Sierra Buttes

life is different

I don't want to do 
what I have done

Before, then during the pandemic

Best made plans

Now that I finally got it together to go out on my trails to sketch, I’m sheltering in place! 

Fortunately, I had placed an order for this lovely fountain pen, recommended by several Urban Sketchers. Arrived from Japan in time for the lockdown.

Sailor Fude De Mannen - Stroke Style Calligraphy Fountain Pen - Bamboo Green - Nib Angle 55 Degrees 

The fun thing about this pen is the variable line it can create with a change of handling angle. Another way to look at a learning curve! The nib really flows nicely at each turn of the wrist.

Haven’t used the optional purchase fountain pen converter yet. The pen came with two cartridges, non waterproof ink, which also works well with watercolor sketches. Running ink works for me.

I would like to get a second pen, at less than $10, to use waterproof ink in one, and non waterproof the other! Who know what Amazon, and a shipment from Japan, would look like now.

Day 4 & 6

West View: SF & Bay Sunset

Shelter-In-Place Watercolors

DAYS THREE, TWO & ONE

EVENINGS FROM THE BACK WINDOW

(without tree or 'telephone' phone pole)

The Light Within

Restored

This work feels very fulfilling to me each time I view it

Had an idea. Experience. Source material. Executed. It worked. Truth.

What I have never done before 2018 & 2019 I have done today. I have pulled together all my resources and created something new I had in me all along.

What hit me the most is that the experience felt restorative, that what was, can and does change, and that I am the change as I learn and grow.

Not only do I not need to be afraid of how it was, I am able to pull together the pieces of my previous life to tell my story today. It is most important that I understand that.

I viscerally had the experience of that process with the LIGHTHOUSE mixed media piece I completed today. 

I am that lighthouse.

_________________

@StudioWorkInProgress

Super Appreciative

Ongoing issue

Fussy / non fussy

Fussy

Non-fussy!

Fussy

Non-fussy!

Fussy

Non-fussy!

Painted two at the same time

These direct watercolor sketches are from the third of three, three hour sessions: long poses = 40 minutes (3x20m)

New Years Eve Figure Drawing Marathon.

While others in the room are finally getting the satisfaction of 40 min poses, I’m tortured. I give it a go, and want to drop my head on the drawing board. I try as long as I can, then decide to pull out a new sheet of paper, and wah la! 

It can be argued that drawing the long pose leads to the satisfaction and results of the quick sketch. So, for the last sketch I placed two sheets of paper on my board and worked both together. 

I wet the first watercolor paper and did a quick wash. Proceeded to the second sheet and worked direct till the first sheet dried a little, and added a few more strokes. 

It’s not scientific, even thought it is an experiment I may reproduce if I’m stuck with poses that drag on to 3 x 20 mins. 

Conclusion: I am a fast draw.