Watercolor Sketching and Journaling

Last night I went to the first art league meeting of the "new year." Members shared art work and photography done over the past summer.

The last participant had been too busy to create in her customary format, but had found Gay Kraeger's Strathmore watercolor journaling classes on Youtube, and shared her own sketchbook, applying the lessons. Gay's classes are a great introduction to the practice of  keeping an illustrated journal. She also offers a class on Craftsy, which overlaps the Youtube material.

Watercolor sketching and journaling (Youtube)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Watercolor artist Cathy Johnson also did a good Youtube series for Strathmore. She offers online classes through her website and contributes to Sketchbook Skool's Seeing class.

Watercolor sketching (Youtube)
Part 1, Bonus
Part 2, Bonus
Part 3, Bonus
Part 4 , Bonus

In addition, Cathy offers tutorials on her youtube channel: Cathy Johnson.

Coffman Skate Park building

This building next to the skate park appears to house restrooms for skaters and users of the coming platform tennis and basketball courts. It looks like a concession stand, so maybe there are additional long term plans for it.

burning bush

The other day I saw a row of euonymus alatus, beginning to turn. Fall is in the air.

Wet in wet watercolor, followed by ink, then a little watercolor pencil.

carrot cake, fries

Rows of beautiful desserts line the display case at Panini Opa. Here I drew the carrot cake, as I waited in line.
The fries are always good. (The foil-wrapped gyro next to them needs a little work.)

fire hydrant

This Lowes fire hydrant unintentionally turned out looking a little like a fireman holding a hose (made of the yellow line running down the middle of the street).

Palette

Current palette

Tonya just posted a palette review over at Scratchmade Journal, so I'll post an update of mine here. I keep coming back to the Sennelier half pan sampler set of six. It measures about 8.5 by 3.5 inches.
I ordered 25 empty half pans from Kremer Pigments, removed the plastic insert, and used Loctite Fun-Tak to fasten the extra pans in.
 
I made a brief detour with the Alvin Heritage palette, but never became comfortable using it. I like the Sennelier's portability, enamel mixing areas, and the flexibility to rearrange the pigments and choose pan size. Might even be able to get some brushes in there.

Autumn is here

Fall in Ohio brings pumpkins, chrysanthemums, and Buckeye football.