I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 9 October 2020

Inktober Week 1

Hello all!  I decided I would force myself to find some creative time each day even while clearing, sorting and packing for my house move by doing the Inktober challenge.  I'm not following the official daily prompts, but I decided I would work on autumn leaves, flowers, berries, and grasses.  The key is to make sure there is some pen work alongside the watercolouring (given the challenge is really about drawing!). Line and wash is the official term for what I'm doing, so I'd like to share these over at Art Journal Journey where the lovely Chris has a theme of Hold the Line.

I'm not going to faff around fighting with New Blogger to get them where I want them (#newbloggersucks) - I'm just going to send them all the way down the middle of the post.  So here you go, days 1 to 7 of my own Inktober challenge...

Day 1



Day 2



Day 3



Day 4



Day 5



Day 6




Day 7



They're all done in an Etchr Lab 8 inch watercolour journal, using Daniel Smith paints.  The pen work is either dip pen and ink with drawing inks or a Sakura Pigma Micron in brown.  I started off with India Ink, but I was finding the black a bit much (I almost never use it, as you know), and all of them have some white drawing ink highlights in places too.

I'll leave you with a couple more shots of some of my favourite bits - most of which seem to involve berries!  I wonder which are yours?



UPDATE for the curious.... with most of these I started with a loose watercolour painting, then added pen detail and sometimes more watercolour.  On days 3 and 5 I started with a very light pencil sketch, then added watercolour and then pen detail.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you are finding time for some daily creativity, or at least weekly... Have a good weekend everyone!

The strokes of the pen need deliberation as much as the sword needs swiftness.
Julia Ward Howe

The pen is mightier than the sword if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp.
Terry Pratchett

I'd like to share these at Art Journal Journey where the theme is Hold the Line - given the technique is actually called "line and wash" I'm hoping these will pass muster.  If they do, then I'll be back with weeks 2 and 3 assuming I manage to keep it up!

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog is looking for Fall Foliage... well, there's plenty of that here, one way and another!

At Paint Party Friday it's time for the Week 32 Year 10 check-in, so I'd love to join the party there too.

46 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Gorgeous work Alison, very much Autumn and lovely to look at. I like the photos much better straight down the middle! Thanks for linking your wonderful art to AJJ, much appreciated! Hugs, Valerie

Art By Wanda said...

You are so talented!!! All of these are wonderful!!!!

Cestina said...

Love all these. They would be gorgeous - and very fitting - in The Cupboard but I believe they are in a journal? Um - fungi? Definitely autumnal! Love the Pratchett quote xx

sirkkis said...

Absolutely beautiful autumn leaves and other autumn art. Love them 😍
Happy PPF ♥️

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Wonderful, creative autumn paintings with rich colours.

DVArtist said...

Ohhh my these are simply gorgeous. I would love to see how your work. Enjoy your day.

Jenny Marples said...

Alison your own art is breathtakingly beautiful. They would look stunning framed individually and grouped together (though obviously that will have to wait until next year). There is so much to see in the layers of colour and intricate detail in the leaves and berries. Thank you for sharing them with us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog x

Christine said...

Gosh, so beautiful!

Amanda said...

Your work is beautiful, exquisitely drawn and coloured. As you asked my favourite of these is day 4 but it was a tough call.
Love
Amanda x

Linda Kunsman said...

I absolutely love every one of these Alison! I love the softness and delicacy of the pen lines and loose watercolors- just beautiful. Happy PPF!

Helen said...

they're absolutely gorgeous!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

I love your art the way you paint it .. fascinates me a lot!
Happy PPF, Elke

Theresa said...

awesome inkings Allison. your colorization is just wonderful. thanks as always for sharing.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Alison! I am delighted that you have linked these to the 'Hold The Line' theme at AJJ! They are all so wonderful - its great to see them in detail on a larger screen, which of course doubly impresses me! The Hawthorn is my favourite one because of the memories of walking home alongside huge Hawthorn hedges, the scent in the Spring and the colours in the Autumn ...and eating the young shoots known as 'bread and cheese' where we lived - my friend and I finding the most yellowy young shoots! Would I eat them now? Probably not! Have a great weekend, Chrisx

Maria Medeiros said...

Your artwork is absolutely stunning! Have a lovely weekend.

My name is Erika. said...

This are amazing Alison. There is something really appealing about leaves, especially in the fall, isn't there? And glad to see that splatter. You sure held the line. Perfect for Chris' challenge and so thanks for joining us at AJJ. Did you happen to get the email I sent you? Have a super weekend. Hugs-Erika

Christine Alexander said...

beautiful watercolouring Alison, I really love all the berry cards. they should be in a frame.
I feel your pain with Blogger:(

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I had trouble believing you actually PAINTED those leaves until I read how you created them. I know you are good at stamping and die cuts and collage and tags, but had NO idea how well you draw. I was especially blown away by the true to life shadows you drew around the berries.

