The Girl and Her Cat stories - treasure hunting in the rain together watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

Little Stories – Travels And Tales

The Girl and Her Cat stories - treasure hunting in the rain together watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

I had to take a break from post writing for much longer than I had anticipated.   Need of a change of air took me to Yellowstone for a few days, and then to the Eastern Sierra mountains.  Back at home, I have been painting and binding books with new inspirations from recent travels, as well as making tiny arts in my old bullet journal.  I also have another art supply experiment to share today. So here we go.

 

 


 

A few photos from Yellowstone

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

 

Yellowstone was profoundly overwhelming.   I was hoping for late spring snow, and mother nature listened.  It snowed there every day during our stay.  The landscape transformed with mist and smoke from every part of the ground when the sun came out after the snowstorms.

 

 

Upper Geyser Basin Yellowstone photo by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

The storms also gave me this beautiful contrasting dark sky. During an early evening walk we heard a loud noise and saw an ever-increasing plume behind us. Not sure which geyser went off, as there are many in that area.

 

 


 

Off to Tioga Pass

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

 

Then we went off to my favorite Sierra mountains.  The trails were still closed due to snow.  We took it slow with walking around a few new and old areas, and simply reading while listening to the rain.  

 

 

Alpenglow on mountains Tioga Pass Yosemite photo by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

Even though it was warm in the valley, it got cold in the mountains with oncoming nightfall.  I was glad to have packed my winter jacket as we waited for the mountains to take on the colors of Alpenglow.  I really missed these mountains.  Now I am back home until the weather cools off again, and I can breathe freely outside with pollen-free air.

 

 


 

Outside the Lines – Gesso and Watercolor ground

 

Outside the Lines is a series where I share my experience with new art supplies.   This time it’s watercolor on Liquitex gesso and watercolor on QOR watercolor-ground. 

I converted my last year’s bullet journal into an art journal.  That’s when I thought of using gesso and watercolor-ground to cover up the writings.  To see how they each perform, I covered two discarded paintings with gesso and wc-ground each.

 

Watercolor on gesso and watercolor ground by QoR by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

Gesso on the left, Wc-ground on the right, both after 3 coats

 

I needed to apply multiple thin coats in order for the paper to not warp.

Gesso covered and sealed off the darker under-painting and writing much better.   Wc-ground didn’t perform very well with the coverage even after three coats.  When used to cover up writing, it picked up the ink color and got tinted by it.   It’s a bit more wet than gesso, so the paper warps more too.  

At the end, I ended up applying gesso first, then wc-ground over that.  

 

 

Watercolor on watercolor ground by QoR by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

Watercolor on wc-ground lifted off completely, even after a full night of drying, showing the white surface underneath.   That’s fine with mistakes, but it made it very hard for me to layer colors.  The colors simply lifted off or moved around, which made them very muddy.   When not layering though, it worked well enough.  I couldn’t get any definition on small things like the girl or the cat.

 

 

Watercolor on gesso by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

I sanded down the gesso paper just a little to get a smooth surface.  Watercolor on gesso lifted off too, but much less with some drying time in between each layer.  Watercolors tend to slide on gesso, but I could layer on colors with caution.   In the large areas, I could keep the subtle colors with ease.  The girl was a little better here, but I had to use pencil for the cat.

 

 

Watercolor on gesso and watercolor ground by QoR by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

Overall I liked gesso better for my journal, even with its limitations.   Wc-ground would be great for fixing small mistakes in a painting.  The colors stick on gesso more with proper drying time.  The covering and sealing up is much better too.  Both of these qualities were lacking on wc-ground.  Additionally, since I have to use gesso to cover the writing/work first anyway,  I might as well stick to that for my converted bullet journal.  

If you are using a clean surface and do not paint watercolor in layers, you might like the wc-ground better.  Always remember to a couple of small test paintings first.

 

 

The Girl and Her Cat stories - Watching sunset while camping by the lake at the mountains painting on watercolor paper by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

Here is the same painting on paper only.

 

 


 

Art Journal

 

Art Journal from bullet journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

Ever since school, I have always used a planner.   Last year I hand made this book for my planning.   Instead of discarding it, I converted this bullet journal to an art journal.  I am mostly using Tombow dual brush pens for colors and various pens for drawings.  I am covering up the previous dates and writings with darker marker,  bits and pieces of discarded paintings,  darker washi tape,  printing and drawing paper, and now occasionally with gesso.

 

 

Bullet Journal converted art journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

I only work on it for 15-20 minutes before bedtime.  Sometimes I draw one day and color it the next day.   I am filling the pages with random small drawings, paintings, writings of my own, and occasional quotes.  It has been really wonderful for calming my mind before sleep.

 

 


 

Little watercolor cards

 

As part of my art study, I started painting these little watercolor cards more regularly.  A lot of times it takes a while to get what is in my head down on paper.

 

Alpine Gentian flowers in the Easter Sierra Tioga Pass Yosemite watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

Tiny Alpine Gentian flowers grow in the meadows at the Sierra mountains – a reminder of cool weather and the gorgeous outdoors.

 

 

Eastern Sierra hot springs watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

A Hot spring – somewhere in the mountains that is in my head.

 

 

The butterfly Effect watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

My friends came up with a couple of beautiful names.  Fluttering by Kim and All Aflutter by Dixie.   The Butterfly Effect is what I came up with afterwards, after reading more about it.

 

 

Oak and butterfly sword scabbard watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

I really love the art of sword and archery disciplines.  This little painting of a scabbard took close to two days to draw and paint.   According to me, scabbards are blessed by dragons and imbued with special powers.  The butterflies light the dark path and the oak leaves warn the carrier of this scabbard of nearby dangers.  

