NeonFog

Virtual Paintout - Rio de Janerio

2010-11-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

7.5 in x 9 in Strathmore 140lb Cold Press watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Virtual Paintout. Location is Estrada Mirante Dona Marta, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Virtual Paintout - San Miguel de Allende

2010-10-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

5.5 in x 7 in Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors, PITT Pen, Sakura Gel Pens

Created for Virtual Paintout. Unfortunately, the bougainvillea flowers scanned darker than they were painted.

Virtual Paintout - Manhattan Island

2010-09-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

6 in x 11.5 in Fabriano Artistico 140 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for September 2010 Virtual Paintout. United Nations Building from FDR Drive and E 48th Street.

Virtual Paintout - Prince Edward Island

2010-08-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

11.5 in x 6 in Arches 140lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Virtual Paintout. A farm scene located right next to the Charlottetown airport and a housing division.

Virtual Paintout - Hong Kong

2010-07-06T06:31:00.001-07:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 130 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Virtual Paintout.

Virtual Paintout - Hawaii #2

2010-06-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Back in Hawaii and the island of Maui for Virtual Paintout. A little disappointed with the scan-the flowers in the shrubbery are bright pink and my editing software is lacking.

Virtual Paintout - June 2010 Hawaii

2010-06-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lb CP Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for this month's Virtual Paintout. I was disappointed Google Maps did not have street views of the Big Island where the active volcanoes reside, but I found this view of the Haleakala Volcano on Maui.

Monthly Sketch Project - June 2010 #2

2010-06-13T11:55:00.001-07:00

5 in x 7 in Strathmore 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project from one of my photos.

This is a good luck dragon from the town of Locke, California which is looked on the Sacramento Delta. Locke is a Chinese town founded in the early 20th Century. We were there last year. The photo was composed in camera despite being digital. I learned photography back in the day before Photoshop.

Google Peg Man only views the front of the building, but the statue can be seen behind the pergola.

Monthly Sketch Project - June 2010

2010-06-07T23:20:00.001-07:00

5 in x 7 in Strathmore 140 lbs Cold Press Watercolor Paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project. Photo provided by Jennifer Rose.

Monthly Sketch Project - May #3

2010-05-26T22:27:00.001-07:00

6 in x 8 in Strathmore 400 Series 140 lbs CP watercolor paper sheet, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project.
Photo supplied by Chrissy.

Virtual Paintout - Czech Republic #3

2010-05-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

3.5 n x 4.5 in Arches 140 lbs Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith watercolors, Prismacolor Fine Line Marker

Created for Virtual Paintout. This is the Hlalol Building which was built in 1905. Prague is rich with Art Nouveau architecture. One of my favorite artists is Alphonse Mucha who was responsible for Art Nouveau and from what is now the Czech Republic. As far as I know, Mucha did not design buildings in Prague. He did do pieces for many buildings in Prague including this one. He did not design the Phoenix mural. I couldn't really decide on what building to paint until I saw the clear view Google Maps had for this building. I intended this to be an homage to Mucha in which I tried to emulate his style in the upper and lower elements of the piece. The square in the middle is one of the doorways to the building. I purposely left it at the angle from street view which is why the archway is off center.

Virtual Paintout - May 2010 #2

2010-05-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

3.25 in x 7 in Arches 140 lb Hot Press watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and Grumbacher watercolors

Created for Virtual Paintout. Apparently a statue of Franz Kafka never existed in his hometown of Prague until 2004. The sculptor, Jaraslov Rona, chose an image based on one of the earliest (and not a very good) short stories by Kafka "Descriptions of a Struggle" in which the narrator ends up on the back of an acquaintance and orders him about. If you notice in the sculpture, the acquaintance is just a suit with no body.

It is a strange sculpture and the woman in the original Google Map image did look like she was trying to figure out what it meant.

Virtual Paintout - May 2010 Czech Republic

2010-05-08T19:27:00.001-07:00

5 in x 7 in Arches 140 lbs Hot Press Watercolor Paper, PITT Pen

After a horrible start for this month's Virtual Paintout location of a watercolor of a beautiful park in Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, I gave up watercolors (for today). I found the Hornicke Muzeum (translation: Mining Museum) near Ostrava Czech Republic. Having grown up near the California and Nevada mining areas, I have always been fascinated with mining.

