In the corners of southwestern canyons, near seeps, there is always something growing. These places are subject to harsh conditions, but somehow nature has evolved and beautiful trees and plants provide food and shade and protection for wildlife. And me.
I was really drawn to the contrast of the dark trees and shades of green against an ochre canyon wall. The shadows and the trees and brush create complex patterns in what is often a very barren landscape.
Watercolors, Arches 9×12 140# CP paper.
Winter where I live varies from cold (for us!) to hedonistically warm and pleasant. This day was cold and drear but I loved being out in it – a pleasant cold and drear that is savored for its very briskness.
I still have #12 Dragon to do, but that is going to take a bit of effort. Hopefully it will work!
Here, playing more Ketchup, but not too far behind. I also returned to a better bit of paper, the same sketchbook that contains the first seven of this year’s Inktober. Much happier with paper, pen, and brush. Especially the paper!
#13 Ash:  I thought of a tree . . . an ashtray (ewww) . . . a fire (as in what we had over the weekend, which was awful) . . . but decided on a different natural crisis: the volcano! Shades of Mordor, shades of hell.
#14 Overgrown:  So many things can be overgrown, but I like the idea of an overgrown, abandoned railroad track. There is something romantic and nostalgic about these, as well as something very sad.
I am rather enjoying the density of the iron gall ink. It makes me think of India ink, but it is so much easier to use. If I remember correctly, India ink does not lend itself well to dilution with water, but the iron gall does beautifully.
Today’s prompt for Inktober 2019 is “bait” – bait?! Jail bait. Cut bait. Click bait. Take the bait. Switch and bait. Crow bait. All kinds of bait.
I went for the obvious:Â a fish lure and a mouse trap.
I also decided that I would use my homemade iron gall ink that I made earlier this year. Iron gall ink is present in manuscripts, old letters, and the sketchbooks of yore. It’s something I haven’t done yet, and thought it could be a fun (and very messy) project for the month of Inktober.
So, a fish lure. I didn’t decide on the iron gall ink until last minute, so the initial drawing was done with a fountain pen and the washes done with the iron gall, sometimes directly applied, other times diluted. I am using a throwaway brush because iron gall corrodes things, such as pen nibs, so it will most likely do a number on the brush.
A mouse trap with a really generous bit of cheese – and probably an unrealistic amount at that!
So, baited we are.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 