Alongthewayside

2011-04-22T21:49:00.002-04:00

These are flowers our son sent for his mother's birthday. They are still blooming after a week. Beautiful flowers.

Doorway

2010-07-05T20:52:00.001-04:00

Doorway,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Another painting from the introduction of Karlyn Holman's book Watercolor Without Boundaries.

Using positive and negative space, done with ink and Koi Watercolors in a 5 x 8 Strathmore 140# watercolor pad.

Boats

2010-07-05T20:50:00.001-04:00

Boats,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

I'm in the process of going through Karlyn Holman's new book "Watercolor Without Boundaries". The first few will be from the introduction pages.

Here's a painting done from the introduction of Karlyn Holman's book Watercolor Without Boundaries.

The exercise was to do a one color painting. I used Faber Castell's Sanquine watercolor pencil and ink. Done on Strathmore Watercolor 140# paper, 5 x 7 inches.

An interesting exercise.

Year of the Tiger 2010

2009-12-31T20:13:00.001-05:00

Year of the Tiger 2010,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Happy New Year everyone.

Thought I would try to start the new year off right by greeting it with this card.

Size: post card. Done on 90# watercolor paper.

Symbol in upper right corner is word for Tiger. Red seal/stamp says Good Luck. Symbol in lower right is my name in Chinese

Panda and bamboo in acrylics

2009-09-10T22:27:00.001-04:00

Panda and bamboo in acrylics,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here's my 2 pandas done in acrylics on 90 # watercolor paper. This paper is not really good for acrylics and was hard to work with. It seemed to soak into the paper and hard to blend.

May try it on acrylic or oil canvas next time. It was too difficult to get what I wanted.

Size 4 x 6 inches using Liquitex acrylics.

Pandas and bamboo 2

2009-08-28T00:18:00.001-04:00

Pandas and bamboo 2,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

My latest CBP done on 90# watercolor paper using watercolors. Size 4 x 6 inches.
Red seal says: Purpose is what gives life meaning.

Inspired by Lucy Wang in her book The Art of Chinese Brush Painting.

Pandas and bamboo 1

2009-08-28T00:14:00.001-04:00

Pandas and bamboo 1,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This was done on 90# watercolor paper using watercolors. Size 4 x 6 inches.
Red seal says: Purpose is what gives life meaning.

Bamboo

2009-08-16T17:28:00.001-04:00

Bamboo APC,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This was gone on 90% Fabriano watercolor studio paper. Size 4 x 6 inches, using Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils with the paint taken directly off the pencil. Used a new Chinese waterbrush similar to the Niji waterbrushes . The brush in the one I used are the regular length as normal Chinese brushes.

This was for a challenge for a monochrome painting in the APC group I belong.

Bird's eye view

2009-07-29T20:41:00.001-04:00

Bird's eye view,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Decided to do a small painting using the new Daniel Smith Watercolor sticks that I just got.

This is ATC size on 140# watercolor paper.

Took the paint directly off the sticks and mixed several colors in a little palette. Didn't have any burnt sienna, so improvised with what I had. The are very strong colors.

Arizona Butte

2009-07-26T17:57:00.001-04:00

Arizona Butte,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here's my latest done on Yupo paper with Holbein Duo water soluble oils. Size 5 x 7. Not quite dry, but the mat lifts it far enough off the scanner glass.
This was a bit of a challenge with the oils. It's hard enough with watercolors. Next try will be acrylics.

Bottles and Jars

2009-07-25T01:50:00.001-04:00

Bottles and Jars,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here's my latest still life for Nel's on-line oil painting class. This was done with Holbein Duo watersoluble oils on 8 x 8 inch canvas paper.
I did one similar to this ATC size using watercolor pencils. The background was a bit different. This one was quite a challenge. I normally don't care to do still life's, but it was an assignment.

2009-06-20T23:51:00.002-04:00

I'm taking an on-line acrylics course from Andy Walker at http://www.learntodo.co.uk . This is a self paced course with 6 sections and 24 parts to it.

The first lesson was doing a color wheel, which I have done many, so didn't put it up here.

In this exercise, we were to do a value drawing of a scene from the course. So, this is my attempt. In the next lesson, I will be adding color to this painting.

I'm also taking his watercolor course which is divided into 12 sections with 32 parts. Since I have done some watercolor in the past, I did not do any of the exercises in the first 2 lessons of this course. But will be adding paintings from the next lessons.

