Cleopatra



Cleopatra

 Could I make something interesting with just a fine black marker?  That was the challenge I set for myself.  I had picked up a few technical drawing books at a used book store and was amazed at some of the detailed drawings.  Got out my smooth drawing pad, began a rough sketch in pencil then went over my main lines in ink and thats when the fun began.  My favorite was the outside border of just scribbles.  No thinking is involved in this and it was really relaxing.  I stressed a bit about trying an ink drawing, afraid that there is NO room for error.  That really isn't true, if you make a mistake simply add on to make it part of the overall design.  It was fun and I will have to try it again.  Maybe with other colors!

Three birds on the line.

Three birds on a line

Just finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett given to me as a Christmas gift from my youngest daughter (great book by the way).  I had wanted this book and refused to see the movie until I finished reading it.  The cover illustration by Ellen Granter I thought was beautiful.  I loved her colors.  I wonder, did she paint the illustration specially for the book or did someone discover her?  I changed up the birds just a bit but the feel is still there.  I guess I will have to wait till the movie is at red box or on netflex since it is no longer at the theater.   Just goes to show, you never know where your inspiration may come from.

The Raven

The Raven

Decided to try my hand at a watercolor with elements of ink.  The Raven started out with an inspirational image in Artists' Cafe Magazine by Stampington and Co. Vol 5.  After sketching the initial Raven I then began to play with color and add elements of my own.  I like the final result and think it would look great with a black mat and frame.  If you have not had the chance to look at all the Stampington Magazines pick up a copy and take a look.  They can be found at Michaels or ordered on-line.  My favorites are: Artists' Cafe, Artful Blogging, Where Women Create and Somerset Life.  They are a constant source of inspiration.

Bird, Egg, Nest, Feather

Bird, Egg, Nest, Feather 

As promised, I finished my 1x1 mini watercolor collage and had so much fun I am sure I will do this again.  The nice thing about creating such small pieces is that you don't have to commit to hours on a piece.  A bit here and a bit there and before you know it you have enough to put it together like a quilt.  My grandmother would be proud, as she made many handmade quilts out of the smallest bits of fabric, wanting nothing to go to waste.   Birds seem to be the theme this week and I have already been working on the next bird watercolor.  Try your hand at these little works, they really free you up to just play. 

Two Birds

Decided to try my hand at a 1" square theme with birds, eggs and nest but got a bit side-tracked.  I did get some of the squares done (future blog) but had fun painting these two birds.  Tried to stick with just a few colors and like the combination.

I dreamed of a girl.....

I dreamed of a girl

It is quiet this morning so I started to sketch.  Pretty soon the watercolors came out, then the ink and next thing I know paper scraps, stamps and glue.  As I added a bit of this, then a bit of that the woman became a bit clearer in my minds eye.  It isn't everyday I paint a woman with blue hair but I think it works.  I looked through my word cut outs and found "I dreamed of a girl", perfect!  Overall, I am happy with the result.  Hope you like it too.

A French Bird's Eye View

a vol d oiueau

Decided to try my hand at another drawing on my brown paper.  This time I used brown ink and created a little crowned bird in her nest with the caption "a vol d oiueau" (french: a birds eye view).  I crowned her because I think all mothers deserve to be a queen now and then.  At the last moment I stuck a berry in her mouth (maybe because I was eating berries and cream for breakfast)!  It's funny, but most people rarely look up and I can't help but wonder what tbirds see of this funny human race as they are pearched in their nests.  I'm sure they probably wonder, do they ever sit?  When is the last time you actually spent sometime sitting outdoors and listened to a bird sing?  If your like me, your probably long overdue. This brown paper that I purchased on a roll from Home Depot is thick and durable making it a good choice for ink drawings.