Did I just say that out loud?

Do you remember that show. . . "Kids Say the Darndest Things?" Yep, out of the mouths of babes.  Kids say AND do the darndest things.  I just love the way they are just so brutally honest. Saying whatever is on their sweet little minds!  Telling it like it IS, so to speak!  Good OR bad!

This got me to thinking.  Yes, I do that on occasion.  Life IS suppose to be fun!! And kids know how to have fun!  Don't they!  They certainly don't care about what people see them doing, hear them saying or say about them!  They are children after all.  And for some reason, it brought this saying to mind:

"See no evil,

Hear no evil,

Speak no evil." 

But in a different way. I think that at times, we take life too seriously.  Not saying or doing the things that really make us happy, for fear of what others may think. Why is that? God gave us life to enjoy it.  So why not really ENJOY it! I think that it's an insult to him, if you don't.

If you've been following along this week, you've probably noticed that my sketches have mostly been about dreaming and imagination.  Those are things that we mostly associate with children.  But they apply to us as well.  Adults have dreams.  Adults are imaginative.  Aren't we?   We shouldn't care about  how silly we may look or how ridiculous we may sound in the pursuit of using our imagination to achieve those dreams.  Close your eyes and ears, say your dreams OUT LOUD, live like a kid and. . .

FLY TO THE MOON!

And send me a postcard when you get there.

Happy DREAMING!

And as always, feel free to leave me suggestions or drop me an email.  I'd love to hear your ideas.

A Bad dog. . . .

. . . .and being bossy!  That's what I had going on yesterday.  But it really did end up being a fantastic day.  I was kind of at a loss yesterday as to what I was going to sketch.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't usually sit down with anything specific in mind when I sketch.  Mind you, I've only been at it for a grand total of four days, but there are times when I just have to get something down on paper before I loose my inspiration.  Yesterday, however, nothing but my game of 'solitaire' tic-tac-toe was gracing the blank sheet of paper.  And I was pretty sure that you didn't want to see that.  However, there may days when that's all you'll get. So I put the sketchbook aside and decided to go do my errands. I always knew I was smart.

The first inspiration hit me when I was at Hobby Lobby.  I stopped by to pick up a Copic Marker R-29 to be exact.  A beautiful Lipstick Red.  I also picked up a new eraser and treated myself to some Faber-Castell sketching pencils.  I had a 40% off coupon, you know.  Always up for a discount.

On my way to the checkout counter I happened to pass by the wooden 'sign' section and I was glancing as I hurried past.  I was reading the first few words of some of them, but none caught my attention until I saw the word BOSSY! Yep, I had to back up and read it. Anytime I think that someone is talking to me or about me, my ears perk right up!  LOL
I don't know the exact phrasing of the little sign.  I should have taken a picture. But it went something like this . . .

'I'm NOT being bossy, 

I just know that you're doing it WRONG.'

Yep, that's me in a nutshell.  And to be perfectly honest, most of the time I am right.  They ARE doing it wrong.
That's where the the first sketch idea came from.  I'm not sure how it will turn out, but it certainly did get me thinking.  I like using my brain, don't you?!

The second sketch idea, came with a little bit of pain.  To my wallet!  I recently told you about Bella and Bandit being partners in crime. Well, the are.  And if they keep it up, I think I'm going to be changing their names to Bonnie and Clyde.  
Just recently, I purchase a new pair of Foster Grant reading glasses to replace a pair that I had lost.  Well, wouldn't you know it.  The first day I had them, Bandit knocked them off the coffee table and Bella chewed off one of the 'ears' while I was in the shower.  Bad kitty!  Bad dog!  Needless to say, I was PO-ed!  Bandit had no idea why I was raising my voice and running my mouth.  But Bella sure did.  She slinked back to the bedroom and got on 'base' (her dog bed) so I couldn't 'tag' her.  Boy, I was mad!  I LOVED those glasses.

