DogArtist
November 4th, 2012, 10:56 AM
Hiya! I'm a member of FPN and decided if one FP forum is good, two is better so I registered here as well! I'm a casual forum visitor, though, since I'm usually pretty busy and prefer to be at the easel rather than the computer.
I "retired" (aka got laid off and decided I was tired of the tech job scene after 25 years in it) nearly two years ago and decided to elevate art from hobby to full time occupation. I paint in watercolors and specialize in dogs as subjects, with the occasional mad foray into flowers or fruits/veg when I get sick of painting brown and black and need to play with color.
I am also an avid sketcher, with a slew of sketchbooks in various stages of progress or abandonment. I favor fountain pens as the tool of choice to write and sketch with. That's why I use only water resistant ink--so that I can paint over my marks with watercolors and have the inks not run. My collection of pens is tiny: a Lamy Al-star, Fine nib (LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!); an Ohto Tasche (like it a lot); a cheapie Shaeffer calligraphy pen with a 0.8 italic nib (for a $5 pen, okay when it's not being fussy; has made me decide to buy another Lamy, though, and get an italic nib for that...which will probably see the Shaeffer tossed in the trash), and a few Pilot Varsity disposables in various colors. I admire the beautiful penmanship of people who have more mental discipline than I. My penmanship varies wildly from a loopy scrawl to a fairly boring block letters. Every once in awhile, I get the urge to "play around with calligraphy" but it usually doesn't last long.
You all would probably characterize me as a fountain pen abuser! I toss them in my bag or sketch kit, I'm not particularly fussed if they get scratched or dented. I just love them as creative tools and want them to feel nice when I write with them. I think it is safe to say I will probably never be a collector of expensive FPs...it's just not in my nature.
As for inks, my collect is teensy: Noodler's Dark Matter; Noodler's Brown #41; and Noodler's Lexington Gray (fave of all). I would like to get a green, a subdued rose/pink color, and a gray-blue. Just as with my watercolors where a limited palette suits me fine, I feel like with a basic collection of inks in the colors I like will do me fine forever. I SAY this, but also admit I was just looking at Goulet's Ink Drop membership, hahaha!
On a more personal note, my husband and I live modestly on a small farm in Rappahannock County, where we raise miniature donkeys. I have a great big mule that I trail ride (and used to foxhunt). I enjoy getting out with friends and doing some limited traveling, but I am happiest at home in my studio or wandering around the farm with a sketchbook in hand!
I look forward to becoming a contributing member of this forum and sharing my scribblings with y'all.
I "retired" (aka got laid off and decided I was tired of the tech job scene after 25 years in it) nearly two years ago and decided to elevate art from hobby to full time occupation. I paint in watercolors and specialize in dogs as subjects, with the occasional mad foray into flowers or fruits/veg when I get sick of painting brown and black and need to play with color.
I am also an avid sketcher, with a slew of sketchbooks in various stages of progress or abandonment. I favor fountain pens as the tool of choice to write and sketch with. That's why I use only water resistant ink--so that I can paint over my marks with watercolors and have the inks not run. My collection of pens is tiny: a Lamy Al-star, Fine nib (LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!); an Ohto Tasche (like it a lot); a cheapie Shaeffer calligraphy pen with a 0.8 italic nib (for a $5 pen, okay when it's not being fussy; has made me decide to buy another Lamy, though, and get an italic nib for that...which will probably see the Shaeffer tossed in the trash), and a few Pilot Varsity disposables in various colors. I admire the beautiful penmanship of people who have more mental discipline than I. My penmanship varies wildly from a loopy scrawl to a fairly boring block letters. Every once in awhile, I get the urge to "play around with calligraphy" but it usually doesn't last long.
You all would probably characterize me as a fountain pen abuser! I toss them in my bag or sketch kit, I'm not particularly fussed if they get scratched or dented. I just love them as creative tools and want them to feel nice when I write with them. I think it is safe to say I will probably never be a collector of expensive FPs...it's just not in my nature.
As for inks, my collect is teensy: Noodler's Dark Matter; Noodler's Brown #41; and Noodler's Lexington Gray (fave of all). I would like to get a green, a subdued rose/pink color, and a gray-blue. Just as with my watercolors where a limited palette suits me fine, I feel like with a basic collection of inks in the colors I like will do me fine forever. I SAY this, but also admit I was just looking at Goulet's Ink Drop membership, hahaha!
On a more personal note, my husband and I live modestly on a small farm in Rappahannock County, where we raise miniature donkeys. I have a great big mule that I trail ride (and used to foxhunt). I enjoy getting out with friends and doing some limited traveling, but I am happiest at home in my studio or wandering around the farm with a sketchbook in hand!
I look forward to becoming a contributing member of this forum and sharing my scribblings with y'all.