SusieG Studio

I’m happy to say the right side of my brain has been working overtime. I’ve been experimenting with my sketching tools including my watercolor paints. Mixing colors with a limited palette and adjusting the amount of water I use. Also I have been figuring out whether to sketch with my graphite pencil and leave the lines as part of my sketch or do I sketch with my permanent ink pen.

Funto Watercolor Journal

I was struggling with a sketch I created in my Funto watercolor journal. I was trying to create a bit of luminosity in my grapes by adding individual layers of color. I wanted a few grapes to be green with a bit of yellow highlights. I also wanted some raspberry colored grapes with a bit of green.

I kept working the layers of colors until I noticed most of the grapes had similar color values. Also the grapes that should have been in the background with fading colors were now grapes that looked like the foreground grapes with details.

Also, I wasn’t too happy with the one single leaf I sketched. I have no idea what prompted me to sketch it that way. This wasn’t my best work and I wanted to share that there are times when my creativity doesn’t go according to plan.

So, I’m calling this sketch my experimental grape sketch. A good practice session with lots of lessons learned.

My Hubby looked at my sketch and mentioned that I should not have used the permanent ink pen to create the outline of the grapes. You know something? He is right, but you know how much I enjoy using my Micron PN pen. I have to let go and use what I know is right.

I ended up finishing my sketch. I reworked the grapes in the foreground by painting them a tiny bit darker, but also leaving a bit more highlights. I also added a few more grapes to my sketch. I also darkened the grapes that were hiding or in the shadows. I also added circles of light paint colors to give the impression there are other grapes in the background. I also painted a few grape leaves very loosely.

A bit of improvement. I can only fix so much. I can say my sketch is completed. Whew! I still have a few pages left in my Funto (100% cotton) watercolor journal. For now, I plan on using this book for experimental quick sketches.

Luchetti Sketchbook

I’ve already posted about my fascination with my new Luchetti sketchbook. I had an idea to create another grape sketch in my new book. Another practice piece. This time creating a sketch with just my graphite pencil and without using my permanent ink pen.

Here is what I’m working with. I’ve already painted three layers of colors. My painting looks light and airy. Bright and cheerful.

There are lots of graphite lines and curves in my sketch that I decided not to erase and let them become part of my watercolor painting. I think it’s cool to show what I’m thinking or planning and it’s okay if I change my mind.

I have to remember that my initial watercolor layers will look like blobs of color without life. I know with the additional layers of colors, I will add more depth and bring a bit more life to my paintings.

One of the key techniques of watercolor painting I have to remind myself is to let the layers of color dry completely. Sometimes that meant setting my sketchbook aside and walking away for a few hours.

Tip #1: I have a tendency to keep on painting different areas of my sketch and forgetting to let my paper dry completely. Most of the time I’m in my creative zone. That’s when I forget to stop and I run into a problem of overworking an area or a few areas start looking the same without having any range of values to make them pop off the paper. So. I must remember to stop and let my sketch dry completely.

Here I’ve added a few more layers of color. Creating a bit more depth to my painting.

I know some of you are curious to see my two page spread in my sketchbook. Notice I no longer put my paint brush in the gutter while taking a picture of my artwork. Also there are no brass clips in my photo. I no longer need to use them to hold down my paper.

Here’s another look at my progress. Somewhere along the way, I decided to add more grapes to my sketch on the right side. I think it makes my grape clusters look fuller and adds a bit more interest and depth. I just need to stop and not overwork the grapes. Especially those that appear in the background.

I left the right side of my sketch blank. I’m toying with the idea of journaling about my painting experience.

I’ve added the following slideshow to show my progress. Ooops! I apologize that the slideshow is not working at least when I’m in edit mode. Not sure how this will appear in this final post. Hopefully three pictures will show up here.

I initially started my painting using my #8 round brush to lay down lots of color (coverage) on the grapes. To paint a bit more detail into my sketch, I switched to my #4 round brush. I also used my smaller brush to add the pinkish edges on the green grapes. I found I had better control where I placed the color in the smaller areas.

This is still a work in progress. I haven’t decided what to do with the grapes on the left side of my painting. Not sure what colors I will mix and use for the grapes. I’m okay with leaving them as a graphite drawing in my sketchbook.

Summary

I’m letting go and telling myself it’s okay if a painting takes a few days to complete. Even a week or two.

Once I’ve finished a painting session, I move my sketchbook from my studio desk to another area of my studio. I leave my two page spread open and allow the paper to dry completely. It also gives me a few moments of time (when passing by) to look at my artwork. Appreciate what I’ve accomplished so far and the anticipation of adding more layers of color where it’s needed.

For now, I’m setting this grape painting aside. Taking a break from it and moving forward. I’ve been following a few watercolor artists on social media and relearning some skills and techniques. I need to build up my “coloring book” drawings in my Luchetti sketchbook. I feel highly motivated as I now have the ability to sketch freely across two pages and I need to take advantage of this creative momentum.

My creative bug is hoping that I create a floral painting for my next two page spread. Stay tuned!

Paint: Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors. Lemon Yellow, Sap Green, Quinacridone Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Burnt Umber.

Brushes: Rosemary & Co R26-Red Dot Pointed Round #4 and R13-Sable Blend Pointed #8. The brushes can be found at Art Toolkit at this link.

Journal: Luchetti True Flat Sketchbook. Mixed Media. 100% cotton. Cold Press. 8″x8″ with 22 sheets/44 pages. 600gsm (300lb). Archival. Acid-Free. Gelatin-free vegan sizing. Vegan PU leather covers. There are a few Luchetti sketchbooks available through Monday (tomorrow) evening for the current Batch 5. The sketchbook can be found at this link.

Palette: Winsor & Newton. There is an empty palette with an included small travel brush available on Amazon.