Wandering Camera – Magician’s Bookshelf

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to Wandering Camera.  I am really excited to share photos of this painted bookshelf with you this month.  I love the romantics of magic and decided to embark on a journey of painting a magic alphabet series.  I chose B for bookshelf. Specifically, a magician’s bookshelf.   I love to and tend to do a lot of research for my work.   I had a fantastic time looking into alchemy and magic.

 

 

 

York Cathedral | Whims And Fancies

 

York Cathedral, England, 2016

 

 

I looked into my vault of travel photos for stonework depicting vines and leaves.

 

 

St. Clement's Church, Isle Of Harris, Scotland | Whims And Fancies

 

St. Clement’s Church, Scotland, 2018

 

Nothing says magic to me more than stone.  These are two of the photos I used for reference.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Before I started inking the drawing, I practised on a separate piece of paper with a dip pen.  Unfortunately, the rough surface of the cold press paper that I used kept catching the pen too much, causing very uneven lines instead of the smooth and controlled lines that I wanted.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I switched to a very small brush which glided easily on the paper.  I was able to create controlled and tiny strokes for the cross hatching using waterproof Speedball Super Black india ink.

However, inks are very harsh on brushes.  I learned that the hard way after almost destroying the first one.  Brushes need to be cleaned quite often with a good brush soap.  Also, instead of my gentle watercolour brushes, I will be using a little stiffer acrylic ones for inking.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

It took me awhile to draw those tiny cross hatch marks.  It was quite meditative.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Then, early December, I started painting.  I wanted the stone bookshelf to be illuminated by candlelight.  Using warm yellows and warm browns, gently and slowly, I finished painting the bookshelf.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

I thought of painting all the books in one colour, but that seemed very boring.   Magic should be exciting!  So I decided to match the colours of the books with their titles.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I would love to paint this bookshelf larger one day and add more details to the book spines.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The ancient and wise raven watches over both the books and the magician.  Even though she is candlelit,  she also glows from within.

 

 

 

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

Quoting my friend Dixie – a bibliotheque filled with books on practical magic, spells, and alchemy.  I would so love to take a peek at these books.  If only I too was made of ink and paper!

 

-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them. 

 

 

 

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Wandering Camera – October Stories

 

Clearning Storm Sunrise Watercolour / Stormy Sky Sunrise Watercolor | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Every October, my attention gets blown around like a leaf in the wind and I continuously find myself in the midst of stories, but not necessarily stories made of words.  This Wandering Camera reflects that.

One late afternoon, with rain clouds outside my window, I was practising painting a sunrise after a clearing storm over the mountains of a distant land.  Unintentionally I tend to I create shapes in the painted clouds.  This time I painted a peacock.

 
 
 

Lego Harry Potter Halloween Feast | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I set up little patches of decorations everywhere that tell little stories.  I shared with you the Lego Winter Village before.  For October, I have the students back at Hogwarts.  They are getting ready for their Halloween feast. 

 
 
 
Wine Country Raibow And Hot Air Balloons | Whims And Fancies
 
 
 
 
One morning I found a beautiful rainbow right outside my backdoor.  I wondered what it would be like to follow one.
 
 
 
 
Solitary Rose And Ticking Clock | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I have a weakling rose plant in my garden that gives one beautiful flower every year.  This one was too heavy for the stem, so I brought it inside.  One of my cats knocked the vase over trying to eat a leaf, so I moved it to the mantelpiece where the clocks are (I collect clocks).  That in turn made me think of a story about a solitary rose and a ticking clock.

 
 
 
Shattered Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies
 
 

 

 
Earlier this month I showed the quilt block I made from my new pattern, Shattered Star.  I got the idea after seeing ice shards floating away as we admired the Esmark Glacier up close near Svalbard.  That block was about stars and nebulae
 
I made this block using the vibrant colours of Halloween.  The swirls in the fabric and the shards in the design make me think of the mysteries of smoke and mirrors. 
 
 
 
Bookshelf Of A Magician - Ink And Watercolour Painting | Whims And Fancies
 
 
 
My beloved ink-and-paper magician is brilliant, but is having trouble procuring books.  So I am building a bibliotheque for him.  Quoting my friend Dixie – a bibliotheque filled with books on practical magic, spells, and alchemy.  As soon as I bring everything to life with a bit of colour, he can have it all.
 
 
I love the romanticism of magic and fairy tales.  With the help of the autumn wind, October brings them a bit closer to me and sweeps me off my feet every time.
 
 
 

Charlie Cat On Harry Potter Quilt | Whims And Fancies

 

Charlie’s Adventure – A little Halloween story

 

Charlie and the rest of us wish you a Happy All Hallows Eve, whether or not you celebrate Halloween!

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

 
As my monthly goal was to finish the block,  I am linking up with One Monthly Goal hosted by Elm Street Quilts.
 

I am also linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

 

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