Tag Archives: Artwork

Kitty Graphite Wash

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 4 Comments

Kitty from Behind - watersoluble graphite pencil

I decided to change up my mediums and practice sketching with something other than watercolors. General’s Sketch & Wash pencil (made in the USA, yeaaaaaah!!!) is a nice change of pace and I highly recommend it as a quick, yet fun sketching tool.

It acts just like a pencil, however it is watersoluble, which means you can take a clean water-filled brush and move the graphite around.

Kitty Profile - watersoluble graphite pencil

You do not need watercolor paper either. I drew this in a sketchbook with 70lb paper.

Between the two sketches, I think I prefer the simple line contour drawings over the heavily shaded profile sketch. Quick and fun!

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Posted in art, Artwork, nature, sketchbook, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, cat, cat drawing, cat sketch, Christine Kane Art, ckane, drawing, general's sketch and wash pencil, graphite sketch, kitty, kitty drawing, pencil, sketch, sketchbook, water pencil, water soluble graphite, watersoluble pencil artwork

Dariana’s Chickadee watercolor

Posted on January 6, 2012 | 3 Comments

I painted this for my friend’s step-daughter. She is visiting from Costa Rica. This is her first time in America.

So what does a girl from Costa Rica need from Chicago?

SNOW!

Unfortunately as it turns out, this is the mildest winter Chicago has had in a very long time. Mild and dry. Right now it is 53°F, downright hot for a January day in Chicago!

Oh well, we will bring the snow to her in the form of a watercolor painting! I hope she likes it! I wrote her a note on the back of the painting:

I do not speak Spanish. I totally cheated and went to Google Translate (hahahaha) and typed in this paragraph:
“Welcome to Chicago in the winter-time. I hope it is not too cold for you. I am happy to meet you! Your new friend, Christine.”

Maybe my Spanish speaking friends out there can tell me if I did okay?

The original painting is a gift, however if you are interested in an archival print or a greeting card with this image, please visit my page on Fine Art America:

Thank you!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, Chicago, chickadee, nature, watercolor painting, weather, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, black-capped chickadee, chickadee, chickadee in snow, Christine Kane Art, ckane, fine art, painting, snow, snow watercolor, watercolor, watercolor of chickadee, winter, winter bird, winter chickadee

New Year New Hike New Sketch

Posted on January 1, 2012 | 9 Comments

Shelf Mushroom at Willow Springs Woods watercolor

It’s been a while, huh?

After having the stomach virus, I managed to find a tiny piece of ice to fall on….right on my tail bone *oooooouch*. That left me sore for over two weeks! Soon Christmas arrived and the holiday parties kept me busy. All of these things kept me out of the woods for about a month.

Well, I’m glad to say I’m back on track!

Today I escaped to Willow Spring Woods for a quick hike. Here were my observations:

“The wind is strong but I am not cold. Bare trees above me creek loudly. Just above them a hawk silently glides sideways, pushed by the gusty wind. Intermittent snow flies making my inner child very happy.”

Many of the oaks have shelf mushrooms hanging on the trunk. I love to study the lines and the many different subtle colors.

The trees on the trail seem to speak as they creeeeeek in the strong winds. I like to stand beneath and stare at the tips which sway back and forth, back and forth.

This tree has been invaded by fungi. I didn’t realise it at the time, but this picture has awesome texture, separated in thirds!!!

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday with family and friends.

Now, let’s get back to business and pick up those paint brushes!!!!!!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, weather

Tagged art, Artwork, Christine Kane Art, ckane, Cook County Forest Preserves, hiking, journal, mushrooms in winter, shelf mushroom, sketchbook, sketching, sketching mushrooms, sketching nature, snow, watercolor, willow springs woods, woods

Upside Down Breakfast Sketch

Posted on December 3, 2011 | 6 Comments

Downy Woodpecker at Suet Feeder watercolor sketch

This is my suet feeder which is right outside my window. It contains a pure white suet cake (tree-rats don’t like it) and is inserted under the roof. A black metal grate holds the cake underneath and allows only the birds that can hang upside down (woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches) to feed on it.

After battling tree rats, starlings, and grackles who ate my cakes in record time, installing this feeder was the perfect solution.

Now I am rewarded with the visit of some special downy woodpeckers everyday. O how blessed I am!

I always get excited when the male comes by because I recognize the red spot on his head. He is very handsome.

I do worry about their safety sometimes. Being upside down can put you in a disadvantaged position, don’t you think? And with many birds in my neighborhood comes many hawks as well. Why does the downy woodpecker constantly make a noise when he eats? “PEEP, PEEP, PEEP….” Over and over they call. Isn’t this giving away your location?!?

Has anyone else found this to be strange?

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, downy woodpecker, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, bird art, bird at feeder, Christine Kane Art, ckane, downy woodpecker, male downy woodpecker, sketch of woodpecker, sketch of woodpeckers, sketched of birds, suet, suet feeder, tree rats, upside down feeder, upside down woodpecker, watercolor journal, watercolor sketch, watercolor woodpecker

Crappy New Sketchbook watercolor sketch

Posted on November 11, 2011 | 8 Comments

Well, I used the last page of my watercolor sketchbook and of course, as usual, I waited until the last minute (story of my life) to purchase a new one. So when I went to the store, I was kind of desperate.

They didn’t have the sketchbook I always buy, so I was forced to take what was available…handmade watercolor paper.

I thought, OK something different, we’ll make it work.

I HATE IT.

Oh this stuff is HORRIBLE. It’s super thick and soaks up the water like a sponge. Your color starts out nice and bold, but by the time it dries it turns almost white! I had to re-work and re-work and re-work.
YUCK.