Drawing, Painting, Making Sketchbooks….In General, Exploring…

*Gouache and watercolour on a tiny canvas: approx. 10.2 cm x 15.2cm (4” x 6”). To protect the painting I rubbed on some Dorlands Wax. It applies without smudging the paint, and gives a pleasant, low sheen finish.

Watercolour, pencil, inkpen…have for many years been my mainstay. Delightful to use, and so handy for quick works during the busyness of raising a family: four boys – young men now.

During the past months I’ve further explored gouache: continued my revisit to acrylics, did a tiny bit with oil paint, and dabbled with my iPad art media – sometimes all within one artwork. Although oils can be an amazing medium, they don’t, at least at present, suit how I like to create an art piece – mainly due to their slow drying time. I’ve also frequently used my watercolours – which continues to be my favourite medium. Thankful† for the time, space and art media to do all this.

Following are selections from my past months of: painting, drawing and sketchbook making …. Though there’s barely a dab of acrylics in the mix, as I was not happy with many of them. May post some at a later date.

At the top, watercolours in my a sketchbook I made….bottom left is a card with a “reproduction”print I did of a inkpen/watercolour drawing. On the right, another print from a watercolour, as a cover for a homemade sketchbook.

Some of my homemade sketchbooks….these are tiny: approx. 3.5cm x 5cm. iPad drawing print back right…and front with watercolour. Tiny gouache painting back left.

For a while now, I’ve made sketchbooks using “Saddle Stitch”, some are sewn, others are stapled. Recently I made some using the “Perfect Bound” method of binding – in a mix of A5, A6 and A4 in sizes. The “Perfect Bound” ones lie flatter; even with heavy weight paper. I fill them up quite quickly. It’s a great way to try out different types of paper, as well as various art media techniques. I also use bought sketchbooks.

A bookbinding kit I put together. The bulldog clips are one way to keep the paper together when applying glue in the “Perfect Bound” method. I’ve made books with my illustrated poems years go.

Many of these are inspired from views outside my studio window; or the surrounding country side where I live. A4, and mostly A5 size and under…though the one with trees and an orange background is on a A3 size.

Inkpen and watercolour wash on a sort rough watercolour paper – A5 size.

Pencil, watercolour and gouache on A6 cold pressed watercolour paper. From memory and imagination.

A collection of small watercolours, and gouache work, and some tiny homemade sketchbooks. I try and use paper from sustainable sources and cotton paper…and there’s a lovely bamboo paper with a bit of cotton in that I sometimes use. Love paper!

A dash of a black Pentel brush pen, inkpen, watercolour and gouache – A6.

Watersoluble graphite pencil, watersoluble neopastels, and watercolour. A5 size. From memory and imagination.

Inkpen with a dab of colour added with my fingertip in the Procreate app.

As usual there’s plenty of “Faces” in the mix. I’m enjoying getting further into landscapes…and still life, pears and flowers are always of interest to me.

Thank you for wading through this longish post. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