The idea for the sketch didn't pop into my head until I picked up another pair yesterday. . . .and that's when it hit me.  I think that when I do the final drawing, I'll leave Bandit out of the it though, since all he wanted to do was play with the glasses.  Bella is the real culprit!  So believe me, she'll be taking center stage in that illustration for sure!  I was thinking though, maybe Bella didn't like the way those glasses looked on me,  and she didn't have the heart to tell me because she thought it may have hurt my feelings, and the only way to get rid of them was to destroy them.  I will say this. . .I like the new glasses much better than the previous ones, so maybe I should thank her.  Nay!  And somehow, someway, Bella is going to pay me the $20 that I paid for the old ones.  All I can say, is she had better be looking for a job!

Do you have one of those?  A 'let's get into trouble while mom is in the shower' trouble maker type?  Maybe it's your child! I had one of those too!  Share your stories. . . please!  I'd love to hear them.

And I just had to show you this!  To add insult to injury. . . .this is what was greeting me when I got out of the shower this morning! Bandit had knocked it off my desk and of course, Bella thought it looked yummy.  Or maybe she is devising a sinister plan to really get rid of Bandit and she was just testing one of her options? Hmmmmm.  Only time will tell!

See ya tomorrow. . . .and yes, before you say anything.  ALL GLASSES and ILLUSTRATIONS are now safely put away before I get into the shower. 

Happy BOSSING!

And as always, feel free to leave me suggestions or drop me an email.  I'd love to hear your ideas.

On a roll. . . .

. . . .not my drawings, but for my blogging three days in a row.  I can't tell you how much I do not enjoy blogging.  I guess it's because it actually involves me sitting at the computer . . .and typing.  Don't get me wrong, I'm NEVER at a loss for words.  Trust me!  Anyone who has ever met me, or talked to me on the phone, certainly knows that.  I have people tell me ALL the time.  . . .'take a breath'!  LOL  Oh well.  I guess that's just the way the good Lord made me.  You know, he doesn't make mistakes.  <wink>

Does anyone hate cold weather as much as I do?  I'm SO ready for spring.  It was suppose to warm today here in Virginia, but it didn't quite make it.  I was so disappointed!  They say it's suppose to be in the 60's and 70's by the weekend.  Let's hope that they get that forecast right.  I see the top coming down on the Mini if it does.  May even take Bella out for a right in the country.  (Just had another idea for a sketch.  Can ya guess what it is?)

Well, as you can see by what I was journaling yesterday, I was certainly thinking about spring. It can't come soon enough for me.  Well, the temperatures, at least.
The sweet sound of the birds and the blooming of new flowers.  I think spring is probably my favorite season, because of all the 'newness' that it brings.  And can I just tell you, that even though I have allergies, there is nothing like the smell of a freshly mowed lawn.  I just love it.

I know that I am only on day three of my journaling, but I am really enjoying it.  I have found in just three days of sketching that I come up with more ideas while aimlessly doodling.  The problem is deciding which image to complete and put in the shop first. Decisions, decisions.
Question. I know that these images are very similar, but would you like to see both of them in the shop?  I can't decide.  I tried to put a little saying with them as well, to kind of set the mood while I sketched.

Well, I don't want to take up too much of your time.  I've already said to much.  Imagine that.

I did want to tell you though, if you haven't been to the shop since yesterday morning, one of the journal entry sketches is now in the shop. A No. 2 Pencil and a Dream.

Which image do you think will hit the shop next?  I bet you can't guess!

Well, until tomorrow. . . . . .

Happy CREATING!

And as always, feel free to leave me suggestions or drop me an email.  I'd love to hear your ideas.

It's your imagination. . . .

. . .so let it run wild!
You remember when you were a kid and you played all day in your castle?  Do you remember?  Come on. . . .you know you do!  Remember!  It had that big draw bridge that you pulled up to keep those nasty trolls out. And it had the big moat around it.  Remember? And there was that time that you slayed  that mean and nasty dragon!  Remember!   It's all coming back to you now, isn't it!

