A Peaceful Haven – Inktense Pencils in a Watercolour Moleskine
Edinburgh resembles a huge building site, at the moment, as work stutters from one street to another, as preparation for the new tramway system continues. Far better to leave that behind and re-visit the Botanic Gardens where masses of spring bulbs carpet the areas under the trees. Its always been peaceful, here, in fact my mother used to seek sanctuary in the gardens when she was studying to be a nurse in the 1930′s. She would sit and read her medical notes without distraction. Thank God the quietness hasn’t changed! Our city boasts plenty of green spaces, like this, and soon folks will make use of every available space to sit and relax – assuming the rain stays away.
Margie 8:19 am on April 1, 2009 | #
Bob, this is gorgeous! I love the textures! And of course, the brilliant colors. The orange tree on the left – how did you make that texture?
This is my favorite, so far, of yours. You have mastered the Inktense, I see! I love the blue-green shadow colors in the ground, especially against the yellow-green.
I can’t get enough of looking at this.
Its been raining for days here in Altanta (thankfully!) but I am thirsty for some beautiful color. What perfect April 1st art to slake my thirst! Thank you.
Did some of it get cropped off on the right?
trebor61 1:07 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
Ah Margie. Your comments are too kind. Yes, the Inktense is beginning to make some “sense” now. Some time ago, you suggested I add texture to my drawings by using the pencils dry then fixing them, quickly, with a water wash. In answer to your first point therefore, I put some dry colour into the left-hand tree then washed water over this area. I’ve tried this, unsuccessfully before, but now realise that, when the wash is still wet, if some of the same colour is picked up on a brush, then pushed around the perimeter of the wet area concerned, it doesn’t look so harsh with hard edges. All I did, with the left-hand tree was to repeat this, with different colours, leaving things to dry between each application. The “ground-colours” were obtained by mixing dry overlays of pencils together (“Iris Blue-0900”, “Golden Yellow-0230”, “Cadmium Orange-0250” etc) then quickly fixing with a quick wipe of the wet brush. I’m glad you like this as I considered it not good enough for posting, but I’ve been so busy, decorating recently I thought I should send something in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28475994@N00/3403970391/
You seem grateful for rain in Atlanta. I know, from my passion with golf, how it gets very hot and humid roughly where I think you are (Masters, Bobby Jones biography etc). Here’s hoping you get some relief from any heat. Yes! The whole picture was severely cropped. My Moleskines are 16 inches long, when opened out for a panorama drawing. My scanner only takes 11 – 12 inches. I lost 1 inch on the left and 4 inches on the right of this one. Many thanks – Bob. ps. Congratulations on your 50th recently.
Margie 1:24 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
I MUST see the entire piece! Can you each side independently? If so,- may I email you and request a digital copy? Or if you do scan it, you can email it to me:
margie@margiedeeb.com
Thank you for taking the time to write out your process. To me the orange tree looks like you used some kind of sponge, so I was surprised to read what you wrote. When I get my printer back from getting repaired, I will print out this respose and follow your directions. I can’t wait to try what you did with the Inktense!
I have missed your pieces, but now that I look at the flickr link you sent, I see you have been very busy. I like seeing your workspace with the “dreaded Inktense pencils” on the table. The gardens are lovely.
So stunning is your use of bright color that I when I firt saw this piece posted online this morning I though it was created by that fantastic French watercolorist who hasn’t posted in awhile… the one who is also a sports photographer (I can’t remember his name but I love his watercolors, so do you).
Thanks for the 50th wishes. My husband and I are headed out of town Friday to celebrate in a beautiful place, a special treat for this once in a lifetime occassion (I am often surprised I have made it to 50!):
http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/
So I won’t be online again until Tuesday.
Margie 1:24 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
I meant to write “Can you scan each side independently?”
Linda Bachrach 1:36 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
This is a little masterpiece! Reminds me of the beauty in Kyoto Botanical Gardens this time of the year.
trebor61 2:16 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
Margie. I’ve scanned each half and sent it to you. Hope it reaches you in one piece. Don’t be surprised on reaching 50. I found it quite painless. Just wait until you are 60.
Linda. Thank you for this. You are extremely lucky to have visited a Japanese Botanical Garden as I’ve heard, from my son, that they are spectacular. To have my wee effort compared with this is praise indeed. Much obliged – Bob
Sophie Brown 5:15 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
This splash of color is certainly welcome. A pretty gray day here.
trebor61 2:56 am on April 2, 2009 | #
Thanks Sophie. Glad this has brightened up your day