IF: Propagation

This week's Illustration Friday theme is Propagate, an easy idea for me to develop since it lends itself easily to a bee theme.

This sketch is done in my new hand built (but not by me) watercolor journal and scanned a little light. I tried compensating after the scan but it still isn't exactly like the original and I think there might be a mark on the scanner!

Done with a Prismacolor marker and pots of watercolor paint.

~cta

Brown Bear Bakes Brownies

Here's a challenge: create a rendition of "Brown Bears Baking Brownies" no greater than 4" by 4".

I created this for the Art House Co-op weekly challenge in my new watercolor journal which happens to be slightly larger than 4x4 inches! I did the background in various intensities of brown and the bear practically drew itself! Just like using tea stains, the brown paint puddled into a light face and a darker body.

An easy and quick paint and sketch!

~cta

WIP #3: Almost There

I think I'm almost done with this watercolor portrait. The finishing step for this work-in-progress (WIP) will be to add a little shadow here and there and some color.

I did add text with a PITT pen and embellished the hair and dress with pen as well. I also added a little extra color on the dress and the face and painted over the text with a yellow-brown wash.

I hope to do several more of these portraits in this sketchbook!

WIP 2: The Portrait

I did a little more work on the watercolor portrait, again laying down a wash to build up depth. I added face and neck color, brightened the blouse with a little red, painted the first layer of hair, and smudged the background a little more. Still far from done but I'm enjoying moving the paint around and watching it bleed into the background!

New Work-in-Progress

A new work-in-progress (WIP): I have a new, hand-made, watercolor journal (a birthday present from Pat) and have started something new – a series of portraits, an art form I normally avoid. Since this is a new year, I’m going to try exploring new art avenues. A “new” theme for a new year!

I also thought I would take my time and not rush through a project and capture this particular journey by scanning between drying times. Here’s the first layer of the portrait: I drew the figure first with an XS black Pitt pen and then colored around it with a wash of yellow. Perhaps I should have done the wash first and then drew over it. Hmmm.

The paper in the journal is gorgeous, a nice heavy weight sheet and measure 5” x 4.75.” I’ll post a photo of this journal soon. In the meantime, on to the second layer.

IF-Wilderness ATC

Another ATC -- this time in response to this week's Illustration Friday theme: Wilderness.

My idea grew out of this interesting entry from a discarded dictionary I found at the art institute. I love the juxtaposition of wilderness next to Oscar Wilde. One entry describes a barren wasteland and the other a prolific fount of creativity. Click on the photo for a larger view.

The definition is mounted on an ad from my scrap pile which I daubed with black ink on the edges. I stamped wild grass on the card and lightly colored with Pitt pens in shades of grey. The embellishments include a bit of black feather and black dymo tape.

-cta

Paris ATC

Where does the time go?

Here is one of my goals this year: to expand my ATC collection.

This one didn't scan too well. The background paper is actually a light but dull pink and the edges of the card are stained with brown ink. Aside from that, you can see the 3-D postage stamp (from Stampers Anonymous) and the manila computer generated tag reading "Paris L'Amour."

More of my work this year should have added textural element.

I enjoyed working on this piece and love the wrapping paper background -- a gorgeous heavy-weight paper.

cta