This is the title I think I'll give this new piece.  An ink drawing composed mostly of vertical ink lines in the background, ink brush plus pen on the middle ground (bridge), and horizontal ink lines to tie the water the  foreground to the background.

'Thought I'd share this while working on the values.  I'm being torn between working on this in my studio or working outside in such beautiful weather.  The outdoors beckons... I MUST answer! 

The Biltmore Estate is awesome - a "Disney World" for adults in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where old-timey castles are at a minimum. So cool. Such history. Fantastic getaway.

I carried my sketchbook, of course, and nourished by a hot dog and a beer just off the meticulous stables, began capturing this scene that surrounds the courtyard.   Ah, to be rich one day...

Okay.  Hold onto your seats while I begin a daring experiment!

Sara and I are spending a few days in Asheville ... our "first visit" after having lived in the south for nearly 45 years!  We're staying at an "air B&B", another first!  A gorgeous view from our deck.  In the foreground a peaceful garden. In the middle ground (those who have taken instruction from me - you know what I'm talking about) a thick forest where a sliver of the Swannanoa (?) River is seen running through it. In the background the Appalachian Mountains framed by trees.

Miriam (our innkeeper) tends the foreground garden where daylily's are lit by filtered sun. This time I brought a small watercolor set with me and, having a few lazy hours to spare sitting on the deck with morning coffee or evening wine, I'm emboldened to try once again adding some watercolor to my ink sketches.  

This is a practice piece in my sketch book. This is the first time I think I might begin to have some success adding watercolor without warping the cheap paper I use. So I think it's worth some more practice! Sara (my critic and promoter-in-chief) thinks so too.  How about you?