Again With The Manresa Castle

Before long I'll be able to have a show of my own, entirely hung with Manresa studies.  Let's hope not. It's just so convenient when Jim is getting his allergy shots.  This time of year, I don't even have to leave the car, just re-park a little after Jim goes into the clinic, so I can have a better view.  Lord knows you don't want me to be sketching and posting the tailgate of the '67 Chevy pickup truck parked in front of our Prius.  Or maybe you do!  If I don't start posting something else, you all may just quit holding your breath for yet another Manresa Castle sketch.  But I do love making those tower contours, as well as the mysterious dark windows.  And the shadows of the stark, bare tree against the very old brick wall.  Must admit, though, I gotta get a new gig.  Maybe one day I'll check into one of the haunted rooms, and sketch!

Poppy Pods and Pebbles

I haven't posted for awhile, much shifting going on in my mind and life.  My studio is becoming more complete, along with my new laptop set up along with scanner and printer and almost all of my files (the hardcopy type), business and personal.  It's getting rather cozy and inviting in here, even though I haven't set up my tunes, yet!  

Trying out a new sketchbook currently that I ordered two of, a sweet, toned paper, hardbound book by Strathmore.  One in tan and one in grey.  I've spent some hefty money (well, not hefty, but still more than I'd like) on some new supplies, one of which is a good quality Kolinsky Sable watercolor brush I've wanted for a couple years.  It hasn't come yet, in fact that one is out of stock from Wet Paint and they've offered another, and maybe more superior one at a great sale price, too.  So Monday we will know for sure what's up with that, and it will be on it's way to me.  My inner child is actually Santa. She's so good to me in exchange for allowing her to play in my studio!

This is the first sketch in my tan sketchbook, done with Conte crayons, Faber Castel Pitt Pens, and a little Inktense watercolor pencil.  Though the Conte crayons are harder than most pastels, I think, they are still a bit messy, so I sprayed the sketch with La Tour Sennelier Fixatif before detailing with the pens and pencils.  

Poppy pods salvaged from our garden, a peirced beach stone and pebbles who came home with me for a better life.