 

 

The Girl and Her Cat stories - treasure hunting in the rain together watercolor painting by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

The Girl and Her Cat – she wants him to get under the umbrella. He needs to go into the hedge to find the thing they came here for.  “Also, cats don’t get sick from a little rain” was his answer.

 

 

The Girl and Her Cat stories - Watching sunset while camping by the lake at the mountains painting on watercolor paper by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

With increased study load,  I am forcing myself to take more breaks so I don’t repeat another crash.   I hope these photos, art and the stories brought you much joy and respite.   I will wrap up here with these four lines I wrote along with this painting –

 

Life is wonderful in my boots,

Exploring from roots to shoots.

Into the mountains, here I go,

Finding myself, no friend nor foe.

 

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.

 

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Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

Little Stories – Little Dabbles Part II

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

Hello!  Until I started writing, I didn’t realize how much I got done in these past few weeks.  We were out and about, from the Columbia River Gorge  to the coasts of Northern California.  Walks around the neighborhood prompted some impromptu paintings.  I finished making a few toys and blankets for the kitties, and also knitted up a couple of things for myself.  Working toward another flower block for my wildflower block printing series and another watercolor book cover joined the list too.  Last but not least, I painted this Girl and Her Cat book cover last Monday.  It is going to be quite the show and tell today!

 

 

Fiber Works


 

 

Home made cat toys @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

My kitties  love to play with these toys.  They tend to see red and yellow very well on our light-colored carpet, which is why I picked those colors.  I made these with fleece and filled them with catnip.   They are also flat, so the kitties can easily carry them around in their mouths.

 

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

I got a new sewing machine early this year.  That was the perfect excuse to make more blankets for them.  They love to sleep on them and it keeps the house tidy.   I stitched two layers of fleece together with wavy lines as if I was quilting them.

 

 

 

Home made cat blankets @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I always hand stitch my bindings.  So relaxing!  With these new additions, along with the previous set of blankets, they are all set for now.

 

 

 

Knitted Skyrim Hat @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Knitting is another very calming activity for me.   I particularly chose this pattern because it made me think of both architectural details as well as trees.

 

 

 

Knitted Blue River Mitts @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

This one is my favourite set of mitts.  The color of the yarn matches my kitty’s blue eyes.  I am glad I got these done just in time for our travels. 

 

 

 

Out And About


 

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

We traveled to the Columbia River Gorge for a few days.  If there was ever a Rivendell (from Tolkien’s stories), this has to be the place.   Despite the heavy rain, we walked around on the trails a lot.  I also got to have my first snow of the season there and walked on it.  These are just a few photos taken from my phone.  I will write a proper, separate post on our visit there sometime.

 

 

 

Northern California Coast @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Last Sunday we drove out to the coast of Northern California.  We had a picnic lunch there and stopped at several places. 

 

 

 

Northern California Coast @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Our last stop was at this place where Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.   We stayed there until it got dark.  It was a really lovely day.

 

 

 

 

 

We went for a walk around our neighborhood and found these Ginkgo trees.  I wanted to get a few leaves, but it got dark and we were both still recovering from being sick, so we decided to come home.  

 

 

 

Ginkgo Leave Watercolor painting @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

The next day we walked back over and I got my leaves.  That afternoon I painted them in my nature journal.   I only used a couple of colors and a small brush to paint on the details.

 

 

 

Little Stories – Little Dabbles

 

In this post I talked about being inspired by brush strokes in the Chinese and Japanese paintings, and about using that technique for painting the water around these leaves.  I used a very similar technique to paint the details on the Ginkgo leaves too.  I’m getting more familiar with the technique now.  Practice makes perfect.

 

 

Upcoming Work


 

 

Snowdrops print @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I finished drawing the flowers for my next block print in the wildflower series.  I always practice a little on a small sample piece before diving into the large carving.  Specially useful for all the curves I tend to have in my designs.  With newly sharpened tools, I am all set for working on the large piece.

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Once I finish, that print will join these – Fairy Lantern and Enduring Thistle.  The journals are available in my shop.

 

 

Burrow Owl book cover for handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I have been working on a book cover with this little owl.  I was only going to test the colors on a test piece.  Before I knew it, I ended up with this little one.

 

 

 

Burrow Owl book cover for handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I need to make a watercolor book anyway, so I will incorporate him on the cover.   The book signatures are all done and ready to be stitched.  I will start working on them tomorrow.

 

 

 

Book Cover Art


 

 

Persona 5 Sketchbook by @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Ever since I painted this picture on the cover of one of my hand bound books,  I have been wanting to paint another one like this.  It is a little daunting.  If I make a mistake, I will have to bind the book again, as I had to do with this book because of a washi tape mishap.

 

 

 

Handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I made this book a couple of years ago, I think.  Since then, I have been wondering about what to draw on the cover.    I wanted to incorporate the binding ribbons as a part of the cover art.

 

 

 

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Then, last week, the idea literally popped into my head.  In my sketchbook, I drew the Girl and Her Cat in an old library, leaning against a stone wall, reading.  The ribbons became part of the stone wall.  I copied the finished drawing on to the book cover and painted it.

 

 

 

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Once I finished the front side, the back looked so bland.  My husband suggested continuing the stone wall on the back.  That was a brilliant idea.

 

 

 

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

My finished book.  I could not be happier with it.

 

That wraps up everything I have been doing outside and inside and paints a good picture of my winter break. Kitty cuddles, weekend drives, reading by the fireplace and playing in my little atelier.  I wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Until next time,
-Soma

 

The Ink Torrents Graphics shop remains open.  I will continue to mail orders, as always.  You can also purchase  quilting patterns, which you can access immediately via Instant Download. I will also be available via email.  Thank you for continuing to shop from my store, so I can support my favorite rescue organizations.

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

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