Stillman and Birn Beta Series Hardbound Sketchbook a Very Short Review

After reading Brenda Swenson's review of the Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks, I wanted to try the Beta Series Hardbound Sketchbook.

Because I can't find it in New Zealand I ordered one from gouletpens.com.

What I like about this sketchbook is:

- Its size, mine is 5.5 x 8.5 in. (it also comes in 8.5 x 11 in)

- The fact that opens flat.

- Its paper: archival, natural white, 180 lbs/ 270 grs, cold press, suitable for mixed media.

- It comes in Portrait Format!!!!

In the photos above you can see what I've done until now.

I have tried it with watercolor, ink and a little bit of paper collage which are my favorite media. Dip pens and fountain pens with nibs of different kind and sizes.

So far so good I'm loving it. 

The things I would change:

-Slightly thinner cover with round corners, nothing else.

Side by Side

This is my latest illustration. It is an Australian Sea Turtle.

I wanted to show you the original illustration (left) and the print (right) side by side.

They are on different paper. The original is done in Fabriano Artistico extra white watercolor paper while the print is on Epson Velvet Art Paper. Both are acid free archival high quality papers.

Print available a www.magamerlina.etsy.com

Inspiration from Down-Under

Red-Brown Kangaroo

Brown-Black Platypus

These two came from my trip to Brisbane... well the inspiration for them, if you know what I mean!

It was a very busy trip for Andrew but we had a great time together. I got lots of inspiration and I did some travel journaling with Camila, I will show you some pages in another post.

On Andrew's day off we took Camila to Lone Pine Koala Sactuary. It is a wonderful place where you find lots of native Australian animals, you get up close with kangaroos and can cuddle a koala. If you go to Brisbane make sure to visit them, in my opinion this is a must.

I'm having lots of fun with my new watercolor-ink style. As the lovely Kathleen from Trowel and Painbrush said " It seems that you have really found yourself with these new paintings". I'm getting a lot of positive feedback as well which makes me very happy. 

You can have a look at the prints of all my Nature-Mandala-Pattern series at my shop.

Pebble Art

My favorite painted pebbles. 

From Amy Komar (artistintheartic), Marisa Redondo (RiverLuna), Caroline Johansson, and me (MagaMerlina)

 

On PoppyTalk Handmade Pre-Holiday Market

I'm thrilled to tell you my Shop has been selected to participate in the PoppyTalk Handmade Pre-Holiday Market, which runs from 22 October until 16 of November.

One of my Mandala Painted Pebbles is already in the front page!!!!

I'm very excited and I hope to see you all there.

PS: Still on holidays, now on my way to Brisbane... But I had to share!

Beginning and End

Here you have a sneak pick of how I begin two of my Nature-Mandala-Pattern. These are my latest pieces. I'm really enjoying this new style from beginning to end!!!

...and I'm pleased to say they are already available as Archival Prints at my Shop.

This will be my last post until the end of October. I'm off tomorrow with Andrew and Camila to Kuala Lumpur and then Brisbane. Little brake for the girls, work for the guy. 

Hopefully I will be doing some travel journaling using my favorite travel sketching kit.

See you soon!

Mandala Painted Pebbles: New Technique

This week's Painted Pebbles.

I've been trying a new technique. I've been using varnish before and after painting the pebbles. I like the varnish brings out the natural color of the pebble and gives a smother but sharper look to the drawings.

Any thoughts?

Journal Pages

I haven't post my journal pages for a while. Here are some and more to come.

I've been keeping illustrated journals since 2000, it is how my art journey started and it's been a great journey. It is nice to keep them and be able to go back on time and live the moments again and again. Many times my journals have been useful too, they keep information I have forgotten, especially my travel journals.

You can check some of my thoughts about travel journaling and supplies I use on this interview.

If you are curious,  I have all my illustrated journals posted on Flickr, except for the very first book.

Another Sea Creature: JellyFish

 The Making

 Finished Original

Print at my shop

Nature-Mandala-Pattern Series

If you are interested in archival prints of any of my Nature-Mandala-Pattern series you can visit my Etsy Shop or you can contact me directly at maria@magamerlina.com

Dory the Blue Tang

One of my favorite characters is Dory in Finding Nemo. She is a Blue Tang and has a short term memory loss which I've envied many times.

This is Dory in MagaMelina's style.

Prints will soon be available at Etsy

Today's Work

.

This week I painted something every day. I feel very happy.

A Gecko for Erica

I have a Facebook friend who is giving me great ideas!

Thank you Erica!

Turquoise SeaHorse

 

This is my desk today just after doing the watercolor wash.

Gumtree Leaves

Autumn Leaves on Spring

We are happily on Spring in the Southern Hemisphere but I just love the colors of Autumn.

 Here are my latest Autumn leaves done with watercolor and acrylic ink, with some little painted pebbles.

If you like my leaves you can find theme as prints at my Etsy Shop