Wednesday, January 30, 2013

2012 Favorites In 2013

2013: 1

The start of a new year is often a time of reflection, and this January has been no different for me.  I've been thinking a lot about what "worked" for me in 2012, and things I'd rather leave behind...

One of my favorite challenges from 2012, was Daisy Yellow's Index Card A Day (ICAD) in June and July.  (You can see my index cards here.)  One of the things I loved most about this challenge was that it turned out to be a great way for me to warm-up at the start of my creative day.  I was able to play with different ideas and techniques without worrying whether or not it was my usual or expected "style".  

Since I love the idea of a daily (or almost daily) warm-up, this month I started playing around on 140 lb. watercolor paper.  I liked the idea of "no-pressure" index cards, but I wanted something that could hold up to wet media better.  (I also started creating 5x7 images because I wanted a slightly bigger surface to play on.)

So far, I've created 14, 5x7 images.  I've decided that starting on Friday (February 1st), I'm going to kick it up a notch and start making these warm-ups a daily practice!  Which leads me to another one of my favorite challenges from 2012...

Ayala Art's 29 Faces.  She is starting another round of faces in February, so the timing seems perfect for me to join in the fun again!  (You can see my faces from her September challenge here.)

Be sure to stop back on Friday when I kick off my daily play!



Monday, January 28, 2013

Inside My Sketchbook...

(a page from my sketchbook:  "things with wings")

I created this page in my sketchbook last Thursday.  Then, the very next day, Illustration Friday announced that their weekly topic was "wings"...

I love serendipity!


Thursday, January 24, 2013

Random Fun!

2013: 11
(gouache, micron pen, white gel pen, and matte acrylics)

When Jessica Sporn asked if I would test drive some of the stencils from her new stencil girl products line, I was thrilled and honored.  And, when the "random squares" stencil arrived in the mail I was giddy... I love to play with new art supplies and her stencil looked like it was going to provide lots of inspiration!

I'm so happy that the Random Squares Stencil Test Drive Blog Hop is finally here, and I can show you what I've created using Jessica's very versatile stencil!

What better way to showcase the random squares stencil than to share the random artwork I've created using it?

2013: 5
To create this piece, I started by using masking fluid in the openings of the random squares stencil, then washing over it with watered down matte acrylics in earth tones.  After it was dry, I removed the masking fluid and added more random squares in a light golden brown.  Finally, I created the face over the background with matte acrylics, prismacolor pencils, graphite, and a wee bit of white gel pen.

2013: 6
I started this piece by lightly drawing an octopus using a plain old pencil.  After the octopus was sketched in, I dripped and washed watered down matte acrylics on the drawing, loosely paying attention to the lines.  Then, on top of that, I added the random squares all over using white paint.  When the stenciled squares were dry, I went back in with prismacolor pencils and more white paint to add details to the octopus.

2013: 7
The inspiration for this piece came from one of my (favorite) old drawings.  I quickly "sketched" the giraffe image using sepia watercolor and a very wet brush, encouraging drips.  After the watercolor was dry, I drew in the giraffe with sepia prismacolor pencil.  Then, I laid the random squares stencil down in the areas I wanted spots, and I used the sepia prismacolor pencil to color in the squares.  When I had all of the spots I wanted, I continued to add more details using a prismacolor pencil in dark brown.

2013: 8
This owl started as a white charcoal pencil drawing on a black matte acrylic background. I painted the owl, moon and background using more matte acrylics.  After it was dry, I added random square details to the moon, sky, belly, and branch.

2013: 9
For this painting, I decided I wanted to create a bold and simple image, using bright colors to showcase Jessica's random squares.  I had leopard spots on the brain, so I went with it.  This one is pretty straightforward, a matte acrylic base with the random squares stencil overlay.

2013: 10
(gouache, watersoluble ink pencils, micron pen, and white gel pen)

I had so much fun creating all of this "random" artwork... I think the possibilities are endless with this stencil!  



Since this is a blog hop, the fun doesn't stop with me...
Please be sure to check out these other talented artists:
(I can't wait to see what they've created!)

Diana Trout

And, be sure to visit our blog hop hostess with the mostess, 
Jessica Sporn!

(She's having a giveaway too!  Hooray!)



To buy your very own random squares stencil, please visit:


Buy Your Stencils Here


Monday, January 21, 2013

Juggling

2013: 14

Wow... We're already three weeks into 2013!  How did that happen?!?

I have quite a few balls in the air, so to speak, which has left me feeling a bit like the clown fish in the image above.  But, no worries...  I have every confidence that (at some point) I will find my rhythm and settle into 2013's routine (even if it takes me until March)!  Ha!

One of the very fun things I've been doing is "test driving" Jessica Sporn's "random squares" stencil.  I'll be sharing on Thursday (the 24th), so be sure to stop back.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Happy New(ish) Year


Hi Friends!

I hope you all had a fun holiday season!

You may have noticed that I've been away from the blog for a while...
I hadn't planned on taking such a long break, and I won't bore you with the details why, but I'm happy to say that I'm back!  
(I've missed you guys!)


On December 31st, I finished up a sketchbook.  Then, on the first day of the new year, I started a fresh one...  That kind of timing never happens (to me, at least), so I'm taking it as a very good sign of great artsy things to come!


I'm looking forward to catching up with all of you!

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