Popcorn

Instead of painting this bowl of popcorn in a photorealistic manner, I decided to have fun with it - capture the "essence" of popcorn; its colors, textures and funny shapes. Watercolor and water soluble pencil, 5 1/2" x 8". Wetting the paper first and letting the paint do its thing here was a simple exercise in loosening up, which can sometimes be a struggle for me.

Popcorn is my dogs' favorite treat, they followed me like a shadow from the time it popped to sit on my feet while I painted this, hoping I would share (which I did, of course).

Something blue

This small cobalt blue bottle had tricky highlights and shadows, as there was no true white or black present. Colored pencil, 5 1/2" x 8". I was glad for the instant color variations and saturation I could achieve with colored pencil (though moving so quickly I broke my purple lead, and didn't want to take the time to sharpen it). The same bottle in watercolor might be interesting to compare for speed and saturation, but should I repeat myself? Each time I wonder that, I think about Monet painting haystacks, and the Rouen cathedral facade... over and over again... changing the lighting is all it takes to make a subject new.

Little Building

I am discovering how well my old travel photos can serve as inspiration. This sketch (approx. 5 1/2" x 8 1/2") is of a tiny tailor's shop from the mid-19th century, moved from its original location to a local living history museum. It has great Greek Revival style for such a small building. My art markers were put to use here, they were fast - if not as technically accurate or pretty as the pen and watercolor combination.

Tempus fugit

I was aiming to capture the interesting carved and painted details on this antique clock in such a short time period (20 min.) that I truly felt how quickly time flies. Pencil, pen and watercolor on watercolor sketchbook paper, approx 4" x 6".

Part of the clock collection of Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA, unfortunately I didn't record the clock's age or maker at the time I took the photo. It probably dates from the earliest part of the 19th century. With its "shabby chic" painted finish and small stature, this clock is pretty humble compared to others in the impressive collection, but I found quite a bit to admire about it tonight.

Piece of cake

A slice of cake and a good book to wind down the evening. The composition may have been a little bit of a balancing act, but I thought it was an interesting combo. Pen on ecru sketch paper, 5" x 7". These sketches are all uncropped and unedited, but if I were going to use this drawing as an illustration I would certainly crop it. Perhaps like this: