when I'm sketching in my journal, it's most often a Pentel Forte HB or B mechanical pencil, with that nice soft white vinyl eraser. Convenient, versatile, no need to sharpen, and with enough range of value to satisfy me.<br />
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And sometimes, I love the pick up a dark-colored Prismacolor and add watercolor wash...an old favorite technique.<br />
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What's your favorite pencil? What do you pick up most often?Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-57609508498478981882017-11-18T13:17:00.000-06:002017-11-18T13:17:03.667-06:00sketching at concertsThis week I went to two classical music concerts in libraries and sketched at each . Both concerts were beautiful and I am in awe of the skill of the musicians and performers . They were:<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.bottledsnail.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bottled Snail Productions</a> "Twilight Songs Under the Dome" at the magnificent and historic <a href="https://www.lawlibrary.vic.gov.au/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Supreme Court Library.</a> I did seven sketches in an 75 minutes. I moved around the back and side of the room between musical pieces.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/saverioquartet/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Saverio String Quarte</a>t at the historic <a href="http://www.melbourneathenaeum.org.au/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Melbourne Athenaeum Library</a>. I did one sketch in 45 minutes, sitting in the front row. </li>
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<a href="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Saverio-string-quartet.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3894 size-large" height="252" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Saverio-string-quartet-1024x646.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<i>Saverio string quartet at Melbourne Athenaeum Library</i><br />
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I am most pleased with the above sketch of Saverio , at the second concert I attended. Perhaps I had warmed up my sketching the night before. I think I may have been a bit self conscious at the first (Bottled Snail) concert, as it was held in my workplace and a few people know that I was sketching,<br />
<a href="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail2.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3889 size-large" height="253" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail2-1024x649.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<i>Habeas Chorus of Bottled Snail at Supreme Court Library. They were warming up just before the concert began</i><br />
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I have sketched irregularly at classic (and other) music concerts over the past few years. It is something that I enjoy, but don’t feel in my comfort zone. I often draw people in groups, audiences or events, but for some reason I am not entirely happy with the results of musicians.<br />
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Sketching while listening to music enhances my appreciation and relaxation. However, it all depends on the music. Sometimes I will put my pencil down, close my eyes and soak it all in.<br />
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I have been reflecting about why I don’t have the same level of comfort as in other situations. I don’t have the answers but I think I know why I don’t have the answers,<br />
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One thing I have learnt – each situation is different – indoors, outdoors, size of audience, amount of lighting, number of musicians and how many musical pieces and the length of the pieces. Sometimes I can choose where I get a seat but not always. There are often unknowns.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail3.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3890 size-large" height="256" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail3-1024x655.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<i>Choosing pen and ink to sketch the highlight of the black and white of the choir , the outline of the audience members. Adding colour to the Chief Justice's portrait and the gasolier lamp.</i><br />
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I know that I need to make an early decision on what to draw with. I need to decide whether to choose my Lamy Safari ink pen or one or a few choice watercolour pencils. I then put everything else away. I don’t want to be disturbing and distracting other audience members by fiddling around, looking for colours.<br />
Although listening to a concert is an audible experience, there is often so much visual.<br />
One of the decisions I think that I need to make is about what to focus on and put down on paper. Are they sketchy or detailed ? Often this depends on my mood.<br />
Do I want to capture<br />
<ul>
<li>The feeling of the music</li>
<li>Musicians – faces, feet, hands, their movement</li>
<li>Instruments</li>
<li>Audience</li>
<li>Surroundings – the building, stage</li>
</ul>
I will try to think of them as a suite of options open to me.<br />
At the moment I think that I try to capture it all. Some concerts are only 45 minutes, some much longer and will have a few different sets of musicians playing .<br />
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<a href="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-3888 size-large" height="261" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail1-1024x670.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3893 size-large" height="252" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail6-1024x645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3892 size-large" height="227" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail5-1024x582.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew that I had seven minutes to sketch Kylie, the accompanist.<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3891 size-large" height="252" src="http://www.alissaduke.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/17Nov-2017-Bottled-Snail4-1024x645.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another quick sketch<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does anyone have any hints and tips for sketching at concerts? What is your approach?</span></span><br /><i style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></i><br />
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alissadukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150731700494145900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-70800615703711601812017-05-16T08:39:00.000-05:002017-05-16T08:39:25.797-05:00Sketchbook Review: Field Artist 4" Square Watercolor Journal<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
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Every once in a while, I spot a new art toy that I just know is going to recharge my flagging art energies and it happened when I saw the Field Artist 4" Square Watercolor Art Journal!<br />
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I just knew I was going to love it because:<br />
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<ul>
<li>It's small. At only four inches, it fits in the palm of my hand when closed. </li>
<li>It's square. I've been having a love affair with squares for many long years and I am almost always captivated by something squared, especially if it is not usually found in that shape!</li>
<li>It's a watercolor journal and that always makes me happy. </li>
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Upon receiving the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Artist-Watercolor-Favorite-Hardbound/dp/B06XD5JKPN/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1494877177&sr=8-2&keywords=Field+Artist+watercolor+journal" target="_blank">art journal</a> from Amazon (no affiliate links), I immediately pulled out my stamps and embossing powder and decorated the front cover. The journal does have an elastic band to keep it closed that cannot be seen in the image. </div>
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While I adore the effect, I don't recommend doing this as the embossing is not holding up well. My journals are well traveled. They go everywhere I do and that means they typically tumble around in whatever bag I am carrying. The cover itself is a "PU leather-like fabric" and is holding up just fine. It's the embossing I added that is not. </div>
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My first piece of art is on the inside of the cover. The paper used as the endpaper is not the same as the journal pages. It's much lighter in weight so I opted to use markers to create my design. The paper didn't hold up well even under marker so I caution you about using any kind of wet media on it. </div>
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The endpaper on the inside right sports the sketchbook branding and is oriented so that the logo only reads correctly when the book is opened top to bottom with the fold of the journal above the logo. You can also see the yellow ribbon page marker in the image below. </div>
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I'm thinking I'm going to be gluing an additional piece of watercolor paper over the branding page and using the space as a place to put my "if lost, please return" info:</div>