Mine wasn't a castle, it was a log cabin.  I remember my dad bringing home this huge cardboard box from a job site and my sister and I drew on it, had our dad cut a make-shift door and some windows and we played Little House on the Prairie.  Guess which character I played!  Yep, you guessed it, Half-Pint, aka Laura Ingalls.  I was sassy, even back then.

But it doesn't matter if you had a castle or a log cabin.  It was the thrill of using your imagination.  Remember how real it seemed!  How much fun it was.  To imagine that you were someone else, or to be in a different place?  Wow. . . .if we could only capture that as adults.

Well, that's what I was thinking yesterday evening while I was sketching.  I've always loved to draw, even though they were mostly stick figures back the.
Since I grew up in the boonies and in the 70's, there wasn't much tv back then and you were lucky if you got more than three channels.  That's all we got.  So I spent most of my time outside.  One thing that I loved to do, was to lay in our front yard with my sister, looking up at the clouds trying to see you could see the most 'shapes'. I can't tell you how many elephants, lions, horses, pigs, cows, birds, bugs and snakes we saw in those clouds.  We practically lived in a 'farming jungle'.  It was so much fun and we could do it for hours. I miss that!  I'm lucky though.  I get to use my imagination on a daily basis.

While I was sketching these images of Sassy Sally, I found myself wondering. . .what does she see?  What is she thinking?  Hmmmm.  If you weren't thinking it before.  I bet you are now!  LOL  See, you're using your imagination already!

Wouldn't it be great though, if as adults, we would take a little time to actually use our imaginations like we did when we were kids.  I mean seriously.  When was the last time you saw a unicorn in the clouds?  I bet if you look hard enough, you'll see one and if you imagine hard enough, I bet that you could fly on a magical adventure!

Happy IMAGINING!

And as always, feel free to leave me suggestions or drop me an email.  I'd love to hear your ideas.

Journaling. . . .

I've never been one for New Years resolutions, but this year I have made a few.  One of those resolutions is to try to draw daily in an art journal.  I've never been one for using a journal, of any type. Not even in college.  Kind of weird though, considering I LOVE to doodle! And trust me, I was not one of those young pre-teens that kept a diary.  That just seemed like too much work and TOO girlie for me, since I was a tomboy.  But looking back now, I wish I had.  It would be interesting to see what I was thinking and what was going on in my life.  I'm sure I'd laugh, cry and probably shout. . . .'oh, just get over it, already!"  So, I thought that journaling would be a good way for me to look back at the end of the year, or years from now and see what I was thinking and drawing.  Yep. . . .it's a good idea, in theory.  We'll just have to wait and see if I'm disciplined enough to follow through.  

I mean, when I started doodling in the journal yesterday, I had already missed 5 days, so I wasn't off to a very good start.  I guess I could have just drawn a big fat X on the page and written, "don't feel like journaling.  No inspiration today.  THE END"  But that would be a lie.  I'm inspired every day, whether I realize it or not. Inspired by quotes or sayings, people, something I see or hear.  It's just a matter of writing it down or doodling about it.

This week and for the month of January, I'm thinking of the blank-ness that a new year brings.  A fresh start.  A time for renewal, creativity and the actual 'fun' that a new year can bring.  I'm more of a 'vintage' type gal, but I love new things too.  Like the smell of a brand, spanking new box of crayons!    They just have an intoxicating smell to them, don't you think?!  That smell, just makes me want to create!  So I'm going to try and capture that 'new crayon smell' each day and share with you a newly journaled page.  

This little excerpt is from the page that I was working on yesterday.  Yep. . . .Sassy Sally, Bella and Bandit are all breaking out their crayons too!

So, stay tuned!

Noah's Sweet little Turkey face!

Time for another tutorial.  I really  hope I'm not boring you with these.  And PLEASE, if you have comments or suggestions, or if I'm not including steps or information that you need or want, please let me know.

Today I'm going to show you how I colored Noah's sweet little Turkey face for the

What's Up Turkey? Illustration.  I just LOVE this little guy!  So festive and fun.

