Ryn Shell's Blog, page 5
October 5, 2022
Which Fountain Pen Supplies to Choose?
#wsite-video-container-975579337218815643{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/1987672-1488... } #video-iframe-975579337218815643{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-975579337218815643, #video-iframe-975579337218815643{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-975579337218815643{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } 
Become a Patron! The Galen leather bag is just stunning. Have been lusting after that myself since I first saw it.
Not sure I'll ever be granted an unlimited spend up again for art supplies. 😄 Last night, a seller accepted my 'offer' on a vintage Montblanc. The nib design looks to be the same as the Lamy 2000—who copied who? I'll be interested to test it beside the Lamy 2000. I'm loving using my Lamy 2000 pens in a painterly way.
Yes I have (that colour) writer's bag, very handy indeed! Love their products - I have some of their brass things and a pencil sharpener, and another A5 zipped notebook cover with a couple of TR notebooks on order, not expecting them for a few weeks yet. All ways happy with their stuff, has an old fashioned quality and feel to it! Love it!
$2000. Budget
A $2,000. spend up, a gift for a coming birthday.
This leather writer's bag—which I first saw and lusted after here.
Many gold nibbled vintage pens.
Lamy 2000 (my preferred pen) in BB to complete my set of every size. For sketching, I adore Lamy 2000. I dislike anything that has a cartridge or converter insert—not enough ink in those for my artwork.
I will have some good pens to resell—when I get around to it.
A5 sketch and Watercolour pads and A5 leather cover.
Some brass fittings for bag, ruler etc.
My favourite DE ATRAMENTIS Permanent Document *Ink in white, grey and two shades and hue variations of brown.
Colour sample sets of two other ink brands, total 16 colours.
Beginning to collect all of the dye based Van Dieman's Inks.
Boots Gully
Set of three Australian Sketchbook ink line and watercolour wash artworks underway featuring an old gold miner's gully with what I think from the look of the timbers in black wattle, or it might be Cootamundra wattle. I will ask around and find out. It should look effective when finished with the soft blue-green foliage, the yellow blooms, against the black tree branches—then of course, all the boots. It is called Boot's Gully, and Australians have a wicked sense of humour. I'm painting one of the works tilted sideways to add to the quirkiness of the scene.
Which Fountain Pen Nib to Choose?
If you write small, go with an EF
For the normal writer, F is the most popular
If you tend to lean on a bigger font, M will be perfect
B is for statements!! Sign a check in B, write a header in B, do some coloring/shading in B
Become a Patron! The Galen leather bag is just stunning. Have been lusting after that myself since I first saw it.Not sure I'll ever be granted an unlimited spend up again for art supplies. 😄 Last night, a seller accepted my 'offer' on a vintage Montblanc. The nib design looks to be the same as the Lamy 2000—who copied who? I'll be interested to test it beside the Lamy 2000. I'm loving using my Lamy 2000 pens in a painterly way.
Yes I have (that colour) writer's bag, very handy indeed! Love their products - I have some of their brass things and a pencil sharpener, and another A5 zipped notebook cover with a couple of TR notebooks on order, not expecting them for a few weeks yet. All ways happy with their stuff, has an old fashioned quality and feel to it! Love it!
$2000. Budget
A $2,000. spend up, a gift for a coming birthday.
This leather writer's bag—which I first saw and lusted after here.
Many gold nibbled vintage pens.
Lamy 2000 (my preferred pen) in BB to complete my set of every size. For sketching, I adore Lamy 2000. I dislike anything that has a cartridge or converter insert—not enough ink in those for my artwork.
I will have some good pens to resell—when I get around to it.
A5 sketch and Watercolour pads and A5 leather cover.
Some brass fittings for bag, ruler etc.
My favourite DE ATRAMENTIS Permanent Document *Ink in white, grey and two shades and hue variations of brown.
Colour sample sets of two other ink brands, total 16 colours.
Beginning to collect all of the dye based Van Dieman's Inks.
Boots GullySet of three Australian Sketchbook ink line and watercolour wash artworks underway featuring an old gold miner's gully with what I think from the look of the timbers in black wattle, or it might be Cootamundra wattle. I will ask around and find out. It should look effective when finished with the soft blue-green foliage, the yellow blooms, against the black tree branches—then of course, all the boots. It is called Boot's Gully, and Australians have a wicked sense of humour. I'm painting one of the works tilted sideways to add to the quirkiness of the scene.
Which Fountain Pen Nib to Choose?If you write small, go with an EF
For the normal writer, F is the most popular
If you tend to lean on a bigger font, M will be perfect
B is for statements!! Sign a check in B, write a header in B, do some coloring/shading in B
July 25, 2022
Urban Sketching
Urban Sketching is recognised worldwide as the practice of on-location drawing. It is creating sketch memories of the places where we live and travel—one drawing at a time. It is the perfect companion to a written journal.
Here I have used Diamine Brandy Snap ink from the 2021 Inkvent Christmas collection in a Lamy 2000 fountain pen to create a sketch of a streetscape in Maldon in Victoria, Australia. Ink Line & Wash with Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen with double broad white gold nib using Diamine Brandy Snap Ink in HOBONICHI COUSIN AVEC Journal.art drawing sketching
writing office productsWhat is Urban SketchingSome say that Urban Sketching must always be created on location, or ‘en plein air’.
that doesn't mean you cannot create a rough sketch on location then move to a more sheltered position to complete it while that original image is fresh in your mind, in my opinion. Of course, the purist won't approve. But seriously, after the first few moments the purist has to work partly from memory anyway, because people within a scene ane moving, as are clouds, and thus light and shade patterns within nature.
You do begin the urban sketch at the scene. These drawings are not done by tracing from a photograph.
Urban sketching is more about capturing the imprint of humans on the landscape than nature. Cafes and public transport are great places to practice urban sketching.
Sketching is rougher, capturing an immediate impression. Drawing in generally more deliberate, planned, controlled refined and detailed.
