5/26/11

Orange Orange Orange

Ink and Colored Pencil on Strathmore Drawing Paper in my 
Hand Bound Sketchbook

I'm done.  Colored pencil is just too labor intensive for me.  Every time I use acrylics or colored pencil, I remember what it is about watercolor that I love so much  - you swoop through with a brush load of color and there, you've got it. It's the swooping.

I happen to be a pretty big fan of orange, and I have never come across orange geraniums or petunias until this year.  The Calendula is actually my favorite shade of orange, but I'm pretty crazy about the others too.

Starting on the left, I worked my way across the page doing a contour (continuous line) drawing.  I really don't know the techniques of working with colored pencils, but since this is my journal sketchbook - no masterpieces allowed - I'm not worried about technique.  

There's a long weekend coming up.  I hope you find time to have some fun with your sketchbook. 



15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Goodmorning, I just think your sketchbooks and what you teach are so wonderful,enjoy coming here so since I'm teaching myself journaling watercolor ect I want to come to one of your classes but do not have the means to doso. Is there any chance you might concider having an on-line class?
Just a question to think about.
Thank you,
Linda

Catherine said...

Thanks Linda - I'm glad you enjoy my blog. I have thought about doing an on-line class, but the learning curve (for me!) is a little more than I want to take on right now. Hmmmmm - maybe I should put it on my to-do list for Fall or Winter. Thanks for the nudge.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

What gorgeous pages you create....they are so fresh and lovely!

Catherine said...

Cynthia - thank you!!!

Elizabeth B Merriman said...

I so agree about colored pencils... I don't have the patience to layer and layer and layer. I do enjoy watercolor pencils but my favorite is a brush loaded with juicy color to spread across my page.

I have a huge selection of colored pencils and they sit in my drawer.... e

Catherine said...

Oma - yes - a big fat juicy brush! I keep the colored pencils in a ceramic marmalade jar. They look so pretty, once in a while I am tempted to use them.

Terry said...

Hi Catherine - I love your idea of teaching an online class. I'm taking one right now and get a weekly assignment for sketchbook journalling with an instructional video. I love the class. There are 30 people enrolled. Every week we each post our assignments and comments. also the teacher gives us her critique. You'd be an excellent online teacher. Let me know when you do for I'd love to sign up.
Terry Allor

plaid petunia said...

This is the Happiest page I have ever seen! Love it!!!!!!!

Catherine said...

Hi Terry - thanks for the on-line class encouragement and info. It's beginning to sound like fun.

Plaid Petunias - thanks!!! That what our journals are all about - happy pages.

ginny said...

Hi Catherine,

Just in case your marmalade jar catches your eye again I'll give you a little tip about colored pencil how to. After you apply the pencil you can burnish over it to blend the colors by either using a prisma color blending pencil (it's a colored pencil, but it's just wax without color) or a stiff short bristle acrylic brush, or even one of those white blending sticks used for pencil blending. It looks really nice. Since you don't like using pencil that much this is probably more info. than you need or want. Anyway, I think your post looks really nice the way it is. Just thought you might have fun giving this a try. See you soon.

Anonymous said...

Catherine thank you so Im excites will keep my fingers crossed:)
Linda

Melissa in Bay View, WA said...

This is beautiful! If you have the patience to re-draw & the desire, I'd love to see the same subject done in watercolor....

I look forward to checking for a new posting every day.

Catherine said...

Ginny, thanks - I'm going to try those techniques. Because of my impatience, I get a little scribbly. If I just calm down and use one of these techniques, I think I will like the results.

Linda - don't get too excited - I'm pretty slow at things like this, and I'm not even sure I know how to do an on-line class. We'll see :)

Thanks Melissa! It would make a nice watercolor, wouldn't it? I think I'll give it a try.

Anonymous said...

I think your orange study, is beautiful,, I'm a newbie from Onatario Canada and I'm enjoying your work

Catherine said...

Thanks Laurie, and thanks for stopping by. I just visited your blog and enjoyed your beautiful paintings!