Fitting in some sketching moments when I can. On the back porch, while the dog was looking at me, while waiting for the kids at their spring break camp… I am so close to the end of this pentalic sketchbook. 36 pages done so far.
sketchbook
Trying out a new sketchbook
I am trying out a new sketchbook (Strathmore mixed media with the brown cover). This is my first real attempt at a sketch in it. There was an interesting cerulean tint coming though so I tried to capture that. The light on the Corbu love seat in the background was the more interesting thing. So far so good. With any of my sketches, I have to remind myself to stay patient and don’t get too ambitious and try to make a full painting. Painting in any sketchbook is very different. I think a little pen is important so the painting has structure (something important for me because I’ve been getting away from structured paintings, which is fine, but then I lose practice in drawing). It’s hard to build up too many washes and have the paint take care of everything. Anyway, if I want to do a proper painting, I should use proper watercolor paper. I need to remind myself of that. This simple sketch turned out okay, and I like the sketchbook so far. The paper is a little better than the Stillman and Birn Alpha, I think.
Thanks for reading.
Sky study
This morning my younger daughter and I spent some time painting together. She’s into doing color studies like Turner (she said so!). I thought of doing a sky study while she was working. This is what I came up with to try working exclusively with a 3/4 inch flat (an old grumbacher sabeline my dad gave me). I am getting ready for another trip to Lakeville, MA to visit my aunt and hopefully paint a lot. The skies are really beautiful there. Painting opportunities have been few and far between recently (for good reasons). I need some warmup time before I go. This is from a photo I took while sailing in Annapolis.
Corey Aber 