Last week I was feeling a bit under the weather. I was too drowsy to read or do anything else. I spent the scant waking hours drawing in my sketchbook. It had only a couple of pages left in it. I started this book in May 2017 and I did the last drawing last week in April 2025 . I also drew the name on the cover. That in turn gave me an idea. This year, I plan to explore my purchased-but-untouched art supplies in depth and share my findings here. Outside the Lines seems like a perfect name for that series. This time I am sharing my findings on Faber Castell’s Pitt Brush Pens alongside a look inside my finished sketchbook.
Painting With Pitt Pens by Faber Castell
Pitt Pens are brush tip pens which can be purchased individually or as sets. I got a set of greys which also came with an M – 0.7mm and an S – 0.3mm tip pen for outlines. These pens are completely waterproof and dry very quickly on paper. There is no way to blend them. After making a swatch, I started an easy painting to get a feel for them.
As I can’t blend them, I decided to do block/cel shading (a solid area with darker color) instead of gradual shading. The lightest shade of grey (#272 from the swatch) on the cup turned out very dark on the paper. The two shades of grey on the shadows ended up looking the same. My plan was to paint the whole thing with these pens. However, due to the bias toward darker shades, I used watercolor for the tea, the plant and the background in the end. As expected, the Pitt Pens did not smudge at all.
Thinking they might work a little better on an architectural drawing, I quickly drew this in my book and applied grey shades with the pens. Once again, the lightest shade was still too dark for my taste. Since a lot of the colors are on the dark side, it was hard to get a good contrast. I made it work by adding a few cross-hatching shades with a pen afterwards.
My Findings
The brush pens are waterproof and bright. These saturated pens are great for drawing.
By themselves, the lack of light shades limits their use for painting. Since they are waterproof, they would be a good fit for blocking areas with saturated colors and use other media like watercolor and /or color pencils for the rest of the painting.
For painting, a confident artist might find use for them, but I would not recommend them to a beginner.
I will use mine up for drawing. Given their high price and limited use, I would pass on them in the future. There are less costly options.
Tour of my Outside The Lines sketchbook
For me, a sketchbook is where I scribble my ideas via pictures. They are rough drawings at best. If a book contains a collection of paintings, then I consider it to be more an art book than a sketchbook. This one is the latter. I am sharing a few of the rough sketches here along with the finished paintings.
Magician’s Bookshelf
Before, once I had sketched out the preliminary idea, I would move on to directly drawing on the watercolor paper. It’s a bad habit that I have since discarded.
Inspired by stonework, stories and books, this truly is one of my favourite paintings. You can read a bit more about this painting here.
Arches and Vines
Something I started a while back It is still work in progress.
Time has changed how I envision this picture. What I have in mind is not anything I have painted before. I will need to do a few experiments before I find the right way.
Lost Sword
A separate note – As a software engineer, security has become second nature to me. I blotted out the parts with my handwriting and replaced them with typed words for that reason.
Sometimes I write down ideas and details of how I want to draw a certain piece. After going through an incredibly sad time, I never got to finish this sword and probably never will. It is a stark reminder of that time.
Trading Secrets
When I drew this, my mind was more destructive and less constructive. I really love the solitudinous nature of a forest; it creates such a beautiful setting for reflection. Yet again, I turned to nature for solace.
My cat is happy to be there, enjoying the simplicity only nature can bring. An oak tree, strong and wise, protects him within its branches. There is a green butterfly that roams there. They trade secrets with each other. Today, the butterfly is telling him about metamorphosis.
Midnight Cat
My other cat is as quiet as the moonlight. I “zoomed in” for a better look at his expression.
I painted him blue to match his eye color. This is first of many blue and green combinations that I used in my paintings. I want to explore this scene a bit more. I wonder what caught his attention.
Unfinished Door
Haven’t made much progress with this one.
One day when the mood strikes and it tells me a bit more, I will get back to it.
The Dragon and His Boy
Some time ago, I hurt my right hand so badly that I could not hold a pencil for more than 2 minutes. The thought of permanently losing the ability to draw made me so afraid that I started using my left hand. I could do the large shapes, but not the small ones or any detail work.