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Eventually, I worked my way to my first page. Since the book is small and I knew I wanted it to record "everyday adventures" that seemed to fit as the title page as well as the theme. I think we often have far many more adventures than we realize. It takes paying attention to notice them though. </div>
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Those adventures can be as simple as having to take a detour due to construction and seeing something new or it may be notice a pretty bloom on your way to the mail box (even if it's a weed!). </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><i>By elevating the ordinary by paying attention, we can make it extraordinary!</i></span></blockquote>
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The page has ink from a Faber-Castell Artist PITT Pen as well as watercolors on it. There was no bleed through from the pen or paint. The pen performed very well on the paper with no skipping or bulking. </div>
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There is a slight textural difference between the two sides of the pages and they don't always match up. Sometimes you have two different textures across a spread. There doesn't seem to be a pattern to where the difference will show and where it will not. It's slight enough that it can be ignored even if it is visible. </div>
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I found the time to capture a family of wrens that have been visiting our backyard in the evenings. The babies had just fledged and were a little clumsy the first time we spotted them. Four days later and the only way to tell the parents from the babies was the fact that the babies were still following mom and dad around with their mouths open waiting to be fed!</div>
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There is a stamp in the upper corner that did not bleed through to the other side even when I painted over the stamped area. Again, pen and watercolor were used in the piece.</div>
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One last little surprise was the long accordion-fold, panorama page that is attached in the very back of the book in place of a pocket. It is four panels wide, but the fourth panel is partially glued to the back cover giving you only three panels to be painted on the back. I have to admit a pocket at less than four inches in width probably wouldn't have been very useful! </div>
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The paper is marketed under the Chinese brand, Image. I was not able to find further information on the maker or the paper. </div>
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So here are <b>my pros</b> on this adorable little journal:</div>
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<ul>
<li>It's small and very portable. </li>
<li>The size is perfect for capturing a quick sketch. </li>
<li>The paper is acid-free and dries flat without having to be weighted or dried with a blow dryer. </li>
<li>The paper has hard sizing which makes it very forgiving when you want to pick up paint to get back to the white of the paper. </li>
<li>It lies flat making it easy to work across the spread. </li>
</ul>
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M<b>y cons</b>:</div>
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<ul>
<li>The sketchbook is very small and it takes some adjusting to getting used to working in it. It's hard to rest the heel of your hand on the page and draw at the same time! It is not difficult to adjust to the size challenges, but I'm thinking folks with big hands would really be challenged. </li>
<li>The paper is not archival. Chances are good it is made from wood pulp instead of cotton or linen and they have removed the acids. However, this is not a deal breaker for me as I'm using this to play in rather than creating works I expect to wind up in a museum!</li>
<li>The paper has a hard sizing which makes it way too easy to lift color unexpectedly and it seems to take a bit longer to dry than other papers. While I put this down as a con because speed is important to working on location, it's not a huge problem. It just means I need to alter my approach a bit to fit with the paper of the journal. </li>
<li>The fact that the paper textures do not match up across the pages. It's a minor thing to fix and because it wasn't, it speaks to rather shoddy workmanship or a lack of pride in their journals, especially given the last point... </li>
<li>For the size, I find it a bit pricey at $12.95 (I guess we're paying for that extra dose of cuteness!).</li>
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So far, I've been very pleased with the journal and I've thoroughly enjoyed using it! I look forward to finding more little everyday adventures to record on its pages!</div>
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What new art toys have you found lately?</div>
Laure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-83059534036668801472017-04-05T10:03:00.001-05:002017-04-05T10:03:53.319-05:00Training To Overcome The Fear of Sketching Out in The Wilds<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">A-n-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n Spread, completed<br />
Stillman & Birn Zeta, 7 x 7 inches<br />
Ink & Wash </td></tr>
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The idea of stepping out into the world where anyone might want to take a peek at the pages in our sketchbook can be daunting. Especially if we're new to the idea or at the beginning of developing our skills. Of course, this make an adventure like <b><a href="https://paintedthoughtsblog.blogspot.com/p/england-2017.html" target="_blank">An Imaginary Trip Made Real To England</a></b> seem huge, but it's not!<br />
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It boils down to <b>performance anxiety</b>. We're afraid of disappointing ourselves and others. What would we do if we went and then couldn't get anything worthwhile down on the page? <i>Eeeek!</i><br />
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Let me ask this: if you were doing a speech in front of 150 people, would you wing it or would you write and practice your speech for days, if not weeks, in advance? If you decided to run a 5K race, would you wait until the day of the race to start building your endurance? Of course not!<br />
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My friends, <b>sketching is no different</b>! It takes <b>practice,</b> a <b>willingness to leave our comfort zones </b>and<b> a sense of adventure. </b><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>To begin conditioning yourself means starting to sketch NOW. Today.</b> </span></blockquote>
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And that's where things like <b>a-n-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n pages</b> come into play. For me, anticipation pages began as a way to practice and psyche myself up for the "big event." Eventually, I realized that I kept creating them because they gave me a great deal of enjoyment. I like the build up of excitement before the actual trip.<br />
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By doing anticipation pages, I "knock the rust off" of my skills if I've been lazy about sketching on a regular basis. When I create pages in my home environment, I try to work from life, but sometimes that's not possible. Since I don't have any chickens, I went to the computer for inspiration. I worked from the screen rather than printing out a photo. Same goes for the soccer ball.<br />
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I had a champagne cork so I used that as my model, but I didn't have any cheese rolls lying around, so it was back to the computer. This time, I found out what cheese rolls looked like and then drew them in the composition I wanted for my page. The umbrella and tea cup were my own and I drew from life to strengthen my eye and hand coordination.<br />
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<b><u>Taking It To The Next Step</u></b><br />
While you're definitely in training when you're sitting in your kitchen sketching away, working outside of our normal work area, is an entirely <b>different experience</b> and one that should be practiced as well.<br />
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When I first decided to sketch on location, I waltzed out the door and went to a town about twenty minutes from me. The downtown area was full of interesting old buildings and mostly deserted on a Sunday morning. I was making sure there was no one about, but it didn't matter, I still failed spectacularly! I had not yet discovered a new mindset.<br />
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Since working on location totally blew my mind, I decided to begin again with baby steps—I started in my kitchen. I would pull a chair away from the table and draw something with my sketchbook in my lap. I sketched and painted whatever was outside the window or I'd set a leaf or pot of flowers on the window sill and draw.<br />
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After a while, I became bored with this set up and went outside and drew in my backyard. My backyard's not all that exciting so it didn't take too terribly long before I decided to go to the park and sketch. Sure, I chose an area where I wasn't likely to run into anybody, but I was still getting out there. I eventually went into town to sketch and then a restaurant and so on until I conditioned myself to sketch anywhere. Not all sketches were successful, but the training was!<br />
