'Caged' - watercolour copyright Caroline Soer 2010This week's Illustration Friday word is Caged. Here are a couple of caged, but hopefully, contented chickens from my sketchbook. Just a swift little illustration this week as I've been thinking about a few new projects (and yes, that includes the elusive website, but no, there's nothing to show yet!). Scroll down to see something else I'm adding to my list of must do's!
I've just received my little blue book for the Sketchbook Project! Are you taking part? If you're not familiar with this fun project click on the image below to find out all about it. There's still time to sign up, but be quick as themes are filling up fast!
My chosen theme is 'In Flight' and I'm thinking of filling the book with lots of birds and insects and other flighty things! I'm looking forward to sharing my sketches with you as I progress through the book.
I hovered over my desk to give you a bird's eye view of what's on there today! The usual painting paraphernalia, the new sketchbook of course and two new little chinese calligraphy items I bought yesterday. See the handy little paintbrush rest?
Every artist should have one!
and this is a tiny little water dispenser in the shape of a teapot. You fill the small hole in the top, cover with your finger and then tip to pour out water drop by drop! Meant for mixing chinese ink but couldn't resist this - so cute!
So many beautiful little examples in this youtube video - I feel a collection coming on!
Oh and if you're still with me after all this rambling, well done, you deserve a bit of light entertainment! I'd just like to return briefly to the subject of 'in flight' to share a link to the NewYork Times and Christoph Niemann's hilarious 'Red Eye - A visual diary documenting a flight from New York to Berlin (with a layover in London)'' which will no doubt be familiar to many of you who travel long haul! Enjoy!
caroline, where to start? the sketchbook project sounds fantastic. i will delight following your inflight contributions and attributions and distributions and executions :)
ReplyDeleteand this sketch: all i can think, which i often do when i visit you, is when is she going to illustrate a children's book. you are so talented. your work is so peaceful and perfect.
too much flattery? i don't think so, caroline!
you sound good. i'm glad.
♥
kj
I really like your chickens. I like chicken in most any form. ;) Those little pots are adorable. I can see why you would want a collection of them. I will have to check out the sketchbook theme. I hadn't heard about it. I will look forward to seeing your flights of fantasy and other winged creatures.
ReplyDeleteI just went and read "Red Eye". It is hilarious. Sometimes the truth is funniest.
ReplyDeletevery nice illustration! I love the paintbrush rest, I find that when I'm doing watercolors I have 3 or 4 brushes throughout my fingers :)
ReplyDeleteI love the chickens. I look forward to seeing what you do in your sketch book. Sue, From A BRUSH WITH COLOR is doing that too. Not sure if you follow her or not but she is doing some wonderful work with watercolors on the very thin papers in the sketch books. Looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteCute chickens. I like looking at your work table. I do like that brush rest. The lovely little water dropper looks very handy. I'm anxious to see what you are planning with "in flight".
ReplyDeleteGreat chickens Caroline! Love the colors and the hint of chicken wire fence in the background. NICE!!!
ReplyDeleteCaroline! What a brilliant idea- I have just ordered one and have chosen "revenge" because I think it will be fun and silly , as revenge is...we will see if I run out of juice with that one! What fun! Thank you for the tip! Love your chooks! They make me extremely happy and look like the yolks from which they came.
ReplyDeleteLovely chickens Caroline. I would like to keep some but think my dog would have other ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love the chickens! I love everything you do ;)
ReplyDeleteThose pots could be addictive. I love them!! I want the one with the cricket.
I just signed up for the sketchbook project! I chose "it's raining cats and dogs." That should be fun!
I'll be back to read 'red eye.' I'm still trying to get everything ready for marianne's visit!
Looking forward to sharing the sketchbook progress ;)
xo♥
great chickens! Love your style. looking forward to seeing more!
ReplyDeleteheather
Chickens do have a contented air about them when they scratch in the garden or even in a roomy cage and your chickens do indeed look content.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Caroline! What a great illustration, and I just can't wait to see your In Flight sketches!! So exciting! I am participating too - I can't wait to get the moleskine.
ReplyDeleteWow, love your chinese brush rest...that is awesome!
Your watercolor technique is exquisite! I can't wait to see what you put in your sketchbook! I've just started mine too!
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline, your chickens do look very contented scratching around in their pen.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your comment, I joined a Plein Air group this year to try something new, and I'm really enjoying it! :-)
Kathleen xx
Gorgeous chickens Caroline. Love the bright and cheerful colour. That sketchbook project sounds fascinating. It would be great fun to sit and have a tootle through some from previous years. I look forward to seeing what you come up with for your theme.
ReplyDeleteAdorable chickens! And that brush holder is just about as cute!
ReplyDeleteAha! Two beautiful female, don't let our villain rooster see them!
ReplyDeleteI love your works with watercolor, always! Can't wait to see your work in your sketchbook project!
Aha! Two beautiful female, don't let our villain rooster see them!
ReplyDeleteI love your works with watercolor, always! Can't wait to see your work in your sketchbook project!
Caroline, thank you for your lovely visit this morning...it made me smile! I hope you are enjoying your sketchbook..I can only imagine how gorgeous your lovely flying creatures will be...can't wait to see your illustrations in person when the show visits San Francisco. I plan to visit and check out the sketchbooks. : ) Have a wonderful week ahead!
ReplyDeleteMonsieur Olivet and his friends Thank You, Caroline, for your sweet visit! They are so very happy that you've discovered their world. : )
ReplyDeleteand from me..Monsieur's little blog is like my little playworld beyond work..so it's a lot of fun when I see new visitors! Thank you, Caroline! : )
Here's to a fantastic watercolorist. Where would we be without art supplies?
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to clean my art table and then recover it in watercolor paint and brushes! It looks so inviting.
ReplyDeleteHello again Caroline
ReplyDeleteI have been humming and haaring about going for the sketchbook project and have decided to do it. I have chosen "If you lived here" - I am hoping to get inspired to draw some very interesting abodes. Can't wait to get started.
beautiful Caroline, simply beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI really like how you handled the background and chickenwire...nice how a solid background can make it all pop...I usually use a coffee mug when I use watercolor...on occasion I use a plastic cup because it will hold better between couch cushions...until I take a drink out of it thinking it is tea...
ReplyDeleteYour chickens are very cute and love the simple strokes and washes here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invitation but I am very busy working my illustrated project.
Take care.