After much time and effort, I got the use of my right hand back. I also changed my habits. Now I take frequent breaks. Many many months later, The Dragon and His Boy became a painting.
This little boy can befriend dragons very easily. While everyone else thinks he has special powers of making dragons listen to him, he would tell you that he is simply being nice to them and listening to them. Dragons always have such fascinating stories to tell.
The Dragon And The Tree
I found this tree during one my stays in the High Sierra in 2020. I had a feeling that one day it would become part of a landscape.
Last year, I painted The Dragon and the Tree. It was only going to be the tree at the beginning, then the dragon flew into the scene.
The blue dragon comes to visit this tree once a year, every year. Around that time of the year when mountains are wrapped in solitude, she flies in during the early evening hours. She sits at the shore, and spends the night there longingly looking at the white tree. Once dawn breaks, she flies away, not to be seen for another year.
Here is more on how I painted the picture.
Charlie the Happy Boy
Very few things in my life have make me happier than our kitty Charlie. He has always been just a very happy boy with a penchant for “singing”.
On this day, he sat under a tree in his best clothes and sang his heart out while playing a lute. It had to be a lute that he played, didn’t matter if he was good at it or not.
This is a painting I want to finish this year.
High Sierra Inside and Outside Yosemite
The intense call of the mountains only gets stronger with every passing year. Last year, I finished this trail at 10,000ft after having given up twice before due to severe altitude sickness. I ran, hardened myself and my lungs just to be able to do this.
This is the ONLY place where I feel comfortable drawing plein air. This sketchbook traveled with me to the mountains.
We found a secluded place by this rather busy lake. I draw, while my husband reads. As the sun dips behind the surrounding mountains and starts playing with the sunset colors, the air temperature drops sharply, even in late summer. Bundled up, we end up staying there until the last light. These sketches from there invoke those memories. I inked them at home while reminiscing.
The Girl And Her Cat
I have a separate sketchbook for all the drawings of The Girl and Her Cat, but my sketchbook would not be complete without them.
Another drawing that I want to paint this year. I need to play with it a bit more before that though. It is just an idea for now.
The last drawing in the sketchbook from last week. I took them camping at one of my favorite campgrounds at 10,000 ft elevation.
Onwards
…to the next journey with another sketchbook.
That is a sketch of my car climbing an uphill road. I love to drive on mountain roads. They are challenging but rewarding along the way. I look forward to seeing how the next sketchbook unfolds.
May 2017 – April 2025 is a fairly long time that this sketchbook reflects. I see my drawings getting more surefooted and more connected to my emotions. It was nice to be able to share the pages here; this is something I haven’t done in this capacity before. I will continue to share my art findings in the next Outside The Lines as I continue to play in my new sketchbook. I will use up my Pitt Pens there too.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
48 thoughts on “Outside The Lines”
Nikki - Notes of Life May 11, 2025 at 09:26
Wonderful artwork! I especially love the windows and cats :)
RachelSwirl May 10, 2025 at 12:41
Oh my, you are so incredibly talented. Thank you for sharing and for taking part in #MySundaySnapshot.
Sarah MumofThree World May 9, 2025 at 22:42
I love the evolution of your artwork. The painting of the books on the shelf is absolutely beautiful. Your cat seems to be made of the autumn leaves surrounding him!
A ShutterBug Explores May 9, 2025 at 11:10
Love all your art work ~ this time especially like Charlie, The Happy Boy ~ awesome and adorable ~ hugs,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ clm
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Linda May 8, 2025 at 11:18
Lovely work, I love the book case. I’ve got some Pitt pens somewhere, not used them for a while so they could be dry by now. Looking forward to seeing your next sketchbook.
Ju-Lyn May 7, 2025 at 17:29
I love that you share your work in progress. You are so very talented and your work exudes so much life and emotion. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Sue Loncaric May 7, 2025 at 14:02
Oh my goodness Soma you are so very talented. My youngest grandson loves sketching and is very good at 7 years old. Yesterday we spent time together and he was ‘teaching Nan to draw’. I would love to be able to have your talent. Thanks for bringing joy to my day with your sketches. Sue L #TeamWWWhimsy
Debbie May 7, 2025 at 12:27
you are so very talented!! you are “artsy” i am “crafty”, there is a difference!! i enjoyed reading about what the different pens had to offer. i also enjoyed reading about your cats, their differences and the way you presented them!!