I'm a sketcher and painter by nature.
You can turn your urban sketch into line and wash by emulsifying the soluble ink or adding watercolours over the ink or pencil line. Some urban sketchers pant with gouache or acrylic.Fengtaiyuan Gel Pens, Writting Smooth, Comfortable Pens
books and textbooks
Here I have used Diamine Brandy Snap ink from the 2021 Inkvent Christmas collection in a Lamy 2000 fountain pen to create a sketch of a streetscape in Maldon in Victoria, Australia. Ink Line & Wash with Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen with double broad white gold nib using Diamine Brandy Snap Ink in HOBONICHI COUSIN AVEC Journal.art drawing sketching
writing office productsWhat is Urban SketchingSome say that Urban Sketching must always be created on location, or ‘en plein air’.that doesn't mean you cannot create a rough sketch on location then move to a more sheltered position to complete it while that original image is fresh in your mind, in my opinion. Of course, the purist won't approve. But seriously, after the first few moments the purist has to work partly from memory anyway, because people within a scene ane moving, as are clouds, and thus light and shade patterns within nature.
You do begin the urban sketch at the scene. These drawings are not done by tracing from a photograph.
Urban sketching is more about capturing the imprint of humans on the landscape than nature. Cafes and public transport are great places to practice urban sketching.
Sketching is rougher, capturing an immediate impression. Drawing in generally more deliberate, planned, controlled refined and detailed.
I'm a sketcher and painter by nature.
You can turn your urban sketch into line and wash by emulsifying the soluble ink or adding watercolours over the ink or pencil line. Some urban sketchers pant with gouache or acrylic.Fengtaiyuan Gel Pens, Writting Smooth, Comfortable Pens
books and textbooks
June 12, 2022
Farmyard Grampians, Original Acrylic Painting by Ryn Shell
Become a Patron!Farmyard with rooster, hens, children and fruit tree in blossom, with farm house, near Halls Gap, Grampians, Victoria, Australia, Oil on canvas by Ryn Shell.Museum quality prints, art cards and gifts available.
Close up
Giftware and Decor
April 30, 2022
Late-Winter Flowers Art
Art Demonstration Video - Mid-Winter Roses and Artist's Garden Flowers #wsite-video-container-471881525317408292{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/1987672-1488... } #video-iframe-471881525317408292{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-471881525317408292, #video-iframe-471881525317408292{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-471881525317408292{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } Happy Creativity Everyone. My art, art prints and art gifts are available here, and for the art tutorials click here. 
Prints Decor & Apparel - Artist's Mid-Winter Garden 
Art Demonstration Progress I'm pleased with how my current artwork in progress is progressing after two painting sessions. I have three tutorial videos being developed from the creation of this artwork. 
With all these beauties somehow managing to bloom in my garden in mid-winter, I had to paint them. 
Advice to new exhibiting artists Don't allow negative comments from a minority discourage you from exhibiting your artwork.
I received respect as an artist and similarly showed my exhibition viewers courtesy. I could count only a handful of funny, insensitive comments in decades of exhibiting art.
At one of my art exhibitions, I once got, "Nice hobby, dear."
I replied with, "This is my profession."
Viewer response has to do with the presentation of our art, where we exhibit it, and our confidence in representing it. Fake confidence until you have it so that you don't accidentally invite negative comments.
I also got a, "I'll buy it, but you have to make it a better price first."
I picked up a pen and put an additional zero on the price tag —which I then refused to remove when he wanted the artwork - because I'd not liked the way he had spoken to me.
Later, another exhibition viewer loved the artwork and didn't quibble at that new, better price. I reduced it for them to what I felt was fair, but not to its former lower price.
I never sold my work to anyone who spoke disrespectfully to me.
My Schmincke Extra Soft-Pastels I painted this work using my Schmincke extra-soft pastels The list below shows you my current sets Of course, I only used a few of these colours for the painting. What I loved about these two sets is that they build on each other to establish a good collection of colours and tones without much repetition. I find the Schmincke extra-soft pastels are a joy to use.
Limited Edition set of 120 Half Stick Schmincke pastels. Colours included are:
- 007M Titanium Yellow
- 003O Permanent Yellow 2 Light
- 008M Vanadium Yellow Light
- 002H Permanent Yellow 1
- 008D Vanadium Yellow Light
- 009M Vanadium Yellow Deep
- 010H Orange Light
- 005O Orange Deep
- 005H Orange Deep
- 042H Permanent Red 1 Pale
- 042M Permanent Red 1 Pale
- 044O Permanent Red 3 Deep
- 040O Vermilion
- 041O Scarlet
- 044H Permanent Red 3 Deep
- 041H Scarlet
- 046D Carmine Red
- 043B Bordeaux
- 043D Bordeaux
- 049D Purple 1
- 047D Rose Madder
- 048H Quinacridone Violet
- 043O Bordeaux
- 046M Carmine Red
- 047O Rose Madder
- 049O Purple 1
- 050O Purple 2
- 056H Reddish Violet
- 052D Manganese Violet
- 057M Bluish Violet
- 063O Ultramarine Deep
- 600O Delft Blue
- 062H Ultramarine Light
- 600H Delft Blue
- 060D Ultramarine Blue Deep
- 062B Ultramarine Light
