Plein Air Value Sketches using Grey-scale Markers

I've been experimenting with using grey-scale markers to create value sketches. This isn't a new idea out there in the world of drawing, but I ran across a demonstration in one of my books, "Watercolor Journeys" by Richard Schilling where he uses a two-marker system to create three-value sketches (a middle gray, dark grey, and the white of the paper to make up the three values) which got me started thinking about and using this technique.

Last year, I bought a set of Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Manga Set. This set contains eight pens (one fine-nib black, one medium-nib black, and six brush pens of varying values of gray). I haven't used this set for much, but thought it would be perfect for the two sketches pictured here. Both of these sketches were done on location, plein-air style. Using the pens is much like watercolor painting: I laid down my lightest values first, then worked from light to dark. My method differs from Schilling's, in that he puts down everything that's in the middle value first, then adds the darks, then adds details with a fine-line pen (whites are planned for ahead and painted around). I find Schilling's method slightly more difficult, but I have followed along with his demonstration in his book to get the feel of it (results not pictured).

Both of these sketches are 6" x 9" (15 x 23 cm) in my Aquabee Super Deluxe 808 sketchbook. I did these two sketches on a heavily overcast day, so I didn't have the opportunity to really render much shadow and light as I would have preferred. However, I felt is was more important to get out there and produce work than wait for perfect weather conditions.

Bread Winners Blog is Featuring My Paintings

Today I'm honored that the fine folks at Bread Winners Cafe in Dallas, Texas are featuring two of my paintings on their blog! When you get a chance, please go see the posting at breadwinnerscafe.blogspot.com.

Several months ago, I did a couple of paintings based on some photos that I took while visiting the restaurant; seems that the Bread Winners people really liked them and asked me if they could feature them--of course I was thrilled to agree!

If you live in the Dallas area (or if not, next time you visit) you owe it to yourself to stop by one of the Bread Winners Cafe locations. The atmosphere, food, and service is outstanding. I had a delicious, excellent brunch at the Bread Winner's Uptown location in Dallas.

You can read more about Bread Winners, Uptown, and my paintings at these links:
Waiting for Brunch
Bread Winners

Again, please treat yourself and drop by Bread Winners if you get a chance!
Steve

Summer Night at the Muny

"Summer Night at the Muny"
7.5" x 11" (19 x 28 cm)
Watercolor on Strathmore Gemini 140-lb CP paper
© 2009 Steve Penberthy

I used this sketch to work out a technique for painting a night scene that I hope to do a little larger in the coming weeks. The scene is of the Muny Theater in Forest Park in St. Louis. I wanted to capture the glow of the theater entrance and evoke patrons arriving for the show. The flags line the Muny's entrance, and there is one flag for each of the shows that's being featured for the summer season.

My Studio Space

My art studio consists of a semi-circular desk in my bedroom. Why the bedroom? Mostly because we moved the TV from the living room to our bedroom several years ago, and I love to have the TV on while I'm painting. In fact, before getting the desk just a few months ago, I painted while sitting on the bed...

The desk is an antique and has some interesting history. The desk was once the concierge desk at the historic Mayfair Hotel in downtown St. Louis. My brother bought the desk on auction several years ago, before the hotel was remodeled and updated, and my wife and I bought it from my brother a couple of months ago. It was bought from an upscale furniture store in St. Louis in the 1940s. There used to be a playhouse next to the Mayfair, and many celebrities were seen in the hotel. Bob Hope has sat on this desk, and I'm told there was a photograph of Debbie Reynolds in the hotel taken while she was standing next to the desk.

When I'm sitting at the desk, the window to my right provides lots of natural light; a floor lamp to my left illuminates my work area in the evenings. On the desk is my John Pike palette and a small table easel, which I just recently acquired. Behind the desk, I have my portfolios for finished works, a drawing board and large sketchbook for my life drawing classes, and a huge canvas tote from Daniel Smith that stores all my miscellaneous supplies.

I've only been using this setup for about a month, but so far it seems to be working out great. It's better than sitting on the bed... :)

Stroke of the Brush Award

I was awarded the coveted "Stroke of the Brush Award" by Laure Ferlita, a new web friend; thank you Laure! Laure is a very talented artist, and you owe yourself a visit to her excellent Painted Thoughts Blog.

As part of the award, I'm to list seven little known facts about myself and then name seven other blogs that are also deserving of the award. So here goes:

1. My studio is a little desk in a corner of my bedroom. Until very recently, everything you've seen on my blog (except for plein air work) I have painted while sitting on my bed watching TV. Really.

2. My favorite kind of music is Alternative Rock; I love crunchy guitars and driving rhythms. However, when painting or drawing, I prefer listening to classical music, specifically chamber music.

3. Speaking of music, I play guitar. I keep my acoustic guitar on a stand ready to be played when I have a moment here or there. I can also play drums, bass (electric and stand-up), and a little bit of bluegrass fiddle.

4. I love watching movies and have fun with family and friends quoting famous/funny movie lines. I enjoy watching favorite movies again and again. Comedy is my favorite genre, although I enjoy most other genres as well. Except horror. I loathe horror movies; they hold no appeal for me.

5. I enjoy cycling. In fact, my wife and I watch the Tour de France on TV every year. We watch most (if not all) of the stages in their entirety and we keep up with the stage winners and standings each day while the race is in progress.

6. Although I don't have a pet right now (our cat Penny, who we had for 18 years, died in November 2007), I'm a cat person. Would love to get another one someday, but I'm not quite ready yet...

7. "Seinfeld" is the perfect sitcom; there is no equal to its comic genius.


There are a host of blogs I enjoy and visit regularly, so many deserving ones to list... And I give special mention to my fellow "Real Life Artists" bloggers, many of whom have also given and received the Stroke of the Brush award. But here are a few that I feel anyone reading this would enjoy visiting and bookmarking:

1. Laura at Laura's Watercolors. Laura paints with an appealing loose style, and her blogs feature paintings and sketches of her travels and life.

2. Felicity Grace at Felicity's Philosophies and Other Curiosities. Her sketches, and especially her colored pencil portraits, must be seen to be believed; they're amazing--so lifelike.

3. Jacqueline Gnott at Contemporary Realism. I enjoy visiting her site for her realistic florals. Beautiful and inspiring work.

4. Miguel Herranz at Free[k]hand. I've been a longtime fan of Miguel's blog, which features an interesting variety of videos and scans of his excellent sketchbooks.

5. SketchingSpirit. I've followed this blog for a while and, while the travel sketches a joy to view, be sure to seek out the architectural renderings that are featured chronologically earlier in the blog--just incredible--these are what drew me to the blog originally.

6. Casey Toussaint at rue Manuel bis. A fun blog, and I greatly admire the loose, juicy paintings and sketches. A visual treat.

7. Martha at Trumpetvine Travels. I must give a shout out to Martha, as I relied on her self-published sketchbooking 'zines for information when I was just starting out on my current art adventures. Her blog is an extension of those earlier 'zines. Martha hasn't been making regular posts for a few months; however, her site is a treasure chest of information and inspiration.