2009-06-01T20:47:00.001-04:00

To the left is some more of our containers plants. The 2 left containers have tomatoes in them along with a hanging tomato plant above them.

To the right are 2 more containers of tomatoes. These are in Earthboxes. We've had these boxes for over 5 years and replant them each year.

2009-06-01T20:31:00.003-04:00

On the left is our part of our container garden with a canopy over the top to block some of the hot sun rays here in northern Florida. In these boxes are beets, green beans, corn and red and yellow peppers in the white flower box. The 3 green boxes are Good Earth boxes, our first year in these boxes. The one terra cotta box with corn is a flower box. It has ears of corn on it already.

2009-06-01T20:15:00.002-04:00

To the left is our square foot garden with some of the plants coming up.

To the right is the same garden with our protective screening to blot out some of the hot sun we have here in norther Florida.

This is the first time we have tried setting up a square foot garden. In it are beets, carrots, onions, lettuce, radishes and green beans.

Bay in Sepia

2008-11-18T18:40:00.001-05:00

Bay in Sepia,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here's my latest ATC done with burnt umber and a warm white in acrylics.
I enjoyed doing this monochrome and hope to do a larger one.

Frosty the Snowman

2008-11-18T14:18:00.001-05:00

Frosty the Snowman,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Another ATC done in acrylics on Canon acrylic paper. Although you can't see it, the snow at the bottom was painted on with a palette knife and is 3D in texture.

Plum blossom

2008-09-22T16:14:00.001-04:00

Plum blossom,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here's what I've been working on all day. Had to do 2 as the first one got messed up.
My wife wanted one like this, so here's what she got.
Done on 140# Canson watercolor paper using Art-Kure Watercolor brush pens. Size, 8 x 10.
It was framed right away and already hanging in our living room.
The brush pens I had gotten from JetPens.

Items of Yesteryear

2008-09-07T21:48:00.001-04:00

Items of Yesteryear,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This month's theme for Kate's alumni coffeehouse is Yesteryear. So I found a couple of items to cover that theme.

Done in pen and ink on 110 # white paper (Robert Bateman sketchbook), 6 x 9 inches.

Tortoise & Dragonfly

2008-08-16T19:58:00.001-04:00

Tortoise & Dragonfly,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

The tortoise, with its hared shell and sumbering gait, is contrasted with the elusive dragonfly, that flies here and there.
Done in the same book card this time using Derwent's aquatone watercolor pencils and Niji waterbrush because I couldn't get the colors I wanted from the Chinese watercolors I had.
The tortoise and dragonfly are the perfect illustration of the traditional Chinese contrast between yin and yang.

Chinese lanterns

2008-08-16T19:57:00.001-04:00

Chinese lanterns,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Chinese lanterns originally came from Japan. Although they are attractive in their early stages, it is in the ripe, dried stages that they are best known. The common name comes from their similarity to the lanterns used in the New Year celebrations that take place in most areas of China. This painting includes small and large fruit.

Done with Art-Kure watercolor brush pens, Pental pocket brush pen and Yasutomo sumi-e watercolors on a green office paper. This is in a homemade book card made for me by Rita of North Dakota. It has 8 pages. Takes ink just fine, buckles a little with the watercolor, but when dry, smooths out.

Design

2008-08-04T20:02:00.001-04:00

Design,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here is a design I did with pastels on a dark green pastel board. I don't know what the make of the board was, but it was a sample I had received. Gioconda pastel pencils were used.

Waterfall on Yupo

2008-08-02T19:23:00.001-04:00

CBP Waterfall on Yupo,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Another attempt on Yupo. This time a Chinese Brush Painting of a waterfall. Chinese calligraphy on left says Waterfall, my Signature on the right.

Prairie Clouds

2008-07-30T20:11:00.001-04:00

Prairie Clouds,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here is my first attempt at painting with watercolors on watercolor canvas. Size was 8 x 10, using M Graham watercolors.

Very different painting on canvas, everythng lifts so easy, even with facial tissue. If you make a mistake, you can wet it and wipe it clean with a towel. Amazing.

