I love to play in my sketchbook. I’ve had so many shows lately that the pressure has been on to turn out finished pieces, but sometimes I think this is how I like to spend my time the most. It enables me to test drive ideas, relax, and enjoy the “doing” of art.

The pears in the shallow bowl are ink sketches, with acrylic washes laid over while the ink was too wet. I get impatient. Below the pears are my new bottle of Sennelier Walnut Ink, and a little inkwell I got in the gift shop at Sturbridge Village. It’s made there in the pottery shop, and it works really well!

The apple and pear on the facing page are from the Brewster Farmer’s Market. They are painted in Golden Fluid Acrylics, with no preliminary drawing; I just went in straight with paint—always my favorite painting method! For the pear, I experimented with the Irridescent Gold Deep, using it to mix my greens, and with ochre. The shimmer is quite subtle when combined with the other colors. When the light hits it just so, you see the sparkling irridescence. I think I like it!

I’m looking forward to the transition to studio painting for the winter. I’ve been rounding up ideas for still life paintings, some larger landscapes from photos, and doing more in my sketchbook on a regular basis. I’ve got a new sketchbook waiting for me. I’d like to start it in January with the new year, so that should give me some incentive to get through the rest of my current sketchbook before 2007 draws to a close!

Posted by Jamie on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 at 10:34 pm.