almost like Christmas!

We arrived home from our camping trip to find a pile of mail and packages, among which was this Lumos Pro Duo pen from Tom’s Studio in the UK. It seemed like the package was delayed in customs forever! I ordered the pen and 2 bottles of water-based ink; they also sent me a “cheeky little ink sample” in a rich teal color, and the pen came with its own sample of ink and eleven interchangeable tips, plus they stuck in a tea bag so I could enjoy a cup of tea while trying out the pen!

Most of the tips are various sizes of tips like the disposable Pigma Micron pens, plus there are brush-like tips which are the ones I will mostly use.

I took four Pitt Brush Pens on our trip for getting shapes down quickly as an under layer for colored pencils. But they were bulky in my Mini Sendak tool roll, and when they eventually run out they will be disposed of. This one Lumos Duo fiber tip pen is refillable and has two tips in one pen — easy to fit in one pocket of the Sendak with two ink color choices, plus the extra tips fit in the zippered pocket.

I chose a pale earthy coral color and a light gray — a warm and a cool base for whatever colored pencils I choose to layer on top. 

Also in the mail was a parcel from UK illustrator, Kriksis, that was also delayed in delivery by the US. I ordered a couple of zines from her, one full of sketches she did in the forest that I particularly wanted. And we also received a few household items ordered from Amazon.

I can’t wait to fill the pen and try it out — just as soon as I get through the small mountain of laundry and give the dog a bath!

tree forms

While here in the woods (our RV is literally surrounded by trees on 3 sides!), I have been slowly collecting sketches of the more unusual tree forms. Lots of post oak, cedar elm, and bald cypress in unusual growth patterns. The main tree on the left seems to be standing tiptoe with a patch of grass growing underneath it! I’ve included a photo of it from the other side.

The trees in the center share a large common root between them. The front one also seems to be parting its “skirt” to reveal an underlayer. The tree on the right has what appears to be a wee doorway at the end of one of the roots.

Drawn with Pitt Artist brush pens and colored pencils; fountain pen ink and gouache for the bluebonnet bloom.

early morning at Fort Parker

This morning, after a gentle rain most of the night, Butters and I took a walk down the road at Fort Parker State Park where we are camping. We spied this heron who decided with a very loud squawk that it did not wish to have its photo taken.

Further down the road, we found it again. Nearby ducks left in a hurry but this time the heron stayed, posing for me as it munched on fish. Perhaps it felt more protected under the trees.