I thought it would be a good idea to try a basic pen and ink line drawing. I have a lot of Arches 140 lbs HP paper and had never just done a pen and ink with it. I really like working with this paper for ink. I draw freehand so some of the lines are a little off.

Monthly Sketch Project - May 2010 #2

2010-05-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

5.5 in x 7.5 in Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Another Monthly Sketch Project with a photo provide by Holly.

I am not happy with this piece. The scanner didn't pick up the intensity of the Opera Pink I used for the petals.

Monthly Sketch Project - May 2010 #1

2010-05-03T21:27:00.001-07:00

5.5 in x 7.5 in Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith watercolors

I recently purchased some new Daniel Smith watercolors on sale: Olive Green, Buff Titanium, Indanthrone Blue and Quin Burnt Orange. All except Buff Titanium I used in this painting plus Aureolin, Sepia and Quin Gold. A rather odd palette. I am not sure I like the background.

Created for Monthly Sketch Project with photo supplied by Chrissy.

Fabric Journal Cover

2010-05-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Recently Teesha Moore posted a tutorial on her blog making fabric journal covers. Teesha's journal covers are great. It was also a license to not be quite so perfect. I purposely threw out all worries about perfection with years of embroidery and quilting to come up with this:
Front Cover

Inside Front Cover

Inside Back Cover

Back Cover

Signature Detail

Embroidery and embellishment detail

I made the red tassels. Each tassel is one half a skein of standard embroidery floss. I would have made more but I only had three skeins and I wanted to hold on to a little left over red for future projects.

Overall the journal cover is 9 in x 10 in with two signatures of Fabriano Aristico 140 lbs Hot Press watercolor paper. I painted the signatures prior to sewing them in to the journal cover as painting journal pages can be messy. Now I just have to fill it up with journal stuff.

International Fake Journal Finale

2010-04-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen

We say farewell to Corsica and International Fake Journal Month. The idea for the silhouette came to me earlier in the week. It is representing the mountains, church steeple, village, citadel, Geneose bridge, Geneose tower and a sailboat. The 737 represents Fake Me flying off in to the sunset. I am rather proud of my 737 free hand drawing.

A few thoughts and comments on the Fake Journal I wanted to include:

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen

To complete the end page I printed a copy of the Corsican flag. Using a graphite stick, I applied it to the back of the printout and then traced over the lines leaving a pencil outline on the original page. I then filled in the lines and image with a PITT Black brush pen.

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, PITT Pen

The final journal with all pages filled. The journal has 48 sheets of paper. I completed 46 two page spreads, four one page spreads for a total of 96 pages. I am amazed I did all this in one month.

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook

IFJM Day 29

2010-04-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

The last night in Corsica for Fake Me. Fake Me and Real Me had a little trouble with the rendering of the Effel bridge. I think we drew too many bridges. The Riventosa sketch was one I had planned to complete for Virtual Paintout but only sketched it in my smaller Fabriano Venezia sketchbook. I liked my other sketch better.

IFJM Day 28

2010-04-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel, pdf. printout

A day at the museum. The clip is a pdf from the Museu di a Corse.

IFJM Day 27

2010-04-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

When I was in the 7th Grade I loved to draw mountains. It was all I drew. Back then I just made them up. I didn't make these mountains up. Fake Me was having a great time sketching and photographing the spectacular scenery. Real Me thoroughly enjoyed sketching mountains.

Monthly Sketch Project - April 2010 #3

2010-04-26T19:50:00.001-07:00

5.5 in x 4.5 in Arches 140 lbs Cold Press Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project.

Image provide by ffyrebird.

IFJM Day 26

2010-04-26T17:55:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

A little bit of modern commercialism today balanced with Gothic type church and art nouveau signage. I need to work on sketching cars.

IFJM Day 25

2010-04-25T17:27:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

Our last "day" in Bonifacio. Still trying to draw boats. So rather than lots of them, I did one large one.

IFJM Day 24

2010-04-24T20:30:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastels

Yet another rainy day. Fake me is having a little bit of trouble with overpainting. I will have to talk to her about it.

I usually leave the title page of any of my journals until I finish but since this is Fake Me and I will have a lot to do on the last day of April, I did the page tonight.

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

IFJM Day 23

2010-04-23T13:26:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

Another rainy day in Bonifacio. I looked forward to being here and it is raining. Our last "day" in Bonifacio is Sunday and it is to clear up.

These are windmills not towers. The structures are more straight vertically than the towers are. Apparently it is very windy at this end of the citadel which would be a great location for windmills.

