Camerino Piazza
– Copic pen .005 with watercolour

At art shows, I always gravitate towards ink sketches with watercolour or acrylic. One of the first pieces of art I bought was a meticulous and whimsical ink drawing of a Toronto neighbourhood by David Crighton. I also am intrigued by pieces that are more free-form and “suggest” the subject rather than recreate it faithfully.

So now I am experimenting with this style of drawing, using various art pens or using a dip pen with nibs. All these sketches, save the Portofino one below, I went directly (and quickly) with ink to paper (no thinking, lots of mistakes, but just GO). And I am experimenting with adding colour – going spare with washes like the Camerino one above or adding more colour as shown in most of the pieces below. I have very little experience with watercolour and I am learning lots about how beautiful but how tricky it can be.  Anyone out there want to share their best watercolour tips with me?

Distillery
– Copic pen .005 with watercolour

Andrea’s Centerpiece
– dip pen with watercolour

Amalfi Harbour
– Stabilo pen .4 with watercolour

Portovenere Harbour
– Pigma Micron pen .005 with watercolour