Pen and Wash

Several years ago I was so inspired by the beautifully illustrated fall Starbucks cups that I created a card with one of the cups.  Copic pens were used to color my card front, and the sweet little mouse image is from the fabulous Penny Black.  

But... I was also inspired to pick up my Copic multi-liner pen and sketch a fall still life inspired by the doodle leaves on the Starbucks cup.  I started with a few loose lines, circles, and ovals. Hatching the pinecone seeds to emphasize the focal point, and doodle lines to provide a whimsical appeal to the leaves. 

This type of art is referred to as 'Line & Wash' or 'Pen & Wash'.  The wash part comes in when you add watercolor. I love the soft, forgiving nature that allows me to go outside the lines.  Doodle lines don't have to be prefect either (she smiles). My initial sketch above can stand alone as an ink drawing. But, with a little watercolor pencil, the sketch takes on depth and whimsical acorns look like upside cupcakes.

 Add some pan watercolor to the background and the mood softens even more. As if you'd found this on a foggy fall afternoon.  Many line and wash pieces are flat with no variations of hue.  Which appeals to you more, the line or the wash?  Or maybe both!   Because sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don't!

Do something that makes your heart sing today.
Come, sit, stay a while.

Sincerely,
Susie ~