Christmas Tree Girl, Angel Cat and a Dog

 My Christmas Tree girl looks a little snooty!

Wasn't so pleased how angel cat turned out but I am sure I will develop my skills the more I draw and paint.

The top two paintings took quite a bit of time to do over the weekend, however, the doggy sketch and quick watercolour over the top took minutes.  Guess which one my husband liked best?

A Random Sketch

Where has the time gone!  I have been in my job for 8 months now and feel this has been the quickest year of my life!  Blogging and reading blogs has had to go on hold whilst I remain productively employed but I miss you!  I miss having the time to read and and leave considered comments on blogs very often just skimming through words and pictures.  I still need to find a work/life balance as many people do.

I didn't want to have a picture-less post so sketched a random image.  She doesn't look very happy does she!  I can't wait to break up for the Christmas holiday period so I get a chance to catch up on my creative pursuits.  There is so much I want to draw, paint and make.

So for now, I leave you with a little sketch until the next time!

Bees and Clover and Drawing Every Day

I have been sketching in the book (pictured above) for the last few weeks. This month the materials to use are marker pens and black micron pens.  I have looked at some of my 'efforts' with an overly critical eye.  I can't help it as it is ingrained in my nature. 

I thought I would share one of my quick sketches.  I had to draw bees hovering over clover.  I made quick loose, sketchy marks and am pleased with the overall result.  Sometimes I don't need to be painstakingly tied to detail and perfectionism.  Sometimes I can covey what I need to with just a few pen marks. 

 

How to Find Your Art Style, Voice and Signature Style

Since announcing to the World that I was going to sketch everyday - I produced  just one sketch.  I know that in order to get better at what I do I need to practice, practice, practice.  I am held back by; not being interested in the subject matter, not being in the right frame of mind or the right kind of environment and generally making excuses for reasons why I am unable to do it. 

I have such a strong urge to be creative but don't want to waste time going down a path that I am not passionate about.  For a long time I have been bothered by the fact that I don't seem to have a 'style' and don't really know how to develop the limited skills that I have into something that speaks 'my voice'.  Anyway I thought I would probe deeper into this and have found some very interesting vlogs on YouTube about how to find your art style and listed some of the suggestions below.


Be aware of the stimulus that is around you that attracts you every day.

Take pictures of everything that draws your attention – without judging.

Rearrange the photos into families; colour, weird objects etc.

Broaden your research to ask why does a particular artist draw your attention, what is it I really like about him/her?  What do you have in common with the artist?  

Group your photos into folders such as movies I like, such as Tim Burton or Alice in Wonderland and find a commonality in what it is you like about them.  Do the same for books etc.  Don’t hurry the process in trying to find ‘your style’.  It could take a couple of years.

Allow time to find your voice.

Artists emulate artists – find other styles you like – copy to learn.

Create your own rules – how long an arm should be or how big the eyes etc.  Manga or Anime has a set look – you don’t have to follow the rules to create your own style.

Know what people like and produce it.

Self-doubt is part of being an artist – style is always evolving.

Borrow/steal from multiple sources.

Style is built into you on how you see the World.

Analyse your work.  Bad habits can become your style.  Keep re-defining your style to hone and craft your art.

Change your tools or materials – change from a round brush to a flat.

Choose 3 colours to do all your paintings with or put constraints on your materials to encourage creativity.

Take a pencil and pad everywhere you go.

Style can be found by having physical restrictions.

I hope that any aspiring artists will find the above list useful.   I am going to start to keep folders of things that attract me and write down the reason why.  Hopefully, over time a pattern will form identifying what 'styles' I like.  Pulling from multiple resources my art style should evolve from the influences I expose myself to.

Have a great weekend!

Dutch Boy Salt Shaker

I have a Dutch boy ceramic salt shaker on my kitchen shelf.  He always brings a smile to my face with his over sized 'pants' and clogs.  I decided to colour him with pastel pencils.  They didn't behave at all well and were scratchy on my sketch book paper.  Nevertheless, I think I have captured him well.  A few of my bloggy friends have suggested that I do a daily sketch and that is what I plan to do.  I won't be showing them all on here though so don't worry that I am going to continually bombard you with my drawings!

It may be a psychological thing, but since I tided my craft space I seem to have a new lease of life for my arty pursuits once more.

Blue Kitty

I sketched this kitty on white paper but when I photographed it in failing light the paper came out blue!  So, here we have a blue on blue kitty!  I did take some more photos where the paper came out white but there was a dark shadow in the corner of the paper and I don't know how to photo shop or edit photos (something for my 'to do' list I think.)

It has been an interesting exercise to draw with a coloured pencil as there is no place for errors or the ability to erase the bits I don't like.  The pencils have not been the best I have used because they seem to lack pigment and constantly need sharpening.  I do have some other brands of pencils to try and may even use watercolour pencils.

This kitty was a pleasure to sketch.  I think that liking the subject matter helps the outcome enormously.

Face

I sketched this face for my personal journal.  I don't know who she is.  I think she has sad eyes despite her upturned lips suggesting otherwise.

Sketching

I've been dabbling in my sketchbook in my free time this week.  I feel I need to brush up on my drawing skills before I take to the water colour paints again.  I love to create characters and they seem to evolve on the page without me having an idea of what the end result will be.

Logo

I have been asked if I could draw a logo for the vineyard.  This is what I have come up with thus far (who says thus?) in my sketchbook.  They need a simple design that can be easily reproduced on certificates and merchandise perhaps?

I sketched the design in pencil and have gone over the lines with a fine liner pen.  It probably needs tweaking but I don't want to overwork it.  It may be a good idea to leave it a day or so before making any modifications. 

It felt good to be sketching again.  This was sketched from my imagination so it is just a representation of a grape vine.  I really DO need to sketch more.  It felt so liberating!