Slow Stitching - No. 014 - Layers and the Moon

Week 14 of the Slow Stitching challenge with K3N Cloth Tales.

The prompt was layers and the moon with the lunar eclipse coming soon. It was geared to experiencing stitching through several layers of fabric and how the stitching starts giving it structure and weight.

I chose an owl for my animal.  I started with a 4.25" square of deep purple linen, then a striped layer for horizon line, then my yellow full moon and topped with  my Owl. This is a smaller version of this one I created for Inktober.

I stitched the horizon layer to the linen in several lines of stitching. Then I stitched the moon with running stitch in circles, then I stitched my Owl on with black thread. I added yellow accents with felt eyes, beak and feet. I used the stem stitch for the branch is sitting on in brown thread. I added stars to the night sky and voila another square done.

Art Project - Inktober 2023

#9

I decided to participate in the Inktober 2023 challenge.  They published a daily prompt list which I did not have time to follow.

I have been inclined to try this medium for a while and when the I was made aware that there was a Flickr Group I could join, I did.

I have some permanent fine tip markers. I used 90lb watercolor paper for my first few pieces because that is what I had on hand.  I pulled out what supplies I had and got started. 

#1

I used a Ultra Fine Point Sharpie marker for this piece on the light weight watercolor paper.

I was always inclined to want to paint afterwards which why I used watercolor paper.

I laid out my wavy river lines then marked up the vertical and horizontal lines on either side.

I added dimension with the color.

I knew I had tools I had used in the 1980s for calligraphy so I pulled those out. Turns out I had Speedball holders and quite a few calligraphy nibs most of which had a reservoir. I had picked up a small metal box of dip nibs recently so I pulled those out and cleaned them.   There were a couple of straight dip nibs so I put one in a holder and tried it out.  I did have several bottles of Daley Rowney FW Acrylic Inks in my stash as well.

#2

This is my next piece which was a straight steel dip pen nib and DR FW Purple Lake acrylic ink.

I was able to achieve quite fine lines, tiny dots and marks. Filling in the darker spaces was a bit challenging and the paper was not smooth enough.

The watercolor paper tended to lose bits of paper fiber that would get stuck in the nib.

Composition quickly becomes a challenge and I was just making marks at this point.  I had check out a few videos on line.

#3

This one used blue acrylic ink. 

I used smooth 110lb white card stock I use for card making for this piece.  That worked better with next to no issues with the paper surface.

Still using the Macleans Best Ever No.2 steel dip nib and a black dip pen holder. 

It was not a very good composition.    I chose just a small corner that I thought worked out pretty well.

#4

The pen and nib were getting more comfortable and I dug more colors to play with.

This is a dark green in the same brand as before and the red is a calligraphy ink.

The grasses I managed to make some very thin and other a bit thicker.

The composition when drawing something actual instead of abstract worked out better.

#5

Here the drawing was a bit challenging.  I did make a light pencil to start with which I erased once the piece was dry.

More new colors was kind of fun.  

I was wanting to fill a shape with patterns - not realistic but artsy.

Other than the wing I am happy with this one.

After doing some checking on line for direction on a good nib for a dip pen I decided to visit my local art supply store - Delta Art and Drafting Supplies.  

The Zebra G nib was recommended on line so I purchased one of those at under $3. I was looking for a black ink which I could then watercolor on top. 

The Daler Rowney FW Acrylic ink was recommended on sale about $7. I had to leave it dry completely before watercoloring over it.

Now, I wanted a paper I could use.  After considering that I am a beginner and a $70 pad of paper was out of the question I settled on a Canson pad for fluid mixed media.  The pad was also on sale for just about $9.  I went home with supplies for about twenty dollars which I hoped would help advance my art pursuits.

I also found on line a video that recommended a container of alcohol to clean your nib as you were drawing. I chose an old film container as it seals tight.  I use put in enough to the depth of my nib.

I selected one of the dip pen holders I had in my stash.  I have no idea when I acquired this vintage Eagle Pencil Company - made in Canada holder.  It has been well used but still in good shape. 

That is the Zebra G Nib installed ready to go.

#6

Here's my first piece with the new tools and supplies.  The paper is very nice.  

I divided the page into 4 pieces with score lines which would make a manageable amount of space to fill.