- 600B Delft Blue
- 061D Phthalo Blue Deep
- 067D Indigo Hue
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 690D Cerulean Blue
- 066M Prussian Blue
- 690O Cerulean Blue
- 065H Greenish Blue
- 650D Cobalt Turqoise
- 065B Greenish Blue
- 068H Bluish Green
- 065O Greenish Blue
- 071M Light Green
- 071B Light Green
- 070H Leaf Green Deep
- 072H Leaf Green Deep
- 077H May Green
- 075H Mossy Green 1
- 076M Mossy Green 2
- 077O May Green
- 075O Mossy Green 1
- 086O Olive Green 2
- 083M Bohemian Green
- 084O Chromium Oxide Green
- 080O Cold Green 1
- 094M Greenish Grey 2
- 082M Verona Green
- 075B Mossy Green 1
- 086D Olive Green 2
- 084B Chromium Oxide Green
- 083B Bohemian Green
- 073B Leaf Green 2
- 081D Cold Green Deep
- 074B Phthalo Green Deep
- 082B Verona Green
- 094D Greenish Grey 2
- 093D Greenish Grey 1
- 030B Greenish Umber
- 013D Ochre Light
- 028D Olive Ochre Light
- 093O Greenish Grey 1
- 030M Greenish Umber
- 028M Olive Ochre Light
- 029O Olive Ochre Deep
- 014M Gold Ochre
- 032O Brown Ochre
- 017O Orange Ochre
- 033O Burnt Green Earth
- 017H Orange Ochre
- 016D Flesh Ochre
- 021B Pozzuoli Earth
- 033B Burnt Green Earth
- 037D Sepia Brown
- 035B Burnt Umber
- 025B Dark Brown
- 022B English Red
- 023D Caput Mortuum Pale
- 024O Caput Mortuum Deep
- 023M Caput Mortuum Pale
- 022O English Red
- 019M Burnt Yellow Ochre
- 018O Burnt Sienna
- 098N Neutral Grey
- 035O Burnt Umber
- 036O Van Dyke Brown
- 037M Sepia Brown
- 098L Neutral Grey
- 001D White
- 091O Grey Blue 1
- 061O Phthalo Blue Deep
- 067O Indigo Hue
- 091H Grey Blue 1
- 090M Grey Violet
- 095M Cold Grey
- 092O Reddish Grey
- 098H Neutral Grey
- 092B Reddish Grey
- 090B Grey Violet
- 099D Black
Wooden box set of 60 assorted pastels. Colours include:
002 O - permanent yellow 1 lemon
003 D - permanent yellow 2 light
004 H - permanent yellow 3 deep
004 D - permanent yellow 3 deep
010 D - orange light
005 H - orange deep
005 D - orange deep
042 D - permanent red 1 pale
040 D - vermilion
041 D - scarlet
044 D - permanent red 3 deep
046 D - carmine red
044 B - permanent red 3 deep
045 D - madder lake
047 D - rose madder
013 O - ochre light
014 O - gold ochre
016 O - flesh ochre
035 O - burnt umber
023 O - Caput mortuum pale
021 O - Pozzuoli earth
032 H - brown ochre
033 D - burnt green earth
022 D - English red
036 D - Vandyke brown
036 B - Vandyke brown
024 B - Caput mortuum deep
045 B - madder lake
048 B - quinacridone violet
050 D - purple 2
091 D - grey blue 1
091 H - grey blue 1
091 M - grey blue 1
064 O - cobalt blue hue
062 O - ultramarine light
064 M - coballt blue hue
062 M - ultramarine light
064 H - cobalt blue hue
062 D - ultramarine light
063 D - ultramarine deep
063 B - ultramarine deep
061 B - phthalo blue deep
066 B - Prussian blue
066 D - Prussian blue
059 D - deep violet
077 M - may green
077 D - may green
077 B - may green
085 D - olive green 1
072 B - leaf green 1
070 B - leaf green deep
091 B - grey blue 1
097 D - serious black
098 K - neutral grey
098 N - neutral grey
098 O - neutral grey
001 D - white
893 D - gold
894 D - silver
910 H - white pearl
Free content that you may use.
There are some great sites where you are able to obtain free domain images that you are allowed to use for your art. Pixabay (there are many others) is the free domain image source that I turned to for an image of a brush and a pen that I could combine in a photo editing program to create my Ryn Shell pen logo above. Photographs and photo editing skills are great aids for creative work. I'll strive to steer you from being dependent on them when creating art work. The human eye sees in a different may to a camera.
Always check that they state that they are copyright free. Never assume they are.
[image error] 
Prints Decor & Apparel - Artist's Mid-Winter Garden Art Demonstration Progress I'm pleased with how my current artwork in progress is progressing after two painting sessions. I have three tutorial videos being developed from the creation of this artwork. With all these beauties somehow managing to bloom in my garden in mid-winter, I had to paint them. Advice to new exhibiting artists Don't allow negative comments from a minority discourage you from exhibiting your artwork. I received respect as an artist and similarly showed my exhibition viewers courtesy. I could count only a handful of funny, insensitive comments in decades of exhibiting art.
At one of my art exhibitions, I once got, "Nice hobby, dear."
I replied with, "This is my profession."
Viewer response has to do with the presentation of our art, where we exhibit it, and our confidence in representing it. Fake confidence until you have it so that you don't accidentally invite negative comments.
I also got a, "I'll buy it, but you have to make it a better price first."
I picked up a pen and put an additional zero on the price tag —which I then refused to remove when he wanted the artwork - because I'd not liked the way he had spoken to me.
Later, another exhibition viewer loved the artwork and didn't quibble at that new, better price. I reduced it for them to what I felt was fair, but not to its former lower price.
I never sold my work to anyone who spoke disrespectfully to me.
My Schmincke Extra Soft-Pastels I painted this work using my Schmincke extra-soft pastels The list below shows you my current sets Of course, I only used a few of these colours for the painting. What I loved about these two sets is that they build on each other to establish a good collection of colours and tones without much repetition. I find the Schmincke extra-soft pastels are a joy to use.
