Mezzetta Peppers

Sometimes the grocery shopping is so colourful I just can't resist drawing it!

Pencil Crayon

Spring

This is another of the ATC's I watercolored with Tombow markers.

Peace

There is nothing like watching the birds in the backyard to slow the rattling brain and bring peace.  At this time of year I mostly watch out of the window in the kitchen.

Watercolour

More Inspiration Than Perspiration

Thomas Edison said that "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent inspiration."

  I know that I spend way too much time looking at art blogs and way too little time actually making art.  Maybe naming this on a journal page will help to cure me!

Spring is Coming to Vancouver

It is pouring with rain today, but it was warm and sunny last week when I took these!

Capturing the Moment

I started a new journal last week, inspired by a very talented calligraphy artist, Laura Erikson, who presented her journals and journallng ideas in a presentation at the Westcoast Calligraphy Society in February.  

I bought a new Strathmore Watercolor Journal, and I must say that I absolutely love the 140 lb. paper.  I confess that I'm usually quite parsimonious when buying art supplies, believing somehow that I'm not worthy of the best quality supplies.  This new journal just might cure that!

Watercolor Painting with Tombow Markers

I painted these Artist Trading Cards with Tombow markers, using a variety of watercolor techniques.  Sometimes I applied the marker onto the watercolor paper and then added water to move the color, and sometimes I scribbled the marker onto a paper palette so that I could pick up the color and apply it with a brush.  

Mostly I don't see the point of substituting markers for actual watercolors, but I do like how bright and vivid the colors are.  I don't have many Tombows, but chose the Jelly Bean set when I wanted to experiment with them because the set contains bright colors (like hot pink and lime green) that I don't have in my watercolor tube paints.  So, I just may use them to mix and match with my watercolor paints and pencils.