Comedy Plus May 7, 2025 at 07:44
You’re most talented. Wow.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Denyse Whelan May 6, 2025 at 23:28
Wow, what a treat to look at your art work. I play with art and many types of media, making patterns, mandalas and designs which help soothe me.
Take care,
Denyse x
Min @ Write of the Middle May 6, 2025 at 19:38
Soma, I loved seeing all your drawings/paintings in your sketchbook and congratulations on finishing it and starting a new one! I love dragons and particularly love your painting of the dragon and his boy. I love all of your drawings and paintings but special mention goes to the dragon one mentioned above, the painting of the magicians bookshelf and the dragon and the tree. It was interesting to hear your views on the Faber Castell’s Pitt Brush Pens. I’ve seen them mentioned quite a bit on YouTube (I follow some artists on there). I have a set of a variety of shades of grey in a different set Brush Pens. They’re not waterproof but I love them – they’re Tombrow Dual Blendable Brush Pens. They’re fine tip at one end and brush pen suitable for larger areas at the other end. I love them so much and they’re so handy! If I use them with my watercolours I either don’t use them until the end or I want to use them in a blending way during the creative process. Thanks so much for sharing your art with us at #WWWhimsy ! xo
Susie May 6, 2025 at 11:05
I love all of your work, Soma, but the Trading Secrets picture is my FAVORITE!! Your love for this kitty shines through!!
Julie May 5, 2025 at 22:15
Oh wow congratulations on finishing your notebook. I just finished mine — it’s a leuchtturm. I’ve had it since 2018 and finished my final pages at the end of 2024. It wasn’t just a place for drawing, but also writing, a place for stickers I’ve accumulated, etc.
Pat May 5, 2025 at 08:59
I enjoyed seeing your sketching process, and your finished works are very beautiful! I am a cat person, so your cat drawings made me smile–you captured their grace so wonderfully. I live at a high altitude in Colorado, so I know it takes an adjustment to go even higher, over 10,000 feet
Kim Carberry May 5, 2025 at 04:50
Oh no! I hope you are feeling better now!
What a great sounding series and I love the look of those pens and what a fantastic piece of art.
I always love seeing your artwork, you are so talented.
Carol May 5, 2025 at 04:50
You are a prolific artist with such a wide range of subjects drawn or painted. That sketchbook is filled with such beauty. I love the one inspired by stonework, stories and books. It warms my heart. #MMBC
Lisa | Handmade in Israel May 5, 2025 at 03:45
Your sketchbook looks beautiful! Enjoy the new pens.
Veronica Lee May 4, 2025 at 07:30
That yellow cat is absolutely stunning!
Your work has such a unique charm.
So inspiring to see, Soma!
Alison Hall May 4, 2025 at 00:37
A lovely journey through your beautiful art Soma. I have a set of those pens in yellow and green, they are hardly used, but I think they would be good for some mark-making perhaps.
Alison
Lydia C. Lee May 3, 2025 at 23:30
Just lovely, The yellow cat is gorgeous.
Lydia C. Lee May 6, 2025 at 15:37
#WWWhimsy
Melissa Willis May 3, 2025 at 18:14
Your work is so beautiful and inspiring! I enjoyed diving into each piece :-)
Susan May 3, 2025 at 17:35
Thank you for all you shared here. I love seeing your sketches and paintings and the stories behind them.
Natalie May 3, 2025 at 17:23
Lovely sketches, Soma. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
kirstin troyer May 3, 2025 at 10:25
These are so great. I love that first one with the tea and plant. Thank you for sharing your sketchbook.