Limited Edition set of 120 Half Stick Schmincke pastels. Colours included are:- 007M Titanium Yellow
- 003O Permanent Yellow 2 Light
- 008M Vanadium Yellow Light
- 002H Permanent Yellow 1
- 008D Vanadium Yellow Light
- 009M Vanadium Yellow Deep
- 010H Orange Light
- 005O Orange Deep
- 005H Orange Deep
- 042H Permanent Red 1 Pale
- 042M Permanent Red 1 Pale
- 044O Permanent Red 3 Deep
- 040O Vermilion
- 041O Scarlet
- 044H Permanent Red 3 Deep
- 041H Scarlet
- 046D Carmine Red
- 043B Bordeaux
- 043D Bordeaux
- 049D Purple 1
- 047D Rose Madder
- 048H Quinacridone Violet
- 043O Bordeaux
- 046M Carmine Red
- 047O Rose Madder
- 049O Purple 1
- 050O Purple 2
- 056H Reddish Violet
- 052D Manganese Violet
- 057M Bluish Violet
- 063O Ultramarine Deep
- 600O Delft Blue
- 062H Ultramarine Light
- 600H Delft Blue
- 060D Ultramarine Blue Deep
- 062B Ultramarine Light
- 600B Delft Blue
- 061D Phthalo Blue Deep
- 067D Indigo Hue
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 069B Bluish Green Deep
- 690D Cerulean Blue
- 066M Prussian Blue
- 690O Cerulean Blue
- 065H Greenish Blue
- 650D Cobalt Turqoise
- 065B Greenish Blue
- 068H Bluish Green
- 065O Greenish Blue
- 071M Light Green
- 071B Light Green
- 070H Leaf Green Deep
- 072H Leaf Green Deep
- 077H May Green
- 075H Mossy Green 1
- 076M Mossy Green 2
- 077O May Green
- 075O Mossy Green 1
- 086O Olive Green 2
- 083M Bohemian Green
- 084O Chromium Oxide Green
- 080O Cold Green 1
- 094M Greenish Grey 2
- 082M Verona Green
- 075B Mossy Green 1
- 086D Olive Green 2
- 084B Chromium Oxide Green
- 083B Bohemian Green
- 073B Leaf Green 2
- 081D Cold Green Deep
- 074B Phthalo Green Deep
- 082B Verona Green
- 094D Greenish Grey 2
- 093D Greenish Grey 1
- 030B Greenish Umber
- 013D Ochre Light
- 028D Olive Ochre Light
- 093O Greenish Grey 1
- 030M Greenish Umber
- 028M Olive Ochre Light
- 029O Olive Ochre Deep
- 014M Gold Ochre
- 032O Brown Ochre
- 017O Orange Ochre
- 033O Burnt Green Earth
- 017H Orange Ochre
- 016D Flesh Ochre
- 021B Pozzuoli Earth
- 033B Burnt Green Earth
- 037D Sepia Brown
- 035B Burnt Umber
- 025B Dark Brown
- 022B English Red
- 023D Caput Mortuum Pale
- 024O Caput Mortuum Deep
- 023M Caput Mortuum Pale
- 022O English Red
- 019M Burnt Yellow Ochre
- 018O Burnt Sienna
- 098N Neutral Grey
- 035O Burnt Umber
- 036O Van Dyke Brown
- 037M Sepia Brown
- 098L Neutral Grey
- 001D White
- 091O Grey Blue 1
- 061O Phthalo Blue Deep
- 067O Indigo Hue
- 091H Grey Blue 1
- 090M Grey Violet
- 095M Cold Grey
- 092O Reddish Grey
- 098H Neutral Grey
- 092B Reddish Grey
- 090B Grey Violet
- 099D Black
Wooden box set of 60 assorted pastels. Colours include:002 O - permanent yellow 1 lemon
003 D - permanent yellow 2 light
004 H - permanent yellow 3 deep
004 D - permanent yellow 3 deep
010 D - orange light
005 H - orange deep
005 D - orange deep
042 D - permanent red 1 pale
040 D - vermilion
041 D - scarlet
044 D - permanent red 3 deep
046 D - carmine red
044 B - permanent red 3 deep
045 D - madder lake
047 D - rose madder
013 O - ochre light
014 O - gold ochre
016 O - flesh ochre
035 O - burnt umber
023 O - Caput mortuum pale
021 O - Pozzuoli earth
032 H - brown ochre
033 D - burnt green earth
022 D - English red
036 D - Vandyke brown
036 B - Vandyke brown
024 B - Caput mortuum deep
045 B - madder lake
048 B - quinacridone violet
050 D - purple 2
091 D - grey blue 1
091 H - grey blue 1
091 M - grey blue 1
064 O - cobalt blue hue
062 O - ultramarine light
064 M - coballt blue hue
062 M - ultramarine light
064 H - cobalt blue hue
062 D - ultramarine light
063 D - ultramarine deep
063 B - ultramarine deep
061 B - phthalo blue deep
066 B - Prussian blue
066 D - Prussian blue
059 D - deep violet
077 M - may green
077 D - may green
077 B - may green
085 D - olive green 1
072 B - leaf green 1
070 B - leaf green deep
091 B - grey blue 1
097 D - serious black
098 K - neutral grey
098 N - neutral grey
098 O - neutral grey
001 D - white
893 D - gold
894 D - silver
910 H - white pearl
Free content that you may use. There are some great sites where you are able to obtain free domain images that you are allowed to use for your art. Pixabay (there are many others) is the free domain image source that I turned to for an image of a brush and a pen that I could combine in a photo editing program to create my Ryn Shell pen logo above. Photographs and photo editing skills are great aids for creative work. I'll strive to steer you from being dependent on them when creating art work. The human eye sees in a different may to a camera.
Always check that they state that they are copyright free. Never assume they are.
[image error]
December 18, 2021
Comet Leonard
I saw it.I had such a traumatic week and missed news of Leonard. Fortunately I took Tess for a walk at dusk and saw what I thought was a strange shape, amazing twinkling star (the comet).
I'll pretend it is a sign that a major change for better will happen for Reg, Tess and Me. Fingers crossed.
& Coeur De Neige Rose Art
https://ryn-shell.pixels.com/featured...
November 30, 2021
Ryn Shell's December 2021 Newsletter
"Grab a drink, put your feet up,What a few years we have all been through since I was last active with my novels and reader's newsletter. I think we all deserve a group hug. I know many of you have seen stressful times, far more than I've experienced. I've adapted enough to my new lifestyle to be able to be a full-time creative again—and oh how I love it.
