Scratching the Mixed-Media Itch

 

1/31/26 photo reference (Inktense Blocks, Neocolor II crayons, Derwent Drawing pencil)

A funny thing happened on my way to doomscrolling prevention: I rekindled my love of mixed media! As much as I’ve wanted to explore mixed media in the past, it’s just not practical for me on location. About 10 years ago, I was using watercolors along with a variety of pens, markers, colored pencils and brush pens filled with my own ink mixes, and it was a lot to carry around. I clearly remember how much stuff I hauled around in Japan and France. Compared to my minimalist kit now, I’m amazed that I was willing to daily-carry all that, especially while traveling.

So far, I’m still not willing to carry everything I’d like to have on location, but my evening sketches from photos are scratching a latent mixed-media itch. They also raise a doubt: Would I even be able to make sketches like these on location? Even if I brought a stool (talk about a lot to haul – no way) or had a comfy bench, these all took quite a bit longer than I typically stay in one spot. I’ve made a few urban sketches with the addition of water-soluble crayons or blocks while standing, but it’s not ideal. I’d have to make fundamental changes in the way I prefer to sketch if I wanted to pursue mixed media on location.

Sketching is never quite as satisfying if I can’t do it in the field. It’s my continual dilemma. For now, though, I’ve accepted that using photo references scratches the itch to some degree. In fact, the sketch at top of post is from a photo I snapped at Ravenna ravine last summer. On a hot day, Roy, Mary Jean and I stayed cool in the ravine’s deep shade. On location, I had made my usual quick sketch to capture this unusual scene of a boardwalk that was built around a moss-covered glacial erratic. At the time, I wished I had been able to capture color and a better sense of scale. Working from a photo at my comfy desk, I could do that.

1/28/26 photo reference (Inktense Blocks, Neocolor II crayons)

The other two sketches shown here are from the same reference photos I used to sketch in monochrome. Above, from a neighborhood golden hour walk, is one I couldn’t have done on location even if I had tried, as the sun was dropping too quickly. Look how low the sun was – even the edge of the lawn is casting a shadow on the pavement. I concede: That’s one satisfaction I can’t get from sketching on location.

1/27/26 photo reference (Neocolor II crayons)