Most of my drawings come from locations with Google Maps. If I can find it on Google Maps with the little peg man, I don't draw it.

IFJM Day 22

2010-04-22T20:46:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

A rainy day in Bonifacio. The sun came out and lit the citadel while I was sketching it. Actually Real Me was using Google Maps and the sun was out that day. Fake Me needed the sun to come out despite the rain.

IFJM Day 21

2010-04-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

Day 21 - My PITT Pens are wearing out to where the point is flat and I have to draw and write with them holding the pen straight up. My little travel set Winsor & Newton watercolors are low in my most used colors (sap green and prussian blue). I think I will make it to next Friday with the supplies I "took" on the trip.

IFJM Day 20

2010-04-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

We "went" to Filitosa - site of ancient statues and dwellings. Plus a couple more towers.

IFJM Day 19

2010-04-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

The "drive" on N196 highway in Corsica.

The bridges are here located in Google Maps.

IFJM Day 18

2010-04-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors and gouache, PITT Pens, PanPastel

Had to cheat a bit and use gouache on the painting of the "Modesty" statue. Cheating as Fake Me didn't bring any white gouache with her.

IFJM Day 17

2010-04-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

Fake Me was doing some random thoughts in the morning. Never did find the t-shirt (didn't really look).

Update 4/18/10: The date on the second spread should be April 17, 2010.

IFJM Day 16

2010-04-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

Museum Day in Corsica. Fake Me isn't overly fond of 18th and early 19th Century art, but that is what the Napoleon museums are. Fake me liked the Musee A Bandera. The second spread came about as I splattered paint first then tried to think of what to paint. I am struggling with boats and ships so I figured the paint splats would distract from the harbor scene. I was listening to Tino Rossi, for whom the harbor is named, while working on these pages.

IFJM Day 15

2010-04-15T20:19:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels
We are at the half way mark for the month. I am just at half way in my sketchbook. My sketchbook no longer closes without assistance. I found a large rubber band to keep it closed.

Virtual Paintout - Canary Islands

2010-04-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for April 2010 Virtual Paintout.

IFJM Day 14

2010-04-14T20:51:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

We "went" to a Emily Loizeau concert tonight in Ajaccio. She was scheduled to perform there tonight. I am a fan so I may have gone if I really were in Ajaccio. She has a wonderful website - very steampunk. More about the concert tomorrow.

IFJM Day 13

2010-04-13T18:08:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Daniel Smith watercolors, PITT Pen

Most colorful day so far. Fake me has not been using much red, orange or yellow. They are in the palette. Hopefully we will see more color for the rest of the trip. I don't believe Daniel Smith is sold in Corsica. If you remember Fake Me purchased new watercolors in Bastia and didn't like them. But Fake Me wanted to give it another shot. They can't possibly be Daniel Smith since the Real Me adores these watercolors. This was a great experiment for me in adding color to a page. This is what I was hoping for with this Fake Journal.

Please remember you can click on the image to get a better view of the page.

Jordana Paige

2010-04-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

I just found out my Fake Journal page with my Jordana Paige bag has been featured on her blog. I am completely thrilled and honored. I love this bag and would own every bag they put out if I could (the Messenger Bag is on my wish list).

Thanks to everyone at Jordana Paige!

IFJM Day Twelve

2010-04-12T18:18:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastel

Our final "day" in Calvi.

IFJM Day Eleven

2010-04-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

It is sunny in Corsica. Not so here. Ideal day to virtually travel and work on the Fake Journal. I like the end composition of the sketches that I didn't want to write all over it. So why not journal on a couple of pages. A chance to practice doodling borders and more writing. It may not happen again but it was a good exercise.

I took a picture of my workspace while working on today's Fake Journal.
If I can't find a location on Google Maps I don't use it. Lonely Planet's Corsica book is guiding me as well. I am surprised how good the monitor shot is. This is a Google Map picture - the logo didn't show like it should but it is Google.

IFJM Day Ten

2010-04-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastels

Usually when DH and I travel he always wants to go the airport and the aviation museums. There are no aviation museums, but there is a B17 wreckage. It is visible from the Google Satellite photos but it is hard to find. It was an interesting story and one we had to explore.

Monthly Sketch Project - April 2010 Apple

2010-04-10T00:24:00.001-07:00

1/16 sheet Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project. Photo by Martine.