I've a lot of freebies,
special offers,
and news to share."
My thanks to the staff of Hepburn House who care for my husband, Reg, so well and make my being able to be an artist and author possibly.
The coping tip I can offer, from out of my experience of the last two years, is when dealing with a major life upheaval that involves some form of loss, keep a journal and take time every day to write one or more things about your new lifestyle that you are grateful for. Hang on to those positives—they help us adjust to change.
I've been somewhat insulated from the outside world for all of 2020/21.
Hard to realize that I've lived in beautiful Hepburn House, assisted living aged care here in the beautiful highlands of Victoria for almost two years.
Talk about a major life transition for one as fiercely independent and active-minded as me. But what fodder and experience to add to my writing, and I AM WRITING, and loving it.
What have you been up to creatively since I last connected with you?
FREE & Discounted Ryn Shell Books To Launch the NEW Book Covers I Made
FREE eBook at Apple, NOOK, Kobo,
To Kill for LandThis eBook is free at most eBook stores.Amazon my take a while to price match.
To Kill for Land is a story of Crime, Betrayal, RESILIENCE, Love, and Australia, where land is everything — but is it worth killing for?
Stolen Years is a seven-novel family saga, the author, Ryn Shell, suggests that it is okay to start the saga here at book 5 and take advantage of promotional pricing.
If you begin reading The Stolen Years here, with book 5, you will enjoy the experience best by following this ebook by reading book 6, To Kill in Fire, the author's favorite.
Books 1, 2 and 7 may be read as stand-alone novels, and don’t need to be read in order. Ryn Shell often does short-time featured specials on Books 1, 2, or 7 in the series. Join the author’s newsletter to be notified of those discounts.
Discounted from $3.99 to .99 cents
Dec 2021 till New Year 2022
Ghost by Ryn ShellAdvance notice, these go on sale late December 2021. Great last minute gifts.Four Novels to be Discounted to .99 cents from Christmas 2021 to New Year 2022
Escape by Ryn Shell
Gold by Ryn Shell
Star StruckI'm Back Writing Full-Time.Meet the WIP NEW Series
Join Ryn Shell, author artist newsletter* Indicates required fieldEmail * I agree to receiving marketing and promotional materials * Subscribe to NewsletterRyn Shell's "A View from The Balcony Mystery" novels are set in the Central Highlands of Victoria and feature just-turned-fifty, ex-lawyer, and emerging artist Angela Paige.
Angela's former lover inconveniently gets himself killed, just as she undergoes her midlife crisis and leaves him. She also recently quit a stressful legal career defending criminals. Now her plan to escape to the central highlands of Victoria to paint, read, write and potter in a garden filled with the peaceful song of birds has been thwarted by the doggedly determined Detective Inspector Harrison Moore, who is out to build a case against her. He plans to close this case and then go fishing—for the rest of his life, and no clever murderess will outsmart him and delay his retirement.
Under orders not to leave town, Angela returns to the home she'd shared with Logan and cares for his orphaned and noisy budgerigar. The bird prompts her that things are not as she'd imagined they would be. Bird song isn't necessarily peaceful, so maybe behind the charming smiles on the faces of her and Logan's friends might lie the mind of a killer. But everyone who knew him appears to have loved him, and now only the bird in a cage trusts her and is eager to talk.
The quirky locations, richly drawn characters, and witty suspense involving a Robbin' Hood criminal in the cozy mystery, "What The Caged Bird Knows," will warm your heart.I'm Also Back Painting My Book Covers
NOTE: I did not create the first four covers for my new work in progress series.
My NEW soft-boiled cozy mystery series, A View From The Balcony Mysteries, will be closed mysteries. The reader doesn't know who the murderer is until the end of the novel, and they have fun guessing and trying to match wits with the character who reveals the killer. In true cozy style there is no extreme violence, sex or profanity in the books.Two Special Loves in My Life
My husband Reg 81 years, and our therapy puppy, 11-month-old Tess the miniature Cavoodle, (or Cavapoo if you are from the US) live here in Hepburn House with me.
Tess, like me, loves my room and its amazing views. We look out over Kidds Gully Daylesford, in the central highlands of Victoria. I'm at the end of an upstairs wing, so able to live the creative life of a semi-hermit, just as I'd done previously in my rural retreat.Sunrise and the moon rise are wonderful when viewed through my studio window.
Something For My Author Friends
I love assisting my fellow authors
Those who know me understand how I deplore writing genre tropes that glamourize bully romance and women depicted as victims or abuse of women in any form as the main topic in a novel.Rather than focus on the negative, I have always positively striven to assist my fellow ethical author through author cross-promoting (never spamming) the work of creators with similar clean and cozy creative work. By clean, I don't mean religious—that's a whole different genre I'm not getting involved with.
I have past experience of managing author cross-promotions of well-edited, professionally presented, works, on similar ethical guidelines.
If you think I'm fussy, have sympathy (grin) for my amazing carers at Hepburn House.
Talents I can share to help other artists are:
Mentoring. Critiques through to marketing.
Your book videos. They take me about 21-hours to cut an excellent under 5-minute video.
EBook cover creation from your licensed images.
I could easily manage a website built solely to promote clean and cozy eBooks, and promote your free books and featured specials. If I had fellow authors eager for this and understanding it's a pay it forward and assist someone else situation, to have your books featured.
All those services could be done as an author support exchange of services, within a small group of ethical authors wanting to mutually assist each other. There are many ways to help a fellow author that require no special talent. Heck, my Goodreads author's page is a mess, I'd love someone to smarten it up for me with all my latest book covers prominent. I have my weaknesses as well as skills, mine being a lack of patience to maintain a Goodreads page, and my books also need a final proofread prior to publishing.
Contact me if we can ethically assist each other, and others.
Together, as a group of ethical authors, we can succeed faster than trying to do everything alone.
Love, Ryn.
