Day 66: A Windmill

Today's sketch is of a windmill. It's not really the type of windmill you'd see at most farms. I was going to do a scarecrow, but I'm not sure how I'm going to do him yet. Without arms or legs... hrm it might not be a scarecrow that's fit for children. I'll have to think about it and see what I come up with. 

Day 65.5: Country Comfort

I was lost at first on what to draw these past couple of days. I've pretty much exhausted on farm animals and farm equipment. At least I don't want to do a lot of mechanical farm equipment. I think I may do some hoes, a pitchfork or maybe a scythe, but big huge mechanical equipment doesn't appeal to me. Feel free to tell me how much my drawings need more mechanical equipment (I may change my mind). I think I may do a scarecrow and a field of corn. Maybe a close up on a windmill. I'm not sure what else I'm going to throw in there quite yet. 

I've got my new computer ordered. I'm not sure how long it's going to take to get to me. Friday I ordered and that evening I got an email saying that my credit card didn't go through. I'm sure it's a minor issue, but I can't do anything about it until Monday, ugh! Hopefully it will be resolved soon, and I'll have a brand new computer to terrorize..er help me with my life.

Day 63: Well, Well, Well

Wells are more and more becoming something of a bygone era. Soon there wont be many left, but when I think of a farm I think about wells. Often, there are little Jimmy's that fall in these wells, but that doesn't mean that they should fade into obscurity. For all of you who have ever made a wish in a well, or wished you had a well to wish in: this sketch is for you.











Also, here are some sketches from weeks 8&9. I'm pretty sure everything is here, but I'm probably missing something little (let me know if I missed anything). I think I may be doing more farm sketches in the near future, because I'm running out of watercolour paper. It's always something isn't it? Ah well, almost 1/5th of the way there!

Day 62.5: A Tractor

I wanted to draw up some farm equipment just in case I decided to do more farm illustrations. I couldn't do them quite like the animal drawings... because farm equipment without wheels don't really look like farm equipment. This is just a little tractor for today. I'll have to think about other farm equipment I can do.

Day 61: Underwater Creatures

Just a couple of sea creatures for you today. I've always had a fascination with water and the creatures that live within it's depths. They are just fun to draw, especially those who live in the darkest waters. They are creepy, but so neat.

I'm not a big Disney fan, quite the opposite in many cases, but I am interested in seeing their new movie: "Oceans". I wasn't so happy with "Earth". Too many scenes focused too much on the landscape and not enough on the animals. It didn't seem quite balanced. I wonder how kids could stay attentive during the whole movie. Hopefully this new movie wont disappoint.

Day 59: Girl of the Flowers

I'm not going to say a whole lot today. I said so much yesterday. My drawing today is of a flower girl. I think this would make a nice children's book. Maybe I'll do more flower girls and see what happens!

Day 58.5: A New Mermaid

I did this mermaid to make up for that old terrible one I did. This is what I meant to do before, but it just didn't work out. Now I have my good mermaid so I'm happy.

I've mentioned before that I'm not that experienced with watercolour. Maybe it's more that I'm experienced with it, just that I've not come anywhere near mastering it. I have, however, learned a lot about masking fluid.

There are a few things that all artists should know about masking fluid. 

1 If you don't let your coloured masking fluid dry, then it will lightly stain your watercolour if you try to wipe it away. This can be very annoying if you are working with a lot of light colours. I prefer the coloured  fluid, because you can see where you put it.

2. Liquid frisquet can and will dry too quickly. it can sometimes gum up while you are drawing with it. Be sure to clean your pen often when using it. (If you mess up, no worries, just wait until it dries to erase!

* Never ever apply masking fluid with a brush. It never ends well. I mean even the cheap brushes... it's not worth the pain you will go through. Frisket with a nib is better, but you are paying for the nib. It's best to buy pens you'd use for pen and ink. Avoid getting pen nibs that look like this: 

From my experience the little flap can get caught on paper easily and can be broken off to easily. 

It's much better to get pens nibs that look like these:  

You can't see it from the picture, but these guys have a hairline split that runs from the tip to the little hole. That hole, when filled with ink will hold your ink a lot better than the the the kind with the flap. These nibs are a lot easier for beginners to use for either ink or liquid frisquet.

You can generally use water to clean your pens after using liquid frisquet. It's important that you keep the pens nibs dry. I think many have a coating for protection of rust, but better to be safe than sorry. If by chance you are using ink as well buy yourself some denatured alcohol to clean off the ink - it works wonders on brushes or pens. If you can't find these nibs at your local art store you can find people who sell vintage and new nibs online. I used pebeo drawing gum for both of these paintings. It was about the only choice at the time at my art store, and I really love it.  

I'm not sure if I will have time to post much tomorrow. Have to go to the in-laws to see the Canadians play for the gold. Middle of the day plans always throw me off!