IFJM Day Nine

2010-04-09T20:32:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors, PITT Pens, PanPastel

I wanted to paint the bag. So why not throw it into the Fake Journal. It is a knitting bag I received for my birthday a couple of years ago. It is a Jordana Paige and it is a turquoise blue but I couldn't get the right mix to capture the color.

I do use it as a regular purse and of course, for knitting projects.

IFJM Day Eight

2010-04-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen, PanPastel

Day Eight.

IFJM Day Seven Pt 2

2010-04-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen
End of the day - St Florent. DH suggested I should journal about wanting fast food - only he didn't know I was going to make it in to a cartoon.

IFJM Day Seven

2010-04-07T16:59:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pens

More towers and a scary asbestos plant. The fake me kept misspelling asbestos - probably because it bothered her and she couldn't think.

IFJM Day Six

2010-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors, PITT Pen

We have left Bastia and went up Cap Corse. Unfortunately, I have been caught up in sketching every single tower we come upon. I think I overdid it today

Monthly Sketch Project - April 2010 Zen Garden

2010-04-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

1/16 Sheet Fabriano Artistico 140 lbs Rough Press Watercolor Paper, Daniel Smith and Grumbacher watercolors
Created for Monthly Sketch Project - April 2010. Photo credit: ffyrebird
I had some trouble with the background. Still not happy with it but I do like the pagoda.

IFJM Day Five

2010-04-05T18:26:00.001-07:00

6 in x 12 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors
We finally got our own transportation and have a big sightseeing tour tomorrow.

IFJM Day Four

2010-04-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith watercolors, PITT Pen
Though I have been following Roz's advice and carrying the journal everywhere, the journal went on its first public viewing.

We were at the in-laws for dinner and DH passed the journal around. The journal was even out in the rain much like the fake me said (the weather in Bastia is very similar to here).

IFJM Day Three

2010-04-03T21:14:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, PITT Pens, Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith Watercolors

Saturday in Bastia. What a day! Walked all around the Cidadel in Bastia. So much more to see. Click on the pages should give you a larger view.

IFJM - Day Two

2010-04-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors

My fake me bought new watercolors yesterday. I know they don't sell Daniel Smith in Europe but I don't have watercolors that would be sold there.

The travel set I used yesterday had surprisingly good color for old, dried out paint. I have to use light washes since it is only 90 lbs paper in the sketch book. I might go back to the travel set.

DH pointed out yesterday I should be sketching and writing as if I were really there - meaning to hold the journal in my hand and not sketching/writing in the journal on a desk. I have been doing just that when fake me is out and about.

International Fake Journal Month

2010-04-01T14:43:00.001-07:00

6 in x 9 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, PITT Pen (and accidental use of a Pilot G-2), Pan Pastel and W&N travel set watercolors, Clip from PDF Brochure printed from Corsica Ferries website

Today is Day One of International Fake Journal Month. I decided to go to Corsica with DH. Therefore, I am still "me" but there is a whole bunch of things different:

I usually keep a sketchbook and not a journal.
I rarely write in my sketchbooks (or even the scrapbooks I have made).
I tend to get caught in the details and do not sketch or paint very quickly.
I have never been to Italy, France/Corsica.
I am not a good fiction writer.
I have never had the money or the time to travel for over a month.

As I was researching, I realized that I was taking a "Virtual Vacation". I could not believe how many live webcams, Google Maps (love the new 3D application), photos, websites that are available. Just like being there.

First and foremost, it is a work of fiction and a fake journal. I chose to stay with me rather than a fictional person so I wouldn't lose interest for a month. Fictional yet factual.

About the journal pages, Corsica is nine hours ahead of San Francisco Bay Area. So the day is over in Corsica and I can post my pages. I drew the pictures all very quickly (about half hour). And the writing was fast. The fake me is having a great time.

New Challenge

2010-03-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

1/8 Sheet Fabriano Artistico 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and Grumbacher watercolors, Winsor & Newton Gouache

DH mostly works in colored pencil with aviation themes. DH challenged me to paint a plane. He gave me a type of plane as a reference. The clouds were easy. The hardest was to get the propeller correct. I had to use gouache to have the propeller movement show up. I used a great deal of my new favorite watercolor, Daniel Smith Opera Pink, which didn't pick up on the scan (it is mostly the reflections of the tail on the left wing and highlights.