Nature is My Inspiration
With two panoramic windows in my room, I turned the one facing north, into art and indoor garden display. Sun filter curtains protect the plants in mid-summer.I love my room. Though room service is provided here at Hepburn House, I strive to maintain independent living and self-care as much as possible, and that includes putting my stamp of character on my bed-sit-studio.
Do you agree, this looks nothing like you expect an aged care resident's room might look? I feel so fortunate to have discovered and accepted into Hepburn House.
Free Art Tutorial. Soft Pastels, Roses
While this video references my YouTube channels, I no longer have art tutorials listed on YouTube, instead, I now have more than 100 informational art tutorial posts and videos on my Patreon site. I have a Cavoodle aged care therapy puppy who needs an old age nest egg to fall back on, so I ceased doing free art tutorials for YouTube and put them behind a small fee paywall to assist in paying future care needs for Tessa.
It turned out to be the best move for me. I found the time to return to writing novels.Become a Patron!What is an Open Mystery
I adore, 'open mystery' which you would also call crime fiction. It is what I read, and what I wrote for Stolen Years seven novel series.
I have always been interested in psychology. I find books that contain troubled characters I can believe could be real, more interesting than novels I know to be a flight of fancy.
I can wave a lot of skepticism and merge a ghost with a childhood imaginary friend or an old man's delusions, as I did in To Kill with a Ghost, so I have a mild level of 'believable' fantasy in books I read and write.
I'm a Ruth Rendell fan.
I found the novel "Judgement in Stone" easy to read, with no gore or profanity, mystery. It doesn't follow the usual cozy mystery format due to the psychological thriller contrasting with sensitive character revelations as the reader discovers what motivates the killer.
Ruth Rendell Wrote Open Mysteries
In Ruth Rendell's Judgement in Stone, the opening lines tell you who the murderer is.The reader gains an understanding of why the murder happened, and how the killer is caught.
There is a powerful character study of a murderer's thought process, without the book becoming gory or grotesque. I engage with Ruth Rendell's open mystery more than I've done with many more traditional format closed mysteries. I want to understand why anyone would commit murder. I don't want to remain disconnected from the antagonist, the novel's villain.
Those writers who can hold me within the pages, such as Ruth Rendell, are brilliant. I'm awed by their greatness. Their books never fit 'popular' or clearly defined genres and would be difficult for an Indie author to market in today's heavily genre-defined market.
But, for overall great reading, a mystery doesn't need to be a closed who-dun-it style mystery. The why-they-dun-it, and when will they be caught, is often more thrilling.
What do you think?
Have you read many open mysteries?
Do you also love a gripping open mystery?
Happy reading, happy creativity to you. I'll send all my subscribers a New Year greetings and rewards newsletter in early January.Cheers, Ryn.
My Print Meme for your use
Thank you to Rachel at Hepburn House for being my beautiful model.My artwork is copyrighted and prints are available on demand from my print store. However, the memes I create from them, such as the one above, are available for my supporters to use as my thank you. You are welcome to share them, along with the link to this newsletter or my website.
November 27, 2021
Pyrography art - from ancient to modern times
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Pyrography is the art of creating designs on wood using heat to burn or char the wood. Evidence suggests the art form has been around for thousands of years right up to today.
Over those years, pyrography has had a host of names. For example, it was called “embroidery with fire needle” during China’s Han dynasty which reigned from 206 BC - 220 AD. Fast forward to the late 1800s and the term ‘pokerwork’ was a fairly common term as was ‘woodburning’. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the term pyrography gained in popularity. Not only has the name of the art form varied over time, so has the method to create the art.
GOLD Book 1 Stolen Years SeriesORPHANED, BETRAYED, and DETERMINED, Jane Mutta's adventures lead her to the 1850s Australian gold rush and encounters with (highwaymen) bushrangers. Amidst the dangers, there are rocky entanglements with the explorer Douglas Fife. To survive, she will need all her resources.Something different in the way of historical mystery iction. This is an adventure through humour and historically tragic events. It is more than an adventure sea story mystery — judge for yourself; Miss Mutta breaks stereotypes.
Original tools were pieces of metal, such as pokers, needles, and knives. The artist would place the metal over a flame or bed of hot coals to heat the metal sufficiently so that it would char or burn the wood. In the early 1900s, an electric pyrography pen was created and the art form became extremely popular during the Art Nouveau period.
To Kill or EscapeFrom an Australian bestselling author comes the story of determination to find one's place in a world that men are threatening to tear apart. Based on a true Stolen Generations story.A spellbinding story about a child, that will capture the hearts of adults of all ages and cultures.
Today, artists have several new choices to create pyrography art including temperature controlled solid point and wire nib pens as well as lasers. The solid point and wire nib styles are handheld devices that require the artist to master their use; a process that can take years. Whereas the laser version is a ‘printer’ that attaches to a computer which then controls the laser to etch/burn an image onto wood, thus allowing anyone to create amazing works of pyrography.
To Kill for a DreamCompelling mystery, historical adventure set in Australia in 1950s.
ORPHANED, BETRAYED, and DETERMINED, this is Jarrah's stolen generation story. This is a story of love and loss, resilience and love.
While the methods of pyrography have changed down the years, the medium remains popular due to its distinctive style and look. No matter how you create it, be it hot pieces of metal from a fire or hot pieces of metal from electrical resistance or just heat energy from focused light, the end result lies in the artists interpretation of the subject, the layout, and the overall ascetics of the work – just like any other piece of art.Brenda Wilkie
To read more:
Scrub Jay, Pyrography by Brenda Wilkie
To Kill for LandIn the Australian outback land is everything — but is it worth killing for?To Kill For Land takes you on a breathtaking journey of late 1950s inland Australia.
Do you crave a good, old-fashioned yarn? This novel is an engrossing story of love and adventure in Australia, complete with gorgeous landscape.
Thank you to talented pyrography expert, Brenda Wilkie, for this excellent article.I love hearing from my blog readers and art students, so leave a comment,
Happy Creativity,
Ryn Shell.
