One day, earlier this month, we decided to walk along a route that we haven’t been on since the beginning of spring. I found a few leaves on the asphalt that were already taking on fall colours. Of course I had to put a few in my pocket and bring them home. I painted one of them using Caran D’Ache Neocolor II pastels. The pastels are from a special edition Fall Colour set, which could not have been more perfect for this leaf. Afterwards, using watercolour, I painted cracked asphalt around it as the background.
I have been slowly buying a few good paintbrushes. I had always wanted to buy kolinsky. However, when it came to actually purchasing one, I could not make myself buy brushes made of “fur”. I felt that my paintings would be tainted forever. So I looked at different synthetic options and came across these Escoda Versatil brushes which are synthetic kolinsky. I can’t tell you how they compare with real kolinsky brushes, but I like these brushes very much.
Mine are round, short-handle brushes. They are well-balanced and feel very smooth on paper. I have successfully used them on hot- and cold-press watercolour paper, as well as mix-media paper. They retain their shapes very well and certainly hold enough paint for me to do long lines with ease. These brushes are also beautifully made. If you are looking into buying good watercolour brushes, I highly recommend them. Buy them from a proper source though, so you know you are getting the genuine article.
Since we vacation a lot in colder places, my husband recently requested a knitted hat. I opted for this easy Thank You hat pattern from Purl Bee. The pattern makes for a pretty long hat. However, since he wanted a shorter one, I reduced the length by about 2.5 inches. The pattern was extremely easy to follow. I was able to finish making the hat within just a couple of days despite intermittent knitting. It fitted him so well that I didn’t bother blocking the hat any more.
I also wrote the next two Lego Harry Potter quilt patterns, and will be sewing them this week. Make sure to come by next week to get the patterns.
Happy Crafting,
-Soma
24 thoughts on “Unseasonal Finishes And Paintbrushes”
ladyfi September 13, 2016 at 12:23
That leaf is just lovely.
lara b. August 31, 2016 at 16:55
there is a puppy’s head on my keyboard and she’s blocking the caps button. lol
soma, the leaf painting is so lovely… it looks like you could reach out and pick it off the paper. i never thought about brushes and where the fur or hair came from. i might mention this to our daughter who likes to paint but is a vegetarian.
a very handsome knit cap indeed. i love the color and texture.
Carla August 29, 2016 at 07:39
Lovely knitting. Don’t you just love Purl Soho? That colour is fabulous for a man ; )
Hilary August 28, 2016 at 10:14
The leaf looks amazing! I thought it was real when I first saw it. Thank you for sharing with Sew Cute Tuesday!
Kim Sharman August 27, 2016 at 00:49
The leaf looks so life-like I feel I can pick it up. You are so very clever, Soma. Lovely beanie. Your husband might well need that when you visit England.
Dixie August 24, 2016 at 15:54
Beautiful leaf! The brushes look great, too.
I am certain that your husband will enjoy his new hat. It looks so warm and cozy.
Ruth August 24, 2016 at 09:01
Can’t believe the leaves are falling already! Looks perfect to me! Glad you found brushes that you like.
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts August 24, 2016 at 04:32
You’ve been so busy! The leaf looks amazing – I love to see your work. Knitting the hat sounds fun; I love the Purl Bee site as there are so many great patterns there. I hope your hubby loves his new hat!
Connie Kresin Campbell August 23, 2016 at 12:17
Beautiful work Soma, the leaf looks so real!
Kate August 22, 2016 at 19:33
Beautiful leaf sketch, it’s very life like.
Bonnie in VA August 22, 2016 at 19:25
That hat looks like it will do a great job keeping the ears warm. Your leaf is wonderful. We haven’t seen any turning of the leaves yet. Everything is still green and vibrant. We keep getting rain which helps.
Sue H August 22, 2016 at 07:37
Loved your blog! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog today. Your photography is wonderful. Sue
Jayne August 22, 2016 at 07:26
Your artistry is amazing! The leaf is beautiful, you captured the colors and even the asphalt! You are amazing!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare August 22, 2016 at 02:55
Your leaf is beautiful and I love the hat. It’s good to be prepared for when the cold weather comes :)
Janine August 23, 2016 at 02:18
And thank you for linking up with Wool on Sundays :)
Cheryl August 21, 2016 at 17:45
Great hat, it looks so soft and cozy. I am looking forward to fall and cooler temperatures after the hot summer we have had.
Jeneta@PlumJam August 20, 2016 at 03:18
Your art work is always beautiful Soma; your leaf looks so real! I love the beanie you have made for your husband (beanies is really all that I can knit!).
Jeanna August 19, 2016 at 13:33
Great sketch and really nice hat. I was a little sad but kind of excited when I found a big fall leaf on the porch today.
Debbie @ The Quilt Journal August 19, 2016 at 05:36
Just lovely- wish I could paint!
krislovesfabric August 19, 2016 at 05:05
What a beauty of a leaf, looks like I could just pick it up! I can’t believe it’s already so close to the new HP patterns, we saw a preview for the next movie last night during the Olympics. That hat looks good and cozy, love the texture in the cuff!!
Sarah Craig August 18, 2016 at 18:50
I love your leaf drawing – it makes me wish I could draw as well as you, but alas, that skill isn’t in my wheelhouse! Love your knit cap, too – I’ll have to check out that pattern! Quick and easy is definitely appealing.
Robyn Sadler August 18, 2016 at 17:32
Linking this post to the Art Journals thread, on a forum I frequent, as an inspiration. Some newbies are concerned they don’t have any artistic talent and cant draw/paint but that’s not what it’s about. Thank you :).
Love the hat and I’ll need some more for next Winter. Lol, gives me 6 months to put some polish on my poor knitting skills!
BillieBee August 18, 2016 at 07:56
You are definitely a woman of many talents….loving you leaf and hat.
Mary August 18, 2016 at 07:44
Your leaf looks as though it has just blown off onto the ground. The colors are beautiful.
I think that hat will come in quite handy when you visit the UK. It looks great and so stylish too. I’ll have to check out the pattern.
Can it already be time for the next pattern? Where did the month go?