Virtual Paintout - May 2010 Czech Republic

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.

Catching Up on Sketches

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

Joint Art Project

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.

My New BFF

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.