Connie Griffin May 3, 2025 at 09:19
How wonderful to be able to look back at all those years of your drawings, thoughts, and ideas. I will have to say the yellow cat one is my favorite, reminds me of my own cat :)
My Hubby gave me a few of those pens just incase I wanted to draw my own flowers and such but I haven’t really given it a try yet, of course I would have to start off with a soft pencil drawing and if I liked that go over it with my pen :)
I am so glad you were able to get the use of your right hand back. My mom had a stoke and could no longer quilt but she decided to try with her other hand and although it wasn’t as good as what she could do before she still enjoyed it and I have kept all she did to remind me not to quit!
John's Island May 3, 2025 at 05:56
Soma, thank you for sharing your art and artistic techniques. I have learned a lot from you. Wishing you and your hubby a happy month of May. John
Amy Johnson May 3, 2025 at 03:52
Your artwork is so incredible. I love the bookshelf and the cats! That’s incredible you were able to do that hike.
eileen May 3, 2025 at 02:58
Hello, Soma
I love seeing your art work and books. I love the cats and the dragons and the Girl and her Cat.
Your drawings of the mountains are lovely too. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post.
Take care, have a great weekend. PS, I appreciate your comment too.
Erika May 2, 2025 at 17:23
I love seeing all these gorgeous drawings in your journal. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I do love the book shelf with the ivy vines around it. And I know what you mean about hiking at those altitudes. A couple of years ago I hiked at that altitude in Nevada, and it took me so long as I had to keep stopping to catch my breath. Next time I am going to work it more before I do it. :) And I actually quite like my Artistic Pitt pens/markers. I like how you can keep coloring over them and make the color more intense. Happy May to you. hugs-Erika
Christine May 2, 2025 at 13:43
Lovely post
Heidrun ⛱ May 2, 2025 at 08:06
Wonderful Details of artwork, of calligraphie. Love it.
A ShutterBug Explores May 2, 2025 at 06:38
So many beautiful sketches ~ hard to choose a favorite ~ I still like the girl and her kitty, though ~ hugs,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ clm
aka (A Creative Harbor0
Gillena Cox May 2, 2025 at 05:22
Such a sumptuous post. but favourites are the dragon paintings.
Thanks for linking to AFFF 156
HAPPY WEEKEND
much♡love
tomthebackroadstraveller May 2, 2025 at 02:54
…stay out side the lines, my friend.
Thistles and Kiwis May 2, 2025 at 00:17
Lovely to see all your sketches.
Cat May 1, 2025 at 22:26
Beautiful work! I love the bookshelf and I remember the dragon and the tree.
Christine May 1, 2025 at 14:00
Such lovely work!
Dixie May 1, 2025 at 13:26
The Pitt pens look great for line art, and then adding colour like you did, Soma.
Wonderful drawings, the sweet drawing of dear Charlie with his lute brought smiles.
Fun sketchbook tour. Also a real treat to see your photo and your drawings of the mountains.
Debra She Who Seeks May 1, 2025 at 13:02
I enjoyed seeing your sketchbook retrospective, thanks! I’m glad the injury and damage to your right hand did not prove to be permanent.
Bill May 1, 2025 at 12:09
I do like the sketch book you made, my wife buys here but does a similar thing with doing different drawings. some of our Norman doorways should give you inspiration especaly the beak head ones
Kathy May 1, 2025 at 11:43
Thank you for sharing your art-I love it all
Mary May 1, 2025 at 11:38
It’s always fun to see what you are reacting. Your artwork always fascinates me and I love reading your thought and technique processes. Glad to read you are feeling better. It was a too long break!
Pam May 1, 2025 at 09:01
Your artwork and photography are amazing! I just love your posts so much. I use the Pitt brush pens for lettering because they are pretty much lightfast, I think, but you’re right, they don’t blend. I think it’s because they’re pigment ink. They’re definitely expensive! You used them so well in this post. Thanks so much for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!
Joanne May 1, 2025 at 08:59
I’m glad you’re feeling better. Your art work is just beautiful!
Karen May 1, 2025 at 08:09
love the cats and the dragons so neat – I love all your drawings.
Granny Annie May 1, 2025 at 07:59
Amazing art work!
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal May 1, 2025 at 05:03
Outside The Lines is a perfect title, in fact it would work with other arts such as sewing. It would also work with my life, lol! Your processes are fascinating, I’m so glad you share them with us. Love reading about and seeing the kitties.