Which to do first?

So, the question of "which comes first" (NOT the chicken or the egg) but the INK or the WATERCOLOR, came up again in a group to which I belong.

My answer - "This is exactly what happens (to ME, at least), when I start with ink first. My work leaves the roundhouse as a nice ink sketch and takes off, but when it pulls into the station it has gone way past sketch, roared past painting, and arrives with bell and whistle as a full blown illustration. And, for me, it NEVER fails to do this. If I want a nice, fast, easy, loose sketch, I stick with areas of watercolor FIRST, then ink."

I started this at the Christmas party table at Cynthia's house yesterday. These are a trio of her holiday decorative matroyskas from her tree and her shelves (and, of course, some of her mushrooms). I did all the ink work there, and then finished at home. The nice, loose, fresh one is from last year, started watercolor first.

I rest my case.

Peter and the Starcatcher

A front row seat at WICA's fun production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" (the prequel to Peter Pan) gave me all the leg room I could ask for AND a prime position for sketching the fabulous costumes. Tiger Lily's costume and attitude were fierce, but she didn't stay still long enough to get much of a sketch. Alas, tonight is the final night.

 

Santa at Debra's

Ho!  Ho!  Ho!  We're almost at the Winter Solstice, and it seemed that today got very dark very early. We're nearing the shortest day of the year! Thank you, Debra, for welcoming us into your gorgeous home.  Your sparkly lights and Christmas decorations were magical!  I loved sketching with everybody and appreciated gathering "trade secrets."  Felt like gifts all around.  The spirit of Christmas was everywhere!  I was an excited kid brimming over with the Christmas spirit.  Thank you for turning that on in me... inspired me to twinkle up my home.

Chapala Again

Some sketches from my last trip to Chapala. I've been working in on cheap brown paper lately, for psychological reasons.

A view from the Beer Garden on the Chapala Malecon -a great spot for guacamole and people watching.

Las Mananitas entrance

Cactus in QQ gardens. I see a gargoyle.

Pots in QQ garden

A sketch meet of the Lakeside Sketchers (really just me and Phyllis)

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

I loved trying to draw Bunny. Such a happy and busy little girl! Sweet personalities seem to run in the family.

Bunny finished her meal before I finished my sketch. Oh, well. I got what I got.

At Paula's on 12/1 - my first post on the blog!

At Paula's House

While everyone else at Sketchers was exceptionally brave yesterday, sketching Paula's adorably beautiful blue-eyed grandbaby, I chickened out on the challenge (once again) of tackling a live subject matter. Instead "went shopping" for subject matter in her kitchen. First thing I found was a blue, metal elephant. From there my still life grew into a rosemal painted chopping block, another wooden elephant, some cinnamon sticks and a jar of Garam masala. I'm happy to draw things that don't move. Or giggle. No matter how cute.

Paula's Grandbaby, "Bunny"

What a sweet afternoon it was with Paula's family ... the star of the show being her grandbaby, "Bunny."  Bunny was born on Easter 2017.  She is the most beautiful little delightful girl.  She was a very agreeable model, all dressed up in red for the holidays.  We had quite the turnout, too .. a house filled with warmth, merriment, and quite a spread of food contributions.  OH... I should add the Christmas cake I made 'cause I'm quite proud of it's cuteness.  It's a two-layer classic carrot cake with Whidbey carrots, cinnamon, dates and walnuts - recipe from the Grayston Bakery Cookbook, a Christmas gift from fellow grad students in 1988!  If you're in need of a great carrot cake recipe, ask me!

Whidbey Doughnuts

On November 24th, we (ummm... actually I was the only Sketcher to show up on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving!!!) had a table reserved at Whidbey Doughnuts, the new food place at Bayview.  I sketched a Christmas sprinkled blueberry doughnut and then ate it.  The place was quite busy - a social gathering place - with folks eating in and also carrying out.  It's a doughnut shop but with an extensive menu of all sorts of breakfast and lunch delights, even a salad which I'll try next time being the veggie nut that I am.  For me, an extra delightful bonus was meeting the owners, Scott and Sean (and their sweet nephew who's name escapes me ... sorry!).  They were lovely, gracious & great conversationalists (we talked mostly about films).  I highly recommend everyone plan a Whidbey Doughnuts breakfast, brunch or lunch!  Sorry about the quality of this image ... this paper is too thin for my purposes.  Next week I'll use better paper and you'll see what I mean.

Yesterday was a great mashup of wonderful artists, beautiful scenery and of course, a cuddly baby girl, all dressed up in her finest. Paula is a welcoming host and happy hour was really happy hours! So glad to be a part of this group.
Marg Tollefson