My Favourite Watercolour Sketchbook EVER

[@KSt-nv8eb]

Dear Fiona, I think I’ve been searching for you for a while. I can’t put into words how I love your videos.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@KSt-nv8eb aaaw thank you so so much!!!

[@katherineelizabethco]

I love your videos ! You have helped me with my watercolor paintings in many ways. One important way is you have taught me the importance of composition. I appreciate the times when you paint in real time- slowly.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@katherineelizabethco thank you, I am so glad I helped! 🥰

[@susancohen2351]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about escaping in your sketchbook. I needed that so much…. I have no artistic ability-- for real. I keep trying and I have finally found watercolor. Now I have to teach myself. Turtledoves have a special place in my heart-- maybe she was just a dove, but she built a nest when we had our window open -- right in the corner where the window met the house. I live in America so our windows might be different from yours-- anyway. She built her nest. Laid her eggs and we watched the babies grow. Truly miraculous. I am convinced that she would come back and visit every now and then. THAT WAS THIRTY YEARS AGO and it still makes my hearty happy- so thank you for that.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

What a lovely memory ❤️

[@stapletontable]

I love everything about this video, dear Fiona....especially the turtle doves and your young son's intuitive observation about their sound. And Susan's memory is lovely, too. Birds are indeed harbingers of happiness...and nostalgia!

[@drawingsinadrawer]

That’s so true ❤️

[@jandurant7502]

I don’t know why exactly, but this video made me teary eyed. Maybe because you are such a human artist - I mean that in the best possible way - you speak from the heart. And I have a drawerful of untouched sketchbooks.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

Then you should start digging then out, Jan! ❤️

[@jandurant7502]

@@drawingsinadrawer I've always been afraid of messing them up!

[@Jw16mosier]

Dear Jan I understand what you are saying . When I first started with watercolor, I bought all the high quality stuff, Arches watercolor paper, including a set of three Black silver paint brush. I have now painted probably Hundreds of paintings, but I have never painted with Black silver brush yet … WHY ? I don’t know, It silly what we do as artists. I guess I’m waiting until I feel good enough as an artist to use them . 🖌️🖌️🖌️👨🏼‍🎨

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@Jw16mosier what? Silver black velvet are like magic wands!

[@jandurant7502]

@@Jw16mosier Yes! I can so relate to that feeling of not being good enough - somehow not worthy of the materials. I’ll use my sketchbooks if you use your brushes! Deal?

[@beverleymarr27]

I feel the same way as you do about painting. I started learning art 12 years ago when my first husband died. I find peace and tranquility in art and you forget about the world when doing art. I also love my sketchbooks and look forward to your paint along sessions. I have done a few of your lessons and they were wonderful.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

Thank you so much. I am happy to hear you find solace in your sketchbook. Sometimes I get the urge to get up in the middle of the night to go and work in it! Thank you for commenting. I’m so sorry about your husband. I hope you’re doing well. Fiona x

[@Carolyn750]

That eye within the rose is amazing. Gorgeous work ❤❤❤

[@drawingsinadrawer]

Thank you! I believe that turned into a tutorial on Patreon

[@scrapstobeautybyzandra]

The birds are so pretty. I like the neon on her eyes.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

❤️

[@sylviestar8666]

Your sketchbook is lovely❤❤❤Love your portraits even though they look rather sad.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@sylviestar8666 they are just contemplating the beauty of life with an inward smile. ❤️ Thank you 🙏

[@robbieslater1951]

Wow definitely going to follow your channel. I'm obsessed with perfecting eyes and facial expression at the moment, and Ive just started to experiment with watercolours (blending, paint/water loading the brush) but it's difficult to know what brushes to use, how much paint/water ratio to use, techniques to use. Do you use watercolour pencils for initial sketch? So much to learn. Also, Your eyes/faces are out of this world 💜 Look forward to watching more videos. Keep painting and inspiring us. Have a Blessed Day. Big hello from me in Australia 😊🎨🌈☀

[@drawingsinadrawer]

Thank you so much. Usually I use an H2 pencil which is very light. Or you can use a red pencil like colerase ( you can erase it). Water to paint ratio is the hardest. Try watching my Watercolour secrets revealed video on here ❤️

[@louisea966]

lovely paintings, especially the doves!

[@drawingsinadrawer]

Thank you so much!

[@beverleymarr27]

Love your art Fiona. Why dont you just paint your sketchbook covers? Paint each with one of your wonderful portraits and flowers etc. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@drawingsinadrawer]

You mean the Etchr ones? I think I’d have to use another medium for it to “stick” to that canvas cover. But that’s a great idea!

[@neuroticnation144]

@@drawingsinadrawer Maybe ink? Or the Daniel smith watercolor gesso? I have an etchr notebook, can’t bring myself to soil it! 😂

[@caroles5258]

Is that an phosphorescent orange you used on the eye in the rose?

[@drawingsinadrawer]

Yes. I think they’re Japanese watercolour much like Kuretake

[@Despinalina]

Υου can create a cover for your sketchbook

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@Despinalina I’m trying, maybe I should use something else though as watercolour doesn’t stick to the canvas very well! Fiona ❤️

[@Despinalina]

Υου could collage older pieces of watercolor sketches on the canvas cover or use faux leather!😢

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@ that’s a great idea 💡

[@tammyh.8454]

these are nice videos, but I wish she would tell what colors she is using, If you are learning, you need help with colors, Guess I suppose.

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@tammyh.8454 hi Tammy, not all my content is tutorial style, so sometimes it just takes up too much time to mention all the materials and colours I am using. I am almost certain the eye had lots of fluorescents from the Komorebi neon set. For most other paintings, I have a go-to palette ( that I set up myself ) where the colours I basically always use for skin are a mix of cerulean blue cadmium red light OR Indian Red and raw Sienna or Naples yellow for the skin ( yes, three colours for the skin with the blue being less dominant). I use mint by white nights a lot ( pale blue, milky looking) . The dark shadow at the top of the iris is usually indigo or Neutral Tint. Pink is almost always Rose Doré by Winsor & Newton and Madder Lake Red Light by White Nights. Also, I can never do without a burnt umber or another earthy brown. I tend to stick to the same colours. I hope this helps. Fiona x

[@tammyh.8454]

@ Dear Fiona, yes, this reply is Very helpful, thank you for taking the time to give a very specific answer. Blessings to you, Tammy

[@drawingsinadrawer]

@@tammyh.8454anytime!