Bricks and mortar versus Online shopping - I know which I would choose...

We become accustomed to buying almost everything online. There are self-service checkouts at the supermarket. We become used to the lack of the personal touch, the direct contact; the face to face conversations. Personally, if there is a choice, I opt for the person at the checkout any day rather than the self-serve option - I like to think I’m helping a real person keep their job and besides, I love to chat to people. 

Recently, it was with delight that I discovered a local Brisbane store stocking pens, ink, notebooks and lots more. Bookbinders 1355 Gympie Road, stock a wide range of goods for the stationery aficionados. 

Travelers Notebooks, in particular, have an almost cult following world wide. Originally called the Midori Travelers Notebook, now more simply, the Travelers Notebook, the TN comprises a leather cover, with Midori paper inserts held together with an elastic closure. I have always loved fountain pens, consequently I delight in the return to popularity of pens, good paper and the recording of ideas in a  real book. 

This coming Sunday, 3rd December the store is holding a Travelers Notebook meetup.  There's more information if you click the link to the Event page on Facebook.

I’m pleased to be part of the meetup - the lovely people at Bookbinders have asked me to come and play. I’ll be sharing tips for sketching using ink and watercolour - and of course, I’ll be using fountain pens and a Travelers Notebook. 

Two paintings going to a new home

Last week a local business, Tradesmen on Time, a member of the Hills  and District Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Showcase. These events are an opportunity for Chamber members to promote their business, to tell something about their history, and their plans for expansion. 


I had been in conversation with the owner for a few months with a view to supplying paintings for the offices. With the Showcase being imminent, I delivered a few paintings that I thought would be appropriate. 

Pond Reflections - oil on canvas 610mm x 610mm 

 As I had an art class the evening of the Showcase I was unable to attend, however, I was pleased that my work would be on view and would add some colour. 

I returned this week and took a few photographs of the offices with paintings installed. 

Botanic Reflections - oil on canvas 610 mm x 915 mm

Left: Walking  the Dog - The Spit - oil on canvas 450 mm x 450 mm 

Right: Rocks, Sea and Sand 24th December - oil on canvas 605 mm x 605 mm

When an artist’s work is purchased it is a special validation, knowing that the paintings are appreciated enough to be owned and enjoyed in the future. I very pleased to say that two paintings, Pond Reflections and Botanic Reflections, will be purchased by Tradesmen on Time. 

Inktober II - the second half

So here we are at the end of October and I’ve run the race and completed the challenge - under my own terms. My aim was to complete a portrait every day. Some days I did more than one so I could afford to skip a day. I’m pleased that I didn’t try to keep up with the prompts because then I think I would have fallen by the wayside long ago. 

I enjoyed the routine of daily drawing even though some of these portraits have been very quick scribbles. The important thing for me is the 'doing' rather than the assessment or critique at the end. I think the trick with these challenges is to make them doable. Don’t set the bar so high that you will never stick to the plan. 

I love ink, make no mistake. I think it’s the best medium to stop fussing while drawing. You make a mark, live with it, make another mark - the good, the bad, the ugly. You have to own what you have done and move on. 

Now that I have spent the 31 day’s drawing with ink I crave some loose, messy, drippy watercolours. These might not be as easy to do while I’m out and about but I’d like to try. 

All reference photographs are from Sktchy.

Ink wash, pen for detail and then brush pen.

Black Crystal Bic ballpoint

Noodlers Black in Lamy Safari EF nib

Brush pen

Black ink and wash

Black ink and wash

Pilot Metropolitan F nib with waterbrush and brush pen

Brush pen and large watercolour brush

Pilot Metropolitan with Noodlers #41 Brown - don't you just love this colour?

Black Crystal Bic ballpoint

Konrad Flex pen and waterbrush

Konrad Flex pen and dry brush 

Noodlers Black with Diamine Hope Pink

Noodlers Black in a Lamy Safari EF nib

Black ink with waterbrush

Black ink with waterbrush

Black ink with waterbrush and brush pen for the dark background.

Please note: all photographs were taken with my phone with minimal editing - I figure - done is better than perfect. 

Maybe I’ll get round to scanning all of these but somehow I don’t think so. I’d rather do another drawing instead.