Pink Flowers

This flower illustration was using different brush tools for some texture.  The one thing I love about Procreate is the fact there are still techniques to learn.  I love being able to play without having to start something completely over again.

Steps Involved

1 - Line Drawing

2 - Base Colors using line drawing as a reference and working on layer below.  Color added by dragging and dropping a flat color.  Also used the eraser and the MWC Light Wash #7 brush tool tapping for some texture.

3 - Removing (unticking) the Line Layer.

4 - Adding middle tone color to flowers using the Soft Airbrush brush tool.

5 - Adding middle tone color to the leaves using the Soft Airbrush brush tool.

6 - Darks on flowers and adding centers.  Still using the Soft Airbrush brush tool.

7 - Darks on Leaves and adding cast shadow.  Soft airbrush brush tool.

8 - Finishing touches which include a layer with white to line some of the edges of the flowers; layer of blue over a few leaves; layer of gold on a couple leaves; and a layer using white and the MWC Splatter Wash #2 brush tool for added texture over flowers and leaves.  Also adjusted the color saturation of the top two smaller leaves as they looked too gray.

9 - After thinking I was finished, I decided to make a couple of changes.  I added a touch of blue to a few of the flowers for some variation and darkened areas on the leaves.

Other Mice in Mom's Collection

 There are a couple others not done yet but here are all the ones I have completed to date.  With each drawing, I played with different brushes or techniques.

Young White Ibis

We had a flock of White Ibis visit our yard to check out what food source we might have that enticed them to our yard.  Those that attract my attention most are the youngsters because they have the brown.  

Worked in Procreate as mentioned in the illustration below showing basic steps I took to produce this.

This little video clip gives an idea of my work progress such as brush tool strokes used.  End was trimmed with all the back and forth fine-tuning with values and other smaller details seen in final results to save on time viewing and size file upload.  The fine-tuning for me is the most time consuming and I often close out the app and return with fresh eyes at least once if not a few times before calling it done. 

Folding and Cutting Paper for My Fabric Artist Journal / Traveler's Notebook

I thought I posted this but looking back, it doesn't appear I did.

My fabric journals are an odd size compared to how others might size theirs.  Definitely different than the standard size Traveler's Notebooks.  The paper folded is 5" wide by 8" high with the fabric cover measuring approximately 5.5" x 8.5" (closed).

Fabriano paper is my #1 choice to make these from so I needed to learn which direction the grain runs for best folding (so paper doesn't crack at the fold after a period of time opening and closing).

Although there might be a better layout, this is what I've been using to save on any waste after cutting.  I've also included the layout for Arches and Lanaguarelle since the grain direction runs differently from Fabriano (at least from the time of this post.........that could always change at some point with the manufacturers changing how they make their paper from time to time).

Folder Pocket Inserts for the Artist Fauxdori Travelers' Notebooks

This post is about folder inserts for the covers I'm making. 

First I tried using a letter size hanging file folder.....idea from Poketfulofvintage on the YouTube channel.  It turned out OK but not really wide enough to go with the size Fauxdoris I'm making.  But this can still be used and gives me an idea for narrower sized covers in the future.  Legal size would have worked better in my case but didn't have any.

I cut the bars off and then what was remaining resulted in this.

There are six pockets total.  Folded here are two pockets front and back......4 total

Than on the inside there are two additional pockets.

This measures:  4.5 x 8" closed

When I finished this one, I looked around to see what other material I might have to try another hoping for the 5 x 8" size I wanted.  I came across a pocket folder.  It ended up working out beautifully and they come in various colors as well.

What I like about using these for the pocket folders is that it gives me three different type of pockets instead of two using the file folder.

Measured Size:  5 x 8"

Two pockets both front and back (four total) looking like these and inside gives me two more deep pockets things cannot slide out of.

And here are two sheets showing how I went about making these:

SPECIAL NOTE:  After I posted this, I opened a new package of pocket folders and discovered the center is attached at the fold (unlike two older folders I had on hand which were not attached).  You still have to make the slit along the sides as mentioned below in Step 2; however, skip Steps 3 and 4.