New Akashiya SAI Watercolor brush pens 2

2008-07-23T15:16:00.001-04:00

New Akashiya SAI Watercolor brush pens 2,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This is a sample page for my "Color sample book" of the new Akashiya SAI Watercolor brush pens I got from JetPens. They are all transparent and pretty vivid. As you can see, they don't lift too well after being dry for a couple of days. They lift easier when wet or damp. The Outliner is waterproof.
They Yellow was hard to lift at all, the Tea Brown the easiest.

Seascape on Yupo

2008-07-13T11:17:00.001-04:00

Seascape on Yupo,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This is my first attempt at painting on Yupo paper. I used Bienfang watercolor brush pens. The boat was M Graham gouache.
I was very pleased with the way the colors went on the paper. I could easily move the paint around without having to worry about it drying too fast. I haven't tried this with regular watercolors yet, but the brush pens was a surprise. I liked with they could do.

Chinese Landscape

2008-06-22T21:51:00.001-04:00

Chinese Landscape,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

My latest attempt at a Chinese Brush painting landscape. Size is 5 x 8.5 inches done on 140# HP paper and Yasutomo Sumi-e Watercolors. Red seal says Peaceful Time and Wonderful Scene.

2008-06-13T23:11:00.000-04:00

The Plum Blossom is the National flower of China. It represents perservance, rejuvenation and winter.
The red seal says "spring warmed the stream". The 2 Chinese sybols in the lower left spell Plum Blossom or Flower. The Chinese symbol on the right is my name.
This was done as a post card to be sent to a fellow classmate of Kate Johnson's on-line classes. The classmate lives in Canada.

2008-06-13T19:02:00.001-04:00

The Chinese word for cat--mao--is pronounced the same as the work for longevity. For this reason, the cat is a symbol of good luck and long life. Chinese artists often paint these playful, curious creatures interacting with butterflies which are symbols of love.
The Chinese symbols in the lower left are butterfly and cat. The red seal means peaceful time and wonderful scene. Chinese symbol in lower right is my name.
I have done this same painting for a post card exchange. A couple of people wanted one, so I did it again.

Xieyi Lotus with flowers

2008-03-10T19:20:00.001-04:00

xieyi Lotus with flowers,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This is one of my lotus that are painted by Chinese brush artists. The lotus is a symbol of summer and fruitfulness. It represents purity and perfection. The flowers are normally either white or pink, and the leaves are dark-bluish on top and light green underneath. The edges of the leaves start to turn brown almost as soon as they reach full size.
This was done with Derwent Inktense watersoluble pencils instead of Chinese brushes. Watercolor paper was 140# Canson. Size about 5 x 7 inches.

abstract

2008-02-07T23:56:00.001-05:00

abstract,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here is an abstract I did for class on watercolor pencil. I normally hate abstracts, but saw something like this and it was interesting. It was done with Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper.

Rock and Wood gate

2008-02-05T18:15:00.001-05:00

Rock and Wood gate,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here are 2 more pen and ink sketches done with the Lamy pen, Extra Fine nib, Noodler's black ink in Canson Sketchbook.

Sample sketches Lamy pen

2008-01-31T22:35:00.001-05:00

Sample sketches Lamy pen,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here are samples of pen and ink sketches using my new "toys"! I got 2 Lamy Vista pens this week, one with extra fine nib the other with a fine nib.
It was the discussions on EDM (EveryDayMatters) that led me to ask more questions about this pen and finally get them.
I am really pleased with how they draw and sketch with. I used Noodlers black ink on Canson sketchbook.
At least I'm fulfilling one of my goals for this year.....doing more with pen and ink.

Seascape 2

2008-01-27T16:04:00.001-05:00

Seascape 2,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Another seascape attempt done on 4 x 5 inch black multimedia artboard sample I received.
Done mostly with PanPastels but it was very hard because of the size. Some pastel pencils were used for the flowers, grasses, and waves.

Tree stump

2008-01-24T11:53:00.001-05:00

Tree stump,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Here is part of my new year's resolution to draw more with pen and ink. This was done on 6 x 9 inches Stonehenge paper. Used Micron and Pentel pocket brush pen.
Photo came from Wet Canvas and an aritcle on pen and ink shading techniques.

Fence sketch

2008-01-11T20:24:00.001-05:00

Fence sketch,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This new sketch was done with an Ackerman pen, Hunt 101 pen. Some were having trouble with theirs so I thought I'd try mine. It was scratchy just like my regular dip pens, but this one has an ink resevoir. Done in my Canson 6 x 9 inch sketchbook.

