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There are at least fifteen filled sketchbooks on the shelves of my studio. Each
one represents places I have been, events that have taken place and different
periods of artistic endeavors. Early books have only pencil drawings and writing.
Later books are filled with sharpie pen sketches and notes done on location. The
latest books have sharpie pen drawings with layers of color pencil on top. I use
this technique in order to figure out how I am going to construct my final painting of a
scene. I try different compositions and color combinations. The layering of the
pencils is much like the layering of colors in the final watercolor. Many times, I
use the initial series of sketches plus digital photographs printed out as contact
sheets to come up with the final colors and composition. By planning a painting
well before actually painting it I find the result has a certain freshness that is not
present when I do not plan ahead. It is almost as though the act of planning the
painting gives me the license to experiment more and enjoy the process of
creating a watercolor.
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