Capital Morning: Trenton, NJ

"Capital Morning" view from W. Hanover Street, Trenton, NJ

Bridge over the Middle Brook

Another beautiful Sunday and another opportunity to paint.  I am enjoying the surreal effect and look of watercolor on top of "activated" ink from the elegant writer.

              "activated" elegant writer marker and watercolor on 140lbs block 9X12

Erik at Chilli's

Veteran's Park on a School Day

Veterans Park on a School Day - Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ

Veterans Park on Klockner Road in Hamilton NJ is right across the street from Steinert High School. School buses of every size were wizzing by, making their morning rounds. 

I used Copic Multiliner Brush pen for the large black lines and various other Copic ink pens for for the fine lines. The sky was clear, a little cool, and cast a great shadow of the F-4 Fighter jet on the spring grasses. Many of the trees in the background hadn't quite leafed out yet and were in shades that hinted at their fall colors. 

I set aside the usual waterbrushes and only used two large watercolor brushes, a 5/8 inch (16 mm) mop brush and a number 9 round brush. It was great fun to to use these large brushes. The 9 brush comes to such a nice point I was able to control the fine red stripe in in the US Air Force symbol as I wanted. 

Spring on Klockner Road

I wanted to try out my new Caran D'Ache watersoluble wax pastel crayons, and what better subject that my favorite tree?  Exactly.  And to complete the sketch, I found this quote from Hal Borland.  The quote was a perfect compliment, especially using Pilot Isoshizuku chiku-rin ("Bamboo Forest" yellow green) ink (written with Brause 361 "Blue Pumkin" nib). 

                     Watersoluble crayons and chiku-rin (Isoshizuku) ink on 180lbs paper

The Brause No. 361 "Blue Pumpkin" nib with Brause Bandzug italic nib reservoir attached.

Lines Down at Miry Run

Lines Down at Miry Run

The lines were down at Miry Run and the street was partly blocked for crews to chainsaw the trees. Morning sketch plans changed instantly to capture the scene of trees vs. lines for phone, cable tv, and power. Before their death sentence was carried out by the chainsaw crews.

I pulled  quick U-turn. It was sunny, air was damp and cool, winds were starting to whip up. I took refuge down the street in the rolling studio (car). 

Today's sketch was done on 9 in x 12 140 lb (300 g) Canson Watercolor Aquarelle Paper. Copic brush pen for trees and roadside barriers and Copic 0.30, and 0.70 for lines that were down. I started with Daler and Rowney Travel 12 watercolors in the rolling studio and shifted to the local cafe for the large washes. 

I was splashing on so many washes the paper soon hit its limits and buckled. (me having too much fun and being impatient.) I had to control the rockin' and rollin' puddling of colors and blooms as best I could by tipping the paper pad as it slowly dried. Who ever said watercolors are easy, just didn't do enough watercolors. I was pleased with catching the moment.