I am tickled pink to be headed to Italy tomorrow to help with a sketching class taught by one of my art heroes, Ken O'Connell. We will spend the first couple of days in Rome, and then two weeks in the Terni area at La Romita, with side trips out to several different small hill towns to sketch. This is one of those bucket list items for me--can it get any better?
I sketched the crabapple blossoms with a Copic W2 Original marker. Ken has been encouraging me to try sketching with a marker or multiliner rather than my tool of choice, a pencil. I chose a light value, warm-toned marker knowing that I could always cover a bad line if I really needed to. I can still see the original circles that I started building the larger blossoms with, but if I just fill in some color, I think those lines won't be distracting.
As you can see, I'm not finished yet. It's a sketch in progress. (Is it my schedule or a touch of ADD? Who knows?)
Want to know my BIGGEST challenge for the sketch class in Italy? Working with a really limited palette. I think Ken suggested twelve colors. Then I picked another twelve. But I still had no oranges, no purples, and precious few blues. So, I'm up to thirty-six now. (Shhh! Don't tell.) I will still be missing my other 322 markers, so it's quite a limited palette, in my opinion. ;-) I'm taking watercolors too. Now there's another challenge. . .
Thanks for visiting--ciao!
{{Debbie}} So excited for you! Can't wait to hear all about it. Please take a ton of pictures! Be safe! Love you!!
Posted by: Lori Craig | 08/28/2012 at 07:39 AM
What a fabulous opportunity. Can't wait to hear all about it and see tons of photos.
Posted by: Maggie S. | 08/28/2012 at 08:40 AM
Wow! You're amazing Deb!
Posted by: Danielle | 08/28/2012 at 05:20 PM
Beautiful sketch, Debbie, and with just the small amount of coloring that you did, I can see it holds the promise of something gorgeous.
Seriously, 12 Copic colors?! With my limited art vision and that palette, I'd guess you'd probably have to make monochromatic, sepia, or black and white art. I hope you'll share what you do make because even though I'll never be an artist, I learn so much from you ...and I love seeing your art. Have a super fun time in Italy!
Posted by: Cindy H. | 09/03/2012 at 08:13 AM
Thank you so much for doing this blog. I use my Copic markers to color my sketches more than stamped images, so it has been very helpful to read through your posts on this blog!! I hope you continue to post as often as possible!! Thanks again!
Posted by: Brecken | 11/29/2012 at 01:47 PM
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read all at single place.
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Posted by: Katherina | 01/31/2013 at 05:31 AM
I ove your gorgeous sketches! Your art always inspires me to pick up a pencil and give it a try... haven't had newerve to post anything yet~ Your work is always stunning.
Question. I have been an inking fool since our class at Anaheim. I am going to teach a few classes on background (Suzanne wanted me to do something on a few of my backgrounds I use. I wondered if it is ok if i also include some airbrush, faux stone and a couple others I learned in the class as long I I create my own teaching tools. I would teach to technique - not the same pictures.
Thank you
Hugs,
Marie
mariegamber@comcast.net
Posted by: Marie Gamber | 03/11/2013 at 10:07 AM
Thanks so much for the article post.
Posted by: private charter plane | 05/22/2013 at 03:46 AM
You need to do more of this - they are really quite lovely!
Posted by: susieq | 05/24/2013 at 06:46 PM
Waiting for more of your gorgeous, stunning sketches!
Hugs,
Marie
Posted by: Marie Gamber | 06/04/2013 at 10:35 PM
I would like to know what kind/brand is your spiral sketchbook?
Posted by: Cheryl Neumann | 07/21/2013 at 08:17 PM
Hi, Cheryl,
I generally use Copic Sketch books. Here is a link: http://store.copicmarker.com/collections/paper/sketchbooks
Hope that helps!
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Olson | 07/22/2013 at 04:10 PM