Seascape with PanPastels

2008-01-07T19:44:00.001-05:00

Seascape with PanPastels,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This was my first "real" painting using my new PanPastels. Paper was blue, pastels used were Phthalo Blue and its tint, Turquoise and its tint, Paynes Grey ting, Black, White, and Violet.
Using rougher paper makes a big difference. Easy to add one color over another, and the blending is easy. This was done in about an hour. Size 6 x 9 inches.

Our orange tree Jan 6 2008

2008-01-06T19:03:00.001-05:00

Our orange tree Jan 6 2008,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

This was done outside while sitting on our back porch, so I guess you can call it plein aire. It's sitting in a planter outsie our porch. It was a gread 70 degree weather today and enjoyed sketching outside.

Pen and Ink sketch

2008-01-06T19:01:00.001-05:00

Pen and Ink sketch,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Got ambitious today and did some pen and ink sketches. One of my goals for 2008 is to do more pen and ink sketches. So I drew these while sitting on our back porch in 70 degree weather!

Barn scene

2007-10-21T19:44:00.001-04:00

Barn scene,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

Finally added a sketch to my Canson sketchbook. This barn scene was done with watercolor pencil, pen and ink. Colors are darker than shown. They scanned light.

Cherry tree

2007-09-15T20:43:00.001-04:00

Cherry tree,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

A cherry tree painting I did for Kate's Watercolor 2 class. This chapter was on fruits and veggies. I choose cherries!

Purple Cornflower

2007-09-13T21:54:00.001-04:00

Purple Cornflower,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

My latest attempt at painting flowers. I'm not much of a flower drawing or painting person, but did the best I could. This was for Kate's Watercolor 2 class.

Tulip

2007-09-13T11:05:00.001-04:00

Tulip,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

An exercise done for Kate's Watercolor 2 class on flowers and textures. Done on Fabriano Artistico 140# paper. M Graham watercolors except for leaf which was Susan Scheewe's Spring Green.

2007-09-09T15:57:00.000-04:00

This is an attempt to lighten the background trees a bit from the original. It lightened it, but I'm still not completely happy with it.

2007-09-08T21:23:00.001-04:00

Countgry Bus stop!,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

An exercise in Kate's WC 2 class showing lichen, moss, and weathering.

Homework fir tree trunk 2

2007-08-26T18:33:00.001-04:00

Homework fir tree trunk 2,
originally uploaded by Donn2006.

A homework assignment for Kate Johnson's Watercolor 2 class. This fir tree sketch done on Canson's 140# CP paper. Wet in wet for the sky, dabbing for the trees, spondge for most of the grass and wet on dry on the tree trunk.

2007-07-30T15:46:00.000-04:00

View of Alaskan mushrooms. This was from a photo taken by Dabs of items in her garden. She lives in Alaska. They must really grow them big up there! Not sure how tall these are, but the leaves around it indicate they are quite large.

Found out these are called Amanita Muscaria or Fly Agaric mushrooms and are poisonous. The cap on these are about 5 inches in diameter. They get larger. As they age, they get redder on top. (Thanks to Dabs for the information).

Done in Prismacolor colored pencil on Strathmore Bristol vellum paper. It didn't turn out like I wanted it to, but I was too tired to do any more to it.

2007-07-26T19:53:00.000-04:00

Another attempt at using colored pencils. This was done with Prismacolor colored pencils on Strathmore Bristol vellum paper. I never really cared for colored pencils until I started learning more about them on Wet Canvas. And the types of paper they used. I will say, the Bristol vellum paper is sure different and better to use than the sketching pads I have. Hope to try it on Stonehege paper next. It was interesting using my own colors instead of what was suggested.

Pueblo scene was from a kit by Ann Kullberg. I could not use her suggested colors because I didn't have them, so used what I had. My next attempt may be using her suggested colors since I have since acquired the Prismacolor 120 colored pencil set.

2007-07-15T00:26:00.000-04:00

This was one of the July challenges with the Wet Canvas(WC) Colored Pencil group. We were give 4 pictures to choose from. Photo came from the WC reference library and was called Tahiti Rose.

This is my first attempt at really doing any type of drawing with Prismacolor colored pencils. I was determined to try and see if I could do anything with them because in the past, I just didn't like what I put down. I've had these sitting for some 15 years, gathering "dust"!

