Sketching with an old friend
Posted: April 3, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized 23 CommentsFor the first few years of posting on my blog, I sketched almost exclusively with a Micron 005 pen — the finest nib I could find at the time. A few years ago I stopped using it because that fine nib wears out too quickly, even before the pen runs dry, and it annoyed me because the pen is fairly costly for something that must be so quickly discarded. I switched instead to a Platinum Carbon desk pen (and ink cartridges), which I still love, but occasionally I miss the very fine line of the Micron so I packed it in my bag today.
Rain, heavy at times, is expected for the rest of the week. That’s what the warning on my weather app says. With that in mind, I went out today to find some light and shadow on objects in my neighbourhood. Actually these were things I had noticed on a walk with my dog and I went back to sketch them. I have to remind myself that not every sketch has to be a full page. It’s sometimes fun to create vignettes like these — simple observations or even things that are a challenge for you that require some extra practice. I think the two page spread would have been nicer with a fourth sketch on the left but I ran out of time.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
What you paint and how you paint them fills my heart with joy.
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You are very kind Stephanie.
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This inspires me. In learning to paint I know I need to try and paint daily. So often time is limited but also limited is inspiration. Seeing beauty in the ordinary is part of the art. Thank you.
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thanks for writing Lee. This is a great way to sketch when you have limited time. Pick something small and just do that instead of trying to capture a whole scene.
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Excellent suggestion! So, did you enjoy having the micron in hand once again?
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I really did. I still love these pens.
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That is one fine line! and it allows interesting and beautiful object studies. I take it you still have a lot of snow. Ours is melting fast.
Holly
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Not much snow left here Holly. It’s been raining for days so now all we have is flooding! Not really flooding but just giant pools of water everywhere.
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You could always put some lettering or some journaling in that space….but they are lovely, as is and I am happy to see you taking every opportunity ….especially since your work, all of it, blesses me so much….
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thanks Dee. I am not much of a journal person. But I bet I will find some drawings to fill in that space.
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I love all your posts and your work, and hve taken your two Craftsy classes. Today I tried your ‘brick’ color recipe. I only had Daniel Smith Moonstone for the purple shade, and it worked really well. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
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Correction: It was Daniel Smith Moonglow that I substituted in the brick color recipe.
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Do you mean you used Daniel Smith Moonglow instead of the M.Graham mineral violet for the brick color?
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Thanks for letting me know Barbara!
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Lovely sketches Shari. All different but each one so clean and fresh and the white paper sets them off perfectly. A joy to look at. Hope you get to fill that space on the left soon to complete the spread.
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Thanks so much Tony. I bet I will find something to fill in that space!
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You are costing me a lot of money buying the “tools” you are now using or trying! (Ha) But it is fun. I do have Micron pens but nothing that fine. I usually use a Staedtler pigment liner but always looking for something else and may try the Platinum carbon pens.
I am amazed by the fine lines in the bush. I think your sketches/ paintings above are so interesting-do more.
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Looking through my collection of pens, I do have a platinum carbon fountain pen.Is that what you mean by a “desk pen”? I seldom use it and not sure why.
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Brilliant colors. Vignettes are great. You have found the charm in each of these scenes. Wonderful the way they relate to each other as designs too.
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Shari, I found the same thing with the fine Micron pens. Especially with textured paper. I’ve been using the Pitt XS available in black only. It holds up very well I think.
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Great page! Sometimes the little things make such good subjects.
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I think your sketches/ paintings above are so interesting-do more. Shari, I found the same thing with the fine Micron pens.
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Thank for writing Mary. I think a lot of people feel this way about the pens, but I still love them for how fine they are.
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