Piazza dell'Esquilino, Rome

Only after painting a corner of this ancient building did I discover a rather famous (having originally been at the entrance to the Mausoleum of Augustus), huge obelisk, behind the trees and my vantage point. There's something fascinating to paint around every corner in Rome. I need to win the lottery....

Loosening up

There's just nothing better than a new toy to wake up the muse. After watching a youtube video by Karlyn Holman this morning, I made a trip to Michael's and picked up the tool she was using, an Elegant Writer Calligraphy Marker. I did a quick sketch with the marker, then wet the water soluble ink in the house area lightly with a damp brush. Using a large brush, I flicked water over the tree to release the ink. A last layer, just touches here and there, was done in watercolor. I like the loss of control with this technique and its unexpected mixes and lost and found edges.