I gave DH some of my photos to use as a reference to challenge him to draw something other than an airplane.

Virtual Paintout - Stavanger Norway #3

2010-03-26T09:13:00.001-07:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs CP Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton watercolors

This is the end of Runway 29 located on Nordsjovegen at the Stavanger Lufthavn Sola (Airport). I left out the runway marker that is in the sand because I didn't work for this picture. I think I did okay on the foliage. Though I did have to rework the grasses in the foreground.

Yet another submission for this month's Virtual Paintout.

Monthly Sketch Project - March 2010 Foliage

2010-03-21T21:08:00.001-07:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs CP Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project.

Photo credit Raena.

Here is the reason I was obsessing about foliage. I think I have gotten better since this attempt.

People Portraits

2010-03-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

Recently I participated in an online watercolor class Molly Muraah's Watercolor Magic.

One of the excercise in week 4 was to paint this woman:

1/8 Sheet Arches 140 lb CP Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and Einsor & Newton Watercolors

I didn't like that picture much but I got a favorable responsible on Flickr. So I then tried my nephew:

1/8 Sheet Fabriano Artistico 140 lbs CP Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Then I tried to paint DH. He hasn't said much anything about the blue eyebrows.

1/16 Sheet Fabriano Aristico 140 lbs CP Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and Winsor Newton Watercolors

Virtual Paintout - Stavanger Norway

2010-03-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

5.5 in x 7.5 in Fabriano Artistico 140 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors
I found this gnome while wondering around in Google Maps near the Bybrua Suspension Bridge in Stavanger and had to paint it for Virtual Paintout.

Original Google Map Image
I am constantly amused by Google Maps. Why was I amused? The other street view of the gnome from the front pixelated his face. I know Google Maps has a program that does this - but its a statue!

I am still learning to paint foliage. I have a long way to go with it.

Monthly Sketch Project - Bicentennial Kid

2010-03-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

1/16 sheet (5.5 in x 7.5 in) Fabriano Artistico 140 lb HP Traditional White Watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project. Photo submitted by Sherry.

Virtual Paintout - Stavanger Norway

2010-03-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and W&N Cotman watercolors

Created for March 2010 Virtual Paintout.

I didn't catch the error in the piece until after I posted and finished. Oops.

Monthly Sketch Project - March #1

2010-03-05T17:33:00.001-08:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith watercolors

I like the original composition of the photo by Gillian that was posted for Monthly Sketch Project. I normally tend to stay away from warm colors. I did like how the background washes came out and the color of those washes.

Watercolor Class

2010-03-03T13:07:00.001-08:00

I have been taking a webinar from Creative Techs with Molly Murrah called the Magic of Watercolor.

In the second class I even got a special shoutout for having posted the lessons early.

All pieces 1/8 sheet Fabriano Artistico 140 lbs CP, Daniel Smith Watercolors

I fixed the right apple shadow - you can find it here.

Virtual Paintout - San Francisco Bay Area - San Rafael

2010-02-25T13:11:00.001-08:00

7 in x 9 in Bristol Board, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Another submission for Virtual Paintout this month.

This building is known as the San Rafael Improvement Club. Located at 5th Street and H Street in San Rafael, it is now under private ownership. It is one of two remaining buildings from the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco (FYI-the Wikipedia entry is incorrect about only one building left).

The building was located in at the Exhibition at the Palace of Liberal Arts which seems to be where all the current technological pavilions were located. This building was the Victor Talking Machine Company exhibit and moved to San Rafael after the Exhibition was over. The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Monthly Sketch Project - February #3

2010-02-23T15:30:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors
Created for the third installment of Monthly Sketch Project. Original Photo by Jennifer Rose.

Virtual Paintout - San Francisco Bay Area #2

2010-02-18T14:53:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors

Here we are on the other side of Larkspur for my second Virtual Paintout of this month. It is the Alexander Ave Train Overpass looking towards Mt Tam. A very easy bike ride from where I live and one of my very favorite places. Today instead of Northwestern Pacific trains and track it overlooks a walk-bike path and is part of the Baltimore Park station area.

As the bridge is over 80 years it needs retrofitting. Unfortunately some of the designs proposed completely destroy the look of the bridge. Yes, if you walk underneath it you can see it needs help. But it is a beautiful and unique bridge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mardi Gras

2010-02-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

I am not a party person. But something made me create this for this week's Mixed Media Monday -Mardi Gras. The hand-drawn fleur-de-lis were tough.

