Ornate key

This ornate key, inspired by an old textbook of design, turned out better than I originally thought it would for just 20 minutes effort. I subtly included our family's initials just for fun. Ink and watercolor, 5 1/2" x 8".

Bowl of corks

Taking a bird's eye view of this silver bowl of corks proved to be a delightful challenge for tonight's 20 minute sketch (5 1/2" x 8"). I used watercolor and water soluble pencil, and a large and small mop brush. The large mop brush is great for laying down big washes quickly, pretty much eliminating the need for a pencil sketch and forcing me to loosen up. I really like the color palette here, burnt sienna and yellow ochre are the best for rich warm tones like what's found in the corks.

Pencil sketch

Instead of drawing with the pencils for 20 minutes, I made the pencils my subject and drew them with conte crayon (5 1/2" x 8"). After so much pen and painting, it's easy to forget how nice it is to sketch with something more substantial like a conte crayon or charcoal. I love the immediate dark line and the way the crayon or pencil drags across the paper.

Delft jar

After the black and white sketches the other day, I was itching to do color again. A treasured Christmas gift, this small Delft jar was a cute little subject for tonight (pen and watercolor, 5 1/2" x 8"). The blue, green, and brown color palette wasn't intentional, but as it features in some of my other artwork lately I must have it on the brain.

Musical Inspiration



detail of grapevine design on curtain



As part of a large captive audience enjoying nearly four hours of exuberant a cappella music, I had a great opportunity to work on several 20 minute sketches in pencil and pen (5" x 7"). The concert was held in this gorgeous cathedral style auditorium with an interesting architecture combination: Gothic-style exposed beams and arch details, and Art Deco-style stage, lighting and woodwork.  The room dates from 1928, so the stage section certainly resembles other classic movie theaters/palaces of the time. Between the variety of music and the decorative room, it was nearly sensory overload.