Wild Wednesday … Wiley Coyote?

Posted on April 22, 2015 by foresterartist

Wild as in wildlife. Naturally, the coyote comes after the roadrunner.

coyote, watercolor, watercolour, pen and ink, ink drawing, wildlife

Coyote in mixed media. Done with pen and ink, and watercolor.

I enjoy seeing wild coyotes and I see them often. As a dog lover, I’m sympathetic toward them. On the flip side I have no illusions about their predator nature and I keep an eye out for our pets and livestock.

This coyote was just west of the house. She came cruising through and posed very politely.

Ranchers have to protect their livestock because it’s their livelihood. Coyotes have to hunt because it’s their livelihood. It’s a tough reality for coyotes and ranchers alike. All part of the harsh balance of nature.

It’s tough being a coyote.

Roadrunner, the Coyote’s After You!

Posted on April 18, 2015 by foresterartist

watercolor, pen and ink, pen & ink, illustration, roadrunner, mixed media

Roadrunner in Watercolor and, pen and ink.

Here’s my inspiration. I don’t see them often, and what a treat to have a photogenic roadrunner!

The Art Challenge, Day Five … Story Books

Posted on February 26, 2015 by foresterartist

wolverine, watercolor, illustration, children's books

From “Buddy and the Magic Chicken Tree.”

From “Firestorm in the Forest.”

wolverine, watercolor, illustration, The Wayward Wolverine

From “Buddy, The Wayward Wolverine.”

It’s day five! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. This is the last post. The theme for today is “Story Books”, that I’ve illustrated I put up illustrations from three different books.

I would love to give everyone a break, so I’m not tagging anybody for the Art Challenge. If you want to do it, then tell me and I’ll tag you!

The books:

Buddy, The Wayward Wolverine

Firestorm in the Forest

Buddy and the Magic Chicken Tree

The Art Challenge, Day 4 … Fur, Fins and Feathers

Posted on February 25, 2015 by foresterartist

wolverine, gulo gulo, wildlife, watercolor, wildlife art, nature

The Lazy Wolverine

Largemouth Bass Study

kingfisher, belted kingfisher, pen and ink, pen, drawing, pen & ink

The belted kingfisher

It’s day four! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. Hey Mark, this is starting to feel like homework. The theme for today is “Fur, Fins and Feathers.” I put up something old and something new.

I would love to see Ruth of Ruth’s Artwork do the Art Challenge. I picked Ruth because of her amazing pen and ink/watercolor, mixed media, architectural illustrations. She also does wonderful animals. She does lots of fantastic commissions. I recommend you check out her site.

Prints are available at Fine Art America.

The Art Challenge, Day Three … Old Time Logging

Posted on February 24, 2015 by foresterartist

Uncle Sam, locomotive, steam engine, railroad logging, Diamond Match, logging, pen and ink

The “Uncle Sam”, hauling logs in the Sierra Nevada.

Watercolor, watercolour, logging, historic, crosscut saw, misery whip, auction, art

The Misery Whip.

Logging, Horses, horse logging, skidding, historic logging

Skidding logs with a big wheels and a team.

It’s day three! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. The theme for today is “Old Time Logging.” I threw in a bonus picture that you may recognize from my banner. It was used for a book cover, but it makes a good banner too.

I would love to see Annerose Georgeson do the Art Challenge. I picked Annerose because of her wonderful impressionistic paintings of nature and forestry subjects. It seems like a good match to me.

Prints are available at Fine Art America.

The Art Challenge, Day Two … En Plein Aire

Posted on February 23, 2015 by foresterartist

Nuthatch in a blue oak tree.

A window to the woods.

Past and Future

It’s day two! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. The theme for today is “En Plein Aire.” The nuthatch is my first and only plein aire watercolor painting. Perhaps there will be more someday. The others were done over lunch while making my rounds in the woods. Just a tiny snapshots of my days. Pens are so much more portable than watercolors. I would love to see Mary at oilpastelsbymary to do the Art Challenge.

This challenge originated on Facebook, but I have moved it over to WordPress. Please check it out my new Facebook page at Tim Livingston.

The Art Challenge, Day One … Dogs

Posted on February 22, 2015 by foresterartist

Golden retriever, watercolor, watercolour, dog

Tessa

Hunter

watercolor, watercolour, pen and ink, golden retriever, pheasant, hunting

Blitz follows her nose to the prize.

Today is day one! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. The theme for today is dogs. I bet you didn’t see that coming! Tessa is the watercolor, Hunter in pen and ink, and Blitz in mixed media. These are all dogs that Mary and I have raised. For that reason I challenge MaryA Livingston to the Art Challenge.

This challenge originated on Facebook, but I have moved it over to WordPress. Incidentally, it was my first post on my brand new Facebook page, Tim Livingston on Facebook. Please check it out.

Prints are available at Fine Art America.

Testing the Waters

Posted on February 14, 2015 by foresterartist

I’m working on a project that required a new technique. If you followed my last several posts, you’ll know what technique I’m talking about. I did a mixed media illustration in which I completed the pen and ink portion, then soaked and stretched the illustrated paper.

Test sheet.

