KC Arrowhead Inked

It's that time again!  As the Super Bowl approaches, I just have to wash some ink in support of our hometown boys!  The excitement around the city is palpable and i simply must get a few Chiefs paintings done before the big day!  I first sketched this with India ink, then went over those lines with a chisel tip Pitt pen.  Next, I dropped in a favorite new fountain pen ink - Grotto - by Diamine, then washed in a juicy layer barely touching the edge of that ink.  The ink moves freely into the very wet masses with a mind of it's own.  How fun it is to watch it unfold!  Painting number 5090 in 5090 days. 

Potpouri Woods

Potpouri is another in from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar in a berry shade.  I left it towards the end to try because of didn't thrill me.  But, to my surprise, it has a lovely chroma bleed that pushes turquoise.  That beautiful spread into wet areas is quite dramatic.  I struggled with how to use it best in the landscape, and perhaps a striking sunset sky is in order. Another day, another lesson.  Painting number 5089 in 5089 days. 

Cosmic Glow

 

What a gorgeous snow for a little pen and ink!  Cosmic Glow is another beauty from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar!  I think I'll need to do this one in oils, as well!  This ink is such a vibrant blue - there are so many uses for this ink!  I'm looking forward to exploring more of them! Painting number 5064 in 5064 days. 

Landscape in Tundra

 

Tundra by Diamine is the perfect ink for a snowy day!  We are actually in the middle of a Blizzard warning, only the fourth in Kansas City's history.  The snow is gorgeous and blowing large and small flakes everywhere.  I was out a couple times before the temps dropped and the wind increased.  Being homebound offers so many opportunities to catch up on things that I'm looking forward to being snowed in!  I think I'll organize my pastels next, they seem to be calling my name!  Painting number 5059 in 5059 days. 

Noble Fir Woods

This lovely, almost cad green hue is Diamine's Noble Fir ink from day 3 of their Inkvent Calendar.  It shows a little chroma as it bleeds into wet masses, and a glass dip pen adds a darker layer while still damp.  I want to walk along the bank of this water, exploring further into these woods.  There is so much depth that can be achieved with one ink and a miniature ATC sized paper. Now, we're off to a game of Spades at Mom's tonight!  Painting number 5057 in 5057 days. 

Wishing Tree

This ink from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar is misty and moody, abs called Wishing Tree. It reminds me of the Disney Dreaming tree at Walt Disney's  boyhood home.  I love the way it moves with water, and on wet paper.  It's perfect for the winter landscape.  This ink is day 9 of the calendar, and perfectly suited for today's weather.  Now, I'm off to more family fun at Mom's with a Poker Tournament!  Painting number 5052 in 5052 days. 

Winterberry Santa

Santa has been very busy on his journey around the world, and now he's dozing off.  Winterberry is another lovely fountain pen ink from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, and a perfect color to use on Sleepy Santa.  I sketched this one lightly with India ink first, then went in with glass dip pen and Winterberry red.  I used a little water to move the ink, then a little more ink with the pen to finish. I love this beautiful pen, too.  It's a work of art on it's own!  Painting number 5053 in 5053 days. 

Icy Liac Winter

Icy lilac is such a luscious ink for a winter landscape.  The Diamine Inkvent Calendar is something I look forward to each year, and this one does not disappoint!  I use my glass dip pen to sketch the scene first.  Next, I wet the masses i want to be loose, and drop the ink in.  It spreads as turquoise and pink emerge.  I go back in with a little more ink to those areas i want to boost the contrast.  I love working in miniature, too, especially during such a family packed time!  Painting number 5051 in 5051 days. 

Lullaby Skier

 

Another cool ink from Diamine - Lullaby is a dreamy, pink ink!  I'm looking forward to exploring all that it can do - when I have more time, lol!  I'm using scrap pieces of watercolor that I really don't care for, which is why I've cut them down to experiment with!  Ever frugal, I don't waste anything, so I power through the 140lb cold pressed paper.  This pink is lovely, and an unlikely landscape color, but I like it anyway!  Who says all my colors must be based on realism?  I've worked hard for that artistic license!  Painting number 5046 in 5046 days. 

Marley Woods

 

Marley a moody, chromatic ink with a sepia vintage feel to it.  This is another of Diamine's inks that I will  explore further in the winter months!  SO many ideas, so little time! This is a miniature paper at ATC size, and a dip pen and a little water is all I need to make the magic happen.  I spent most of the day outside, working on my Christmas cards - and it was GORGEOUS out there!  How many Decembers have I been able to do that?!!  The icing on the cake was a visit with my a Aunt Gladys, Uncle Clayton and cousin Carla with Danny and the boys, topped off with a game of Spades to finish the day!  What a great day!  Painting number 5043 in 5043 days. 