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I would occasionally gather up my courage and go sketching around a bunch of people in a busy location. Sometimes it worked out and other times it looked like a rabid squirrel had scribbled all over the page. My nerves would get the best of me and I'd panic.<br />
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But you know, I survived. And with each attempt I became a little stronger, a little gutsier. I also realized that most people have no clue what I'm doing. They don't notice. They're too busy with their own dramas to be worried about me and my little sketchbook.<br />
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There's also something about interacting with people, by choice, that lends another layer of patina over the whole experience. Most folks that stop and talk to you, who want to see what your doing, want to be like you. They want to be brave enough to sketch "out in the wilds." They want to be creative. Just listen to them. You'll hear it in their voices when they speak.<br />
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<b><u>Changing Your Mindset</u></b><br />
When sketching in the wilds, it requires a different mindset than sketching in familiar [safe] surroundings. First and most obvious, is the amount of time we'll have. When we work in our homes, we can work as long as we want [in comfort] on something, usually while working from a photo.<br />
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When we're on location, we have a much more limited amount of time and we must adjust our expectations to match the amount of time we have as well as the current skill level we possess.<br />
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Rather than viewing the time limit as a bad thing, use it to challenge yourself to see just how much you can get done on location. If you're not getting much down on the page, start looking for ways to work quicker. This usually means leaving out details or suggesting them rather than meticulously recreating them.<br />
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Another big change to consider is this: if you don't get finished on location, you can always take a quick snap with your phone and use it for reference later. Knowing you can take a photo helps to reduce the amount of pressure we place on ourselves to get the page finished in one sitting. Sure, that's the long term goal, but we're in training and that goal will be met eventually.<br />
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<b>Last, it's a sketch</b>. It's not a mini-masterpiece! When we're on location, dealing with the elements, the light changing, people walking around and other distractions, sketching becomes a mini-adventure within the bigger trip! It takes on a life of its own that becomes an indelible memory that queues up every time you look back at your sketch. And I will share a secret with you...even lousy sketches still serve as a great portal back to the moment in time where it was created!<br />
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So instead of postponing a marvelous adventure like <a href="https://paintedthoughtsblog.blogspot.com/p/england-2017.html" target="_blank"><b>An Imaginary Trip Made Real To England</b></a> until "you're ready," go ahead and <b>sign up today</b>! Then start training for an adventure unlike any other. Challenge yourself to sketch something each and every day. Even if it's for just 15 minutes a day, you'll have logged over 30 hours of practice before we leave for England!!<br />
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And remember, once we're in England, you'll be with likeminded people and I'll be there by your side to help you create a sketchbook full of great memories!<br />
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How do you prepare for a big art trip? Any "training tips" you'd like to share that help you move past fear?Laure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-58649554843901726412017-04-01T19:00:00.001-05:002017-04-01T19:00:53.052-05:00family reunion sketching <div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem;">
I have not posted on this blog for a while. As I wrote my own blog yesterday about my recent family reunion I remembered my <a href="http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/family-history-project-alissa-duke.html">family history project </a>from some time ago, which was mentioned in the Artist's Journal Workshop book. It was a different side of the family (paternal) , and I realised that I have very little from this side of the family (maternal) in the way of objects, letters and photos .<br />
I was fortunate to capture what I could at the family reunion.<br />
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Last weekend I spent five days interstate for a Family Reunion in Goondiwindi (pronounced Gunda - windy) in Queensland, Australia. pop 5600. I completed over 10 pages of sketches.</div>
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my maternal line . drawn from family photographs. I drew this in advance to set the scene and begin the narrative of the following pages. Faber Castell Dark Sepia watercolour pencil is perfect. I was tempted to use colours with the current generation, but liked the old world look.</dd></dl>
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It was a gathering of over 130 descendants of two migrants in 1850's. Our family line stayed in the area until 1953, so there is close connection.</div>
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This is my art blog so it is all about the sketches from the weekend. It also includes sketches done in advance and completed afterwards. </div>
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I took my customised <a data-mce-href="http://www.alissaduke.com/2013/07/customised-pencil-wrap.html" href="http://www.alissaduke.com/2013/07/customised-pencil-wrap.html" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;" target="_blank">watercolour pencil wrap </a>and Moleskine watercolour sketchbook (13 x 19 cm) with me, as I do everywhere I go. There is always an opportunity to sketch !</div>
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But first I had to get there - My journey began with a bus ride a, two hour flight then a two and a half hour drive west to outback Queensland. </div>
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The Cunningham Highway is a long flat road. Not as brown and barren as I thought it would be.<br />
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Some time was spent visiting places which brought back memories for some of the family.<br />
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Meet and Greet at the Goondiwindi Bowls Club on Friday night. So many new faces.</div>
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I sketched this in the open hot, dry heat of 33 degrees. I did not stay out there long, heading back under the trees for conversation and food.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5FGQkWcqew/WOA4bAnMhSI/AAAAAAAADkA/3Ztpi8qvdd4_rBB_cbcAFo9pA3Nj-S5XQCLcB/s1600/25march2017%2BMarquard9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5FGQkWcqew/WOA4bAnMhSI/AAAAAAAADkA/3Ztpi8qvdd4_rBB_cbcAFo9pA3Nj-S5XQCLcB/s320/25march2017%2BMarquard9.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.7143px;">Group photos at Goondiwindi Boars Rugby League Playing Fields - one of everyone and then the separate families. The photographer was really quick and did not stand still for long.</span></div>
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Lots of social gatherings . But I did not sketch at them all, as I wanted to socialise, ask lots of questions and try and soak it all in. The long weekend was very well organised, with names on coloured tags for which line of the family you are descended from. Great introduction and talking points. I met some lovely and interesting people.<br />
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It was a very special moment to stand in front of the graves of the ancestors who began life here in a strange foreign land over 150 years ago. It is difficult to try to understand the difficulties and challenges that they encountered.<br />
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and then the return journey home.....</div>
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... to start writing down some of the family stories that we were told and fill in the gaps on our family tree with the new relations we discovered. </div>
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Below is part of that history - Nana's tennis trophy from 1941. The town of Toobeah now has a population of 42. I think it was about 250 when she visited, There are quite a few tennis courts around the district, and it must have played a big role in the social life of the district.</div>
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alissadukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150731700494145900noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-80419683906076137622016-12-09T12:53:00.000-06:002016-12-09T12:54:57.076-06:00a really tiny mint tin palette<div>
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On
our recent trip to Fredericksburg, I purchased a tiny mint tin because
it reminded me of a friend and co-worker who portrayed Rosie the Riveter
in historic presentations. Teresa's aunt had actually been a riveter
during World War II, and much of the material was based on her memories.
