I've been grabbing pockets of time where I can, catching the last of the summer to sketch outdoors. The back garden is perfect for brief escapes, and provides the perfect opportunity to keep up my practice with paint. I thought you might like to see the results...
I've used waterproof, fine-point pen first, then the watercolour. The lovely, old York Stone of the house is great to paint, with its subtle colour-variations.
The previous owners planted a vine and I'm still amazed that we can grow grapes as far north as Sheffield. They are just beginning to colour:
The ivy too is changing, as the season comes to an end. One wall is covered with it and it turns from green to brilliant red for a week or so, before the leaves all fall. I switched to pencil, although found that the watercolour can wash it off if I'm not careful:
Lovely sketches.
ReplyDeleteAre your grapes edible, or are they a bit tart?
Yes, they are pretty sweet and I eat them. John's not so keen as they are quite small and have pips, but I just love the idea of eating something that grows for free!
ReplyDeleteI love your work, Lynne. Can you tell me what brand of pen you are using that holds up to the watercolor on top? I'm a huge fan of the Sakura Micron pens but am always open to new art tools.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tami. I am still experimenting, but am using a DayRunner Micro for the top two drawings, which is totally waterproof.
ReplyDeleteI prefer a more responsive and variable line but cannot get a waterproof ink that won't gum up my pen, no matter what it says on the jar!
What are Sakura Microns like?
Years ago, I used to do most of my ink work with koh-i-noor rapidographs but I had a terrible time keeping them from gumming up. I found the Sakura Micron pens to be a nice alternative. I actually like the line quality a little better. They are archival quality, waterproof and don't feather or bleed. I don't know if you can get them in the UK, but here in the US, they are fairly reasonably priced (around $2.50 per pen or even less when you buy them in sets of graduating size). Here's the link to the Sakura site... http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival
ReplyDeleteThank you Tami! I'll lokk them up.
ReplyDeleteI have had Noodlers Ink recommended a couple of times: I can't get it here, but you can in the US.
I love your sketches!
ReplyDeleteWonderful set of sketches! Can you order on Jetpens.com in UK? They have nice variety of drawing pens and good prices.
ReplyDeleteLovely drawings Lynne - especially of your house and studio. Lesley
ReplyDelete