A Small World Lay Spread Before Me

Pen and Ink Wash 6.5" x 7.25"

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This is a view of my hometown, Perkasie, on the sweetest spring morning seen around here in ages. I've stolen the title from Dicken's Great Expectations, "And the mists had all solemnly risen now, and the world lay spread before me", although my small hometown sure isn't London!

I used to use pen and ink wash all the time, but gave up the practice ages ago. I'm glad that my drawing class has forced me to bone up on the medium, and thankful to an old friend and long-time supporter of my work for encouraging me to get back to it. Another thanks to my friend Douglas Ferrin for recommending sepia ink made by Senellier. Doug says "I use Sepia shellac ink made by Senellier. I believe it's still made from real sepia. You can thin it with water or alcohol. Great stuff." Yes it is!

Here's a pen and ink wash drawing from almost thirty years ago:

Drawing Class

This month I'm really up to my neck in teaching. A two hour class inevitably means three or four hours of planning, not including travel time and setting up. A full day, really. I'm struggling with finding time for my own work, but do find teaching satisfying.

Usually I begin the class by having the students copy a master drawing, then move on to observing and drawing from life.

Here are a few drawings from a talented student, Carol Lee. Just had to share them!

Sunlight and Shadow on 7th Street, Perkasie

oil on board 6"x 6.5"

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I love painting landscapes, cityscapes, suburbanscapes, townscapes, seascapes, and so on. Anytime the sun is shining, and there is no roof over my head, I'm happy, but especially when I have my paints.

There is a bit of glare on the upper right section, but I'll try for a glareless picture tomorrow.