And now the tin has been turned into a wee paint box. I tested my color
choices on this page.</div>
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A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOHOME-Silicone-Frozen-Perfect-Blender/dp/B01HO66SGW/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&qid=1481309167&sr=8-48&keywords=mini+ice+cube+silicone" target="_blank">silicon mini ice cube tray</a>
from Amazon was cut up to fit the tin with 9 spaces for tube paint to
be squeezed into. While I was at it, I cut another to fit the Texas mint
tin I purchased when we were planning to move to Texas. Formerly it
held 6 half-pans of paint; now it can hold 12 colors plus a bit of a
natural sponge.</div>
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The bare minimum of tools to take along with me . . . one of these tiny tins, a fountain pen, a waterbrush, and my journal.</div>
Vicky L. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-76091533240157725142016-12-03T18:43:00.001-06:002016-12-03T18:46:17.442-06:00Travel sketching in Port Fairy<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem;">
Last weekend I spent a delightful weekend away in the delightful Port Fairy, four hours from Melbourne . I carry my Moleskine Watercolour sketchbook, Lamy Safari ink pen and watercolour pencils with me everywhere. This blog is my journal of sketches from the weekend. It includes my different styles of sketching and drawing, depending on time, opportunity and inclination. I feel like I have captured my weekend on paper and looking back at it will bring back memories of the time and place.<br />
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The historic seaside village of Port Fairy is a unique example of a perfectly preserved 19th century shipping port. The little township has retained its old world character and there is an extraordinarily rich variety of architecture. </div>
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<strong>POPULATION </strong>3100 - peak periods 10,000 - Folk Festival; 40,000</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 1rem;" style="font-size: 1rem;">(Source: </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.visitportfairy-moyneshire.com.au/townsplaces/port-fairy" data-mce-style="font-size: 1rem;" href="http://www.visitportfairy-moyneshire.com.au/townsplaces/port-fairy" style="color: #21759b; font-size: 1rem; outline: none;" target="_blank">Port Fairy Moyne Shire : Official tourism website of Port Fairy and Moyne Shire</a><span data-mce-style="font-size: 1rem;" style="font-size: 1rem;"> )</span></div>
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I caught the train to Warnambool and then a short connecting bus ride to Port Fairy. </div>
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I walked around the nearby Griffith Island. The lighthouse and bird (above) were sketched on location. The shells and seaweed drawn back at my cosy accommodation in the evening. It was an idyllic day.</div>
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The Port Fairy Lighthouse was built in 1859 (41 feet above high watermark) and is on Griffith Island. Griffiths Island is also home to a large colony of muttonbirds, who nest in burrows in the ground. </div>
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I saw the dead Muttonbird (Shearwater) on the beach at the end of my walk and sat on the beach to draw its angelic wings as it was buried in the sand. I had seen a few dead muttonbirds on the island (thousands roost live there in summer) but this is the first one I wanted to draw.</div>
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On Sunday I met with a sketching friend, Angela who took me on a tour of Port Fairy and we sketched some of the sights. It has so much to offer visually and historically. I am returning in February and will do more sketching then. </div>
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As well, as seeing the sights, we visited a local Church fair, where Angela's friend Val was face painting. A group of four small girls arrived with parents and Angela offered to lend a hand. It was an unexpected and delightful time of the day. The young girls were very happy with the results of the newbie face painter! I was happy to sketch the painters.</div>
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I am really pleased with my captures on paper from the weekend.</div>
alissadukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150731700494145900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-75104368896766823062016-11-07T17:12:00.003-06:002016-11-07T17:21:37.011-06:00New Stonehenge Watercolor Paper!I was recently asked to review the new Stonehenge watercolor paper from Legion Paper--they sent me samples*, and although I am VERY happy with it and plan to get more for my journaling projects as well as painting, you know I'll be honest...I've been devoted to Fabriano for years, and this had to measure up to some stiff competition!<br />
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It did.<br />
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So let's get right at it! I had small sheets of 300 lb. rough, 140 lb cold press, and 140 lb. hot press to experiment with, and I really put it through its paces. I threw about everything at it I could think of...<br />
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It's a good bright white paper, with both internal and external sizing, so it's pretty tough. I'm not terribly hard on my paper, but I did use some of the rougher techniques I could think of.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDbBtUtUW2c/WCD7M0TD2VI/AAAAAAABcnY/XkA6dBFnPN8mapRxiENFxS7lf1tjc0frwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDbBtUtUW2c/WCD7M0TD2VI/AAAAAAABcnY/XkA6dBFnPN8mapRxiENFxS7lf1tjc0frwCLcB/s400/IMG_2337.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the 300 lb. rough paper I tried first...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt and scraping...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I worked very wet in wet on the two examples above, and used spatter, spray, salt and scraping--it handled all of those well. I hadn't stretched or taped the paper down to a board, so it did buckle slightly while wet, but it dried nicely--and since I usually DO tape down my paper when doing an actual painting rather than working in my journal, I don't consider that a problem. (I didn't notice any buckling in the small journals I made...)<br />
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Here I did a variety of small test swatches on the 300 lb. paper..lifting at upper left (scrubbed pretty hard on that one with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and there was some slight pilling, but they brushed off when it was dry); drybrush in the middle that nicely shows paper texture; scraping at upper right with an overlay of soft color.<br />
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The graded wash at lower left would have been smoother, but that was MY fault, not the paper's! Again some lifting, gentler this time and no pilling. Finally at lower right, nice glazing of colors.<br />
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The other papers, both 140 lb. lent themselves to my favorite approach these days, journal making. I did a meander/maze journal from the hot press, and an accordion from the cold press, below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the little accordion journal, with cold press paper...fun!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I packed up the accordion and headed out to Watkins Mill to explore its capabilities. I love that pine tree and it made a terrific subject.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started with an ink sketch of the trunk, then tried a variety of effects that the cold press paper handled just fine...wet in wet, drybrush, scraping, no problem.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the nice paper texture here...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted the small branches with the pointed, sharpened end of my watercolor brush, below.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished sketch...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rPDQh7ZFv8/WCEARc1Hr6I/AAAAAAABcoM/fS_OWMf4x1EFC_lYGZL5a3jq2tXXkFYvQCEw/s1600/20160901_182329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rPDQh7ZFv8/WCEARc1Hr6I/AAAAAAABcoM/fS_OWMf4x1EFC_lYGZL5a3jq2tXXkFYvQCEw/s400/20160901_182329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and playing with approaches and textures on the right...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A graded wash, and drybrush with a flat brush at top and a round one at the bottom. I enjoyed the texture, which you can see above in this photo taken on a sunny day! Again a graded was was successful on the CP paper...