on breaking rules

When it comes to sketching, I do not play by the “rules” followed by so many sketchbook artists. I seldom sketch on location (allergies to seasonal stuff and insect bites get in the way); in fact I often sketch from photos (😱) I take with my phone. I seem to never finish a sketch from beginning to end all in one go — the above sketch has been worked in bits and pieces over a week. I never sketch in public places like coffee houses because I am a happy little hermit who loves it here in the country. 

My palette is always changing! When I was first introduced to watercolor 20 years ago, I used the palette of 12 colors that my teacher, John Lokke, used. Great and versatile choices, but it’s so much fun to try new ones! My preference leans towards single, transparent pigments but there is often a form of opaque white included. There are usually several tube greens, though they may be tweaked with other colors, and I don’t always mix my own black. Many times I grab a waterbrush instead of really nice brushes because it’s quick and easy.

Though I have completed several large paintings that hang on the wall, and for a time sold sketches on Etsy, I much prefer simply drawing line and wash bits in my sketchbook — common things that reflect my day or things that capture my interest. (And yes, I draw my art tools a lot simply because I want to.)

I have worked directly in ink many times but usually use a pencil to lightly draw my subject first. Changes might be made when adding ink lines and the lines don’t necessarily follow the pencil layout — I tend to make it up as I go along. Pencil lines are usually erased before adding watercolor . . . if I remember to. Many times, some bit of text is written in ink when the idea of a sketch is only a few pencil lines — my sketchbooks are more like personal illustrated diaries.

But apart from sketchbooks, I’m having fun with tiny sketches that serve no purpose and are kept loose in a small tin box. I found a very small clipboard on Etsy that helps hold on to the piece while working, sold by bluestarcraftsmx who has designed a lot of cool sketching items. My Kaweco Liliput fountain pen fits the front loop perfectly. This particular pen has an extra fine nib and is filled with a subtle gray ink that works well in tiny work.