Serious Panda

I don't know why this red panda is so serious* but apparently he is.

Drawn with Robert Oster Melon Tea (Visconti Dark Ages) and Burned Orange (Lamy Studio Terracotta) inks. 

                       Pen & Ink on 230 gsm 5.5x8.5 etchr sketchbook



*serious panda, sad flowers, and smiling bears. . .oh my!

Lion about

Another drawing based on a photo my friends photo safari in Africa.  I was debating whether to sketch it with a folding pen or paint it in watercolors or both (like the Wild African Dog).  I still might paint it, but not for a while.

I really do love Robert Oster Melon Tea. It is a warm sepia with some greenish tints.  Just perfect for loose sketches like this one.

                    Folded Pen and Robert Oster Melon Tea ink 5X7 on 98 lbs paper

Wild African Dog -- Two Ways

Dingo ate my. . .  ::ahem:: Not a dingo but a wild African dog in Botswana (photo reference below).  I think I captured the dog's pensive, sentinel stare.

                                           Watercolor 7x10 on 90 lbs paper

Below is the same dog done with a folded nib (bought these really cool folded nibs that fit on a standard nib holder; from The Toronto Pen Company) as loose gestural warm up.  If I was smart, I could have done it as a value study, but I am not.  The eyes on this one are more cartoony and I did not quite get the shape of the muzzle and jaw.  However, it was very fun to do and this sketch definitely helped me get things right in the painting. 

                    Pen & Ink (Robert Oster Melon Tea)  7x10 on 90 lbs paper



Couple of doodles using the melon tea ink and light wash as I prepared to do the watercolor.  Not sure where the bird came from.

And here is the photo reference taken by a friend of mine whilst they were in Botswana.

When in doubt. . .

paint your favorite tree.  Using Robert Oster Melon Tea and a couple of Daniel Smith watercolor sticks. . .

Giraffe!

He is cute but chill. . .

                            Watercolor and Robert Oster Melon Tea Ink