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the way you can work across the fold in this type of book, and just keep going!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though it IS watercolor paper, I decided to try other mediums as well...different graphite pencils, here...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36odPelpuuM/WCEBaCr3FTI/AAAAAAABcog/IO1ty8lKuTM4_UBUcxKMpeD1R6J_UsxWgCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36odPelpuuM/WCEBaCr3FTI/AAAAAAABcog/IO1ty8lKuTM4_UBUcxKMpeD1R6J_UsxWgCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...some watercolor pencil...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvT0U-1R7vA/WCEBabmDC2I/AAAAAAABcoo/d0SyZx6yPHov9U9FjWAxMld3nNKEXv3FwCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvT0U-1R7vA/WCEBabmDC2I/AAAAAAABcoo/d0SyZx6yPHov9U9FjWAxMld3nNKEXv3FwCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bamboo brush and ink...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DS2AvOyjFHo/WCEBaY6XawI/AAAAAAABcok/kkBzsilBPRcDpU6-E-SjXp93iXaWW8jcQCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DS2AvOyjFHo/WCEBaY6XawI/AAAAAAABcok/kkBzsilBPRcDpU6-E-SjXp93iXaWW8jcQCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made the brush from a garden stake...obviously not for detail work, but it seemed to love the paper texture too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5JgfvBPR5k/WCEBarsk4-I/AAAAAAABcos/Ef8CPDnVlxUWF2oLSLXwzMblo7DOdtTLQCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5JgfvBPR5k/WCEBarsk4-I/AAAAAAABcos/Ef8CPDnVlxUWF2oLSLXwzMblo7DOdtTLQCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are some of my favorite pigments...the colors really sing on this paper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElsFuAerTdY/WCEGUEkQQTI/AAAAAAABcpE/EKrK9bT1YZcMvPGXQ6dmevSgmkQBVCnWwCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElsFuAerTdY/WCEGUEkQQTI/AAAAAAABcpE/EKrK9bT1YZcMvPGXQ6dmevSgmkQBVCnWwCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for broke here...drawing back into a wet wash with ink below, blotting, edges, spatter, granulating colors, salt and clear water...yep, the paper can take it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So...was that all? Nope, still had the hot press to test out, though that little meander journal still has some pages in it to play with...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1qFAgHr4dsE/WCD-SUnYbII/AAAAAAABcoI/ZXgRzcpxlE8R_WIonTP5zcxnE_DgY6mSwCEw/s1600/20160904_132825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1qFAgHr4dsE/WCD-SUnYbII/AAAAAAABcoI/ZXgRzcpxlE8R_WIonTP5zcxnE_DgY6mSwCEw/s320/20160904_132825.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cover for the meander journal....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENKY-IlJsxE/WCD-TiRAg9I/AAAAAAABcoI/cV1FQcyyrn45EeYdmFn8x7CVH-9bTMIpACEw/s1600/StonehengeHP%2BWatercolor%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENKY-IlJsxE/WCD-TiRAg9I/AAAAAAABcoI/cV1FQcyyrn45EeYdmFn8x7CVH-9bTMIpACEw/s400/StonehengeHP%2BWatercolor%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the meander journal in the process of making it--3 folds with the grain, three across. I did notice that the paper's
folds were more visible against the grain than with it, though nowhere
near as badly as Arches, which tends to crack. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbk1_LcwxCQ/WCEHTadfPvI/AAAAAAABcpQ/rgb9L9JdSJYfb81Pe_RffF3QMFhb3LGZQCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbk1_LcwxCQ/WCEHTadfPvI/AAAAAAABcpQ/rgb9L9JdSJYfb81Pe_RffF3QMFhb3LGZQCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252821%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't resist my favorite Prismacolor colored pencil for sketching, on the smooth paper...nice...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQcyzudAcrs/WCEHTTgn6vI/AAAAAAABcpM/QOU3nUgrBeMoQvIZ9rBGOYHykbuMFrycACLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQcyzudAcrs/WCEHTTgn6vI/AAAAAAABcpM/QOU3nUgrBeMoQvIZ9rBGOYHykbuMFrycACLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252822%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course it took ink and watercolor well...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhEuNCOu6T8/WCEHTSWPVvI/AAAAAAABcpI/aoP3Sm-AllUfE00htvDiwbpz5dfAW3OvACLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhEuNCOu6T8/WCEHTSWPVvI/AAAAAAABcpI/aoP3Sm-AllUfE00htvDiwbpz5dfAW3OvACLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252823%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granulating paints really show up on this surface...loved that. It's Daniel Smith's Lunar Black in wet washes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6KGigZJkwQ/WCEHThMTV6I/AAAAAAABcpU/ntKBR9VHFfo_77f8JRKvu4g4810wZWs2wCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252825%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6KGigZJkwQ/WCEHThMTV6I/AAAAAAABcpU/ntKBR9VHFfo_77f8JRKvu4g4810wZWs2wCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252825%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a set of Gansai watercolors and tested them out on the HP paper as well...the colors are brilliant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRSZE18F61M/WCEHTjFKYEI/AAAAAAABcpY/FCfBlY7XBcgWKpHSJUT_aGOtooytBZYAgCLcB/s1600/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRSZE18F61M/WCEHTjFKYEI/AAAAAAABcpY/FCfBlY7XBcgWKpHSJUT_aGOtooytBZYAgCLcB/s400/Stonhenge%2Bpaper%2Btest%2B%252827%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally many layers of gouache...the smooth, bright paper was perfect!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">..as noted in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/.it%20will%20be%20commercially%20available%20in%20December,%20but%20you%20can%20get%20samples%20to%20play%20with%20right%20NOW,%20Legion%20Paper's%20new%20Stonehenge%20in%20a%20variety%20of%20weights%20and%20surfaces:%20http://www.legionpaper.com/stonehenge-aqua">this post</a>, it will be commercially
available in December--check with your favorite supplier--but you can get samples to play with right NOW by filling out the form you'll find here...
Legion Paper's new Stonehenge in a variety of weights and surfaces: <a href="http://www.legionpaper.com/stonehenge-aqua">http://www.legionpaper.com/stonehenge-aqua</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">Try it out and let me know what you think! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">* I received no payment for this review other than the paper itself--full disclosure here! </span></span>Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-64504931552716109342016-11-03T13:09:00.000-05:002016-11-03T13:09:06.619-05:00New Watercolor Paper Samples for you to try!<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">This is the
new watercolor paper I've been testing...it will be commercially
available in December, but you can get samples to play with right NOW,
Legion Paper's new Stonehenge in a variety of weights and surfaces: <a href="http://www.legionpaper.com/stonehenge-aqua">http://www.legionpaper.com/stonehenge-aqua</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt6GDMLgk6I/WBt8cC2bqwI/AAAAAAABceA/CltLuqeCHXQWY09HtdN2kLTLYbFWXSnVACLcB/s1600/20160904_132811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt6GDMLgk6I/WBt8cC2bqwI/AAAAAAABceA/CltLuqeCHXQWY09HtdN2kLTLYbFWXSnVACLcB/s640/20160904_132811.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span><br />
<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">I
made a couple of small journals to test it with and will be using more!
Here's a teaser--I was testing watercolor pencils, ink, colored pencils
and granulating colors...I've had a ball.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="25rf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">Plan a blog post to share my experiments soon... </span></span>Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-11783053151811825902016-09-27T09:09:00.001-05:002016-09-27T09:19:53.446-05:00playing with Sailor fude pen and water-soluble ink<div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCX62NwDyrY/V-p9jOtEIzI/AAAAAAAAEjY/oYq_Tx-VTHY/s640/blogger-image--135356024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCX62NwDyrY/V-p9jOtEIzI/AAAAAAAAEjY/oYq_Tx-VTHY/s1600/blogger-image--135356024.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>
