Mixing Colors - Part 1

Lately, I've been working with water color crayons a lot. It's turned into an addiction that I do intend to let go of at some point. For the time being though they are easily affordable, a good quality, come in a variety of fun colors, oh so easy to transport, and don't make a big watery mess that can result from typical watercolors. Like many things, the more you play with them, the more possibilities you discover to do with them.  In this case, I've been mixing every possible color that I own together to see what other kind of colors I can possibly come up with by using what I already have.

The colors along the top and the left side are the ones that I am starting with, and when you add them together the intersecting square is the color you get. Granted, this is by no means a perfect science, but it has definitely been giving me a great idea of how and where to start from in terms of thinking of a color palate, or trying to mix the perfect brown.

Many of the colors do seem quite similar when mixed together, though I do have to say that thus far, I think my new favorites are the neutrals that I get from burnt sienna mixed with a yellowish/ochre color, or anything mixed with gold. I never guessed that I would be using the color gold as much as I have. Saturation also seems to have a lot to do with the strength or intensity of the color. These, for example, are all quite watered down, as I put the pigment on the paper first, and then applied the water to mix the colors together. Had I pressed much harder with the crayons, or applied less water I do think they might have turned out more intense.

Wyalusing State Park

Finally, a chance to relax!!! With one more test down and summer upon us, Chris and I had the chance to join dear friends from Milwaukee for a weekend of camping, hiking and relaxing at Wyalusing State Park. We drove down on Friday and pitched camp at a scenic campsite overlooking the Wisconsin River Valley. 

Saturday we hiked the Sentinal Ridge Trail which stopped at quite a few different overlooks/points of interest. At this one, the Carrier Pigeon Monument, we stopped for a while longer to eat lunch (hence a chance to bust out the sketchbook).

After hiking and relaxing a bit we headed over to the other side of the Mississippi river into Iowa and Pikes Peak to check out the view from the other side (just as beautiful) and a waterfall. 

Up early the next morning, I had a few minutes to sketch out our luxury sleeping accommodations... the first tent Chris and I purchased together (she has been very good to us). Ah, the memories... we have come so far from our very first time camping and hiking together.

Media: Micron Pen, Watercolor Crayon

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

I got the chance to sketch with the "metro sketchers" group for the first time today at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which was a win-win-win situation:  a chance to meet other fellow avid sketchers, be outside, and sketch from nature! I definitely hope to meet up with them again on further sketch outings. Unfortunately, I did have to leave a bit early this time due to prior obligations (and a mental kick in the rear for leaving my favorite water color brushes at home).

I walked down a trail to the bottom of the valley and found this nice spot looking straight out onto the marsh, though blocked by trees.  Perfect for me as a silent observer. One thing I did this time that I don't usually do is I did not erase any pencil underlay sketch marks. That being said, I think it turned out ok.

Media: Watercolor Crayon, Micron Pen, Graphite.

Below is a photo of the area I was sketching

Memorial Day Weekend Road Trip

One extra day off the work week?  Oh my gosh, what to do! We quickly hatched a plan to do a one day road trip visiting the small towns of St. Peter, Mankato, and Janesville in pursuit of Coffee, Beer, Wine, and a Waterfall. I was eager to bust out my sketchbook on this outing and test my travel sketching skills. To my disappointment, those with me were not nearly as eager to sit and wait for me to finish my sketch.  Thus, this sketch was done roughly half on site, and half staring at a photograph on my iphone.  The sketch on the left hand side was our first stop at a local coffee shop in St. Peter, and the fermenters on the right are at a brewery in Mankato. I had visions of doing a sketch collage of every place we stopped at, perhaps a bit ambitious, but I am glad nonetheless that these still made it into my sketchbook.

Media:  Micron Pen, Watercolor Crayon, and Graphite

Below are some process photos:

Looking back, the woman in front is what I probably spent the most time sketching, while the man kept shifting and moving - being difficult. This half of the sketch I focused on being more "freeform" while the fermenters I drew in elevation with drafting lines etc. are more "architectural" in nature.