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lb watercolor paper, Sharpie Poster Paint, Copic Markers, Liquitex acrylic paint, various magazine, catelog and junk mail cut-outs

Tulips

2010-02-15T19:05:00.001-08:00

I was painting tulips today.

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors (note ribbon bookmark surprise appearance)

9 in x 12 in Strathmore 400 Series 60 lbs sketchbook, Pentel Color Brushes

3 in x 4.5 in Yupo paper, Daniel Smith watercolors

The Yupo paper I purchased last week when DH needed some colored pencils. When we walked in to the Dick Blick store, we found out everything was 20 % off that day, plus I got a free sketchbook (like I need one), a 40 % off coupon (hence the Yupo paper) PLUS another 10 % with a Dick Blick Preferred customer card.

Ducks on the Pond or Fountain Pt3

2010-02-14T19:21:00.001-08:00

8 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia sketchbook paper, Winsor & Newton watercolors

Nice day today. Mom wanted to go to her favorite spot at the Larkspur Landing fountain.

I think I may have projected my thoughts on the fountain in the male duck's expression. This is the best replacement for the old fountain?

The table we sat at had a cut out pattern. I placed the paper under the table and traced thru the punch out.

Catching Up on Sketches

2010-02-12T19:05:00.001-08:00

I am catching up on sketches I wanted to do. Last year I took several pictures I wanted to sketch and finally have done a few.

Jackson, California - Kennedy Mine
4.5 in x 6 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolor

Locke, California
9 in x 12 in Strathmore Recycle Sketchbook paper, Pentel Color Brush

Cathedral, Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
9 in x 12 in Strathmore Recycle Sketchbook paper, Pentel Color Brush

Donkey, Children's Fairyland, Oakland, California
9 in x 12 in Strathmore Sketchbook paper, Pentel Color Brush

EDM #250 - Draw Something You Got For Free

2010-02-08T18:37:00.001-08:00

EDM #250 - Draw Something You Got For Free
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

9 in x 12 in Strathmore 400 Series Premium Recycled SketchBook, Pental Color Brush - Grey

A gift from a friend several years ago. It is a singing Dean Martin. His head, jaw, and arms move when he sings.

Monthly Sketch Project - Landscape

2010-02-06T17:18:00.001-08:00

Monthly Sketch Project - Landscape
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 Lbs CP watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project

Picture Credit: Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Monthly Sketch Project - February #1

2010-02-04T12:47:00.001-08:00

Monthly Sketch Project - February #1
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

6.25 in x 10 in Canson 90 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Trying out Daniel Smith Extra FIne watercolors with a limited palette of four colors: Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna
The scan does not do the color of the piece justice.

Created for Monthly Sketch Project - February 2010:
Photo credit: Chrissy

Joint Art Project

2010-02-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Both pieces - copier paper, ballpoint pen, PITT pens and Copic Maker, approximately, 4 in by 6 in

I wish I could say I drew these. DH's computer is in the shop so he has been doodling. He asked me to color them in. Our first collaboration in art.

Virtual Paintout - My 'Hood

2010-02-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lb Cold Press watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton Gouache
I had this "feeling" last week the next Virtual Paintout would be the Bay Area. I was right.

I loved Corsica the subject of January's Virtual Paintout. I explored nearly every inch of the island that I got to recognize the locations of the paintings people created. But the place where you were born and raised and lived your whole life - hmm a real challenge since I know it so well (I forget how stunning the Golden Gate Bridge is especially since I commuted over it twice a day every weekday for years).

As for subjects - Google Maps does have the street views of both DH's and my cars parked at work. Not the most scenic views of Oakland and San Rafael.

I decided to keep within a mile or so of where I live. Unfortunately the Google Map of our street and apartment is not so exciting. I went for the statue of Sir Francis Drake located on Sir Francis Drake Blvd at Larkspur Landing just down the street a bit. Mt Tam is located in the background. Very,very local. I have written about Larkspur Landing previously. The statue is by Dennis Patton who created another sculpture a couple of blocks from our home which is also on Google Maps (I may paint her).

Sir Francis Drake is said to have landing briefly here and left a bronze plaque.

Welcome to my Bay Area ,Virtual Paintout folks! Have fun and visit often. Let me know if you need directions.

Wolf Moon Over Mt Tam

2010-02-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Gouache
A picture from memory. I was out very early Saturday morning and the moon was out as well.

