painting Archives - Julia van der Wyk, Artist

Experimenting with Neocolor II pastels and Charcoal Watercolor

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Julia

color pastel sketch of shrubbery with inset of charcoal watercolor brush doodle

We all have favorite media, but I’ve been wanting to use all the great supplies I have at my disposal. And so at my recent “Art Day” with my regular art group (I have a regular art group!), I brought out my box of Caran d’Ache Neocolor II pastels to work with. A friend had […]

The Rose: Painting with 3 liquid inks

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Julia

Painting with 3 liquid inks of rose in bouquet, with leaves of myrtle, firs and mini carnations visible

Painting with 3 liquid inks, an adventure in an afternoon. This past December, I received as a gift three fountain pen inks from the New Orleans-based stationer Papier Plume: Garden District Azalea, Moss Green, and Cafe Diabolique. I have other inks from this maker in my collection, but these three colors were new to me. […]

Creative Projects of August: Knitting, Ink Painting Class and Pen Show prep

Posted on August 15, 2024 (August 15, 2024) by Julia

Here it is another month already! That means it’s time for a Creative Project Progress Report. I’ll update progress on my July projects and talk about what I am working on for August. The Big Finish: Na Craga Cabled Sweater I had one great big finish in July: my “Na Craga” sweater, designed by Alice […]

Creative Projects of July: what are you working on?

Posted on July 12, 2024 (July 13, 2024) by Julia

creative projects flat lay: cable knit sweater pieces with a bright blue ink painting, paintbrushes, and patchwork sewing and embroidery laid out over it

I’ve got three main creative projects this July: I am working on creating ink painting content during the buildup towards the ink painting class that I teach, and have a plein air art date with friends coming up. It is so enjoyable to get together with friends in a lovely space and make art and […]

Trees across the gulch, a tinted sumi ink painting

Posted on July 20, 2022 (July 14, 2023) by Julia

tinted sumi ink painting of trees and shrubs on a low ridge.

Tinted Sumi Ink Painting Meant to be a warm-up exercise, this small sketch of trees and shrubs viewed from across the gulch has become a favorite painting. It is an ink painting using tinted sumi ink from pans. When I paint with ink I usually work with liquid ink of various types, so it is […]

Gouache and Watercolor Painting, Tangerine Tree

Posted on July 12, 2022 (July 14, 2023) by Julia

Gouche and watercolor painting of tangerine tree next to a chicken coop, under redwood trees. Loose brushwork style and high contrast of leaves with background.

I’m really pleased with this gouache and watercolor painting I did of the tangerine tree that is closest neighbor to the chicken coop. It’s the main scene from my favorite perch, the top stair of my porch. This is about as close to living in a treehouse one can get, without it literally being a […]