I ran across a number of six color palettes that Daniel Smith was building with various artists. I since I already had many of the colors, I set out to document the various collections in order to try them at some point, since I was having such fun with the Direct Watercolor Palette. (Sketchbook v2, Stillman & Birn Beta, 3.5 x 5.5 in.)
This is the first sketchbook I finished, the second sketchbook I started. I had accidentally labeled it volume 1, then found the earlier sketchbook, so I changed it to volume 1b. This is a 5.5 x 8.5 inch Stillman & Birn Beta, softcover. I used it mostly for classwork, and color tests. Very much a working sketchbook.
When I started Liz Steel’s Watercolor course, I started this sketchbook. This one is a Stillman & Birn Beta 3.5 x 5.5 inch (8.9 x 14.0 cm) Softcover.
I wanted to do the lessons with two different palettes. I had purchased Marc Taro Holmes Direct Watercolor Palette, but I had never used it. I figured using two different palettes would really teach me about color. It did! So I did the same exercises twice, and in this sketchbook, volume 2, I did the Watercolor assignments using this palette.
Of course I put the palette on the first page!
Wanting to improve my general drawing ability, I started Liz Steel’s Foundations Class. I continued on with the Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook that I had started with her Watercolor class.
Later that year, I started Liz Steel’s Watercolor On Location class.
My kit for that class.
This was the first time I actually sketched out on location. It was also my first paint only sketch. I found I really loved the technique. I also felt wild and crazy just using two colors, and they were NOT the colors of the actual building! Mind blown!
Here ends Sketchbook 1B, with a sketch of my palette as it was by then.
My food sketching challenge is complete! I have amazed myself that I completed this challenge! Looks like this will capture the last of the dining out for awhile, as I’m now in lock-down due to COVID-19.
Stay safe, everyone.
I am obsessed with color! Now I was bitten with the color bug, and just had to try out all sorts of different pigments and find out what I had in stash, as well as the new ones I bought just for fun. I filled pages with these color tests in my Stillman & Birn Beta.
I learned a lot about these paints during this phase. Then I had to learn how to mix greys. I tried a few recipes I’d read from others, and tested them out myself.
When I started Liz Steel’s Watercolor class in August 2018 I chose the Stillman & Birn Beta, size 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14.0 x 21.6 cm) Softcover. I bought her palette colors, and loved the idea of painting the palette to start the sketchbook.
Why is this Sketchbook 1B, instead of 2? Well, when I was trying to round up my sketchbooks by the time I had several of them going, I numbered this one 1, but ended up finding the earlier sketchbook, so it became 1A, and this one became 1B.
The very first palette I set up myself! I was so proud of my filled half-pans, and of my color labels right here on page one! Great way to start a sketchbook!
The first lessons of the course were to experiment with the marks ones brush can make, and how to test the properties of the paint, and the paper. What a revelation this was to me! Not all paper is the same? Not all pigments behave the same? Not all brushes brush the same?! Mind blown!
I loved every lesson I did, and learned so much.
The complete sketchbook. I learned so much in the two years it took me to finish this book. I had multiple sketchbooks going during this time. I was really still struggling to establish the regular practice and habit that I wanted, as well as to build my drawing skills. I’m pretty sure I may always be working on both!
Food sketches and color tests were a big focus for much of the rest of my very first sketchbook. This is an A5 Leuchtturm Sketchbook, which I was beginning to realize was not very good paper for the wet techniques I prefer. That did not stop me from playing with and finishing the book. Here continues my tour through Sketchbook 1A.
Love this Lasagna sketch!
Here I am testing Monte Amiate Natural Sienna, Geothite, Naples Yellow, and Quincridone Gold.
More tests of Monte Amiate Natural Sienna and Goethite, this time with Buff Titanium, and Van Dyke Brown. I also Tested Transparent Pyrrol Orange versus Pyrrol Orange.
This is the Big Impact palette produced by Expeditionary Art and Uma Kelkar. I was testing out what kind of mixes I could achieve with it, in order to get a feel for it.
My primary palette, as it was when I finished this sketchbook in February.
In January 2020 I started the Buildings Course by Liz Steel. I love her work, and her classes! She is an inspiration to me! I decided to use this sketchbook, though I had several going at the time, in an effort to finish it off.
Though I did not finish the class, I starting having real breakthroughs in my drawing. I was quite chuffed with this last one!
