Sketchbook Project - Week 12

This week I reached the halfway point of my second sketchbook.  But, I wasn't able to keep up with my goal of sketching every morning (rather than the evenings).  I finished morning drawings only three days this week.  But, hey, it's a start.  I'll try again this week!

I experienced another "first" in this week's set of drawings.  I was so unhappy with one sketch, that I completely covered it with something else.  I started with a partial monarch wing in colored pencil, but the markings were off, and I couldn't adjust it enough to be pleased with it.  So I broke out the black paint and covered it up. I still wanted to add something to the book that made me happy, so I painted a watercolor leaf and glued it in.  Problem solved, haha!

Because this project has gained so much traction, I've decided to start up a separate little group for us all to stay inspired and encourage each other to keep creating.  Right now, you can follow along on instagram at @FillYourSketchbook.  I've also set up a site at www.fillyoursketchbook.com, where you can join the mailing list if you'd like!

I hope you enjoy the following pages. 
Have a look at previous drawings here.

Watercolor and Micron Pen

Watercolor

Mechanical Pencil and Watercolor

Left: Crayola Markers      Right: Watercolor, Japanese brush Pen, Gelly Roll Pen

Left: Gouache background, Watercolor on paper glued into book     Right: Watercolor

See you next week!

Sketchbook Project - Week 11

Eleven weeks in, and it seems like I've been working on this project for much longer than that. I'm not sure if that's a positive feeling or not. Since I'm still enjoying adding a sketch everyday, I'll count it as a win. My goal this week is to add my sketches in the morning, rather than waiting until evening like I do most days.  I'll report how that goes next Monday. 

These pages feel very random and scattered.  A few days I just started putting paint to paper and then decided what to make of them.  One of those was the balloon page, which I quite like. I also enjoy the cotton candy colored sheep.  Which is your favorite page?

(See past sketches here.)

Watercolor

Left: Watercolor and Black Gelly Roll Pen       Right: Gelly Roll Pen

Watercolor and White Gelly Roll Pen

Left: Prismacolor Colored Pencil      Right: Watercolor and White Gelly Roll Pen

Watercolor

Until next week, friends!

Sketchbook Project - Week 10

I have a confession to make. I went to bed Thursday night without having worked on a drawing for the day. But as I laid back going through my mental list of things I needed to work on the next day, I realized that I had yet to crack open my sketchbook.  So I got up, grabbed a gel pen and started making lines.  I actually like the what I ended up with that night.  A collection of flowing curves and contours that could be the basis for a more complicated piece later on and the satisfaction of getting something in the book and not actually forgetting completely.  

So far, this sketchbook is serving two purposes for me. Each page completed is a separate piece of art. The book as a collection is a piece of art, too. But each page is also a way for me to chronicle ideas.  To try different subjects and mediums and to become more comfortable with new things.  These pages are becoming platforms for firsts--first self portrait, first try with gouache, first time feeling comfortable with colored pencils, and the first time sharing daily art in such a public way.

So here are my sketches this week. (In case you are curious if there were any firsts this week, this was the first time I've ever painted clouds.)  Enjoy!

Watercolor and Mechanical Pencil

Left: Japanese Brush Pen and Colored Pencils    Right: Watercolor

Left: Gelly Roll Pen         Right: Gouache

Colored Pencil

Colored Pencil, Gouache Background, White Gel Pen

See you next Monday!  (Catch up here on previous weeks.)

Sketchbook Project: Week 9

Oh this week was hard.  And not because this was a new book.  But alllllll those blank pages can certainly be intimidating! As it turned out, for most days this week I was just uninspired.  Adding to the sketchbook was just another task I needed to finish.  Thankfully though, I was pleased with Friday and Saturday's spreads (the mouse and colored triangles)--I was more enthusiastic those days, so I think I just have more fondness for those pages. I do like the way the last spread turned out as well.  That pen and ink is based on a photo that I took in Amsterdam. Perusing travel albums is definitely a good way for me to spark an idea for a sketchbook entry, plus revisiting favorite places and memories is a great bonus.

Enjoy the pages.  If you'd like, review past weeks here.

Watercolor and Gelly Roll Pen

Left: Micron Pen      Right: Watercolor and Gelly Roll Pen

Watercolor

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Watercolor

Micron Pen

I hope your week is fab!