pencil capture

I was reading a book on London and had a big need to draw instead. So I used a mechanical pencil to capture Jim in a rare moment of profile, while he read, too.

On the back flyleaf of the book--nice paper!

sienna striping

I draw (using paint, putting it down directly as the drawing medium) the cat in colors I like, not particularly real.

This sienna works really well for representing both the light and his striping. I did the dark first (least thinned with water) and then swished water into those dense areas to pull color into the lighter parts.

W/c on Aquabee superdeluxe paper.

always tea

My main interest in sitting down to make an image is in the process of flowing color onto the paper. If the shapes work out, that's a bonus.

I liked that the shadow of the blue mug resembled a pointing hand.

W/c and (left) art-stix on Aquabee superdeluxe paper.

through the tunnel

Playing with Art-Kure watercolor brushes, which is permanent ink. On Aquabee superdeluxe paper.

. . . cat always sleeping

Though he senses when I start to draw him and immediately has to move, changing his profile. He's talented at perceiving eye prints even while sleeping.

Tech pen and w/c on journal paper.

always catching the cat

Using Prismacolor art stix--like drawing with a hard crayon.

On Strathmore drawing paper.

pure color

To see this large on the screen is like diving into perfect Caribbean water (this paint is the closest I'll come to that reality).

It also reminds me of the torrent pouring over Niagara Falls, the greens and blues of thick water.

W/c on Moleskine w/c paper.

leaning bulb

Idle doodling, then it seemed to take an onion shape. I've been planting tulips, maybe that's the image source.

Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

draped cat

With a fountain pen, I caught the cat napping here. Then I filled in color, happy to have the pen ink blur into shading.

There's clearly a disconnect in the human leg. Oh, well. Catching the cat was my point.

Noodler's ink and w/c on Moleskine w/c paper.

gesso pools

I gessoed a journal page, splotched on horizontal streaks of thin w/c, finger-rubbed them vertically, then dabbed to intensify color areas. I spiraled the green on (blue/yellow on the brush, mixed on the paper), which landed in small pools and runs.

Working in the journal is a daily delight. And I can enjoy whatever comes out when I'm enjoying the spontaneous process.

W/c on ProArt gesso.

layered leaf

I rarely attempt slow, layered watercolor glazing. I'd rather work fast and let the fluid flow, encouraging surprises to happen.

But fast-application doesn't capture autumn leaf imagery very well. This is a vain attempt to layer transparent paints into an impression of fall colors. Imaginary leaf shape!

M. Graham paints on Moleskine w/c paper.

wrist warmers, too

I finished the second pair of warmers from the Hacho yarn. These are short, a simple ribbed pattern (30 stitches on size 4 dpns.).

I finished by switching to a narrow horizontal band at the wrist, alternating 2 knit rows, 2 purl rows (twice), then binding off.

And enough yarn left for Chaucer to play with, too.

onion and nail chopping

I was chopping onions and managed to slice off a fingernail without too much flesh.

Two days after the event, it looks worse than it feels, but I'm not looking forward to the growing-out process.

Used green and red w/c to create the feeling in a few strokes, on journal paper.

still blooming

November 5 and I have an outside geranium still blooming, with buds to come!

Herbs are still available for cutting, too.

That's how warm it's been in NH this fall.