After laying down the various colors, I used a stomp and Prismacolor blender to do the burnishing. Interesting since I never did it before!

2007-06-18T19:47:00.000-04:00

Here's another one of my favorite subjects, penguins. This was done with sumi-e ink, brush, and Chinese watercolors.

These guys seem to be having a lot of fun. With the hot temperatures we're experiencing here, I'm ready to join them!

2007-06-17T22:15:00.000-04:00

This sunset was done with sumi-e ink and Chinese Watercolors.

It was done in my journal and the ink really buckled the paper. Hopefully, if I try this again, it will be on rice paper.

2007-06-17T22:11:00.000-04:00

A little flower painting I did using Chinese Watercolors and Chinese brushes.
This was done in my journal and not on rice paper, so the effect isn't the same. I'm just trying to use up my journal so I can start a watercolor journal.

2007-06-05T19:34:00.000-04:00

Another attempt using the Pentel Pocket Brush pen. Our monthly theme on Kate Johnson's alumni group is for the month of June, honoring Dad.

My Dad used to do a lot of fly fishing before he owned his own restaurant. I never learned how to use the fly rod, but did my share of hooking fish with a spin rod and cane pole! My dad passed away over 30 years ago. This is in tribute to him.

2007-05-10T23:27:00.000-04:00

My newest attempt at Oriental brush painting. The top part is a practice session doing the pine needles.

The bottom pine tree was attempted using this technique. I ran out of room at the top and it ran into my pine needle practice.

This was done using the Pental Pocket Brush pen rather than Oriental art brush and ink.

2007-04-15T19:45:00.000-04:00

Another sample using the Pentel Pocket brushpen. Interesting what can be done waiting in a doctor's office!

2007-03-25T21:08:00.000-04:00

Here is a very quick 2-3 minute sketch I did from John Pike's Painting Watercolors project 4, oriental style.

Used Pentel Pocket Brush pen and Yasutomo sumi-e watercolors.

Paper used was a piece of scratch copy paper I use in my printer. This was a quick fun one to do.

2007-03-19T16:45:00.000-04:00

This is my contribution to the March "Green" theme on Kate Johnson's Coffeehouse. Couldn't get it uploaded to the regular album nor my album. Tried 3 different days. No go! Oh well, so much for Yahoo!

Just a variety of things done in green.

2007-03-04T20:22:00.000-05:00

Wheee, what fun! Just like kids, like to slide down a hill!

Another penguine drawing using Pentel pocket brush pen and Chinese watercolors.

Pandas and Penguins are my 2 favorite animals to paint with the oriental style.

2007-03-04T19:49:00.000-05:00

Sentinels of the Night. Done with a new Stabilo CarbOthello water soluble pastel pencils. The initial drawing was just like regular pastels. I blended them with a Q-tip. Instead of fixing it with a fixative, I applied a light wash of water over the entire drawing. Some additional blending came as I applied the water.

A very different medium. Will have to see how much more I can accomplish with wetting the colors more.

2007-02-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

This week's Silly Saturday was the number "203". So, thought I'd put my sketches up.
Done with a Pentel pocket brush pen.

2007-02-11T20:26:00.000-05:00

This is a sketch for our Mardi Gras theme in Cathy Johnson's students group.
Top half was done with Derwent's Inktense pencils. The bottom half with Reeves gouache.
An interesting use of art materials.

2007-02-03T10:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a sample I did using the new Pentel Pocket Brush pen I just received. Used Marie's Chinese Watercolors for the color.

The bamboo was made by laying the pen on it's side, giving the effect of the roundness of the bamboo. Enjoyed this new pen.

2007-02-02T21:04:00.000-05:00

Another of my Panda drawings. Using Pentel Pocket Brush pen and Marie's Chinese watercolors.

2007-02-02T20:44:00.000-05:00

Here is another painting done with the Pentel Pocket Brush pen, Derwent Inktense pencils and Marie's Chinese Watercolors. These watercolors are artist grade.

The Marie's Chinese Watercolors are not made by the same company as the western Marie's watercolors.

2007-01-07T20:31:00.000-05:00

This is an Hourglass style mountain dulcimer. This one has 4 strings. Some come with 3 and as high as 6 strings.

This one was handmade for me by Ken Hamlin in 1984. It is one of several music instruments I have.

