May 3

This one is pretty terrible. I didn't have enough time to sort out the shadows, so it doesn't look quite right. Plus, the perspective is off.

Next time I think I'll try watercolor first, then pen. Usually I do it the other way around, which results in a drawing that's tight and self conscious.... like this one. Not my best work.

May 2

I think I've stumbled upon a theme: landscapes in my tiny Derwent sketchbook of places important to me. Heavy on the armchair travel via Google street views.

May 1

I definitely recommend Derwent sketchbooks for watercolor and/or watercolor pencils and pen. They are fantastic: the paper is a bit more thin and smooth than I'm used to, but takes washes quite well, and holds up to minimal scrubbing.

Initially I was skeptical, but I have to say, this has been my favorite sketchbook for this medium of all the different brands I've tried over the years. In fact it's such a nice surface, it's actually fueling my ambition and making me want to fill it with landscapey things of all sorts.

I discovered that the town I grew up in, in western New York state, has recently had many of its roads and streets added to Google's street view. I love seeing all the places I used to know so well -- how many of them changed and how many look exactly the same.

This is the view from right in front of my old house.

It's Faber Castell Pitt pen (S), watercolors (various brands), on Derwent sketchbook. 6" x 4".

Every Day in May

I'm making it public: I am committing to draw every day in May!