Sketchbook Project: Week 8

I FINISHED A SKETCHBOOK!!

When I began this project, filling a sketchbook was my goal. I can't believe I filled this one in just two months.  I have dedicated an average of two hours a day on creating pages that I (mostly) like.  Some spreads have taken double that time, and others less than two hours. I've experimented with subjects and mediums, and this week I tried my first ever self portrait.  Well, half a portrait anyway.  I'm not comfortable with creating any human forms.  Especially trying to recreate my oh-so-familiar face. I almost erased the portrait about thirty minutes in.  I even said out loud, "I don't know why I keep working on this because I'm going to erase it."  But then I just kept going.  And then there was a finished (half) face. To me, there are glaring problems with the portrait.  And I still considered erasing it even after I was done.  But then friends threatened my life if I did, so it remains in the book.  Ha!  I know with time and practice, I will improve and become more comfortable with drawing people.  But for now, here's where it starts, immortalized on the interwebs, which is a truly vulnerable feeling, if I'm honest.  It seems about right though, to start the project feeling vulnerable about putting a daily sketch into the world and ending this book with the same feeling.

Enjoy the pages.  And don't worry, I've got a fresh, blank book waiting for today's drawing.

(Catch up on previous weeks here.)

Watercolor, Gouache, Japanese Brush Pen, Colored Pencil

Watercolor, Micron Pen

Micron Pen, Watercolor, Gelly Roll Pen

Left: Gelly Roll Pen   Right: Mechanical Pencil

Watercolor

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

It's Finished!

I will be starting a community revolving around the goal of filling a sketchbook very soon.  I'm excited to offer support and encouragement to others who want to get their creativity on paper.  So many folks have expressed to me that my project has sparked them to start (or pick back up) their own book.  I can't wait to see what we can do together!

Have a great week! 

Sketchbook Project - Week 7

Hello again and happy Monday! We had beautiful weather over the weekend, and the Arkansas farm is gearing up for Spring.  I've been spending as much time as possible outside, and that definitely influenced a few sketchbook pages this week.

On top of adding to my sketchbook, I've been busy finishing commissions, creating ready-to-ship pieces and planning the Spring workshop tour.  I also have fun news to share later this week about a dreamy opportunity that has come my way.

For now, enjoy these pages.  And click here to catch up.

Watercolor

Watercolor

Both Pages: Gelly Roll Pens

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Left: Watercolor, Micron Pen, White Gelly Roll Pen       Right: Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Do you have a favorite this week? 

Sketchbook Project - Week 6

Hey hey!  Week number six is in the books.  Ha! Literally, I suppose.  This one was hard.  I struggled each day to decide what to add.  Probably because of that struggle, I have a few pages that I feel a bit "blah" about this week.  Oh well.  I still put something in the sketchbook each day, so that's a win regardless.

Enjoy the spreads below!

(Review past weeks here.)

Left: Watercolor    Right: Micron Pen, Japanese Brush Pen, White Gelly Roll Pen, Prismacoor (eyes)

Left: Prismacolor Colored Pencil & Watercolor background   Right: Micron Pen

Watercolor

Watercolor

Gouache

Have a great week!

Sketchbook Project - Week 5

This week I managed to make two-page spreads for five of the seven days.  I reached the halfway point of this sketchbook this week as well, so I went ahead and got a couple more.  I'm comfortable with this size, so I'll be sticking with the 3.5" x 5.5" for now.  I'm still surprised by the length of time some pieces take to make.  But I always finish them.  Some days feel like I'm forcing creativity, since I can't decide what to do.  But I've been happy with most things that end up in the book.

Have a look at my pages.  And click here if you'd like to view the other weeks.

Gelly Roll Pen & Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Watercolor & Micron Pen

Gouache background, Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Left: Watercolor & Gelly Roll Pen     Right: Prismacolor Colored Pencil

Japanese Brush Pen & Prismacolor Colored Pencil

Watercolor

See you next week!

Sketchbook Project - Week 4

I FINISHED A WHOLE MONTH of drawing/painting/sketching something everyday into this sketchbook.  Even though I promised I would be kind to myself if I missed a day, I committed and invested time each day and made it happen.  I've already filled half of this particular sketchbook--at this rate, I'll have five or six finished books by the end of this year.

Just by reviewing this month's work, it's obvious that I have a particular love for flora and fauna. I'm also beginning to see a pattern of using a lot of color. This week I was apparently attracted to warm colors like reds and oranges and pinks.

Japanese Brush Pen and Watercolor

Left: Prismacolor Colored Pencils   Right: Prismacolors/Gouache background

Left: Black Gelly Roll Pen/Prismacolors   Right: Crayola Markers/White Gelly Roll Pen

Watercolor

I have a couple favorites from this month, but I won't tell.  Do you have any favorites yet? 

(You can read about previous weeks here.)