I looked at several owl line drawings on line and composed one of my own using aspects of the ones I had found.

I am happy with this drawing.

And here it is watercolored.

I painted a light wash over the whole piece then added color to the owl.

I love the yellow eyes and dark wings.  Of course, the color is just out of my head.

I mixed all my colors mostly and used some black gouache to darken some of my colors.

#7

Here's my next composition.  I drew a meadow with a tree, flowers and a little mushroom.  The original was rectangular but with more flowers on the right hand side so I just cropped it to square.  I had to lose a bit of the tree to keep the mushroom which of course was necessary.

It was then painted. Again an overall light wash so I don't have a white background. Blue to the top and green to the bottom.

#8

Here's just an abstract where I drew lines then filled in the spaces with pattern.

I found this one quite dark as all the patterns are quite heavy.

It has been fun to work on these projects, learn something new, be inspired to draw and get the right tools and supplies to have some success at it.

I will make more projects and look forward to Inktober in 2024.

You will find number 9 at the top of the post. This is a smaller version of the owl for the Macro Monday challenge I do every week.  The theme was spooky but the limitations are that the piece photographed can only be 3 inches.  I scaled down my first one which was about 4 inches tall down to 3 inches.  I did not capture the ink drawing before I painted it.  I was on a deadline and missed a step.  That is how it goes.  Then photographed the painting with dramatic light and I think it did Spooky really well.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I visited the Heritage Hills Wetlands this week on a day where the weather was considerably cooler than a few days ago.  

Also, there was not waterfowl to be found.  No Red Winged Blackbirds so I expect they had headed south.  I have not seen any V formations of Canada Geese headed south but I may have missed them.

Considering that it is almost Halloween we have been blessed with a wonderful fall.

I did find this sparrow.

Most of my siblings headed to the Big Mall for a get together, our first since both Mom and Dad have passed. 

My sister organized a night out to a dinner theater.  We made time before supper to visit but a pub was not the best venue though it was close by. Dealing with the crowds at the mall were stressful.

The dinner theatre - music was excellent, food was very good, company was great, but I have to say it was a late night for me.

We need to make the effort to continue to get together so I am grateful for the sister who planned and those that attended.

I did manage to get an appointment to get my flu shot and my COVID vaccine this week.   They were just made available this week.

I got the shots in my left arm on Thursday and I did take a pain killer to sleep that night. I did take pain meds another couple of times.  

I guess it was at least 3 to 4 days with a sore arm but no other side effects.

I did get my appointment at my regular pharmacy so that was very convenient.

I did get a big grocery shopping trip done before the snow came.

I found these dishes on sale at the grocery store and decided that I would get a set of 2 cups and plates since they were under $1 each. The color is marked as wheat.

I added a nice glazed gourd and a small shiny glazed bowl. I believe this color was sunflower or something like that. That would have been the preferred color but there were no cups left in that line of dishes.

Just another option for hosting a friend for tea.

I decided to try my hand with a dip pen.  It has been on my mind for a while and Inktober came across my feed on Flickr I decided to try it. Inktober is a yearly event where drawing is encouraged.

I did have to unpack my liquid inks to give this a try.  I cleaned some nibs and got started. 

I really have no idea what I am doing.  I just created marks on a piece of card stock.  

I have view a few videos since this attempt and found better nibs in my stash. 

It's just a relaxing time.

Card - Watercolor and Ink - Fall Colors

The original ink drawing was done on 90lb watercolor paper measuring 4.00 X 5.25 inches.  I used a fine tip permanent black marker.

I was inspired to start ink pieces by the Inktober Challenge. 

I drew it then applied watercolor to it in fall colors. Yellow, oranges and browns.

I rubbed a black marker around the edge to finish off the lines in the drawing.

I added a fabric accent "City Express Post" 2 cent stamp.  Unfortunately, I was not express enough and this card is a few days late. 

I added 2 deep yellow mini brads at the top and bottom of the stamp. The watercolor drawing was then adhered to the front of a Tangerine Tango card.  

I will hand deliver the card tomorrow.

I have been working on art pieces for the upcoming Value of Color show at the art gallery.  Turned out to take more time than I thought.  Keep an eye out for those coming at the end of October.