It's been a long time since I played this one. The mountain dulcimer is usually played with the instrument laying across your lap. The noter is used to slide along the fretboard and you strum the instrument. It's a lot of fun.

My other musical instruments I have include a Yamaha electronic keyboard and several Penny whistles in different keys of C, D, and A.

2007-01-07T20:15:00.000-05:00

This little seascape was done with Faber Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils. Paper was in an Academie Sketch book, paper weight unknown. The paper did buckle a little.

2007-01-07T16:36:00.000-05:00

Trying out my new Memory Brush Pen that I just got. Not quite as loose as a sumi-e brush, but close.

The Chinese calligraphy shown is actually my name. The top one is my first name and the meaning is "Grand, splendid, Glory".

The middle one means "agree". This is the first 2 letters of my last name.

The bottome one meaning "thought". This is the last 2 letters of my last name.

This was provided to my my Chinese artist Ning Yeh.

2006-12-30T16:50:00.001-05:00

Sunset from our back yard. It was done with Cretacolor pastel pencils and pen and ink. Drawing used for a lesson in Kate Johnson's on-line drawing and sketching class.

No presketch was done. Scene taken from a photograph I took. I started with the sky.

2006-12-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

Another pastel drawing done on Canson Mi-Teintes blue paper. It was done as an exercise in Kate Johnson's on-line drawing and sketchingclass.

2006-12-18T15:47:00.000-05:00

Although this is not a drawing or painting, thought it would be interesting to see our cat's favorite position.

If I tried to sketch her this way, she'd look funny.

2006-12-17T20:16:00.000-05:00

Left seascape done with number 6 pencil as part of an on-line drawing and sketching course by Kate Johnson.

Sketch on right is a selection from a series of pencil thumbnail sketches. This also part of the same class.

2006-11-18T20:04:00.000-05:00

Another pencil sketch

My attempt at a self portrait.

2006-11-18T17:28:00.000-05:00

A few sketches from our drawing/sketching class, direct observationa and negative space. Used brush pens on these.

This was an upside down sketch using a brush pen.

A gesture sketch and a couple more sketches using the brush pen.

2006-11-05T23:55:00.000-05:00

Here is a watercolor painting I did on oriental rice paper. It is very thin and you can actually see through it.

Wish I knew the name of it as I would love to get my hands on some more.

2006-09-09T12:15:00.000-04:00

Just learning to play this little jewel. I can thank Kate Johnson for the inspiration to get one.

This is called the Mellow Dog, which is a tweaked version of the Walton Mellow D Irish Whistle. It's in the key of D. Also have one in the key of C. This one is tweaked (made better) by Jerry Freeman who is the only professional whistle tweaker in the world. I also have a Walton Sweetone whistle tweaked by Jerry. The Mellow Dog, so far, is my favorite.

The penny whistle (tin whistle) of modern era got renewed about 25 years ago with the interest in folk music. The first one dates back some 25,000 years with a bone made flute. Around 1875 the penny whistle as we know it today came into being. The instrument is well known in England, Scotland, Ireland and beginning in America.

Did they ever cost a penny? The first ones sold were 1/4 cents each (two pence each) by Whistling Billing (another interesting story). He paid 3 pence for 12 of them! In some places it was custom to give a penny to a child playing them in the street. Thus the name stuck.

Today, pennywhistles sell for as little as $3.00 up to over $400, depending on the make.

2006-08-26T20:33:00.000-04:00

Thought I would do some pen and ink drawings last night, so here are 3 little critters that I ended up doing. These pandas were fun to draw.

2006-07-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

These 2 sketches, done in pen and ink, were done in the wee early hours of the morning. Just felt like sketching.
The mountain lake turned out better than I had thought.

These mushrooms were interesting to sketch. Used Micron 01, 001 and the brush from the Faber Castell Pitt artists pens.

2006-07-13T21:20:00.000-04:00

Another EDM Challenge #29, Draw something architectural.

This is a pencil sketch from a larger drawing within the Porte San Francesco, Assisi. Original artist was Ernest Watson.

2006-07-13T20:59:00.000-04:00

EDM Challenge #74, Clouds. Done in pastels.

2006-07-13T17:20:00.000-04:00

Watercolor palette knife sketch. Palette knife must be prepared properly to hold any watercolors.

2006-07-13T16:48:00.000-04:00

A watercolor 3 color palette