Pages 5 & 6: Micaceous Iron Oxide with Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Self Portrait Pages 5 & 6. Colored Pencil & Micaceous Iron Oxide. Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here is a spread of two pages.  I started with a coat of white acrylic gesso then I brushed on a thin coat of Golden Fluid Acrylic Micaceous Iron Oxide.  The idea was to create a surface with a tooth onto which I colored a self portrait using Prismacolors.  Some people tell me this page looks creepy. Once dry, the micaceous iron oxide layer made the surface feel like fine sandpaper. (Has anyone tried to draw with colored pencils onto sandpaper?)

Sketchbook Pages 9 & 10: Phone & Road Trip

Phone & Road Trip. Pages 9 & 10. Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here are pages 9 and 10 of a current sketchbook. On the left, I did an abstract drawing using pencil, pen and watercolors.  For the page on the left, I just started doodling, repeating similar shapes, breaking up the page with rectangular sections and arches, repeating the phone shape, above center. I just started tracing then shading with pen (don't remember which pens I used),  Next, I completed the page by adding layers of watercolor washes.

On the right, I was in the back seat of a car, so I sketched with pencil while on the road then went over it with pen then watercolor once I got out of the car and found a place to work.

Sketchbook pages 3 & 4

Worlds, pages 3 & 4. Acrylic. Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here's a two page spread from one of my current sketchbooks. Here, I used a doily type stencil in an early layer.  I can't remember exactly how many layers I sprayed, but I'm definitely using several. No planning--just doodling with an airbrush. I do notice that I'm getting quite dark but I guess it's okay for a sketchbook.  I always remind myself that sketchbook pages should not be perfect.  If you want every page in your sketchbook to be perfect, then guess what? You will never fill one.  The goal is to get pages done then move along to the next one.

Finally, Color!

Architectural Abstraction. Acrylic on paper. 9"x 12". Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here, I imagined some organic type of structure.  I really enjoyed laying down layers of transparent colors, once again with an airbrush.

Squares. Acrylic on paper. 9"x 12". Steve Franklin, 2015.

I mixed this one up by spritzing water and made a drippy mess.  I enjoyed making this one!

Squiggly Shapes. Acrylic on paper. 9"x 12". Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here, I emphasized shapes, textures and color layers I like.  For awhile I took a pic with my phone and used part of it for my phone background.

More loose pages

Elephant Trunk. Acrylic on paper. 9"x 12". Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here's another monochrome sketch. As one can see, I like motion and texture.  I often like drawing weird stuff.

Spiral Thingy. Acrylic on paper. 9"x 12". Steve Franklin, 2015.

Here's yet another loose sheet sketch.  This time I added a soft glaze of Dioxazine Purple.  By the way, I use Golden High Flow Acrylic paint.  I mix it with drops of water, and Golden Airbrush Transparent Extender.  Yes, I really enjoy using Golden paint.

I don't want to get too technical.  I enjoy painting transparently because I'm new at airbrush and am more interested in the image and will mix media when necessary.

Abstract Train

Train. Acrylic on watercolor paper. 9" x 12". Steve Franklin. 2015.

Here's a loose sheet of watercolor paper that I composed using an airbrush. (Iwata Eclipse HP-CS)

I like this image because it shows motion in it.  It makes me think of Aerosmith's Train Kept A Rollin. (No, I don't limit myself to listening to only one type of music, so please don't type cast me based on what music I listen to.) I enjoy sketching with airbrush, but I still love texture, like the type I can make with brushstrokes and layering thin glazes of different color.  But sometimes, it's better to keep it simple, showing value (blacks & whites) only.

My first post.

People who see my sketchbook pages give me compliments and advise me to share them online.  So, now I have time to do this.
If you are interested in viewing sketchbook pages with different media, then you should enjoy my first blog.

This is inked with Micron pens.