The blob
Posted: May 18, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized 38 CommentsI love using ink pens, especially the Platinum Carbon pen that has a flexible nib that comes as close to a dip pen as I have found. I often use the pen twice during the sketch, once before the wash and once after in places where the darks need a little boost. I was just finishing this sketch when I turned my head for a minute — pen poised above the paper —to look at some kids playing in the grass nearby. When I looked back at my sketch there were three blobs of ink that had dripped out of the pen onto the paper. Yikes. I was pretty certain this sketch would be a write-off but I managed to integrate the blobs into the texture of the grass. Can you see them? They are around the tree on the right side, and luckily not in the sky where they would have been much harder to hide.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Beautiful, blobs and all. I especially like like the contouring of the hillside.
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Thanks Pat. I have a great spot to sit looking up at the building. It makes it more interesting than looking at it straight on.
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Precioso trabajo. Me encanta la vista de la perspectiva y la armoníade los colores verdes. Felicidades!!
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Muchas gracias!
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This has such depth – it really takes you in and is inviting, so wonderfully done.
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Thanks so much!
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Very peaceful…I like the partidges sleeping in the tree…a happy family..!
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They were very happy birds.
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I’m inspired by your sketches and paintings. I love your compositions and fresh color. Would you be willing to do a post about how you create your wide array of greens?
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks so much for writing. I would love to do a post on greens and will aim for sometime next week. Thanks for the great idea.
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Lovely sketch as usual!! No blobs to be seen… 🙂
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I hid them too well Karina.
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I’d never have known there were blobs – this is a gorgeous sketch. I like you handled the expanse of lawn. A delight all around!
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Thanks Mary! What a great day for sketching outside.
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I’m still not sure that I found the blobs, so I wouldn’t worry too much about them being visible 🙂 Where is this lovely building?
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This is Stewart Hall in Pointe Claire. It’s where we are having our Urban Sketchers exhibition in July.
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Me parecen muy buenos y me encantan todos tus apuntes. Enhorabuena.
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Muchas gracias!
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SH?
♥
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That’s right!
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I too really like it, camouflaged blobs and all. I think these unexpected events can be so charming in a watercolor sketch, even in the telling of the potential crisis.
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Thanks Barbara. It’s one of the good unexpected events in my sketching adventures.
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Very fresh.
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Thanks Sandi!
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What a great save….I would never have known….
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I hid it well…
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Wow, Shari! You go from one subject to the next with such expertise. So lovely. I especially like the pink trees/bushes? in the background. An unexpected delight of color 😊
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There was a whole row of apple trees in bloom but I would have needed a much longer sheet to fit them in. They were quite glorious.
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Had you not mentioned the blobs I’d have never known they were there! Good save and a lovely painting/sketch.
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Thanks Joan!
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Hello Shari, wonderful work! 🙂 What a great solution for the unwelcome blobs! I love the colours combination.
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Thanks Juliana!
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excellent Blob work! beautiful outcome!
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I am going to make that my motto now. “I aim for excellent blob work”. Maybe make a tshirt too.
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I just delivered the artwork for the new calendar to the printer today and I am so pleased with the work. I referenced your site often to get ideas on how to do new techniques. Guess I owe you a commission. I know, I’ll send you a calendar! xo Jacques
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I’m so glad to hear that you’re finished for another year. I can’t wait to receive mine. I hope you included those orange chairs. So now what will you do??
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I am really curious about the pen. Could you give us more information (Brand, thickness) and whether or not it is waterproof? I LOVE to paint with watercolors and pens….I am always looking for that “perfect black ink pen”! Chris S.
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Sure Chris. I would love to share the info about the pen. It’s a Platinum Carbon Desk pen and I bought it at Goulet Pens: http://www.gouletpens.com/Plat-DP-800S/p/Plat-DP-800S
(They have great service, btw.)
I use the cartridges although you could get the converter with ink, I believe. When you click on the link you’ll see that it has quite a fine nib which is what I like about it. And yes, it is waterproof! For me, it is the perfect black ink pen. And it doesn’t cost a fortune. Let me know if you like it (if you end up getting one, of course).
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