JOURNAL STUDIES | PEN AND INK

Last year I purchased a beautiful journal from WonderCabin on Etsy.  The pages are filled with 140# traditional Fabriano hot-press watercolor paper that are not only a joy to paint with but an immense joy to draw on! My journal when opened is 12 inches by 9 inches.

Working full time right now does not give me the time that I would love to spend in nature and in my studio.  One day this spring, I brought my journal into the den with my pencil and ink pens.  As I watched TV and with images on my Kindle, began to draw a series of dogwood buds. 

I was taken with the "magic" when I added the value via stippling and darker lines with my Micron pens.

And here is the true flower! These study pages help us not only to see but to know.  We live in a magical time when we have all these tools available to us .... my phone's camera is just as good as my Nikon D90!

I like to draw using a .03 HB lead mechanical pencil.  The thinner lines suit my eye.  Also here are the black pens that I am using.  I start with the 01 and build up by adding the larger sizes in the project as you can see here.

Thank you for visiting, 

Linda C Miller Artist | Naturalist | Instructor

http://www.lindacmillerbotanicalart.com

https://thebotancialblogger.blogspot.com/

Copyright Linda C. Miller 2022

 

The Last Persimmon -- Watercolor: Judy Butler

Fall is upon us. The nights have turned cold with the first frost only days a way. The leaves are begining to fall and the persistent breeze shifts the leaves into swirling piles all over the yard. In the far back end of the yard are two very fickle persimmon trees, some years bearing fruit and others not a peep. This year there were a few lovely bright orange fruit that ripened just in time for the orange theme of Halloween. The Persimmon tree's leaves just shrivel up and do not turn bright colors. The hanging orange bobbles shine bright against the dark burnt umber green of their leaves.

Lewis went out and picked the LAST PERSIMMON thinking I might like to draw it. I thought that was a fine idea. I did this quick sketch trying to capture the shriveled leaves and the bright color of the fruit.