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Friday, May 6, 2011

Journaling Spring

Sometimes you just want to do a fast and loose page, when things are changing as fast as they do in the spring!

This was my view a few weeks ago...it was a lovely warm day, and I sat out on the deck to sketch!

Love my handy little sprayers to wet the page or pre-wet my paints!  I just did a very loose pencil sketch...


And then sprayed right over it...


And added a wet-in-wet wash in spring colors...


Here are my current favorite working tools for on the spot work...my repurposed Prang box, a small bristle brush with the end sharpened, my little sprayer, and a waterbrush or two...


I added a few touches of quin red and mauve for shadows and redbud trees, then I let that dry and began adding a few touches of ink...


Here's my Lamy Vista pen with Lexington Gray ink, a favorite Loew-Cornell Ultra brush, and my "Prangs"....and finally added notes and the date, below.

23 comments:

  1. You make it look so easy--LOL! Lovely! I do so enjoy when you show us the steps. :)

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  2. I'm glad you like it, Rita! Wish I'd remember to do that more often...

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  3. It's great Cathy, I'd recognize your style anywhere too! I'll have to try the little water spritz bottle tip, I like that! I only ever used on it studio, but I can see where it'd be handy in the field.

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  4. I actually managed to find one once that I could cut off and slip over the end of a second spray bottle so I had a water cup, too, but I've never managed that again. It's a treasure!

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  5. Gorgeous Kate, lovely to see how you did that!

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  6. Beautiful result!
    Trying to learn from you.

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  7. Lovely as always - you are so great!!

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  8. I lov ehow you so easily get that background to recede! Lovely little painting.

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  9. So fresh, so calming. Beautiful, Kate!

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  10. Beautiful sketch - thanks for sharing your step-by-step with us!

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  11. This is so helpful! I often sit and look off my deck and love what I see, but have no idea how to capture some part of the "feel" of it, because I get lost in there being so many trees and shrubs with no real focus. Seeing how you did this gives me an idea of how to approach it. Thank you!!!

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  12. Glad to help, all! Melissa, I do simplify, a LOT. As you can see, I just looked right past the trees closest to me...

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  13. Gorgeous page and a lovely demo, thanks for that Kate!

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  14. What a wonderful tutorial - it makes me want to grab a sketchbook and get outside.

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  15. Your always inspirational, now to get a time management class.

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  16. Pam, I need one of those myself! And thank you, Casey, I hope you did!

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  17. Thanks for such clear pointers, Kate. The technique of spraying the page to do a wash will be really handy when I am out sketching. Your work is always inspiring!

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  18. I loved this sketch so much -it captures the beautiful spring tree colour. I went off to find myself a spray bottle to add to my kit too. It's such a brilliant idea. Thank you for your continued inspiration.

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  19. As usual, a beautiful sketch and painting. Thank you for taking the time to share your techniques with us. It is so helpful and inspirational to see your work in progress. Happy Mother's Day to all tomorrow.

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  20. Thanks all! I LOVE my little sprayer! I carry one in my purse/field bag, and have one in my studio and by the sofa in the living room, where I often find myself working...

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  21. Beautiful, Kate. Going to have to try that spray bottle technique too. Very interesting effect. Love the way you do those tree limbs, so fine and intricate. Do you go over your pencil sketch with anything after putting on the watercolors?
    BTW, waiting for your next book. Been on order for a while from amazon.com.

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  22. Beautiful sketch and love the whole post. Thanks! Where do you find those wonderful little spray bottles?

    Carolyn

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  23. Thanks, both of you! Donn, I added a few touches of ink, but that's all. I don't worry about it in my journal. Carolyn, I find them in the travel and sample section of my discount store, near the pharmacy. HANDY.

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