More Walnut Ink, Please

The beginning of November, I got to go down to NYC to see the Rembrandt, Vermeer & Hals Show at the Frick Collection, as well as, attend the Open Painting/Drawing classes on Friday and Saturday afternoon at the Art Students League.  I did not bring oils, but I decided to draw, instead, using walnut ink (which is a lovely brown ink) and white gouache.  The first 2 drawings above were completed in Studio 7 (Frank Mason's old room, now Tom Torak's) on Friday.  Teachers do not come in on Fridays, and you are allowed to set up and use the models.  Studio 7 has 2 models on either side of the room, and it was fun to draw them both within the time constraints.  I mostly use a brush for the ink washes  and  gouache, and I add fountain pen and pencil to help model form or add accents. 

 The last head study was the second drawing I did on Saturday afternoon, also in Studio 7.  The first study was in watercolor, and I decided that it was getting overworked, so I drew this one very quickly, before I had time to over-think it.  

I have come to rely on walnut ink.  It is my "go to" for drawing supplies.  It is great for massing in the shadow areas, and it can be diluted with water for a lighter tone, or used full strength.  I use it for figures and also in landscapes.  It is one of the mediums I use in my Drawing on Nature class, too.  Layering with walnut ink produces rich tones, too, and it can be used with a brush, reed pen, or dip pen.

Difference between uploading with the Blogger App and the webpage...

I am curious to see if the drawings I just uploaded with the app will upload differently from the webpage...so, here goes...It looks like the webpage upload shows the whole picture, which I like better than the picture being cut-off.  What do you think?

Here's the start...mapping in placement idea

Moving along and focusing on light and shade

Developing and modeling 

Sequence continued...

So, after I lightly sketched, or mapped, in where I wanted the trees, barn, etc. to go, I began thinking about the light. Here is the second picture In the sequence.

I am going to attempt to upload 2 pictures using the Blogger App...

Plein Air Drawing Sequence

If I have the presence of mind, I will snap photos of a drawing in progress.  Here is a progress sequence for another plein air drawing in my gray sketchbook.

Testing the Blogger App

The Blogger App for iPods does not seem to work...I can't seem to upload photos.  Any suggestions?

Looking Back - 2013 - Drawing on Nature

Besides teaching Walk & Watercolor and Sunset Landscape Painting, I taught an outdoor drawing class called, Drawing on Nature.  Each student received a little sketchbook, and we used combinations of pen & ink, wash, and pencils, and heightened with white gouache or chalk.  My favorite sketchbook contained gray paper and was spiral bound.  Again, all of the supplies fit into a backpack, which made it a perfect medium for walks or hikes.  These classes were given twice a week at Smugglers Notch Resort throughout the summer and fall, with all materials included.  The following drawings were some of my demonstrations this year.  The sketchbook is approximately 6"x8", which is a perfect size for sketches.  All of these drawings were done plein air.  It is a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty of nature.  

Here is the little gray sketchbook 

Pen & Ink, washes, pencil and white gouache on light pink paper

6"x8" gray sketchbook -  pen & ink, pencil, white chalk & white gouache

Gray sketchbook - deciding to keep the drawings monochromatic 

Gray sketchbook - combination of pencil, pen & ink, colored pencil & white

Another demonstration in the gray sketchbook 

A little study in brown ink, washes, and pen, heightened with white gouache

Tan paper with pen & ink and brown and blue washes

larger drawing with washes, white, and pen & ink on tan paper

Tan paper with walnut ink, pen & white gouache

This drawing was in the last fall class..most of the leaves were down

Here I am with my little cart and seated on my little folding stool.  

Looking Back .... 2013

Wow! 2013 is coming to a close, and I have barely written a word.  So, what have I been up to?  Teaching, mostly.  I taught several workshops and classes over the past year, and a lot of them were in watercolor and gouache.  This is becoming one of my favorite ways to paint outdoors.  Portability is its greatest advantage.  No easel is needed, the painting supplies are lightweight and affordable, and the paintings can be transported without damage.  Here are a few pictures from a few of year's classes or workshops in Walk & Watercolor or Sunset Landscape Painting using transparent and opaque watercolor. 

Teaching Walk & Watercolor in Bonita Springs, FL

Students painting in Bonita Springs, FL

Demonstration from one of my Walk & Watercolor classes

I love having families take the Walk & Watercolor class

More demonstrations 

My granddaughter helped out :)

Demonstration from Sunset Landscape Painting class

Another demonstration from a Sunset Landscape Painting Class