Last week we went to a Houston greenhouse in search of tomato plants for a fall garden. Up till yesterday, it's been in the 90s here in central Texas and we had heard that there are two growing seasons here, before and after the big summer heat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We found no tomatoes there . . . Apparently fall gardens are put out in August and they had sold out. But we were able to find some nearby at Home Depot. Bill also found this purple leafed perennial ground cover he wants for the planting box he built next to his woodshop's porch. We're trying a couple of these plants, along with some tiny pink lilies our friend Ron recently gave us, to see if either one likes the location. And whether the deer like them. Whichever wins gets to fill the bed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I'm continuing to play with my inexpensive Sailor fude de Mannen pen with its water-soluble ink cartridge. When the cartridge is used up, I plan to fill it with a water-resistant ink using a syringe. I also used my muted granulating earth watercolors on the plant . . . then wished I hadn't. The leaves and flower should have been a bit brighter.</div>
Vicky L. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-30272554736229671762016-09-25T08:46:00.001-05:002016-09-25T13:27:37.303-05:00a rehabbed vintage Prang box<div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ufmEX3sXRmo/V-bzVqPE_HI/AAAAAAAAEjI/SI1tif5WwFc/s640/blogger-image-1149287567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ufmEX3sXRmo/V-bzVqPE_HI/AAAAAAAAEjI/SI1tif5WwFc/s400/blogger-image-1149287567.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
Last year I took my vintage Prang box, refit with my own choice of tube watercolors in pans, to Mustang Island, camping with the family. With it being so exceptionally windy and the sandy beach so fine, my paint box was literally sand-blasted -- a real mess! Not sure what to do with it, I set it aside.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
This month, I finally took the paint pans out, cleaning them as best as I could with damp paper towels; most of the paint was still good. Then I sanded the inside surfaces with the fine-grade sandpaper that came on my pencil-sharpening block. </div>
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I taped off the black edges with masking tape to keep them black. The black finish was worn with age even before the beach trip.</div>
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<div>
After several thin layers of white enamel spray paint, the inside is clean and ready to go. Pans were set in place with a dab of rubber cement, leaving room for a blue-gray watercolor pencil and a #7 round sable travel brush.<br />
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My tweaked color choices:</div>
<div>
permanent rose, pyrrole<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> scarlet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">quinacridone gold, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Hansa yellow light</span></div>
<div>
sap green</div>
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cerulean chromium blue, <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">ultramarine blue</span></div>
<div>
yellow ochre, <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">burnt sienna, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">raw umber</span></div>
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mixed gray (ultramarine and burnt umber, stirred together)</div>
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and half pans of:</div>
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<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Indian red, perylene green, and buff titanium.</div>
</div>
Vicky L. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-84429545981647895862016-09-14T10:57:00.000-05:002016-09-14T13:15:02.410-05:00Stillman & Birn Epsilon sketchbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rFvoVL_L94/V9lnA6-JQRI/AAAAAAAAEhg/x-S4D4vw8LcUaFPBMl8PzlFKt5fOaRBHwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0666.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rFvoVL_L94/V9lnA6-JQRI/AAAAAAAAEhg/x-S4D4vw8LcUaFPBMl8PzlFKt5fOaRBHwCLcB/s200/IMG_0666.JPG" width="191" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
still have one more un-used hand-bound journal on my shelf, but this
time I decided to use this Epsilon sketchbook from Stillman & Birn that a dear friend gave to me. The paper is made more for ink than
watercolor, but light not-too-juicy washes work well on it. And my
fountain pens simply glide over the smooth paper!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every one of Stillman & Brin products are a dream to use, and the binding lasts no matter how rough I get with it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4lBoP3EYjk/V9lnA2tTMeI/AAAAAAAAEhk/WHObxxaGpx0us_8173x__La-dJwFl4SgwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4lBoP3EYjk/V9lnA2tTMeI/AAAAAAAAEhk/WHObxxaGpx0us_8173x__La-dJwFl4SgwCLcB/s320/IMG_0672.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
always, I drew my current sketching palette on the first page.
Actually, this is the second 2-page spread -- I left the inside covers
blank for collecting random quotes. Lately I have been carrying a larger
purse than my norm, allowing me to carry a full-size sketchbook and
this pocket art toolkit from <a href="https://expeditionaryart.com/shop/art-toolkit/" target="_blank">Expeditionary Art</a> inside the bag. Smaller bags only hold my tools and I carry the book separately. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the kit are two fountain pens <i>(one with water-resistant ink and one with water-soluble ink)</i>, a waterbrush, two travel brushes <i>(a #8 round and a dagger)</i>,
a mechanical pencil and tiny case holding a kneaded eraser, a tiny
stencil brush for spattering, a shortened white pencil, a shortened
blue-gray watercolor pencil, a re-usable towel for wiping, and two
pocket palettes, also from Expeditionary Art. I can switch out either of
these palettes with a third one: one holds a basic warm/cool limited
palette, one holds granulating earth colors, and one holds gouache. Not
shown is a 4th set I made myself using a business card case that holds a
basic palette of 14 paints.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1oEGd-e_3Jw/V9lnATnaxdI/AAAAAAAAEhc/XzuzyIEMAxUGEXOMPKkFQ8YyUX4FbvOAgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1oEGd-e_3Jw/V9lnATnaxdI/AAAAAAAAEhc/XzuzyIEMAxUGEXOMPKkFQ8YyUX4FbvOAgCLcB/s320/IMG_0671.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just after putting together my pocket palette set of granulating earth colors, <a href="http://janeblundellart.blogspot.com/2016/09/a-14-colour-granulating-earth-pocket.html" target="_blank">Jane Blundell posted one she put together</a>
. . . so I had a bit of fun comparing our sets side-by-side. I have a
set of Daniel Smith color dots that I used for the colors she uses that I
don't own. She also recently put together <a href="http://janeblundellart.blogspot.com/2016/09/an-urban-sketching-watercolour-palette.html" target="_blank">a set for urban sketching</a> along with some suggested options, so I added that just for fun.</span></span><br />
<br />Vicky L. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-27615175816405243482016-08-27T07:10:00.000-05:002016-08-27T07:10:03.976-05:00It's Time For A Visit To Autumn!Okay, I'm in serious denial. This is Florida with temperatures in the high 90's, with hurricanes and tropical storms swirling around us, and we don't see Autumn before December (usually) at the earliest...but why let a little thing like reality spoil the party?!<br />
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I'm going to have myself an <b><a href="http://www.imaginarytrips.com//ImaginaryTrips/Autumn.html" target="_blank">An Imaginary Visit Through Autumn</a></b> and <i>my autumn</i> is going to have cool temperatures, gorgeous jewel-toned leaves, a cup of tea, a bowl of my favorite soups, maybe even a wood fire! Wanna come play with me?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiNxiy43qoI/V8C61ybmA6I/AAAAAAAAGF8/_iaAZttSTksHk2YJaZPu_Fd2maBl34xYACEw/s1600/AutumnBlessings036.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiNxiy43qoI/V8C61ybmA6I/AAAAAAAAGF8/_iaAZttSTksHk2YJaZPu_Fd2maBl34xYACEw/s400/AutumnBlessings036.png" width="285" /></a></div>
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I did this piece last November and it was meant to pay homage to some of my FAVORITE things! in fact, I was picking up acorns in a parking lot today. (I think I may have been a squirrel in a past life!) I'm thinking there might be a few more items to add to this list...</div>
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Farmer's Markets, gorgeous flowers, scarecrows, crows, acorns, pumpkins, and who knows what else might show up on our sketchbook pages! I hope you'll consider joining me. The class will be <b>four assignments long</b> (6 weeks) and starts this coming <b>Thursday, September 1st!</b> </div>