I didn’t do this without testing my inks first. I took nearly every ink pen that I had available for drawing and wrote with it on a piece of watercolor paper. This included some color inks too. The refillable inks used were Platinum Carbon Black in the Yuketake Brush Pen, and the Pentel brand ink in the Pentel Brush pen. I put down the brand and type/size as my test lines. Then I soaked and stretched the paper. I dabbed off the excess water and let the paper dry. All inks came through the stretching without running. You can see the process in https://theforesterartist.com/2015/01/25/steam-donkey-wip-update/

I selected three watercolor brushes to use for painting over the lines. First I applied Viridian with a 1/2″ flat brush, fairly gently. No problem with running here. Next I applied Cadmium Red with a #12 round. I swirled in the paint without incident. Finally, I applied Cadmium Yellow with a stipple brush. I scrubbed it in with the stiff bristles. I fully expected the ink lines to degrade. It didn’t happen. All the pens I tested proved acceptable.

You may wonder, why not just draw it out after the paper is stretched. It’s just my preference. I like drawing detailed pen and ink on a firm surface. I also like a drawing board I can handle wherever I choose. The stretched watercolor paper is fairly firm, but I like a firmer surface for drawing. I also like having all my pencil guide lines erased before soaking. Erasing can put more pressure on the paper and I don’t like doing it on a stretched surface. Also, soaked pencil lines are very difficult to erase after they’ve been soaked and dried. Once the ink drawing is done I erase the pencil. This is why I decided to try soaking and stretching after the pen and ink was complete.

Auction Results!

Posted on February 8, 2015 by foresterartist

steam donkey, pen and ink, drawing, art, watercolor, watercolour

A Ghost in the Forest, mixed media watercolor with pen and ink.

Prints of this painting are available here at Fine Art America.

Forestry Education, Forestry Education Auction, Sierra Cascade Logging Conference

A view from our table during the auction. The auctioneer is the guy in the back with the microphone.

The Forestry Education Auction at the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference was a huge success. They raised a total of $86,500 Friday night for their educational activities. My painting, A Ghost in the Forest, contributed $900 to the fund. It was a successful night.

steam donkey, Willamette steam donkey, steam yarder, pen and ink, pen, ink, drawing.

The Willamette Steam Donkey

I decided to make prints available of the pen and ink portion of the steam donkey painting. It’s available on Fine Art America.

“A Ghost in the Forest”

Posted on February 3, 2015 by foresterartist

“A Ghost in the Forest” is auction ready! Thank you to Mary for the excellent matting and framing.

Usually, I don’t donate original art. However, this cause is near and dear to my heart. So this is the original going on the block. If I did my job right, the bidders will come ready to bid! This is one item among many being auctioned to raise money for forestry education. The auction is Friday, February 6.

This auction is a fund-raiser for the Education Fund of the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference. The money goes for forestry education for local students. It supports Education Day for hundreds of local 4th graders to tour the conference. Mary, of Sneaking Bliss, gives a presentation to them each year. This was her post from last year’s tour, Sierra Cascade Logging Conference Education Day. The money also supports the local college logging sports team, scholarships and a Spring woods tour for students, among other things.

Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, Education Day

Mary delivers her presentation to my nephew’s 4th grade class, from a couple years ago. My nephew was volunteered to help out.

I’ve include a progression of the painting in the gallery shown below. Click on the images to enlarge.

“A Ghost In The Forest”, is auction ready! Thank you to Mary for the excellent matting and framing.

Steam Donkey, pen and ink, pen & ink, pen, drawing, watercolor, WIP, logging

The ink outline on the steam donkey was done with a Lamy All Star extra-fine point.

Steam Donkey, pen and ink, drawing, pen, pen & ink, watercolor, watercolour, logging

Steam Donkey work in progress.

I did the black shading with the Yuretake No. 50 brush pen. Then started detailing with a Staedtler 0.05 pigment liner. It has a finer line than the Lamy extra-fine tip.

The donkey detail is mostly complete.

steam donkey, steam yarder, Willette Steam donkey, Willamette Iron Works, pen and ink, pen, drawing, watercolor, WIP

Steam Donkey, inking is complete.

I soak the paper in the bath tub. The water was room temperature. Be sure to test your inks for running before you use this on an important piece.

Two minutes on the timer for soaking 90 lb paper. It came out a little too saturated. I should have used cold water. For 140 lb paper I soak for seven minutes in cool water.

stretching watercolor paper, Steam Donkey, pen and ink, pen & ink, pen, drawing, watercolor, WIP, logging

You need a very clean surface, because the sheet goes ink down. On go the stretcher boards.

Staple it to the boards. Snug it as you go, but not overly tight or the paper may rip when it dries.

stretch watercolor, Steam Donkey, pen and ink, pen & ink, pen, drawing, watercolor, WIP, logging

Use a paper towel to mop up excess water. Don’t push down or you’ll damage the paper. A feather light touch is required.

I elevate the mounted paper for good air circulation. Even drying makes for a nice tight stretch. Let it dry naturally. Using a heater or blow drier can cause ripples in your paper. It should thump like a drum when dry.