Maddy Rose

© Chromeheart

I haven't done a messy pen sketch (as opposed to a not-messy pen that has the ink inside of it) outside in a public space since Italy.  When I started using fountain pens, I decided that carrying ink bottles and dip pens and a cleanup kit around is too much hassle and the potential for an ink accident is too high.  Once upon a time I accidentally dumped a bottle of acrylic ink across my hands, my pants, and my watercolor block while sketching outside in this manner.  

This is hands down my favorite drawing pen.  If there is a non-messy pen that handles anything like this, I haven't found it yet.  It's a D. Leonardt mapping nib, purchased in Italy while I was studying abroad.  It's possible to find them in the states, but a bit difficult.  

Today's supplies: HB pencil, my favorite pen, F.W. Artist's Acrylic in Red Earth, a cappuccino, my Travelogue Handbook, and a small bottle of water for cleanup.  Cappuccino is totally an art supply.

(seriously, though, don't use an open ink bottle as a paperweight ESPECIALLY if it's windy)

Ca d'Oro in Ink and Watercolor

Finished sketch

The Ca d'Oro is a famous Venetian palazzo on the Grand Canal, so named because its entire front facade was radiant gold in its heyday.  Of course, most of the gold has come off over the past few centuries, but the Ca d'Oro remains a prime example of Venetian-Gothic splendor, regally presiding over the inevitable traffic jams between gondolas, vaporetti, and assorted motor boats below.

In progress

I began this sketch with a loose layer of liquid watercolor, added detail in waterproof acrylic ink with one of my favorite D. Leonardt nibs, and finished it off with an overlay of pink to hint at the sunset.  Original photo sourced from Pinterest; I do not know who the photographer is to credit them.  No copyright infringement is intended.  This work is solely a personal enrichment exercise from which I receive no monetary benefit.  

You've probably noticed that I've been inactive for quite some time-- well, here's the story.  After a lot of stressful job-and-apartment-hunting, I have moved back to the North Shore and and am just beginning to get settled, quite happily.  I can smell the ocean in my living room, when the wind blows the right way.  It doesn't get any better than that.  

And God said: Let There Be Coffee... so I started unpacking in order of importance.