Sketchbook Saturday: What's for Dinner?

"What's for Dinner? 

Oriental Chicken Salad"

© Nancy Laliberte

sketchbook journal page

canson sketchbook, Pilot V Ball pen and Yarka pan watercolors

Sometimes you just have to eat something other than Chex mix, Christmas cookies and chocolate. Just saying.  

I'm enjoying a wonderful, early Christmas weekend with my family including my oldest son who is home from college, and my parents. I hope you are having a great weekend, too.

Sketchbook Saturday: Experimenting

"African Violet"

© Nancy Laliberte

sketchbook journal page

canson sketchbook, pentel brush pen and watercolor

I have an African Violet plant in my dining room that is in dire need of transplanting or something because it has a "twin" attached to it. I keep a coffee mug under the "twin" for stabilization. What amazes me is how, despite being in a teeny pot, both plants continue to flower and flourish on a regular basis. Maroon, the goldfish, may be the one to thank for that. ;-)

This page involved experimenting with a Pentel brush pen. It can make thin, thick or calligraphic lines depending on the angle and pressure. Sketchbooks are great for experimenting and practice. You don't have to show anyone if you don't want to; the main thing is to just dive in and do it. 

Sketchbook Saturday

"In The Garden"

© Nancy Laliberte

sketchbook journal page

Canson sketchbook, micron pen and watercolors

A mini tour of a few plants and findings in my front garden. Our azalea bushes are looking beautiful this year. Pine needles and acid fertilizer seems to be the trick. And, yesterday I noticed that my iris bulbs are finally going to bloom; I'm so excited! Enjoy your weekend, and get out and sketch! 

Family Entertainment-Sketchbook Journal Page

"Living in a Fish Bowl"

© Nancy Laliberte

sketchbook journal page

watercolor and micron pen

A day in the life of our pet fish, Maroon. My son Nicholas won Maroon and another fish named Goldie last year in kindergarten in an end of the science unit about fish raffle at school. (Goldie is no longer with us and is buried in our backyard under some sea shells.) I must admit Maroon is entertaining to watch. Sometimes he swims around that bowl so fast you'd think he was training to take on Michael Phelps. One morning we thought he was dead, but he was just sleeping. Soon he was swimming laps as usual. Life in a fish bowl. 

Back from Vacation, Back to the Real World

Hibiscus Study

watercolor on paper

 I just recently returned from a Mexican vacation in Mazatlan. In the past I have brought my acrylics with me and plein air painted, but for the last couple of years I have brought my watercolors and travel sketchbook. It is small and light and easily fits into my carry-on or small backpack. I've sketched sights around the city, and our resort has beautifully landscaped grounds and interesting architecture so there is never a shortage of scenes for painting. This year on the flight down, I met another artist, Sharon D. from St. Paul, MN, and we were able to get together and paint at the resort. We had a great time, and I now have a new artist friend! Thanks Sharon! 

Travel journal setup

Included in my travel setup is a compact set of Winsor Newton watercolors, a Hand•Book artist journal sketchbook in the 5-1/2" x 8-1/4" landscape size (available from Dick Blick), a Niji brush (also from Blick), a retractable pencil, part of a kneaded earaser and a paper towel square. Everything except the sketchbook fits into a soft pencil case I picked up for $1 at Walgreens.

Edible color mixing

A couple days after I returned from my trip, I taught at the Center for the Visual Arts Expressions Art Day for children. My afternoon class was all about color theory and was geared for students in kindergarten through third grade. After we made color wheels and talked about color theory the kids were able to put to practice color mixing with frosting and food dye in the primary colors. I had a delightful group and they really got into it. I think more frosting went on the fingers and in the mouth than on the cookies! A big THANK YOU goes out to Val Berkely of the CVA for coordinating this event and to all of the students, parents and volunteers for making it an awesome day filled with a lot of excitement, art and creativity!