SusieG Studio

I need to put a brief pause on my fountain pens and inky adventures. I was going through my blog queue and realized I forgot to publish this blog post. It was sitting in my drafts folder for four months waiting to be published. It’s one of my gnome watercolor paintings where I had a lot of fun and well it’s too cute not to share with you.

Let’s go back in time four months ago when I was in the midst of my watercolor painting adventures. This was a few weeks before I received my Luchetti sketchbook and was using my Funto watercolor journal. I was practicing techniques and re-learning about water to paint ratios. I was also reducing my studio chaos and staying organized. The scenario is now set and we can continue.

I’m trying to remain consistent with the art tools that I use. So far, it’s working brilliantly. I have an Art Bin container that holds my current watercolor tools of choice. When the artistic urge hits me, I grab my container, pull out the supplies I need, and start creating. No more wondering where I placed this or that and no more getting side-tracked.

I had purchased my second vintage Singer sewing machine and finished a painting of my sewing machine. For my next painting, I wanted to stay with a sewing theme and to create something whimsical. Well of course I had to include a Gnome.

I picked up my Micron pen and decided to change things up a bit. My creativity was flowing. I ended up with this final ink sketch.

Did I mention before that I’m thoroughly enjoying my Micron pen? There is something special about this plastic nib and how smooth it glides across the paper.

I could not wait to start painting the hat. I had fun using all the colors in my current palette including mixing new colors.

I thought about leaving this sketch alone with just the painted hat. I like how the colorful hat pops off the page.

I was on a creativity roll and had to continue the momentum. Here’s my final watercolor sketch. There’s a few “boo-boos” and I decided to leave them alone. It’s part of my painting’s personality.

Paint colors: Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors: Nickel Azo Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Pyrrol Scarlet, Quinacridone Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Perylene Green, Rose of Ultramarine, Cascade Green, Burnt Sienna, and Burnt Umber. Pans filled from tubes.

Palette: Winsor & Newton plastic palette

Brush: Rosemary & Co. R26-Red Dot Pointed Round #4 and R13-Sable Blend Pointed #8.

Pen: Micron PN (plastic nib)

Journal: Funto Watercolor Journal. 100% cotton. 5″x7″ cold pressed paper. 22 sheets/44 pages. 300gsm/140lb paper. A combination of fine on one side and medium rough texture on the other side.