Day 165 Key West time

August 27, 2020Leave a comment

A work in progress.

To chop it down or not to chop it down. What do you think? .

The sketch and then I forgot to take photos. Duh. Did not turn out the way I had envisioned but it’s growing on me. Like it better without the bikes.

Just some of the watercolor paint my dad left me. I have a lot more since I don’t buy a lot of Cheap Joes. Just alizarin and Andreas turquoise. Some of this paint is more than twenty years old and still soft and useable. Aka good paint.

BUT I am going to replace the Lukas paint with Cheap Joes. Good paint as opposed to crappy paint at a reasonable price. Cheaper than any other except Lukas which is nasty and chalky.

Spent the day sorting my own paint for an upcoming class. I did find quite a few tubes on her list.

Swore I was never buying more paint then I hit amazon. More paint coming. Oops!!

I mean I didn’t have the right colors for the Kathryn Giles class, you know?! And I have been on the search for a good Transparent yellow. She says she has one. We shall see. Besides I eat Cad yellow and cad yellow light like peanuts so I can always use more..

Back to Schitts Creek. Margaret xoxoxo

Day 135 Escape to Paris

July 17, 2020July 17, 2020Leave a comment

Sorry for the absence. Forgot about posting. Too busy painting.

Tuesday with Vlad Yesilesev paint along. Fascinating as usual

the sketch 300# half sheet Fabriano I used masking fluid to reserve some whites.

First wash.

not finished at the end of the paint along. My sky went down the tubes. Had to repaint it.

Knocking back that gold sidewalk and getting it done. Lifted some grey off the street and the crossing with my trusty sea sponge.

Done unless I change my mind. I frequently do. Sky wash oh so much better. Last one was too wet. Ran together. Oops

Margaret whose been exercising. Xoxoxo

Day 118 Quayside in Croatia

June 29, 2020May 19, 20214 Comments

with Vlad Yesilesev on a paint along today. Paint and paint brushes flying.

Maybe done. Think so. Quarter sheet 300# fabriano rough aka 11×14″ Dont we wish we could hop on a jet and go there??!

The photo

Sketch with first washes. Yellow ochre cobalt blue and alizarin

Sorry for the blurry pic. I tried to unblur but nope. Not working.

Lots of white gouache highlights. Masts and other dark lines done with the saber brush. I should have blotted it more. An interesting way to spend the afternoon.

All in all I like it.

Margaret Xoxoxox

Day 104 Sometimes you get LOsT

June 14, 2020Leave a comment

So many cabinets and things to draw. My perspective went wonky. Counters different heights but it was fun to while away a rainy morning drawing this while the kids watched cartoons. Lazy summer day.

I think I should have a redraw next I go to Atlanta. Micro uniball. Actually urban sketch. There’s a house out that window if u can find it in all the business.

Was going to color it with my new small box of 12 caran d’ache neocolor ii but they seem to be missing. Hope my magpie granddaughter didn’t squirrel them away somewhere. Not even opened. Eeek

Uniball micro pen and stillman and birn Alpha. Only nine pages left.

The house in this pic is also in the drawing out the window of the kitchen. If u look at the people all in black they are carrying ar 15s. I didn’t notice that when I took the photo. Oopsey. Part of the Black Lived Matter protest in Decatur last weekend that marched down my sons street.

Margaret Xoxoxox who used to laugh about mom wondering into the middle of the Augusta riots in 1970. Must be an inherited talent. Genetic no doubt. Rofl.

Day 79 – Venice

June 3, 2020June 3, 20202 Comments

The Grand Canal Venice. All this travel is wearing me out. Aka and now I am Tahred.

Off to the races aka paintalong with Vlad Yesilesev today . I was rotten. I didn’t do the value sketch because I was drawing this largish painting. 15×15. Rough press Fabriano.

The photo.

First wash. Whew that was exhausting but I like it so far.

Vlad has us screen shot his value sketch so I had it anyway.

And then we were almost done. Zip zap. I lifted some of the water. It was getting to dark.

Here’s how it looks now but I still need to work on the buildings on the right. Too tired to care right now.

Worked on this a bit. Darkened the walls.

Here’s what it looked like. It still needs a couple more things but mostly done.

