sketchbook :: Happy Christmas!

Few quiet moments these last days before Christmas. Yet I did steal two in order to spend a little time with my sketchbook. It's a new sketchbook for me, begun at the Solstice. A sketchbook made by Cachet, with multi-media paper and a spiral binding, one that I can enjoy yet not allow it to become too precious. My poinsettia above was sketched lightly in pencil, washed with watercolor, then purple ink lines added.

And Kiddo's Christmas cookies were sketched with watercolor pencils, then washed lightly with water. I do like the paper in this book. It's not slick, like some multi-media sketchbook papers, so it does behave a bit more like watercolor paper. It has a slight texture, not too much though, just about right for pencils and ink. Over the past few months I have tried and abandoned a few other purchased sketchbooks for one reason or another. This one though, looks like it may be a keeper. And now that the rush is over I am looking forward to a few more quiet moments, hopefully spent with my sketchbook!

I hope your holidays are happy and that you have a joyous, and art-filled, new year!

sketchbook :: lessons in sketching

Last spring I treated myself to Cathy Johnson's Mini Art Class on Ink and Wash. This is a technique I have admired in Kate's and others' sketches, and have attempted myself from time to time, so I was eager to take advantage of another one her wonderful courses. And even though I love the effect of line combined with watercolor wash, I have always been a little intimidated by drawing in ink. I had worked through several of Kate's exercises in the course but my head just wasn't in the right place to devote my attention to something different. Now lately, I have been rethinking my approach to my sketchbooks and I revisited the Ink and Wash lessons. The timing was better. Kate's wise and gentle approach to teaching resulted in one of those "a-ha" moments. I grabbed my pen, travel watercolor set and sketchbook and settled into my comfortable chair with a cup of tea nearby and sketched Kiddo's Santa hat sitting before me. It was a pleasure to just let the line wander about the paper until it found the form. A quick dash of color and the hat came alive. Sometimes it's more about what is left out, what you let go. Thank you Kate, for your inspired teaching!

poinsettia

Poinsettia

watercolor

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Getting into the holiday spirit with this painting of a poinsettia blossom. I was captivated by the leaves in the sunlight creating an almost abstract design of light and dark. As I completed the painting I decided to use this image for our greeting cards this year. After some comparison shopping I choose to go with Zazzle for printing the cards. I like that I can customize the cards with printed messages. And since I was doing all of that, I also made this image available for cards for purchase from Zazzle. You can click the link here or the one over on the side bar. Are you ready for the holidays?