Just when you've learned to recognize leaf shapes and get to know a tree, you come across one that likes variety. I'm used to live oak leaves that look (mostly) like the center leaf in my drawing.
Imagine my surprise to find these other shapes in the leaf litter below the tree. I checked the branches above to see if others on this tree were this variable, and yes, they were! Solid evidence for using more than one field guide for identification.
I drew this fairly quickly with my new Sakura Pigma Sepia pens, and laid in a few watercolor washes to reflect the color differences. I have a few of the Sakura black ink pens, but brown or sepia ink just seems a little friendlier for some subjects.
The pens work well in the Aquabee sketchbook I've been using, and the set has a nice variety of weights and tips. The color scans just a wee bit cooler in color (at least on my monitor); on the page they seem a bit warmer in hue.
You can click on the topmost image to view it larger on my Flickr photostream. Thank you for visiting!
I know, isn't it strange! I first learned about it when 'My Fiddlestix' posted some journal pages from her trip to Charleston. Here all this time and never took note........ Don't you just love nature :)
ReplyDelete...we don't have Live Oaks up here in Cincy, but I see the same variety in our Sassafras Trees and our Mulberry Trees. It's always interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a journaling notebook. Is the Aquabee sketchbook your favorite brand? Do you recommend another brand? Thanks...
Hi Pam - I do love nature...always keeps me guessing!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly! Sometimes the variability is pretty amazing.
I've just started using the Aquabee, and so far I like it quite well. In the past I've had seaparate sketchbooks for pencil and watercolor, etc, as well as trying the Moleskine books. Then I learned how to make my own (through wonderful friends at Flickr and online!). This was a wonderful thing!
I made several with combinations of different watercolor paper, mostly Arches hot- and cold-press, but also some Strathmore CP and a few sheets of toned paper for variety. I loved using my homemade books, and tried a couple of different binding ideas. You can see examples here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizabeth-lizardart/sets/72157622405939756/detail/
I haven't had time lately to make any new books, so I'm trying out the Aquabee for pencil, pen, and watercolor. It has a different absorbency than watercolor paper; light washes are okay,and colors stay fairly brilliant, but multi-color washes don't blend as readily. Pen and pencil work turns out great, though! Pen and watercolor washes turn out beautifully, so do Derwent and Inktense watercolor pencils.
...thank you!! I'll try Aquabee for a year-round journal, and I'm going to make one out of really nice watercolor paper too!
ReplyDeletep.s. Wow...I didn't realize you had tutorials with the journal photos on the link you gave me! I just clicked on one of the photos and up popped the tutorial. That's great. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDear Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip about Sakura Pigma sepia pens. I like the "friendlier" aspect. I'll order some and give them a try for nature studies.
I love keeping up with you so I guess I had better become a faithful follower. We tend to forget things and I don't want to forget to keep checking up on you and your wonderful works.
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
Kelly, I'm so glad you found the tutorial on the spiral-bound sketchbook. I've made three this way, and the office supply print shop has never caused me any problems. You can make these just about any size, too.
ReplyDeleteSharon, thank you for visiting and for your lovely words. I enjoyed visiting your website/blog! I'm enjoying the sepia pens more and more; the Micron sizes especially.