Tulips - Version 2

I sketched the tulips again, this time using Zebra Zensations fountain pens with colored inks. Until I did this one I didn't realize that the ink in the pens was water-soluble.

 

Small Sketches

One of the online groups I belong to is WetCanvas. They have an "Artwork from Life" forum where there is a Scavenger Hunt that takes place every 9 days. Someone hosts and gives a list of 26 items for the participants to hunt for and sketch in the medium of their choice. You can do as many or as few of the items as you want. I participate a lot in the hunts and sometimes really like a few of the small sketches that I do as part of the hunt. Here are two examples.

We were given "your most recent art supply purchase" in this latest hunt. I just bought a Sailor fude pen which has a bent nib that allows you to make thin and thick lines with the same fountain pen. I haven't tried it yet because I ordered the pen through Amazon Prime but ordered the converter (which allows me to use my own ink) from someplace else and it hasn't been delivered yet. So I used the pen as a model for this item.

Another hunt item was "your favorite corner in your home or office." Since I always sit in the same spot on my couch, where I can rest my feet on the coffee table while I sketch, have access to my laptop and phone on the table next to me, I guess this spot qualifies. I did this sketch using the Zebra colored fountain pen in black and my watercolors. It bled a bit but I like that effect.

I'm just showing you that artwork doesn't necessarily mean ending up with a masterpiece each time.

Colored Ink Sketches

Yesterday I went down to the Bellport dock and did some small sketches in colored inks. I recently received some pen products from Zebra Pens to try out and give them some feedback. This was the first time I worked with these pre-filled fountain pens.  They are Zebra Zensations fountain pens, 7 different colors in a package. They are very vibrant colors. 

After working with them I found they are water-soluble to an extent. Once the ink is touched by water and it dries the ink is set and can no longer be activated. I had sketched in the sky in blue and wet it and it blended nicely. In spots that were still dry I added what is sort of a magenta color and let that blend too. When the sky was dry I added the other details like the thin branches. The tree trunks were touched with water so they are set but if I add any water to the thin branches at the top they will bleed. They were fun to work with, but I wish there was a yellow or brown earth toned ink included. I did cheat a little in the sketch of the building. I did the light poles with my Lamy pen with permanent ink so they wouldn't bleed into the sky. 

This is how I arranged the page in my sketchbook.