when i paint swatches with my watercolors they're usually on the small side.
i decided to make these ultra thick stripes so i could really get a closer look at the paint.
someone gave me the quin pink, but it's too close to permanent rose for me to justify buying.
the quin burnt scarlet & quin burnt orange are new.
i tried them for a few months and decided they'd be a good addition to my palette.
it's a good idea to share colors with friends for just that try-before-you-buy reason.
pyroll orange is a color i didn't try first. i knew i didn't have the paint needed to mix such a vibrant orange. same thing with the opera rose. both excellent purchases.
i may not buy the monte amiata again because it's too close to quin gold.
i think it's good to use roomy sheets of watercolor paper for a study of this kind. more room to play.
neat swatches in a sketchbook remind me of what my current palette holds, but they aren't the same as giant stripes of juicy color.
i might punch a hole in these sheets and keep them on a ring. wouldn't that be a good idea?
okay back to my watercolor playground. i've got some yellows & browns to explore!
i received an excellent question from monica enriquez de castillo (isn't that a beautiful name?) in mexico. here's her question & my answer. i repost them below because in case you wondered the same thing.
Q Hi Mary Ann…LOVE your blog and everything you make.
Please explain me the difference between a sketchbook and a visual journal…
A i can only tell you the difference between a sketchbook & visual journal from my perspective as everyone might have their own definitions. a sketchbook is a visual journal in that it contains sketches that form a narrative. a visual journal is the same, but to me a visual or art journal is a much broader term. i think of a sketchbook as more of an illustrated journal.
the key difference are the illustrations/sketches/drawings. i like my sketchbooks to contain MOSTLY things i have drawn & painted, but what i think of as my visual journals contain mostly non-representational doodling with paint/pattern making/mark making/collage/ paper that may or may not contain images that represent something specific from my life. sometimes however i do have drawings/sketches in my visual journal but MOSTLY they are a free-for-all/anything goes/mixed media playground.
i happen to have a brain that likes categories so i prefer to keep the 2 separate. when i look through my sketchbook i like for it to look like an illustrated journal of my life and/or a history of my experiments with drawing & painting. i’m much more focused on the quality of my lines and the behavior of my paint in my sketchbooks.
I too love opera rose, especially for journals things. Remember that it is very fugitive in case you want to use it for the next painting the Louvre purchases from you. Or something for a girlfriend’s wall. Also, Jane Blundell is my color guru ( am catching up on your posts in reverse order….). Also, the book Color…a natural history if the palette…by Victoria Finlay is fun and interesting.
Hi Mary Ann – great post here! Love the blue flowers!! I am having so much with your Sketchbookery class! I made a journal as in the video and am having so much fun building a new palette…combo of old colors I had and some fab new ones like Opera Pink and Pyrorol Scarlet! So fun! And Moonglow!! Will post pics at some point. I could just make color cards all.day.long. Thank you for the inspiration!!! xo fran
You are working with some fabulous colours
Such a great way explain ‘journals’ you are such a spinner of good words and keeping things graspable. Your words are as engaging as your sketches, paintings and drawings. 🙂
Excellent explanation of the difference between visual and sketchbook journals. I have the same kind of brain that likes compartmentalization/categories too. My definition is much simpler tho’. One is a journal of experiences, the visual is a playground or recess and class assignment. I would never “play” or experiment in my travel sketchbook/ journals as they are more of a chronicle, a story of a particular time, adventure, in my life, whereas the visual is only meant for me to see and it’s an place to scribble, play with paints, inks, mixed media.