Thursday, March 4, 2010

Five Cents Worth

Back in Little Rock for a little business travel. Time to kill so I sketched a Jefferson nickle I found with a really neat Lewis & Clark engraving on the back (Jefferson was the president to authorize their expedition, so it all ties together well). Tried out Noodler's ink in my new fountain pen in my new sketch book. The waterproof (?) ink still doesn't work. It didn't work in my Moleskine Sketch books either, so I'll give up on it for my watercolor pencil work. I still like it for writing (and calligraphy) and pen and ink sketching. Had a chance to get into Ozark Outdoor Supply store again (maybe I shouldn't bag on women who like to shop). It's a house converted into a retail store. They have serious gear for hiking, backpacking and canoe/kayaking. Just packed to the walls with stuff. Love the place.

15 comments:

Cheryl Gebhart said...

Hey John - another great sketch. I know what you mean about the Noodlers ink. I think the problem is that watercolor paper has sizing in it. I wonder if the ink would be waterproof on plain paper (of course, you couldn't very well use watercolor on plain paper).

Patsy Taylor-Craw said...

So - what did you buy and how did you get such a perfect circle? Your journal page is excellent!

john.p said...

Buy? Caught me. A couple bandannas, knot tying reference material and hiking shorts (50% off!). Last year's visit cost me twice as much. The perfect circle came from a coffee pot rim in my motel room. Had to look around for something to work. A hand drawn circle would have been REAL ugly.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful sketch. I would be dangerous in a store like that. Some women like shoes, I like stuff for the outdoors, too. I can't go in a bike shop alone unless I'm there for something specific. lol!

Sandy said...

Such a Cool sketch - Just Love this page. and yes shopping has its value ;-)

nanke's stuff said...

What a cool post, not to mention a creative use of your time! Hiking store? .... hmmmm .... I'll take the art supply store, but thanks, anyway. nancy

Vicky L. Williamson said...

Great idea to sketch what's available! I've found that the paper makes all the difference with Noodler's bulletproof inks. But the ink-bleed here makes it seem old, in keeping with the Lewis & Clark engraving.

Janene said...

Very well done and interesting journal page!

Unknown said...

Wonderful sketch and I just love outdoor stores! I could wander around in them for almost as long as an art store!

Jana, from Jana's Journal was having the same problem with noodlers ink. She recently posted that she finally found an ink that is waterproof and works well on w/c paper. Her now favorite ink is Platinum Carbon Ink. I asked for the brand name but she said that is it!

john.p said...

Raena - Do you know if Platinum Carbon Black works in fountain pens? I read a catalog listing of it somewhere and they were silent on that point.

Vicky L. Williamson said...

Kate was using Platinum Carbon ink in her antique fountain pen at sketchcrawl.

Russ Stutler of http://www.stutler.cc says the following:

"Both Platinum Carbon ink and Noodlers are made for those who are forced to use a fountain pen for portability, but still want to have waterproof ink . . . . Platinum Carbon does feather and bleed on certain papers, and Noodlers stays smudgy on certain papers. Both work great if you find a compatible paper though.

Lindart said...

John, I love reading your journal pages! I have nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger Award! Just hop on over to my blog to pick it up!

Timaree said...

Now why have I never thought to draw my coins when waiting for my husband in the parking lot of Home Depot? I really don't enjoy drawing all the trucks. I'll have to try this next time. You did a good job.

ejmordasky said...

I really like to see your work as it makes me smile with it's wit in the sketching and the writing--why I haven't seen a Jefferson nickel is a mystery to me--will have to Google it---when your book is out you better let me know---a store that is like a house with rooms etc is extra exciting to scope out---you feel old presences are guiding you to what would be a good buy---then you spot it and aha!--you NEED it...your comments on my blog are most observent--as if you could read my intentions as I worked did whatever I did...winna

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wonderful journal page and what a great idea to draw the coin. I think the bleeding ink looks great. The Noodler's probably did that because if it was the Bulletproof one it needs to react with the cellulose in the paper to become permanent. If the paper is treated or sized it can't do that. Platinum Carbon Black is a great waterproof ink and I use it in a vintage Esterbrook fountain pen with a semi-flex nib. I am careful to flush and clean the pen each time it needs more ink. It can clog a fountain pen so be careful and don't use it in anything you couldn't bear to ruin. BTW, Platinum does sell fountain pens especially for use with this ink. I got one from Jet Pens and it never seems to dry out, too bad it has such a hard-as-nails nib.