Instead, work on through until you have finished the steps BEFORE gluing the pockets and cut the corners like this.  Use a small cutting mat and place it as you see in the photo.  Using a sharp blade (box cutter, xacto knife, etc.) cut off the corner.  Do this for both sides.

Last Few Weeks at the Leesburg Art Center

It's been a busy few weeks with the last couple of weeks flying by with my not doing much with my own art.  Instead helping with documents sharing tutorial links I could find and examples I might have on the subject matter being shared at our Art League.

We've been covering sketchbook/journal layouts and ideas of what to use our journals for.  We've had two weeks of playing with sketching people gestures and then trying our hand at brush figures to feel more confident in including people in our sketches and paintings.

Yesterday we had fun learning about alcohol inks which was like being a kid again and just playing.  Very carefree and just plain fun.

First image playing with alcohol inks mixed in with shaving cream and pressing paper on top, lifting and scraping the shaving cream and ink off with a card.  Would make neat looking end papers inside of homemade journals.

Playing with dropping various ink colors on a little piece of fabric and stamping onto a tile and spraying alcohol at various heights for different effects.  To me this ended up looking like a dog sniffing through an area of flowers.  (See part of the side of a dog's face?)

The last two weeks working with sketching and painting people.  How to see the line of action, how to quickly capture people gestures, painting simple figures with brush and watercolor to get a feel for shapes and proportions, and then taking it from there using pen and ink and watercolor showing more detail either by outlining the figures or going in with ink and emphasizing only some areas.

Bookbinding - Make your Own - AWESOME Instructional Video

In the tab above the blog feed labeled "Bookbinding", I have posts that cover this topic........to include Sea Lemon's YouTube videos I used to make my first hand sewn journals.

In addition to my favorite videos by Sea Lemon, I found and purchased the following DVD.  Slow paced and very easy to follow step by step to include advanced steps that might strike your fancy...all wrapped up in one video.

For a preview of this DVD, it can be found at the following:

On The Air Video / Bookbinding
or
YouTube / Croquis Cafe / Bookbinding:  A Traditional Technique

To purchase, you can do so directly via the link taking you to On The Air Video / Bookbinding (above) or through Amazon.

Run-time of the DVD is about an hour.

Madison's Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Toast Journal

This week my eldest son and his family are here visiting us again and this visit Madison (eldest granddaughter age 12) wanted to make her own journal.

She googled ideas and viewed a few youtube videos on making journals and this is what she came up with:

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Box
9 x 12 Sketch Pad Paper - 20 sheets folded in half
Yarn
Duct Tape

First she removed 20 pages of sketch pad paper, folding each in half.  Next she measured an inch on top and bottom of the fold cutting a slit for yarn to fit into rather than sewing.  Then she nested the pages together.

Looking for a cover material, she chose the cardboard from a cereal box.  We both loved the pattern/image on the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal so went with that.  Because the cover was cut a little larger than the pages, she made a slightly longer cut slit top and bottom of the fold.

Next step was taking yarn wrapping twice around the folded area neatly tucking the yarn into the slits to hold everything together and knotting in the center of the back side.

Final step was taking duct tape to hide the yarn, knot, and add a decorative touch to the folder edge.

And here are her first two pages she sketched........

Quick Sketching Practice

Some days I still feel uneasy jumping in with pen and ink so I try to make myself practice with the hopes one day it will be easier and feel more natural. 

Sketches worked in the Strathmore Softcover sketchbook.

Building was sketched using a Uni-ball Vision Elite pen which is water soluble.  My intent was to just work the pen and ink but then decided to take a wet brush to it for some tones.  Then I ended up taking some watercolor to it.  I scanned after each......

According to the cap, the pen I used was brown-black.  Was really interesting the color when water was added to it.

 

Tonight I decided to practice more with people..........again pen and ink only.  And then working with a waterbrush adding some watercolor.  Pen used was my Pilot Prera with Lexington Grey ink.

Stuck

This is a journal entry worked today of a brown anole that we learned was stuck trying to crawl back out from between window glass and screen.