I made the mistake of closing blogger the other day and now I am also joining the ranks of #newBloggersucks. I couldn't even get my words under the photo like I normally do. I truly feel your pain.

Before I forget, thank you SO much for sharing these incredible beauties with us at Art Journal Journey, too.

craftytrog said...

Your watercolour art is exquisite Alison!
Happy weekend,
Alison xx

Dawn said...

Wow amazing work. Those leaves look so real xx

Nancy Wethington said...

So much talent in those hands. These are absolutely gorgeous.

Sue said...

Squeal! Love them all. Just love me some eye candy to wet my own creativity. They are just so beautiful. You are an inspiration.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Love these.

Craftyfield said...

They are all really good Alison! The cow parsley one speaks to me, I love the splatters and the muted tones. Although the day 6 berries look gorgeous too... Keep it up! x

Gillena Cox said...

Bravo, nice art

Stay safe

Much💖love

Mac Mable said...

Wonderfully talented Alison and so very creative....x They are all beautiful and you sure look like you enjoyed yourself? x.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I'd have each and every one of these framed. Gorgeous, simply gorgeous!

Marci said...

I think these are beautiful, especially the brown tones.

nwilliams6 said...

Beautiful art work!!!!! Wow, you are talented for sure! Love all of them! I am just starting to do watercolors and love it. I love the pen work added on these and will try to do something like it. Thanks for sharing.

sarascloset said...

Oh, dear,Lord! Please don't make me choose favorites, Alsion! Each of these is a work of art, and I believe I would frame them and hang them gallery style in my breakfast room. True artwork and I'm just delighted you shared this post with us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog, too! So happy you are squeezing art time in your hectic moving schedule; so good for the soul and so good for your readers!

Suzanne C said...

Can I just say WOW! Love these and could see them all framed as a collection hanging in the family room. Beautiful inspiration! Thanks for playing along in our Fall Foliage challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge!

Sandy said...

OMG Alison - these watercolors are gorgeous - just perfect to frame and hang on the wall - love the colors. You are one of a kind Sugar - very smart, wonderful artist, and beautiful too boot!!! You are so productive - you make me look like a slug. WAIT!! Maybe I am a slug.
Sandy xx

Sandy said...

I had to go back and look at everything again. The first time your artwork caught my breath and I did not breathe again until the very end. The second time was the same experience. And I have to tell you, love the quotes you used especially the one by Terry Pratchett - got a good chuckle with that one.
Sandy xx

Redanne said...

Wow Alison, what a gorgeous collection of paintings. I totally agree with others, they should be framed at the very least, and preferably hung somewhere prominent - perhaps in your new home? They are stunning, really they are!

Keep safe and well. Anne xx

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous autumnal painting on your fabulous journal pages Alison, it looks like you are enjoying the challenge you gave yourself. Thank you for linking up to Chris's theme at Art Journal Journey.
Stay safe.
Yvonne xx

Rain said...

Your paintings are so beautiful! I love the oak leaf and thanks so much for sharing how you did them! :)

Cocofolies said...

They are ALL soooooo beautiful that really, I couldn't say which one is my favourite.. maybe the same as you Alison.
Huge congrats for this fabulous inktober work in your watercolor journal!!!!!!! Wow. I adore this, I would love finding the time to try a bit your technique :) xxx

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, stunning! I love how you painted them and then added the ink detail later - amazing 😁. Happy and creative wishes! Hugs, Jo x

NatureFootstep said...

wow, these are so beautiful. I love them, how can I not. This is what I use to photograph as I am not that good at painting yet.

Thanks for sharing :)

Ms. Tamp said...

Great look at the days. Not sure why, but this year I've really been drawn to leaves. Very lovely projects.

Sue said...

These are stunning Alison, beautifully done! xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Beautiful Autumnal projects, love them. Happy creative week, Angela xXx

Kokopelli said...

Congrats on being featured on PPF! I must have missed your absolutely beautiful paintings last week. Can't pick a favorite! Happy PPF!

Cec said...

OMGoodness, your painting is spectacular. Each one has so many gorgeous layers and they all look so realistic. I wish I could be you when I grow up. Thanks for joining us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.
Hugs!
Cec

Jean said...

Oh my gosh! These are simply stunning! I would love to create works like this!!

Lagene said...

Gorgeous creations, you are so talented!