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I can tell you it's going to be a blast. I may have to crank the AC down and dodge a hurricane or two, but I can't wait for cooler temperatures and turning leaves!</div>
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For more information on <b><a href="http://www.imaginarytrips.com//ImaginaryTrips/Autumn.html" target="_blank">An Imaginary Visit Through Autumn</a></b>, please click <b><a href="http://www.imaginarytrips.com//ImaginaryTrips/Autumn.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>. I look forward so sharing the fun with you!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5_UcAgLFAU/V8C91YasS6I/AAAAAAAAGGI/woy_Kh-TxG0szsJXQ1Zy5ICatyEyM3QgQCLcB/s1600/WebGraphicA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5_UcAgLFAU/V8C91YasS6I/AAAAAAAAGGI/woy_Kh-TxG0szsJXQ1Zy5ICatyEyM3QgQCLcB/s400/WebGraphicA.png" width="376" /></a></div>
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Laure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764822475195816427.post-13774957109082469262016-08-05T13:50:00.000-05:002016-08-05T13:50:46.801-05:00Playing with Papers!Sometime back I got a variety of papers from <a href="http://www.legionpaper.com/" target="_blank">Legion Paper</a>,
and since I love bookbinding I put them all together under one cover
and bound them into a Sampler Journal...check out their Sampler
Department for a dizzying array of choices for all kinds of paper needs:
<a href="http://www.legionpaper.com/samples/">http://www.legionpaper.com/samples/</a><br />
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It's quite a big book with multiple signatures...and I left the stickers on the papers so I would remember what I was using! <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uav3AcSON4o/V6TTDIQBIxI/AAAAAAABZSQ/TS1jhjnWlkcnCnESx0M6oIIh8sfjC8xewCLcB/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uav3AcSON4o/V6TTDIQBIxI/AAAAAAABZSQ/TS1jhjnWlkcnCnESx0M6oIIh8sfjC8xewCLcB/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUONqxZ4imY/V6TTAaAqqtI/AAAAAAABZSM/uHpKkcwBoGITGMhiGQQf8RXp2LuioFb_QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUONqxZ4imY/V6TTAaAqqtI/AAAAAAABZSM/uHpKkcwBoGITGMhiGQQf8RXp2LuioFb_QCLcB/s320/IMG_0397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm
only partway through this book...maybe 2/3--but I decided (since I'm
expecting more papers to test!) that it was time to share my impressions
thus far.<br />
<br />
As usual, I am most interested in papers
that would work well in a journal, with a variety of mediums: fountain
pen as well as disposables, graphite pencil, colored pencil, watercolor
pencil, and of course, watercolor.<br />
<br />
I generally enjoy a cold-press or its equivalent, but sometimes hot press and a bit of rough as well. I look for a pleasing surface that not only <i>looks </i>but <i>FEELS </i>good
with these varied choices--I prefer a tough surface that will take some
punishment, too. It's a lot to expect from a paper, but some of these <i>really</i> stand out. I'll be ordering more for my next bookbinding marathon!<br />
<br />
Some of these papers are not meant for watercolor, but pleased me mightily by working just fine for that medium. Loved them... <br />
<br />
Other
papers are lovely for the purpose for which they were intended, but for
the way I work, not so much. A soft surface drives me crazy with its
tendency to drag both pens and pencil points, as well as absorbing
watercolor too readily. I think they're likely perfect for printmaking,
but not for my needs.<br />
<br />
So...here are my findings so far, in no particular order or ranking--they're just how the ended up bound into the book, sorry.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F3d0XjmXFRc/V6TUDfKLXzI/AAAAAAABZSc/eebuqxRHGEI_2VMJ8kYQDtcT-Cy5NmfDgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F3d0XjmXFRc/V6TUDfKLXzI/AAAAAAABZSc/eebuqxRHGEI_2VMJ8kYQDtcT-Cy5NmfDgCLcB/s400/IMG_1603.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saunders
Waterford was quite nice with a variety of mediums...it's a watercolor
paper, with a slightly soft surface but very nice with ink as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jU6lh99C-6g/V6TUBKRvEEI/AAAAAAABZSY/crf4X23oYaUylCJA04p-Ty1uZ0J1xYuqACLcB/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jU6lh99C-6g/V6TUBKRvEEI/AAAAAAABZSY/crf4X23oYaUylCJA04p-Ty1uZ0J1xYuqACLcB/s400/IMG_1604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For
some reason colors dried lighter on the Waterford than I put them
down...that often happens with a paper with a lot of sizing, but this
was more than I'm used to.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9gkABC-a2Q/V6TUEl2-DDI/AAAAAAABZSg/95r_yH1tP9kqjaLPMCfdEoBUNnjTH5L_ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9gkABC-a2Q/V6TUEl2-DDI/AAAAAAABZSg/95r_yH1tP9kqjaLPMCfdEoBUNnjTH5L_ACLcB/s400/IMG_1605.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On
the other hand, these brush tests worked beautifully on the Waterford.
I'd give it a big thumbs up and remember to mix my washes stronger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDharmRlFzc/V6TUKYs007I/AAAAAAABZSk/QVdpKlbjqzc2Oq8pgJzydjL7x_358Mb8gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDharmRlFzc/V6TUKYs007I/AAAAAAABZSk/QVdpKlbjqzc2Oq8pgJzydjL7x_358Mb8gCLcB/s640/IMG_1606.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I <i>adore </i>Drawing Bristol, I just do--always have. For a variety of mediums. <i>WANT MORE</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOpJEW-GN_Q/V6TUNI6XR1I/AAAAAAABZSo/_jnw1uuuKWIsvfRIfVbtnjDwSCZESYfdgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOpJEW-GN_Q/V6TUNI6XR1I/AAAAAAABZSo/_jnw1uuuKWIsvfRIfVbtnjDwSCZESYfdgCLcB/s400/IMG_1607.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I
use Stonehenge a lot when I'm binding books, mostly because I love the
Kraft paper tan (this isn't it though...it's darker and warmer.) I was
disappointed to find ink feathering more than I expected, so I'll be
careful how I use it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8QDYfYxZks/V6TUN00MoNI/AAAAAAABZSs/RNqExxUMN0wSgNLXjrZOI0gU35UKtdUagCLcB/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8QDYfYxZks/V6TUN00MoNI/AAAAAAABZSs/RNqExxUMN0wSgNLXjrZOI0gU35UKtdUagCLcB/s400/IMG_1608.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's delightful with dry mediums. though! Stonehenge stays in my arsenal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q12hcqmwMNQ/V6TUSUzDvnI/AAAAAAABZSw/P8aORxYx8NM2h5hL2jawzG-f7uN1e3n6QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q12hcqmwMNQ/V6TUSUzDvnI/AAAAAAABZSw/P8aORxYx8NM2h5hL2jawzG-f7uN1e3n6QCLcB/s400/IMG_1609.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somerset Velvet--not for me. Too soft, pens and colored pencils tend to drag on it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmFSR_L5XJI/V6TUTEvZaFI/AAAAAAABZS0/OWB3LcZc4qQFx1HjiT0YFjiidHRtyqi1wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmFSR_L5XJI/V6TUTEvZaFI/AAAAAAABZS0/OWB3LcZc4qQFx1HjiT0YFjiidHRtyqi1wCLcB/s640/IMG_1610.JPG" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arturo Cover on the other hand is wonderfully versatile! LOTS of thumbs up, and I definitely want more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rks0WtltSk/V6TUWoBbhaI/AAAAAAABZS4/LohSJiKcN1cGIInO7W0bMS8XB-3yH199ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rks0WtltSk/V6TUWoBbhaI/AAAAAAABZS4/LohSJiKcN1cGIInO7W0bMS8XB-3yH199ACLcB/s400/IMG_1611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really didn't expect the Arturo Cover to work this well with juicy watercolor, but it performed like a champ. Love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7bG81vS6y7I/V6TUaLtrEyI/AAAAAAABZS8/7QnJ-bCE__8KLkoWuAj36ahssDCCYu0qgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7bG81vS6y7I/V6TUaLtrEyI/AAAAAAABZS8/7QnJ-bCE__8KLkoWuAj36ahssDCCYu0qgCLcB/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Somerset Velvet. Nope. Not for me. Way too soft.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB1hLxRqB6Q/V6TUdIAHmzI/AAAAAAABZTA/o_aD9i_I58k8LoWOVeNRqH1U6XkPwREmwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB1hLxRqB6Q/V6TUdIAHmzI/AAAAAAABZTA/o_aD9i_I58k8LoWOVeNRqH1U6XkPwREmwCLcB/s640/IMG_1614.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I
had three weights of Multimedia Aquarelle and loved all three! Great,
bright, strong paper, handled pretty much any medium I threw at it,
including a fine pen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLCsDeqYgwE/V6TUgSYkibI/AAAAAAABZTE/Vn1n4gtzlDIDlMH0UMM70gppT-r0KsV6wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLCsDeqYgwE/V6TUgSYkibI/AAAAAAABZTE/Vn1n4gtzlDIDlMH0UMM70gppT-r0KsV6wCLcB/s400/IMG_1615.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
is the lightweight 90 lb. Multimedia Aquarelle...I deliberately made a
wet, juicy wash to see how much it would buckle. Absolutely minimal!