Snow Globe Boats

 

Snow Globe is such a beautiful ink for a seascape!  I love opening a new ink each day leading to Christmas - especially when I can discover one as chromatic as this!  The color bleeds into lovely turquoise and lavender on the wet paper, yet remains very dark when applied with a dip pen. The shifts are striking, and serene.  Though I'm inking every day, I find myself too busy to get them all posted, which means I'll be playing catch up and posting them later.  This one is from day 12 of the calendar, my oldest daughter's birthday. This day found us entertained by the goats, roasting marshmallows by the campfire, on nighttime "gater rides" with Nolan, Quinn and Layne, and playing a new card game with Michael dubbed Aww Shucks with Danny and the boys!  What fun the holidays bring, and it's small wonder I can't seem to get my posting in!  Painting number 5041 in 5041 days. 

Baltic Breeze

It's so exciting to open the very first ink from Diamine's Inkvent Calendar 2024!!  This is the best possible advent calendar for any artist! I get to open a little present each day right up to Christmas, and create tiny masterpieces with each one!  I dropped this ink into a wet sky abs allowed it to spread down naturally.  The chroma that resulted was so lovely!  I then penned in the foreground with a glass dip pen, using a wet brush to move the ink a little.  I meant to try a little bleach, too, but forgot until just now.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow's ink will be!  Painting number 5206 in 5206 days. 

Wilted Rose Deer

 

Seven deer met me on the lane when I returned a bit ago, so a couple are on my easel tonight!  The day 2 ink of the Inkvent Calendar is Wilted Rose, and it is a soft, natural shade. I'm being pulled to a quiet and peaceful place with my ink sketches, testing out their character with glass dip pen, brush and water.  The color is lovely even if the chroma is lacking.  I wonder how it would behave with a little bleach applied?  Painting number in days. 

BH Sunset

What a lovely ink to use at sunset! This one from Diamine's Inkvent Calendar is called Bah Humbug - lol! It would have been a perfect color for inking a Santa, but it's a bit late for that.  It is rich and deep with green in the heaviest areas.  If i were to apply it thicker, it would up the deep dark green.  I am trying out a new glass pen, as well, which is so like another that I have, I am going to give it to my son. A few of my kids like pens and inks, so I share any that are nearly duplicates.  This last batch of glass dip pens include 3 that GLOW IN THE DARK!  This characteristic was not even mentioned when I bought them!  Imagine my surprise when the lights went out and they were glowing! What a special treat!  Painting number 4021 in 4021 days. 

Rainbow's End

 I love growing blooming plants indoors - especially during the winter months.  These beauties are related to African violets and are steady bloomers for me.  I am painting them with Rainbow's End ink, one of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar selections. It washes to a lovely pink as well as reaching deep dark violet in heavy areas. I'm happy for the distraction after a day of helping our youngest move to his own place.  Bittersweet day, indeed. Painting number 4016 in 4016 days. 

Moon Beam

I LOVE living in the country where wildlife abounds. Any moment could be an opportunity to paint, and this little squirrel caught my attention today!  We have both red and gray squirrels who are constantly picking up acorns and walnuts around here. This one is a gray, allowing me to choose an ink of a matching color to use - Moon Beam. The ink gets pretty dark in heavy applications, and there is a delightful teal shimmer, too.  Another of the Inkvent 2023 selections, this one is matte with no sheen or chroma really. It's fun to try these inks on miniature wildlife paintings - and challenging at this size!  Painting number 4014 in 4014 days. 

Tranquility Wreath

Today's ink choice from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar is Tranquility, a lovely purple with golden green shimmer ink! It gets very dark in heavy application, and washes out to a warm pink in light areas.  I sketched a wreath that adorns my front room doors, thinking this ink would push a little more red.  I think this ink is a keeper when I'm looking for a warm violet on my ink palette. Painting number 4003 in 4003 days. 

Cinnabun Bird

This sweet sparrow and many other birds frequent our feeders daily!  Choosing him for my muse was easy when I found Cinnabun ink behind the door in my Inkvent Calendar!  It is a warm ochre brown without sheen or shimmer, and is lovely for use in nature.  The glass dip pen I chose today (largely because it went well with my ink color) has a larger nib than most, leaving me wanting a finer nib for feather work and signing - especially on a miniature! Painting number 4002 in 4002 days. 

Sugar Snap Trees

It's fun to explore the inks of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar  - and this one is a lovely green called Sugar Snap.  The silver shimmer dances through the green to yellow color shifts beautifully! This painting is miniature - only 3.5x2.5 inches big!  Perfect for this busy Christmas holiday full of family!  Painting number 3999 in 3999 days. 

Early Dusk

 

I love the chroma in this beautiful Early Dusk ink!  This is day 3 of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar! My very favorite advent calendar is this one, where I can open a door to ink possibilities every day until Christmas! This ink flows beautifully into a wet area, and separates to develop the chroma spread.  I painted this one down on the pond, looking beyond the tree line.  I love the tranquility of this place, especially at dusk. Painting number 3981 in 3981 days.