Drawing on envelopes 3 weeks to go and INK

 
It is three weeks until we leave for London on holidays. And here is this weeks envelope to my interstate travelling companion.. Only two more envelopes to go !!! 
 
 
Trafalgar Square



Travelling with ink – the adventure so far….For the past two years I have used a Lamy Joy Safari ink pen. And I love it ! It suits my current drawing style so well. Previously I used PITT , Microns, and other ink pens, in the Fine range. I would be happy with them for a while and then they would get scratchy and my drawing would be uncomfortable and they just wouldn’t feel right. I think (my interpretation) was because of the hard flat edge of the ink pen as opposed to the flexible smooth nib of Lamy Safari Joy pen (introduced to me by Liz Steel – thank you Liz !) 

I use Noodlers Bullet Proof ink – it is waterproof, so once I draw the pen lines on, I can go over them with my watercolour pencils and then the waterbrush (after giving it a little time to dry). Noodlers have a huge range of ink colours, but not in the Bullet Proof range. I  have the Black. and have a Polar Brown as well.
 
MY DILEMMA  – I will be away for three weeks of constant drawing . I will need to refill my ink cartridge . So I will take ink. So far, (touch wood) I have never spilt my ink when refilling. This was a major concern, as I can see it happening and ink going all over the cream carpet in my (rented) apartment ! I can also envisage my ink leaking through my luggage. So after much discussion and advice , I have plan.
 
Instead of the glass ink bottle I have a small used plastic bottle from a hotel bathroom. (from Milan!!)  I am going to bubble wrap it,  put in another plastic jar  – all well sealed. and put it in my luggage in the hold of the plane.
 
BUT … along the way… I rinsed the bottle and then as a final wash, I poured boiling water into it. It immediately crumpled and twisted. At first I was dismayed, but then realised how very Gaudi -like it was. If you are not familiar with Gaudi have a look at this link and you will see why . Since I will be visiting Barcelona for the Urban Sketchers Symposium , the city of Gaudi architecture and design it then seemed inspired, and the lid still seals , So I am still going to use it ! 
and so I drew it !
Gaudi inspired travelling ink bottle
 

my Lamy Safari in action – always in my hand ! Eat and sketch

9 thoughts on “Drawing on envelopes 3 weeks to go and INK”

  2. Unknown

    Hi Alissa –your blog is a new destination for me that I have been enjoying recently. I’m new to sketchbook journaling and I like your work very much. Your enthusiasm for the Safari Joy Lamy pen interested me because it sounded like a dream to draw with. What tip do you have on your pen as it seems you can get several different ones? Also –hope you have a wonderful trip to England. Sounds fabulous. Thanks so much! –Bev

  5. Alissa Duke

    Hi Bev, thanks for visiting and commenting. I am glad that you enjoy the blog.
    I use an EF (Extra Fine nib) it suits the size of the page I draw on (20 x 13 cm) . I have not experimented with any others. I started using it and loved it (as you can tell) A few people mention that they don’t enjoy using them and having to “break them in” .

    There are many many websites comparing pens and nibs . I found a few that discuss Lamy
    Comparing Lamy’s
    http://www.inknouveau.com/2013/06/comparing-lamy-al-star-safari-and-vista.html
    Comparing lamy nibs
    http://inkofmefondly.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/lamy-safari-al-star-nib-size-comparison.html

  7. Carol Lee Beckx

    Hi Alissa
    I am enjoying reading about your preparations for Barcelona – so exciting. Something you could try for the ink bottle – stretch some Glad wrap over the open bottle neck and then close the lid over this. (My hairdresser suggested this for a shampoo bottle) I would then wrap the whole bottle in more Glad wrap, then bubble wrap and a sealable plastic bag. Whew!
    Happy travels

  8. Alissa Duke

    Hi Carol – Thanks It IS exciting ! Thanks for the tip. I will add the Glad wrap now !
    It is currently wrapped in bubble wrap and is going into another plastic bottle which will be wrapped in something.

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