This is the next paint a long with Vlad Yesilesev. I wish I could make it but in Atlanta for a birthday. The big first one for my sweet grandson David. Can’t wait. And I have a very similar photo I took in Bayeux France so really wish I could make this one. Poop.

Yesterday’s baking and it was delicious.

Margaret ready for bed. Xoxox

Day 70 National Show

May 23, 2020June 3, 20201 Comment

Loosing my mind entering but Gypsy arrived at the National Transparent Watercolor Show this week. Still can’t believe she got in. Summertime got in the South Carolina Watermedia Show and thanks to my friend Colettes reminder I entered it in the National Watercolor Show. Cross all your fingers and toes it gets in and that Gypsy wins a big juicy prize.

Makes me wish I had finished this one today. Pepe’s the oldest eating establishment in Key West but sinuses were feeling stuffed up so nursed them and binges some tv shows today. Already working on a headache is not conducive to painting under stress especially palm trees which are always tough.

Edie on Amazon. LOVED it. Now watching Silent Witness. Only 18 episodes to go on Brit Box. 🤗

Also watched Inferno on AMC about some nuts releasing a pandemic to thin the earths population with Tom Hanks riding into the rescue. The Dan Brown spin offs always are wonderful for watching major art hot spots in Europe vicariously like Florence in Inferno.

Margaret is still feeling a little stuffed up. Xoxoxox

Day 67 Palafruggel

May 19, 2020May 19, 20214 Comments

Hmm maybe I will like it better tomorrow. Right now I am my own worst critic and want to change quite a few things but probably won’t. Too Tahred since I painted from ten-5 today. 🤪Paint along with Vladislav Yesileyev.

The photo. What a view!! On the Costa Brava in Spain.

My value sketch done last week on drawing class. Thank goodness. A bit of a break.

The sketch.

first wash.

Second wash underway.

Moving along. Dashing to the finish line.

And done. Well thinking of splattering the foreground. And may do something for the trees foliage after I think about it.

Margaret tired from paintings from 10-5. Repainted the Roofs of Rousillon before zoom took down the video.

Margaret Xoxoxox

Day hmm 56?? Mask making

May 9, 20204 Comments

But took some time off for art. It’s a must I think.

First was draw a tattoo that reminds you of your mother with Koosje on the sbsdrawingparty on Instagram today. My mom loves flowers and has quite the green thumb. I was making masks today so naturally I thought a mask surrounded by flowers for my tattoo. Moms self quarantining in Asheville NC with my brother.

Draw something nearby with Morgan. Been meaning to draw my grandmothers opera glasses which are quite cool. I take them to art classes to see what the teachers doing better. I also watch the birds with them. They are really quite good binoculars. Brass and mother of pearl with a cool lorgnette that I hope is bake lite plastic NOT ivory.

Lamy joy pen and Namiki Fude.

Margaret whose tired from sewing masks all day. Hugs. Stay safe. Wear a mask! Xoxoxo

Day 43 Koosje’s Killer Sketchbook Filler

April 26, 2020Leave a comment

A fun live class today. And oh my were we busy. We drew 16 pages but have ideas for 34 more pages all neatly enumerated in our journals.

The title page. Just a small 4×6″ Venezia Fabriano 90# paper journal. Had it for years and never used it. It’s day has come.

Two Blind Contour Selfies done with 2 Crayola crayons. NO mirror. Put your finger on your nose and trace your face with the finger as u draw it. WHAT?! Not so bad considering and quite interesting to try.

P. 4 Draw the contents of your purse. A veritable jumble but also fun. So much stuff I missed drawing my sunglasses in the pile-all THREE pairs!! 😳 Namiki Fude. Really having fun with that pen.

Draw a musician. Micron uniball. Wish I had used my Namiki Fude. Cal Scott is quite the guitar player. Excellent job!!

We had two more opportunities to draw Cal and listen to him. Did NOT like my brush tip pit pen. I think I will toss it. The tip is all splayed and chewed. Wonder how that happened.

Last time drawing Cal with the Namiki Fude. Like the lines MUCH better.

Draw your shoe four times- each time faster. Five minutes to start. Last time 15 seconds. What?!

Added the story of my poor lost Chaco flip flop which I actually found in a parking lot over in Columbia FIVE DAYS LATER. Still wearing them. Fav want weather shoes.