Scribble Picnic: Lantern

This week’s prompt at #Scribblepicnic is LANTERN. It’s funny that I love lanterns. We have always had a couple of them around. At our cottage we used them quite a bit when the power went out. Learning to trim the wick, add the oil and not touch the glass when it has been lit were all learning experiences.

The first time I remember an oil lantern was at a cottage when I was a teenager. I went with a friend and the drive in to the cottage during the night on this long long road, bumpy, one lane terrified me. For my American friends what you call cabin we in Canada call cottage.

Then when we arrived I learned they had NO electricity and guess what they used – right, a lantern.

It’s dark. I’m in a strange place in the dark. My friend showed me how we would light the lanterns, climb the stairs and get into bed. We did have flashlights too.

But once the morning came and I could see where we were it was a delightful weekend and the drive home wasn’t nearly as scary in the daytime.

We have a lantern beside our fireplace at home. Since we are not home I can’t show you the photo of my fireplace and lantern – you will have to picture it from my painting. And yes there is a shade of purple in our stones. (from what I can remember – :))

After printing this I asked our friends who are staying at our home for the winter if they would take a picture of my lantern. So here it is. But I drew my picture from memory.

lantern

lantern

Micron pen number 03 and watercolour pencil.

Next step is to use some water on it.

Lantern

Join us for #Scribblepicnic each Wednesday. This week the prompt is LANTERN. @dotty_hill (click to tweet)

LANTERN

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22 comments

  1. This is the kind of lantern I planned to draw… but ran out of time with a trip we took, including time with the grandkids! We used lanterns on many camping trips as a child. Also when the electricity would go out. Flashlights just aren’t the same!
    I am intrigued with your watercolor pencils–thanks for showing the before and after adding water photos. I didn’t really know what they were, but will have to order some and give them a try!

    1. Alexandra,
      I guess we both need lanterns or flashlights in the dark. This week I spent a few times in the dark as we visited Disney Land with family. They like to make the rides dark – adds to the excitement I guess. and thank you about the bricks.
      Blessings
      Janis

    1. Tammie,
      Actually the painting came first. Then I asked my friend who is living at my house to pose the lantern on the brick. I think it came out like I had pictured it.
      Thank you.
      Blessings,
      Janis

    1. Mary,
      That would be a great idea. We actually don’t have it hanging there. It sits beside the fireplace. But maybe we will hang it there too. We used to have the bellows hanging on the hook. Not sure why I pictured the lantern there but I did. My friend then put the lantern there and too the picture.
      Blessings,
      Janis

    1. Lux,
      If you are really interested google video watercolour paintings. There are some great tutorials to get you started. You don’t need much. A larger brush and smaller one for details. And the paper – I used 140 pound. Water. And pick 3 colours or just buy the Pentel paints – they are great to start and very inexpensive.
      Blessings and thanks,
      Janis

    1. Lorraine,
      I guess that’s why watercolour has fascinated me. I don’t usually use the pencils but for sketching it is quicker. Now that I have more time I hope to do more paintings. I just finished illustrating a new book for someone. It will soon be released.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  2. Janice, I really love your piece here and so love the warm, inviting story! Your piece is excellent from memory, no less! I think it came together super well. this bring a warm glow to my heart, like the lantern itself! 🙂 Thank you so much for the write up and added piece to our lantern picnic collection!

    BTw, I have never actually used an oil lantern even once in my entire life! Something new to xp some day I hope.

    1. Oh Michael,
      Never used an oil lamp? – you don’t know what you are missing. I think you should look for one and some night turn off the lights and use the lamp – it is a whole new experience. Make sure Alex is with you to enjoy the time looking at the light and enjoying each other’s company.
      And I think I paint my best at 2am. – not hurried by expectations – my time.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  3. I love your take on the lantern theme, Janis! I enjoyed reading your post too.

    When we were kids, there was an elderly man who lived a few doors down…he deliberately chose NOT to have electricity powering his home. Mr Cooke had an open fireplace where he did all his cooking and we would make toast by holding the bread close to the flame with a long utensil he’d made himself. He never had milk in his tea and we adapted to our tea with just a touch of sugar to sweeten. He would hang his cooked meats from the ceiling in calico bags. He used kerosene lanterns/lamps for lighting and we loved seeing his process of lighting them. From a child’s viewpoint, we were in awe of his way of living and it was such a treat to visit with him regularly and play cards. Thanks for stirring that sweet memory in me.

    Enjoy the rest of your week. 🙂

    1. Hi Serena,
      Thank you. I had another experience with lanterns, out houses, no running water – that’s my aunt’s cottage and my Grandma’s cottage. It’s funny – those memories are earlier but the one in my teenage years is the one I wrote about. 🙂
      I always liked the times when the power went out too. All the neighbours would come out of their homes and talk together. Nothing else to do.
      Blessings
      Janis

      1. Memories are so special, aren’t they? My kids used to love when we had black-outs as I would light some candles and play guitar for them. They loved singing along. 🙂

    1. I have a hard time finding your comment space. Couldn’t find it last week to comment. Nice job ont he latern..like the brick background.

      1. Sorry that it is difficult to comment. I don’t know how to change that – but will work on it. Now you know – look at the top and see the number of comments – click there. This will pop up.
        Thanks for persevering and for your kind words,
        Blessings
        Janis

    2. Thanks Christine,
      Since we built the house I had my hands on those rocks/bricks a lot. My husband and friend planned the pattern. And thank you for the compliments.
      Blessings,
      Janis

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