Stolen Years Open Mysteries Series
The best kind of contemporary historical adventure and romance novel – the kind that teaches you something about the real people and events of the time as a bonus.To Kill in Fire [image error] In a coming-of-age novel that at times becomes a psychological thriller,
Payback revenge might be brought to an end, seventy-five years late, but at what cost?
Starstruck
Come on a powerfully emotional, twenty-year journey of family love, mystery and danger in rural and outback Australia.Stolen Years Series by Ryn Shell.
Mystery and romance novel set in wilderness and outback Australia.
November 21, 2021
Families enjoying nature while camping in the State Parks.
Nurturing to full-term and giving birth, is the most creative experience.Don't judge mothers on if they have returned to a creative life, or not, based on a narrow understanding of creativity as it's not how many art exhibition you held, or paintings you sold this year.
Truly creative people understand diversification—and that's a skill mothers gain—and it enhances a mother's fully-developed, creative, artistic life.
The majority of new successful small business owners are mothers.
Become a Patron!Vacations can be a nightmare, even for the most prolific planner and fun loving family. The long lines at the theme parks, hotel rules, and dangerous crowds. Those problems can be worse for parents with hyper or small children. When my kids were small, we discovered state campgrounds. I know, I know; camping yuck. Right? Not so much anymore.
The family holiday photos are taken in Australian State Forests and were contributed to the article by author Ryn ShellFor decades, the forestry department has been working diligently to bring modern conveniences to the outdoors. Everything from public showers to rental cabins. And many states provide discounts to disabled people or veterans with disabilities. But you’ll need proof of disability. The National Park Service also has a website dedicated to finding handicap friendly parks. I love their mission statement. They are committed to making the same facilities, services, programs, and employment available to visitors and employees as non-disabled people enjoy. While exploring the NPS website I found several, different passes and the opportunity to purchase them. US National Parks are free to military personnel; other passes vary in cost.
There’s also to explore other opportunities. You can obtain information about various parks—including warnings—learn about special use permits such as weddings, and reserve a spot and plan a trip. There’s also useful information about the parks such as what to expect and see, special events, and the history of the parks.
Opportunities for US State Park visitors.
Accessibility for US State Park visitors.
Reserve America has an excellent website that will guide you step-by-step through the entire planning process. And guess what? They have an app too. They even have information on hunting and fishing licenses. For the less technologically inclined, they have a customer service number. That’s right, folks, some of us still use the phone. (US) 877-444-6777.I clicked on camping guide and found information on everything from bird watching to campfire starting. They even help with what kind of gear to bring. That’s handy information for first-time campers.
Reserve America
Wonderful family holidays were held by the Shell family every school holiday in Australian State Parks.
A favourite camp spot was along the banks of the Murray River. These, faded, but much loved family photos are from the 1970s.
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Here’s a piece of first-hand information, most game wardens assume if an adult is anywhere near a fishing pole then they are fishing. That’s right. They didn’t buy my story about my husband using two rod-and-reels while I was innocently reading my book. Sad, but true. And don’t forget life vests for your smaller children, even if you aren’t using a boat, small children have a way of wandering from even the most diligent parents.
The one that got away!
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What can you do while camping? Hiking, birdwatching, swimming and horseback riding in some areas (check with your campground before reserving a spot) pretty much anything goes. Some campgrounds have scheduled activities if you’re inclined to participate. Most have playgrounds. But my family used to leave all things electronic, including watches and radios, in the truck and just did whatever. No plan, no anything. Complete freedom until checkout time. Sometimes, you can even enjoy non-denominational church services.[image error]
Painting, or reading, beside a lagoon while the other half catches a fish for dinner is fun. Photos are of the Shell family.How much does all this excitement cost? That varies by campground and time of year. I went searching for yearlong passes with our National Park Service and here’s what I discovered. Annual passes cost $80 per year. Current military personnel can get them free. 4th graders no older than ten years of age can obtain a special 4th-grade pass; home, public, or free choice schooled, but you need a paper Every Kid in a Park paper pass. That interested me, so I went to the website https://www.everykidinapark.gov/ to have a look. That pass applies to 4th-grade educators as well. Senior passes are $10 for a lifetime, and that includes discounts on camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. This does not apply to permit holders.
Photos of family and friends provided by author Ryn Shell.As I said, camping is an ever-changing industry. People of all ages and physical strengths can enjoy it. It doesn’t cost a lot. It’s relaxing. You are free of long lines and noisy crowds. And with activities being scheduled, it’s a lot more than just spending time in the woods. Our country is gorgeous. So, pack a cooler, get out, and enjoy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, LF GILLIS.
LF Gillis is a writer and novelist who is deeply connected to the great outdoors and nature. You will experience small-town southern states of American life through this author's beautiful writing. The most amazing thing is the way the characters in a Gillis novel interact, and the author's gift for showing the full depth of their feelings. The stories below are gripping and inspirational reads that I would highly recommend.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN AUSTRALIA'S STATE PARK PHOTOS BY
RYN SHELL
November 13, 2021
How to paint black
Tips on how to paint black.
Don't think black, look for the light ash shade and paint the tonal shapes. Remember, light is colour reflected and dark is colour absorbed, and so you paint with the colours you see in the tones. There will be more of the optically warm hues, yellow, orange, or red in the lightest tones, and more of the optically cooler tones of blue, blue-violet and blue-green in the darker shadows.
Take a look at the colour choices the master of light and shadow, Rembrandt, used when painting what we think of as black.
I went to look how I'd painted a black poodle in watercolours—I cheated—I hid her (the leading dog) in the grass, and left her all dark to contrast to the grasses and to not have her as a detailed focal point given she is near the edge of the watercolour painting. Just proves there isn't one way to do anything in art. The man's dark slacks gives a better idea of painting the tones being more important than what colour you use.
Become a Patron!