This is what I used to color Noah's face, but you may use what you have available, substituting when necessary.

**Abbreviation-FC=Faber Castell

**Abbreviation-PC=Prismacolor

When available, I will list the Prisma Color pencil that is the same color as the Faber Castell Color Pencil.

Strathmore Bristol-Vellum Surface-500 Series

Copic Markers: E0000 & E000

Colored Pencils:  (FC) Light Flesh=(PC) Light Peach

(FC) Cinnamon=(PC) Blush

(FC) Ocker Gebrannt=(PC)Burnt Ochre

Brushes:  #3 round & #4 Flat

Pentel Sunburst Gel Pen to 'dot' Noah's eyes

Step 1:  Color in all skin areas with E0000

Step 2: Highlight shaded areas of skin with E000

Step 3:  Using (FC)Light Flesh-(PC)Light Peach shade over the E000.

Step 4: Blend using Gamsol and the #3 round brush, just barely pulling the color outward. I do this on all of the skin areas.

Step 5:  Using (FC) Cinnamon-(PC)Blush and (FC)Ocker Gebrannt-(PC)Burnt Ochre to shade in the same areas as above and use the #2 Flat Brush to pull the color out building more shadow/shading.  Add more color as needed, but just keep in mind that it's easier to add more color than it is to take it away. And once it's blended with the Gamsol, it's a done deal.

Note:  I have found that adding a little white over areas that are too dark, does work sometimes, especially when coloring skin. :)

Step 6: For the cheeks, I use (FC)Cinnamon-(PC)Blush.  There is no right or wrong way to 'place' the cheeks.  That is totally up to you.  Using both the #2 Flat Brush I 'stipple' the cheeks and the #3 Round Brush to pull the color together and blend.  I want his cheeks to stand out, so I don't blend those too much.

And that's it.  Comments?  Suggestions?  I'd love to hear from ya.

Have a fabulous Saturday!

What's in my Studio?

Who doesn't like to peek into someones workspace or studio?  I for one am VERY nosey in that respect, so I thought that I'd share a little bit of what's in mine and what I use to create my illustrations.

Bare with me as you may already know a bunch of this.  So just humor me for a little long while. LOL

While attending college I was a huge Prisma-Color pencil user, but for about the last six months or so, I have begun using these wonderful, richly polychromos colored pencils made by Faber-Castel. Can I just say I LOVE these pencils.  I think two of the MAJOR reasons that I like them so much is because the points DON'T BREAK even at their sharpest point.  And you also don't get the 'grit/imperfection' when coloring like you do with Prismas.  If you use Prisma-colors you know what I'm talking about.

Another reason I like them so well, is that they are super smooth when applying to the paper.  The colors easily blend all on their own, even without any OMS (Odorless Mineral Spirits).  And when used with OMS they are just perfect for achieving that 'watercolor' look!!  It's like having two art supplies in one.

Ok, so maybe I love them for more than two reasons.  But they really are great!!!

I don't believe Michael's carries these, but some Hobby Lobby's do.  But if you are looking to purchase a few to try before investing in a set, make sure that they are the POLYCHROMOS pencils.  Or, if you're just going to take my word for it and want to purchase an entire set, I purchased mine from Dick Blick.

Here is a great comparison of the Prismas/Faber-Castells.

I LOVE watercolor pencils, and do use them a little on my illustrations,  but more often than not,  I stick mainly to the Colored Pencils.  I have a small set of 24 which is perfect because I always shade over the main color anyway, so I have never invested in a larger set. 

Now, I know it isn't the neatest little arrangement, but I DO love this caddy that I purchased from Michael's.  It houses all of my colored pencils and my Copics.

A customer of mine told me where she got hers when I saw it in one of her Show Me Thursday posts and I knew that they would be perfect for my studio.  I purchased two of them . . . .and I'd really like to have a third.  LOVE these little boogers.

