Category: Ink

Goldfinch on Claybord

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6”x6”, ink on Claybord

I’m so pleased with this one, not because I like the image—I think the bird is a wee bit wonky—but because I varnished it and it turned out great. I reached out to the Spectrafix company and asked about some of their products and also asked what I could do to diminish brush marks when using Natural Glass. Delia wrote me back with a variety of thoughts, one of which was pouring the varnish instead of brushing. I gave it a try (over three coats of Final Fixative) and held my breath and it worked! I’m very happy with having this option for finishing these Claybords so I can frame them without glass.

Categories: Art Ink

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Robin in Ink

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9”x12”, ink and graphite on Hahnemuhle bamboo paper

I truly love winter, but during this cold snap, I suddenly remembered robins and crab apple blossoms and planting a garden and hanging clothes outside to dry. The next thing I knew, I was drawing this robin.

This may be the only time I’ve used this paper with any success. It’s a bamboo paper that seems to absorb water well and the colors are nice and bright, but the surface is soft so that I’ve never appreciated the rather dreamy effect until now.

Ironically, I based this painting off a photo I took a few years ago in November. I remember thinking I was seeing the last of the robins until spring. I used another photo of this same robin in another drawing, one of my favorites, I think.

Categories: Art Ink Pencil

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