Don't think black, look for the light ash shade and paint the tonal shapes. Remember, light is colour reflected and dark is colour absorbed, and so you paint with the colours you see in the tones. There will be more of the optically warm hues, yellow, orange, or red in the lightest tones, and more of the optically cooler tones of blue, blue-violet and blue-green in the darker shadows.Take a look at the colour choices the master of light and shadow, Rembrandt, used when painting what we think of as black.
I went to look how I'd painted a black poodle in watercolours—I cheated—I hid her (the leading dog) in the grass, and left her all dark to contrast to the grasses and to not have her as a detailed focal point given she is near the edge of the watercolour painting. Just proves there isn't one way to do anything in art. The man's dark slacks gives a better idea of painting the tones being more important than what colour you use.
Become a Patron!
October 30, 2021
Cozy Mystery Set in Victoria Australia
I am about to write a
cozy mystery novel
set in rural high country of Victoria similar to Daylesford and Hepburn Shire and the Mount Macedon and Mount Dandenongs.
You may be familiar with our former gallery at Buninyong, also in the Central Highlands of Victoria, and the paintings I've done of these areas.
I'll now enjoy writing about them.
Tess's Comment.
And what of my art videos as I return to writing novels, for a long duration? I hope to write an extended series of cozy mysteries sit in this rural area I lave and now live. My YouTube releases will be scaled bark to less frequent or shorter videos. My Patreon will extend more into offering support to both artists and authors. My tutorials shop setup will be further improve and I don't intend to stop my art journalling, I'll mainly share it with my Patreon.
Become a Patron!
Blythewood Grange, Ballarat, by Ryn Shell.Where do Cozy Mystery Writer's find their Villains?
One makes character composites from evil they encounter in life. Writing is therapeutic.
As an author, we are able to go through many journeys, from understanding and forgiving, to hunting down and bringing criminals to justice. While our novel's characters are fictitious, we are drawing inspiration from our experience of people, loved and loathed, that we know.
Of course, the individual likes and dislikes of each author will enhance the writing. As I'm a nature and landscape lover, they feature in all my novels.
Joey painting by Ryn ShellHow I plan to write a novel in 30 Days.
To write a 50,000 word draft for a novel in a month you need to average at least 1667 words every day. Make sure you start with a plan and that novel is plot focused, not rambling.
Today I am working on my plan for my next novel, a cozy mystery titled Perfect Chemistry. I make a detailed outline plan, beginning a week prior to the start of the novel writing phase. This time, I'm at the last day before I planned no start. Life got in the way, as can happen, and I am hoping the plan falls together as I put my thoughts down on paper tonight.
I used to write each scene on index cards either on line or physical cards. You can buy software and write each scene on an index card within a plotting online program.
I usually anything from 13 to 32 chapters and I often have around from 2 to 4 scenes to each chapter. My scene range from 1,000 to 1,600 words.
After I have achieved a scene of about 800 words of action, I develop the description, and add more dialogue. This usually doubles my daily word count to 1600 words in a day.
The following day, I reread and edit the previous days work before beginning the new scene. By doing this, I know that at the end of the month I will have written my novel of 50,000 words.
I then, read and edit the entire book, developing parts of the book further, adding more dialogue driven action and interest or description where needed. I also parry the words back by about 10% by removing anything that doesn't 'garb me' as a reader, or doesn't enhance the story. If you are interested in reading and reviewing my novels, and special offers, feel welcome to...
Subscribe to my author artist newsletter
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You may be familiar with our former gallery at Buninyong, also in the Central Highlands of Victoria, and the paintings I've done of these areas.
I'll now enjoy writing about them.
Tess's Comment.[image error] Ryn: In My Art Journaling Studio
"Hoomumma has been going into a trance all morning and needs to be spoken to (or barked at) twice before she noticed others. She made an excuse about it being day one of writing a new novel."
And what of my art videos as I return to writing novels, for a long duration? I hope to write an extended series of cozy mysteries sit in this rural area I lave and now live. My YouTube releases will be scaled bark to less frequent or shorter videos. My Patreon will extend more into offering support to both artists and authors. My tutorials shop setup will be further improve and I don't intend to stop my art journalling, I'll mainly share it with my Patreon.
Become a Patron!
Blythewood Grange, Ballarat, by Ryn Shell.Where do Cozy Mystery Writer's find their Villains?
One makes character composites from evil they encounter in life. Writing is therapeutic.As an author, we are able to go through many journeys, from understanding and forgiving, to hunting down and bringing criminals to justice. While our novel's characters are fictitious, we are drawing inspiration from our experience of people, loved and loathed, that we know.
Of course, the individual likes and dislikes of each author will enhance the writing. As I'm a nature and landscape lover, they feature in all my novels.
Joey painting by Ryn ShellHow I plan to write a novel in 30 Days.To write a 50,000 word draft for a novel in a month you need to average at least 1667 words every day. Make sure you start with a plan and that novel is plot focused, not rambling.
Today I am working on my plan for my next novel, a cozy mystery titled Perfect Chemistry. I make a detailed outline plan, beginning a week prior to the start of the novel writing phase. This time, I'm at the last day before I planned no start. Life got in the way, as can happen, and I am hoping the plan falls together as I put my thoughts down on paper tonight.
I used to write each scene on index cards either on line or physical cards. You can buy software and write each scene on an index card within a plotting online program.
I usually anything from 13 to 32 chapters and I often have around from 2 to 4 scenes to each chapter. My scene range from 1,000 to 1,600 words.
After I have achieved a scene of about 800 words of action, I develop the description, and add more dialogue. This usually doubles my daily word count to 1600 words in a day.
The following day, I reread and edit the previous days work before beginning the new scene. By doing this, I know that at the end of the month I will have written my novel of 50,000 words.
I then, read and edit the entire book, developing parts of the book further, adding more dialogue driven action and interest or description where needed. I also parry the words back by about 10% by removing anything that doesn't 'garb me' as a reader, or doesn't enhance the story. If you are interested in reading and reviewing my novels, and special offers, feel welcome to...
Subscribe to my author artist newsletter
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