We happened to be outside and saw this guy thinking he was just being real still because we were there........hoping we didn't see him.  We didn't realize until hours later when letting the dogs out back that he was actually stuck needing help to get out...........which Terry did.

Working in the Stillman & Birn Delta sketchbook, I chose to go with just watercolor pencils.......no ink work this time.  I could still add additional layers but made myself stop.  I sit and look at this thinking I could try to push the screen back by adding more tones and contrast in the lizard but then in reality, these guys blend into their surrounds anyways...............so keeping myself from nit-picking and possibly overworking this,  I called it done.

I have to remind myself that my journal pages are more for recording observations, telling stories, testing of materials, random illustrations, that might grab my attention, etc.....................not fine pieces of art I ever plan to frame.  :-)

I really like these Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils. 

Watercolor Pencil Practice - Continued

Taking one of my newest lucky bamboos, I decided to do more practice using watercolor pencils from tips and suggestions after taking Cathy Johnson's course on the subject.  My favorite pencils being the Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils.  Reason they are my favorite is because they dissolve so easily with brush and water.

And to share with others in addition to helping me remember what I did, I've scanned along the way.....


First thing I did was work a light pencil sketch on my page.

I think most often I enjoy starting my sketches and paintings with a light pencil sketch and it's not necessarily for precision.  For me using pencil first helps me to become familiar with my subject without fears or hesitation.  I can focus (without pressure) on lines, curves, negative space and relationships between parts of the subject rather than fearing every stroke I lay down in brush mark or ink line being wrong.  It frees me.  For some people that might be the opposite but this is how I enjoy working.

Because I worked in pencil, I could have erased it all and started over when I realized I was going to run off the top of the page but you know what..............that's OK.  Normally I don't erase anything until later (normally after I've painted or put my lines in with ink) but erasing is OK too if or when you decide to do so.  It's no crime to use pencil and eraser.  It doesn't hurt anyone to include the person doing so.  It's just another means of creating.  I know from hearing what others say and from reading, for some people using pencil might mean limitations or boundaries.  Some folks might even see it as cheating of sorts.  That too is OK...........for them.  It's a personal thing and what works for each of us / you is what's most important. 

I started with the vase and worked my way up and out. If I was going to run off the page, I'd rather have a leaf do so then the bottom of my vase.  Plus I wanted to get the ellipse of the vase worked out first as it's one of my toughest subjects to get right. 

Next step was adding color with the watercolor pencils.......dry. 

I used two watercolor pencils to begin laying down color in the leaves.........a light and dark green.  I'm still trying to gauge amount of dry pencil coverage to put down without going too far.  Ideally would be to get the tones right first time; but then I also know I can always layer if I don't get it right the first time. 

Next step - I used a damp brush blending the pencil marks on paper.

I tend to be a bit timid at first with how wet my brush should be.  If I want that wild explosion of color, then I know to use a wet brush.  However if I want more control, I start out damp........not wet.  Plus it doesn't take as long to dry :-)

While that was drying, I started the little pot using mainly the side of the pencil point for quicker coverage.  I noticed I tend to do this in a small circular motion in large open areas and going to the point in tighter areas.

Rest of the process

These steps I repeated to include going back over in areas already worked on the paper to build up tones.  I saved inking as my last step.

My finished page - in the Strathmore Soft Cover Visual sketchbook.

I'm still working through/learning how light or dark to go with dry pencil; how much water to use in my brush; and how much care needs to be taken not to disturb the watercolor already on paper when working layers. 

And for me..........it's this "journey" I now enjoy more than the actual results.  Nice results are just extra icing on the cake :-)  I've come a long way because it used to be the opposite for me.  I used to be more concerned with the results and never enjoyed the journey or process.  I'd often feel frustrated or stressed which for me hurt and held me back from personal growth (at least that's how I see it for myself).   Now I truly feel so much freer and happier and I do think I see some improvement.  If nothing else, it helps with building confidence and even more important..............it helps take me to a place where nothing else matters except what I'm doing at that given time.  An escape..................a safe place I can get lost in for however much time it might take me :-)