Saturday Night Art

2010-01-30T21:34:00.001-08:00

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezio sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Gouache.

So goes my second attempt at gouache.

Tomatoes?

2010-01-29T20:50:00.001-08:00

Tomatoes?
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Gouache
First attempt at working in gouache.
These should be tomatoes but that could be open to interpretation.

Time

2010-01-28T23:44:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs Watercolor paper, magazine, catalog and junk mail clips, Copic markers, Sharpie Poster Paint, Liquitex acrylic

Didn't scan as well as I would have liked. It was a piece started this evening when I picked up the mail and looked through a catalog I receieved. I worked on this continuously until finished.

Virtual Paintout - Corsica #3

2010-01-26T17:12:00.001-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs cold press watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors
Yet another Corsica picture for Virtual Paintout. This is a doorway on Rue Saint-Dominque, Bonifacio. There were just too many views to paint. I wanted to paint something other than a landscape.

The door way was a little odd. The top third of the door appeared to be open and a door covered the bottom two thirds. I liked the design of the door and the bright blue street number.

I have toured the whole island so many times on Google Maps I recognize the view on others paintings.

New Journal

2010-01-25T18:24:00.001-08:00

Fabriano Venezia 4 in x 6 in Sketchbook

My new sketchbook. Still looking for the perfect sketchbook. This one is pretty close. The sketch is Riventosa, Corsica painted with my new Daniel Smith watercolors (the same colors in art supplies I always buy first - blue, yellow and brown). I didn't submit the sketch to Virtual Paintout as I have another piece I am working on.

AJS Lesson 13

2010-01-24T19:51:00.000-08:00

The week's lesson for my online class is slide mounts. The slide mounts were created with much of what I had on hand from sand and glitter glue to texture paint and embellishments. For once I like all of them. Three were sent out as part of a swap.

Monthly Sketch Project - January Second Half

2010-01-22T17:41:00.000-08:00

6.25 in x 12 in, Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors

Created for the second half of this month's Monthly Sketch Project.

Photo was provided by Chrissy Marie.

Mixed Media Monday - Wings

2010-01-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, magazine and junk mail clips, clips from my old collages, Sharpie Poster Paint, Liquitex Acrylic Paint
The challenge this week for Mixed Media Monday is "Wings". When I think of wings, I think of airplanes. DH probably influenced this choice as he is mister airplane guy. I am still upset with myself for missing the Mixed Media Monday challenge for "Leftovers" as I really like what I created.

16 Page Journal Done!

2010-01-18T17:57:00.001-08:00

All pages in a journal Fabriano Artistico Cold Press 140 lbs watercolor paper, magazine clips, Sharpie Poster Paint, Copic Markers, Liquitex Acrylic paint

Finally finished my 16 page journal a la Teesha Moore. Begun about Thanksgiving Day I got off to a really fast start. I previously posted five pages and these are the better of the remaining pages. A few pages I don't like and will not post.

My New BFF

2010-01-17T12:32:00.001-08:00

Lamy Safari, 6 in x 6 in Canson 65 lbs sketchbook
I had been reading and viewing sketches and drawings done with the Lamy Safari I thought it might be something I needed in my art supply arsenal. However, I haven't been that big on fountain pens since the 9th grade when I had my trusty Schaeffer cartridge fountain pen. I have a couple of really cheap fountain pens (Manuscript and Dollar). I just didn't like them. The good thing about those two pens is that it made me appreciate the Lamy Safari more. I love this pen. I am working out my issues with using a fountain pen and I am not overly thrilled with the blue ink it came with. I will use the blue ink cartridge when I can purchase new colors or a converter as I would like to use grey or sepia ink for sketching.

Virtual Paintout - January 2010 Casaglione Corsica

2010-01-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs wtercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors

My second Corsica painting for Virtual Paintout.

Triberet

2010-01-15T14:46:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, magazine clips Sharpie Poster Paint, Copic Markers

Triberet is a form of belly dance style/dance that borrows elements of Tribal Fusion Belly Dance and Modern Caberet Belly Dance.

Non-Submit

2010-01-13T11:17:00.001-08:00

9 in x 12 12 Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, Liquitex acrylic paint, Sharpie Poster Paint, Copic Markers
Originally a Mixed Monday Monday theme for last week but the piece didn't even start until last night. It was one of those things that just evolved. Even though it is not officially part of Mixed Media Monday I still like it.

