SusieG Studio

I knew this would happen to me. I’ve hit a bit of a roadblock with my watercolor painting. It started around the time I was filling my fountain pens for the first time this year. I was prepping for the pen show and of course I needed to take a few of my fountain pens with me.

I was planning to create a few quick watercolor paintings during that weekend. It turned out that I was feeling less inspired. I did manage to sketch a few things using my fountain pens.

Instead of getting frustrated with myself, I went ahead and shifted gears. I did blog about purchasing a 3mm clutch pencil at the pen show and that pencil has been living on studio desk. I’ve been picking it up and creating some practice sketches.

Hubby and I took a mini vacation a few days after the pen show. In my travel bag I had my 3mm clutch pencil and my watercolor palette and my Leda Art journal. I wasn’t sure if I would have any time to create anything, but at least I came prepared.

While on our trip, I started a graphite sketch of the peonies that bloomed in our garden. I started on the left side of the page drawing the outlines of the flowers and leaves. I forgot to take a picture of this outline stage. It’s one of those moments when I was in my creative zone and could not stop.

As August became a busy month for me, I did not go back to my graphite sketch until a few days ago. I managed to finish the two peonies. I’m going to call this sketch done. Finished for now. There are times when I stop and my gut feeling says it’s looking good.

To create the softer graphite lines and gradient textures, I used a tortillion blender. I gently rubbed the tapered tip over the graphite that I placed on my paper. I typically will use the tortillion in small sections and stop and look at my work. This way I’m not overworking an area and it prevents all the flower petals from looking the same. The clutch pencil keeps a nice point as I use the side of the lead pencil for laying down thicker graphite lines.

I had a love/hate relationship with my Leda Art journal. There were times when I was sketching with a variety of pencils and I wasn’t too happy with my sketches. I could not figure out if it was the pencil or the paper causing my dislike.

I think I found a good working pencil & paper combination. It’s just like finding a good pen & ink & paper combination in the fountain pen world.

Summary

Sketching with a pencil is my favorite art medium. You’ve heard me mention before this was my first love and basically how I got started with drawing and sketching many, many years ago. It’s the foundation for my watercolor painting and pen & ink wash sketches.

Pencil: Purple Heart wood mini sketch pencil. 3mm lead. Built-in sharpener in the cap.

Sketchbook Journal: Leda Art Supply. Lay flat softcover, A5, 160 pages with elastic strap. 5.7″ x 8.25″

Tools: Tortillion blender. Tightly rolled paper (hollow on the inside) with a taper on one end.