Wild Grapes

Winters favourite .. I know she shouldn't eat them but just try to stop her!

These grow along a couple of fences down in the local park.

It looks a bit washed out here so much for scanning!

Sennelier watercolours
Jin Hau 'frankenpen' fitted with a flex nib, loaded with Diamine 'Ochre' ink
Derwent wtercolour pencils

Sketching by the Grand River

Yesterday my friend Constance and I spent much of the day sitting by the Grand River sketching the vista before us.

Sunny with a cooling breeze, lots of dog walkers to offer nice comments a grand day out!

First up was a pencil sketch of the old cedars ( Channeling Marianne Coleman ) I was going to add ink but decided against it.

Then I made a new sketch in ink this time and added watercolour to ground it. This was my favourite of  the day.

Something completely different I chose the yellow flowers a few feet from where I sat, I have no idea what they are but they called to have their portrait painted..

Time vanished, it's like being in a time machine when you sit to sketch, 'poof' hours disappear in the blink of an eye. It was time to pack up and head back but not before stopping for a quick sketch of the old bridge that was at the entrance to the old Simms Estate, it was all apple orchards but is now sprouting million dollar homes ...

Yeah the perspective got away from me but it is after all a 'quick sketch' :-)

Photo references and this will help me recreate it

This series was also a challenge for the H.P paper I used, the name of which completely escapes me..
It was imported from England by Constance and is amazing here I used pencil, ink, and watercolour and it handles it all with ease :-)

As soon as I find out the maker I will amend this post!

***EDIT***
The paper is  Saunders Waterford HP 200 lb

Alan

Autumn in August rework

Autumn in August

It needed work, I knew that. The impetus came from a 55% off coupon at Michaels, probably the only time I shop there.
I decided I needed coloured pencils that were softer than the ones used, so coupon in hand I went ins search of soft leads ...

I found them in a set of Prismacolor Premier pencils ..

Later, after a bit of work I felt that the sketch was indeed better.
I'm happy now

On here it still looks dull but in person it is positively vibrant!
Alan