The thinner, lighter paper would allow more pages and more signatures in
a journal. Thumbs up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpxDuoO56Us/V6TUj1UCLMI/AAAAAAABZTI/ENvVw1f93g0QNm_Y7PLVQIDFeVTnps90ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpxDuoO56Us/V6TUj1UCLMI/AAAAAAABZTI/ENvVw1f93g0QNm_Y7PLVQIDFeVTnps90ACLcB/s400/IMG_1616.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, I'm in love...brush testing on this page, pleased with how true the colors remained, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eddf_Nyqn-c/V6TUnfkbPcI/AAAAAAABZTM/gwfuFCy-nVM0YzOjpRpkUGbwoazxfAHRQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eddf_Nyqn-c/V6TUnfkbPcI/AAAAAAABZTM/gwfuFCy-nVM0YzOjpRpkUGbwoazxfAHRQCLcB/s400/IMG_1617.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MORE Multimedia Aquarelle. Must. Have. Gorgeous stuff, and truly multi-media.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vBP8ZthG7w/V6TUpQYSUmI/AAAAAAABZTQ/3FfDesxzES8Hsld79qL-V9NN9ElZuyfHwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vBP8ZthG7w/V6TUpQYSUmI/AAAAAAABZTQ/3FfDesxzES8Hsld79qL-V9NN9ElZuyfHwCLcB/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folio, nope. Probably as its name suggests, a printing paper. It took pen okay but not all that exciting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsbDB9XXkyE/V6TUs_JWsGI/AAAAAAABZTU/a9bdG1YlUm0iWdl60zKlMjIpeOVdoWq5wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsbDB9XXkyE/V6TUs_JWsGI/AAAAAAABZTU/a9bdG1YlUm0iWdl60zKlMjIpeOVdoWq5wCLcB/s400/IMG_1619.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folio is definitely NOT pleasing with watercolor, the wet pigment soaks in and looks gray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_or0UVrZiuk/V6TUwN8RS0I/AAAAAAABZTY/t87oq-ycpwwaDppLJBxeUrTnuAzuYRU9QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_or0UVrZiuk/V6TUwN8RS0I/AAAAAAABZTY/t87oq-ycpwwaDppLJBxeUrTnuAzuYRU9QCLcB/s640/IMG_1620.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanaquarelle, on the other hand--YUM. Same colors on this paper as on the Folio were much more vivid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPPhbtEPaNY/V6TUySk9eMI/AAAAAAABZTc/J6TZ6NajuWUu7EZ7aJPlUwwAHt268OwiwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPPhbtEPaNY/V6TUySk9eMI/AAAAAAABZTc/J6TZ6NajuWUu7EZ7aJPlUwwAHt268OwiwCLcB/s400/IMG_1621.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely with all these mediums, too. Ordering more...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCpCPswKl6Y/V6TU3DguViI/AAAAAAABZTg/tLV0rdiLXd8j2jGyspQa4_Aew0AKVzJ9wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCpCPswKl6Y/V6TU3DguViI/AAAAAAABZTg/tLV0rdiLXd8j2jGyspQa4_Aew0AKVzJ9wCLcB/s400/IMG_1622.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ink wanted to feather on the Folio, especially if the pen writes rather wet/juicy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIRhrNuITy8/V6TU6RWrGrI/AAAAAAABZTk/C-AdhT7p_0kxl75csyNbdTCe2SuxKx46ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIRhrNuITy8/V6TU6RWrGrI/AAAAAAABZTk/C-AdhT7p_0kxl75csyNbdTCe2SuxKx46ACLcB/s400/IMG_1623.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorbet
text is quite lightweight, and comes in rich color...fun for light
washes, a dryish application of gouache, or colored pencil, though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MVDY9k530g/V6TU-Ajf2hI/AAAAAAABZTo/-qI78Snr5V0U7G-i1fXZeDY_yWePuTLSgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MVDY9k530g/V6TU-Ajf2hI/AAAAAAABZTo/-qI78Snr5V0U7G-i1fXZeDY_yWePuTLSgCLcB/s400/IMG_1624.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
is Arches Cover, not their watercolor paper, but--I wasn't thrilled
with it for ink, either, it felt a bit soft. (But then I don't like
their watercolor paper...) It DID work well with a different pen, and
as always that makes a huge difference.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrC8D4Xsl4I/V6TVH5_8xuI/AAAAAAABZT4/aUqi9snuPTMWzOOjTK7afiBliFLX0KbDwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1628.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrC8D4Xsl4I/V6TVH5_8xuI/AAAAAAABZT4/aUqi9snuPTMWzOOjTK7afiBliFLX0KbDwCLcB/s400/IMG_1628.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, ink wants to feather some on Coventry Rag...not high on my list.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So overall, for me...<i>not </i>Arches
Cover, Coventry Rag, Folio, or Somerset Velvet, but the others have
definite possibilities for my artist's-journal keeping self! (As they
say, YMMV.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------</div>
<br />
And this from Legion Paper's website...they're good folks and very helpful:<br />
<br />
<br />
"It is our mission to continue to travel the world in search of
the most intriguing and best performing papers - from delicate handmade
papers that reveal striking texture and color with every sheet to the
most technologically advanced digital printing papers produced today.<br />
<br />
Following [on their page] are just some of the mills that we represent. In
addition to these, we have over 40 other mills all over the world with
whom we work on a regular basis to have papers made to our, and our
customers', specifications."<br />
<br />
If
any of these interest you as much as they did me, go to the Legion Paper
link, above, and then to the specific paper you want to know more
about. On each paper's page there's a "where to buy" link in the bottom
right hand corner!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tse1gzPrhOs/V6TVEXP1nnI/AAAAAAABZUE/qDYW4mYL_44VPaL9jlLLwV6N60mgNj0DgCEw/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tse1gzPrhOs/V6TVEXP1nnI/AAAAAAABZUE/qDYW4mYL_44VPaL9jlLLwV6N60mgNj0DgCEw/s400/IMG_1627.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going there now...wheeee!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(And yes, this is on my personal blog as well...wanted to share with you, too!)<br />
Kate (Cathy Johnson)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03296053923338246127noreply@blogger.com6