Dip pen and ink

Things on my desk

I got a set of Speedball dip pens, and some black ink and had fun sketching in a new pad of Strathmore Mixed Media paper.  The paper is nice and smooth, and the pen nibs didn't scratch into it or catch.  So nice to draw with!!  I added some watercolor with a brush after.

Drawings on Toned gray sketch paper

I have a small pad of Strathmore Toned gray sketch paper that I've been drawing in, thought I'd show a couple...

 .. I set up some chess pieces and drew them, I liked this one the best.  I'm thinking I might try a painting of it.

Also just felt like doodling with black ink and highlighted with white.  

Fruit drawings

Some pencil drawings I did yesterday.

Painting over my drawing

 I made another drawing of the same subject, but left out the paint brush.  Then I got the idea to add a peice of patterned paper to the background, it's from a pad of decorative scrapbook paper.  I cut it to fit around the contour of my drawing.  Then, I pasted it down with matte medium and brushed a coat of it over the whole surface.  When it dried, I painted over it with oils!  I love how it came out....

... after I took this picture, I added in the little red paint brush that was in my original drawing.   But, now, I think I like it better without it. Maybe I'll go back and paint it out.

Drawing on a rainy day..

It rained most of the day today, and I sat inside and drew.  I started with the book and tissue, then added the banana because I was eating one and kept setting it on the board there between bites...   so I got a new one and put it in the set up.   Then added the brush, because I wanted something to make a diagonal line to balance everything out.  
I like this natural brown colored paper because it's automatically a middle tone.  I love adding darks and lights to finish. 

Sketch book and watercolor

I bought this little 5x7 sketchbook at Barnes and Noble.  It's by Cachet and has a cream colored paper called "ecru".  I've been drawing in it, but this time, I decided to use watercolor to paint a design and I really like how the w/c paint settled into it.  I'd like to experiment with this again.

Doodling....

drawing on cream colored paper with brown pen

Years ago I used to love to sew.  I wasn't very good at it, but I couldn't resist the pretty patterns and colors of fabric, and would continue to try.  I finally lost interest in sewing, but I think that the thing that drew me to it still interests me.  The patterns, and colors!  Especially quilt patterns.  I found myself drawing this doodle after looking at some quilt designs online.  I think it could be really cool, if I made a watercolor of this type of drawing..  I still have a stash of left over of fabric pieces and trims I could copy from... if I can find them.

The End of my 75 day ink drawing challenge.

"Raggies"   8x 10   not for sale

Well, this weekend marked the end of my 75 days of a drawing a day in ink.  Even though I finished, I didn't really do all that well.   Most days I did pretty good.  I found something interesting to draw, and took my time, and enjoyed it.  Then, there were a few times I'd forget to do a drawing, or just put it off because I didn't have anything in mind to draw.  Then, I'd catch up and do two the next day, or forget again.  I also started to wonder if my love of ink drawing had disappeared over the years???  I remember long ago, I'd always draw in ink, it was my first choice.   So, instead of posting my last few ink challenge drawings, I thought I'd post this drawing... I did it 30 years ago.   It' s hard to imagine that it has been that long, but it has.  It' s an ink drawing of my little sister's raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.  I came across it a few weeks ago, and just love it.  It's too bad the paper is a bit stained... but it's well loved, just like those dolls were.

75 day sketch challenge home stretch....

This Saturday will be the end of my 75 day pen and ink sketch challenge.  Here are a few more of my drawings from the last couple weeks or so...

Some people just finishing feeding the ducks near the river

my cluttered kitchen counter

drawing of a portrait painting I saw online

bottle of wine, glass, cup and my camera

shoes at the backdoor

sneakers, scissors, and a doodle

baking cookies, first batch out of the oven

Charlotte beach "boardwalk"

A few randomly picked ink pen drawings from the past couple weeks.... the 75 day challenge is nearing the end!

my old tattoo machines

 Here are a few of my drawings from the past couple weeks or so....

A favorite bakery,  I bought a chocolate cake that day.

We have a beautiful carousel at a nearby park, but difficult to draw while there.  I drew this from a picture.

A drawing of a still life set up in my studio.

A laundry room

My ironing board.   It occurred to me while drawing this, that  ironing boards have had the very same design for as long as I can remember.

A small potted ivy plant on my window sill over the kitchen sink

75 Day Sketch Challenge....How many days has it been? ...46!

 It's been a while since I posted any of my drawings, but I have been drawing each day.  It is time consuming to take pictures, edit them and post... so here are a few from the past week or so.  Above is a cup and note card that I wound up doing a similar painting of.   Below is a corner of my computer desk, which always seems to have a mixed collection of items crowding it.  Time to tidy up.

 These 2 are of Charlotte Beach Park, where I sat and sketched for a little while.

This is a vase of sunflowers I bought at the grocery store, and a random doodle that I have many of scattered through my sketchbooks. 

...a few of my ink drawings in the past few days....

A drawing a day... on Day 31 of 75.... :-)
A pear and cherries, and a drawing of some still life objects I left on my table..
 with faber castle pitt pen on Stillman & Birn sketchbook

Hydrangeas again... rapidograph pens on bristol smooth

My little manniken in various poses.....faber castle pitt in Stillman & Birn sketchbook (gamma series)

ink pens and drawing

It was my birthday yesterday, and this is what I wanted,.. a new set of rapidograph pens!! I used to have a set many many years ago.. and always wanted to have them back.  Little fine line markers are just not the same :-)     It was so hot today, I couldn't believe it! Over 90! That is very unusual for here in Rochester.
I stopped to draw my little supper,  didn't feel like eating much on such a hot day... didn't feel like doing much of anything!

Toast, and hard boiled egg...( I already ate the other half of the egg)

Day 21 of 75....

 Here are just a couple of drawings I've done in the past few days.  The rose was drawn from a picture I took earlier in June, and the hydrangeas I drew while sitting in my backyard at the table. I haven't drawn anything for today... so as soon as I finish this post, that's what I'll be doing!  Thanks for stopping by for a look :)

75 Day...(ink) sketch a day continued....

utensils from my kitchen drawer

drove down to the Port of Rochester to draw.  I ran out of room on my page, but drew enough to realize I need practice drawing buildings!  .. and cars.

Can't remember ever drawing a motorcycle... need practice doing this too!

I'm at day 13 now, not all my sketches have been posted, but doing a drawing or 2 every day.  Only 62 days to go!!  :-)