I’ve been desperate to get back to sketching and was determined to do some today while I was out for a walk doing errands. Just as I sat down to sketch, cup of coffee in hand, it started raining. I didn’t care. Little drops of rain splattered on my paper, making interesting texture where they met the ink.
I’d forgotten my watercolor kit at home and was annoyed until I looked at the cup of coffee in my hand and thought of how much I liked sepia washes that Pete Scully sometimes adds to his sketches. I dipped my finger in the coffee and began finger painting.
Then it was time to head home and get ready for a special 10-year-old’s birthday party. I’m the antithesis of a party girl these days, preferring quiet time alone or in one-on-one time with friends. But last night’s dinner party and today’s birthday party were both “command performances” so I gave myself the push I needed to show up.
The intimate, sophisticated dinner party for 6 last night was a joy; the other diners brilliant, funny intellectuals beside whom I felt like a peanut brain. But I adore them all and it was an absolute delight. What a contrast to the non-stop activity and noise of kids loaded up on sugar and then cooped up indoors because of the rain today.
I spent the last hour of the 4-hour birthday marathon trying to sketch the jumping-bean children. They were nice kids; a junior United Nations representing as many nationalities as there were guests (and there was a dozen of them, I think).
I’m happy to be home now with no plans for the next couple days besides painting and sketching.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
10 replies on “Sketching in the Rain; Fingerpainting with Coffee”
Wonderful sketches, Jana – and I love the way you used the materials at hand! Coffee! Brilliant – and I will certainly try to think of you next time I’m finding excuses for not sketching!
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Oh, Jana! You did make me laugh! I have used tea on paper, but never coffee. Maybe I just love my coffee too much!
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OK Jana. If you can brave the rain, and paint with coffee, I have no excuse. I’m leaving the house and not coming back til I have something on paper! (Besides another debit card receipt!) Seriously, very nice!
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Beautiful sketch – now Ihave no excuse when I forget my watercolours!
4 hour birthday party – you are a hero and deserve to relax at home
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The coffee wash adds just the right touch. I like the new “heading” better than the previous one; I did not care much for the “flowing lady”. Enjoy your messages.
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The coffee wash adds just the right touch. I like the new “heading” better than the previous one; I did not care much for the “flowing lady”. Enjoy your messages.
Oops, should have added good post! Waiting for your next post!
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The coffee painting is wonderful and you are brilliant to think of it!
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Jana, I LOVE your sketch and can’t even tell you why, except that your joy in putting pen to paper really shows through somehow! The coffee makes a perfect wash here—and your faces are so strong and confidently drawn! What a good day you had, in spite of the rain and your initial misgivings about party-going!
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Wonderful! Fantastic! I love the warm color of the coffee wash — you’d be hard pressed to mix that color (or at least I would). Great way to MacGyver a sketch.
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I love that “McGyver a sketch”! I used to love watching that show with my
kids when they were little. Of course it had to be Peets coffee to get such
a nice color — Starbucks coffee is pale in comparison. Jana
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