Sketchbook BootKamp Writing: Klee Quote

Pretty much an experiment all the way around. I bought a Fabriano EcoQua Notebook and a Faber-Castell Calligraphy pen. The paper works well with Faber-Castell ink and Noodler's Bullet proof Black, although you can see the image through the page. So far there is no bleed-through, but I'm planning on trying more inks, light watercolor washes and colored pencils. The sketchbook is inexpensive enough that using only one side of the page is no problem.


I found the Klee quote online and it just kind of inspired the sketches.

More Sketchbook Skool Bootkamp assignments and Bikes, Blues, and BBQ

Multiple trips to the vet with Harry and Pluto made it difficult to keep up with my sketching schedule. It became necessary to postpone my entries, but here they are.

This Sketchbook Skool Bootkamp assignment involved drawing a selfie using a continuous line. This technique was presented by Brenda Swenson in Sketchbook Skool: Kourse 2.1.2 "Seeing"
 When I first tried continual line drawing, I was very uncomfortable. Since that time I haven't attempted the technique...until today. After spending a lot of time looking at others' continual line selfies and deciding how to handle my selfie, I drew this sketch.I was more comfortable this time and the result was better. I had a strong temptation to pick up the pen and continue in another area, but I didn't. 

 Sketchbook Boot Kamp: Continuous Line Selfie
Paper: Kona Classic Field Series  6"x6" Acid Free Journal
Media: Lamy Safari extra fine nib, Noodler Black Ink (waterproof)

                             Note: Noodler Black (Bulletproof )stands up to watercolor, but still sometimes smudges when rubbed.

This Sketchbook School Bootkamp assignment involves selfies and imagination. The first selfie was drawn entirely from memory, while the other two are imaginary characters drawn while checking my image in a mirror (or in this case, using I Photo on my computer).These selfies are fast, loose and completely off the wall. I'm not too sure where the elf with the enchanted mouse came from. I dressed as a Starfleet Officer when I went to Star Trek conventions, but was never dressed as a Vulcan. Vulcans didn't have enchanted mice, anyway.I did dress as a clown one Halloween when I still taught school.

 Sketchbook Boot Kamp: Continuous Line Selfie

Paper: Stratford Multi-media Visual Journal 9"x12"

Media: Lamy Safari extra fine nib, Noodler Black Ink (waterproof). Sennlier watercolors

Note: Noodler Black (Bulletproof )stands up to watercolor, but still sometimes smudges when rubbed.

This is a sketch of the activity on Dickson Street during Bikes, Blues, and BBQ this year. Yes, the sketch is a bit crooked, but the rally has as much beer as they have bikes and BBQ, so it's appropriate.

Since starting Sketchbook Skool, I am better able to handle scenes with this degree of complexity. Maybe soon I'll be able to handle scenes without using photos for assistance.

 Sketchbook Boot Kamp: Continuous Line Selfie

Paper: Stratford Multi-media Visual Journal 9"x12"

       Media: Lamy Safari extra fine nib, Noodler Black Ink (waterproof). Sennlier watercolors

Note: Noodler Black (Bulletproof )stands up to watercolor, but still sometimes smudges when rubbed.

Sketchbook Boot Kamp: Selfie Fast and Slow

When I started Sketchbook Skool, I disliked selfies and was very uncomfortable doing one. This selfie was an assignment for Sketchbook Skool Boot Kamp.

 Sketchbook Boot Kamp: Selfie Fast and Slow

Paper:Stratford Multi-media Visual Journal 9"x12"

                      Media: Sennelier Watercolor, Noodler Flex Pen, Noodler Konrad  Brush Pen, Higgins India Ink for fountain pens (non-waterproof)

Note: Stratford Visual Journal did not buckle with watercolor wash

I did the fast part of this selfie using Sennelier watercolor. I began the slow part with a Noodler flex pen, then changed to a Noodler Conrad Brush Pen.

Since doing my family sketch during "Influences", I can see more clearly the resembles between my family and myself. I must be a better observer.

I look tired! It's not surprising; the selfie was done in the evening. I don't dislike selfies as much as I did when I first began to draw them in "Seeing".  I may do a series of selfies at different times for several days. The differences in expression ought to be interesting.

Sketchbook Boot Kamp: Influences 3

This assignment involved selecting an artist's work, loosely sketching it and writing impressions of the work.

I selected one of Picasso's Roosters after being jumped by our rooster, who has temporarily escaped from his coop. He strutted through the yard, head and tail feathers held high, calling to his hens, the hens next door, and the hens down the road. When not calling to the hens, he would jump my dog Homer or me. I learned never turn your back on a rooster and bend over to pick something up.

Picasso's rooster struck so many chords with me, from the physical pose to the lack of intelligence in his expression. How can a bird that looks that dumb escape from his coop and evade all attempts at recapture?

I used a brush pen, providing flexibility when making lines.

Paper: Stillman-Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook 8" by 10"Media: Noodler's Konrad Brush Pen, Higgins Fountain Pen India Ink (nonwaterproof)Note: The Noodler's Konrad Brush Pen is a new acquisition from Goulet Pens. I'm looking forward to practicing with it.

Sketchbook Kamp Assignment 5: Influences

This assignment took two days to complete.

A collection of parents, grandparents and great-grandparents with a couple of uncles and a cousin tossed in. I'm in the center right.

Family Photos

Paper: Mead Academie Sketchbook 8"x10"

Media:  mechanical pencil, Noodler Flex Pen, Higgins Fountain Pen India Ink (nonwaterproof)

Note: Academie Sketchbook Paper is supposed to be heavy weight, but ink bleeds through to next page.

Sketch of Fiesta Bowls and Boot Kamp Assignment 4

I wasn't too happy with my bowl in my bowl of clementines, so I did a some sketches to analyze the bowl. Liz Steel gives some good suggestions on how to do this in Kourse 2.1.2 of Sketchbook skool: "Seeing". When I have a bit more time I want to do a sketch of a stack of fiesta bowls in colored pencils on a watercolor wash backround.

I like Polia Pillin's bright colors and her abstract style. It was a challenge to imitate her style, particularly when she worked in colored clay and clear glaze, while I was trying to use other media. Layers of watercolor, ink applies with a brush pen, and white acrylic paint seemed to work fairly well. 

A Stack of Fiesta Bowls or Juicy Colors Redone

When I did the Juicy Colors sketch earlier, I wasn't happy with the fiesta bowl the fruit was in. After doing some thumbnails of a fiesta bowl (like Liz Steele's teacup studies), I redid the assignment using a stack of fiesta bowls as subjects. There was some improvement. Using Stratford Multi Media Visual Journal instead of Stillman-Birn Alpha Series sketchbook also prevented paper buckling when doing the watercolor wash.

A Stack of Fiesta Bowls

Paper:Stratford Multi-media Visual Journal 9"x12"

Media: Sennelier Watercolor, mechanical pencil, Prismacolor pencils

Note: Stratford Visual Journal did not buckle with watercolor wash