EDM #256 - Draw Something Bubbly

2010-01-12T10:46:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite products:

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, PITT Pens, Sharpie markers, Prismacolor pencils, W&N and Liquitex acrylic paint

Monthly Sketch Project January 2010 - Yellow Rose

2010-01-11T00:53:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors
Second painting for January 2010 Monthly Sketch Project. See Jennifer Rose's original here.

Virtual Paintout - January 2010

2010-01-08T17:37:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs Watercolor paper, Windsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors
This month's Virtual Paintout is Corsica.

What is interesting about Corsica is all of these mountains on a little island. I found at the end of a road near a "town" called Calasima some cattle climbing up a mountain ridge. I like painting and drawing mountains. When I was 12, I only drew mountains. However, I need more practice with trees.

My good scanner does not work with Windows 7. I had trouble scanning it properly with my Epson All-in-One. I had to slightly enhance the piece to reduce some of the blur in some areas.

Third Project Done!

2010-01-06T15:50:00.001-08:00

Finished Calorimetry in Malabrigo Noviembre. Took about 4 hours total. The button was from a group of vintage buttons. I believe there is just enough left to make a pair of fingerless gloves.

Creative Lettering - Final Lesson

2010-01-05T19:42:00.000-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lb watercolor paper, Liquitex acrylic, Sharpie Poster Paints, Copic markers

I finished the final lesson for my Creative Lettering class last night. Unfortunately, I posted the first version, in a couple of photo sharing sites, with an minor error. This one is the correct piece.

Monthly Sketch Project - January 2010

2010-01-04T21:11:00.001-08:00

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lb watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher Watercolors

The first of January's Monthly Sketch Projects. I changed the composition from the original photo provided by Jennifer. It is supposed to be rose hips covered in snow.

In yesterday's blog post, this is one of the projects I was working on. I finished both this and the Creative Lettering assignment. The project I thought I would have done was my knitting. Still haven't knit a stitch since last night and that was the easy project.

The Start of Something....

2010-01-03T18:48:00.001-08:00

I started a few projects today:

The knitting project is a Calorimetry. This is extremely easy pattern and might just get done this evening. For those of you who follow this blog, I frogged the Noro Scarf I started before Christmas. It wasn't stripping the way I hoped. It is now the Calorimetry.

The yellow page is a base partially painted and collaged for my Creative Lettering Class final project with the watercolor (in the sketchbook) for Monthly Sketch Project.

On a belly dance note, this morning was Rakkasah call-in. Usually it take less than an hour to get both troupes a spot. Ala Nar got their spot after two hours of calling and Rising Stars after three hours. I was able to get through for the last spot. I will be very happy never to hear a busy signal again.

Zentangle Madness

2010-01-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

It is kinda of addicting:
This is the last piece I created in 2009. Finished at 11 pm.
6 in x 6 in Canson 90 lbs sketchbook paper, PITT Pen

And I finished this one today, my first color zentangle.

6 in x 6 in Canson 90 lbs sketchbook paper, PITT Pens

Artists of the Round Table Lessons

2010-01-01T22:24:00.000-08:00

6 in x 6 in Canson 90 lbs Sketchbook paper, Speedball Speedy-Cut, Colorbox inks
For the class I am taking, this week's lesson was to carve a stamp for our journals. Never done this before, but I had a lot of fun. The first stamp I carved was the crown and the last , the hand. I think I got it by the time I carved the last one. There is still another four stamps left in the block to carved.

Bye, Bye, 2009

2009-12-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

Children's Fairyland, Oakland Taken with Nikon D40 March 30, 2009

I can't say you have been all that good to me. In fact maybe a little too harsh. We did have a lot of good times, eh? But all-in-all, I think we need to come to an end. Sorry to have to do it this way.

DH's Pictures

2009-12-29T16:55:00.000-08:00

Various sizes, Bristol Board, Primacolor Pencils

I have been asked by DH to post his pictures. He doesn't have a blog nor a Flickr/Smugmug or any such account. He doesn't want one. He is the better artist in the family so I don't mind.

Virtual Paintout - Jacaranda Tree Mexico City

2009-12-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

9 in by 12 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors

Doodling

2009-12-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

I wish the true colors scanned better than it did.

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, Sharpie Poster Paints, Magazine cutouts, "Doodling" article from "The Week".