Below my caddy, you see my Copic Color Chart.  I love having this thing handy while coloring.  And can I just say, for any newbies.  Use the SAME PAPER that you normally color on to make the chart as the ink is a little different depending on the type of paper that you are using.  Smooth papers will allow the color to stay more on the surface, while a more rough/toothy paper will soak up some of the color. It really does make a difference.  Trust me on that.

If you don't have one of these charts, you may download and print the blank 2012 chart here.

Here are the main instruments that I use when coloring the illustrations.  A Pentel white Gel Pen.  Perfect for details or 'dotting' the eyes.  That's what I use it mainly for.

A waterbrush.  I've shown the example here, but I don't use it much.  I have more control using plain old paintbrushes.

These are only a few of the sizes that I use, but I do suggest purchasing ACRYLIC brushes, because they have stronger bristles for blending and painting and don't wear out.  That's another reason I don't like the waterbrush.  The tip gets 'used' up too quickly.  I purchased my brushes at Michaels, using a coupon.  And no. . ..I don't buy expensive.  :)

OMS-Odorless Mineral Spirits, is FABULOUS for blending your colored pencils.  I also purchased this from the online Dick Blick store.  I like the larger size, b/c it's cheaper and since I use so much of it, it's great. I have an old KFC container that is perfect for using on my workspace.  Anything small with a lid is perfect.  The Dollar Tree would be a perfect place to pick up something like this.

And then we come to the papers.  There are ALL types of papers that you can use when coloring.  But here are a few that I prefer.  

In the top photo, from bottom to top:

Strathmore-Bristol-Smooth Surface-400 Series

Strathmore-Drawing Paper-Medium Surface-400 Series

In the 2nd photo from bottom to top:

Strathmore-Bristol-Vellum Surface-300 Series

Canson-Bristol (this paper is great b/c it is two sided.  Smooth on one side, rough/toothy  (on the other.)

These are all fine papers to use, especially if you are only using colored pencils and Gamsol to create, but if you are using Copics, they do bleed to the back.  That doesn't matter if you are just coloring something that you are going to cut out and past to a surface.  No on will see the back.  But if you're looking to color illustrations like I do, then I suggest using one of the two papers below.

Now these two are my preferred papers of choice, with my favorite being the Vellum surface because it is rougher/toothier.

Let me define rougher/toothier, or at least my definition.  A rougher surface will give you more texture and hold the color better instead of it 'bleeding' out.  Does that make sense?  Just think of coloring/blending on a piece of wax paper compared to sand paper and that will give you a good idea.  LOL

Listed from bottom to top:

Strathmore-Bristol-Vellum Surface (100% Cotton)-500 Series

Strathmore-Plate Surface (100% Cotton)-500 Series

Copics will NOT bleed or soak through to the other side.  That's why I like them so much.

Here are just two of the techniques I use when blending the colored pencils.  Shown at the top is the same color on the Strathmore-Bristol-Vellum Surface (100% Cotton)-500 Series.  Notice the texture.  Just below that is two blending techniques.  The first is a 'stroke' blending, meaning it's just like painting.  Short consistent outward strokes.

The second photo is a stippling/dabbing technique.  I touch the paper with an up and down motion, but do not move the brush from side to side. See how more of the color is 'unblended'. Hopefully you understand that.  :)

I have others, but this post is getting WAY too long, so I'm only sharing those two for now.

When my illustration is complete, I use Krylon Workable Fixatif to seal it so it doesn't smudge.  LOVE this stuff!!!  And regardless of what you have heard, DO NOT use hairspray.  YUCK!  This is much better and it lasts a LONG time.  You may purchase it at any local arts and crafts store.  I ALWAYS use a coupon!   

And FINALLY. . . . I bet you thought you'd NEVER get to the end of this post.  Here is my latest illustration using ALL of the 'crap' that I described from above.

Are ya tired from reading? I know I am!  I'm lucky you stayed with me until the end!

Thanks for reading!!!!

Comments or suggestions?  Email me or post a comment here.