JustClouds

Where are we? Anywhere. Where are clouds?

What tools do we have?

Pencils. Mostly Palomino Blackwing pencils in varying hardness. Some fine technical pencils. Also kneaded erasers, chamois, fine white erasers, and small, rubber-tipped tools usually used in acrylic painting called “color shapers” which will push the graphite around without blending.

What paper are we using?

Anything available.

A ring-bound plein air sketchpad of Two Rivers watercolor paper, rough-textured and sturdy. I add colors in this pad when I feel moved to do so.

A beautiful, large, hardbound journal with thin, smooth writing paper. The cover has a metallic Moorish illumination with scuffed faux leather and two small latches. The paper is not sturdy. It does not like wet media. Sometimes I just stop a sketch because the layers are damaging the paper. It is best for quick ideas. The smooth paper makes good smears and smudges. The book feels significant. It looks inviting on my slanted computer stand. I click open the latches and silk ribbons mark the pages. It’s easy to draw instead of anything else that might be distracting.

I’m learning something new. I’ll use anything to make and manipulate the marks. I like the way color shapers move the edges around.

Why?

Why draw clouds? Why not? Endless inspiration, endless interpretation. Dramatic and infinitely invisible as we walk under them every day. Sketching is essential. Try anything. Clouds are easy to find no matter where you go. Once you see them how will you stop? Perhaps they will look good with my trees. Perhaps they will inspire pieces just of themselves.