Left Behind
What a treasure to find the shell of a northern moon snail, a perfect whorl nearly four inches end to end, decorated with a few barnacles. I love the heft of it in my hand. I love turning it over and over to study it from different angles. The huge snail that built it is long gone, but how nice that this was left behind.
Tips and Techniques– I did this page directly with a Micron 005 sepia pen and a light wash of sepia watercolor, plus a bit of yellow ochre and burnt sienna on the left hand shell. This approach was inspired by an excellent Botanical Sketching workshop I took last weekend with the highly accomplished trio Wendy Hollender, Lara Call Gastinger, and Giacomina Ferrillo. I love the look of sepia, but rarely use it, so it was great to try it during the workshop and then work with it again on my own.
Drawn In 
Good morning, Jean, I love your work and weekly email so much! So you know, the only thing in today’s is the masthead with a very small version of “something” up near the top.
Appreciating you, Susanne
Susanne Swing Thompson
Thanks Susanne- would you try refreshing your browser? I’m not seeing the problem on my end but want to troubleshoot. Thx!
When I clicked on the link from your reply, it came up. Beautiful. I love the sepia look.
Wow! You really turned this technique into your own. Beautiful pages 😍😍😍
Thanks Linda. That’s what I really wanted to do, so I especially appreciate your comment. It’s a good technique.
Your shell find was a treasure, as is this beauty of a post. Love the simplicity of just the pen lines with a touch of color.
Thanks Denise. I plan to experiment more with this type of sketch. It seems versatile, but I know I’ll want more color for most things.
Love these!!! Really looking forward to Italy with you. I absolutely loved Hog Island… so many talented artists and wonderful people.
Mary
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Glad to hear, Mary. I’m excited about being in Italy with you!
Absolutely incredible, Jean! I agree with the previous comment from Denise ….. the simplicity of the ink lines perfectly enhanced with hints of subtle color invites close and thoughtful investigation., and awe! Such a lovely composition too. How you created these elegant shell sketches boggles my mind.
Thanks Barb! I wouldn’t typically go direct to ink with a shell because of the precision, but I’m glad I did. The lightness of the pen made it more forgiving to put some initial lines down and then keep working them.
Directly to ink! *shiver*
In my mind, Beginning with ink is a bold move, despite the light lines of the 005. Your grasp of form, curves, angles and proportions is consistently spot on. I truly love your work Jean.
Be bold, Barb!
Wh
I received a set of Microns in different colors and have enjoyed using them in unexpected ways to enhance my paintings but didn’t know a sepia color was available. It is a much softer color than black, which I often find to be too harsh.
I’ve started to see this dark brown a art stores, so check it out. I like the light 005 line, even on cold press watercolor paper.
Hi Jean
This message didn’t come through properly. Would love to see it.
Regards
Sheila
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Hi Sheila— try refreshing your browser. I am posting remotely so something may have gotten messed up for some folks and not others. Hope that works!
Dear Jean, these are stunning! I could look at them all day. How you get such gracious curves and sense of plumpness is a marvel. I love the sepia, the subtle washes, the hatches and scribbles — all of it. A real inspiration!
Thanks so much! I worked slowly and carefully and tried to focus on the form, then build up value, and then add the wash. I’m glad it worked!
Elegant simplicity, Jean. I love Moon snails. I’m waiting for your “Treasures of the Wrack Line” course. Best, Judy
Love that title! Great idea!
Your sketching is light and delicate, very soothing to the eye. I too love sepia – beautiful Jean thanks for sharing.
Love these shell studies…
Thanks Lindy- I enjoyed making them and trying a new approach.
It’s nice to know that the woman who gives workshops attends them as well and you certainly were inspired. These are beautiful pages that speak of patience and calm. Judging by the photo, which I love (the background, the pen, the shell!) it’s a small notebook, which shows even more the care that you used drawing these shells.