A Face Haiku

Is it possible to create a face with just 7 lines?  Yes, I say!! 😄

 1.  It starts with a line

2.  And connects to a feature…

3.  They are easy and fun –

4.  But may look like a creature!  Lol! 😉

And here is a step-by-step example:

I hope you give one a try!

Seven lines for a face…

Is all it takes!

Cheers! 🙂

Write And Draw

I used to spend hours writing my thoughts and ideas in a journal – not the journals you see now… mine were yellow note pads.  Nothing fancy…  Yet, writing helped me deal with life – the good times and the not so good.  Can you relate?!

Yesterday, I decided to try combining writing with DRAWING – my new love! ❤

First, I did some writing with a permanent black pen.  (I love “fine” black Sharpie pens and Amazon sells them really cheap).

Next, I found a face on Pinterest to use as a reference to sketch over my words with a pencil.  I added a little color with Tombow markers.  I softened them with a water brush.  Here is my result:

I will definitely try combining writing and drawing again.

Cheers! 🙂

Faces And Flowers

I have recently discovered mixing water soluble pencils and watercolors.

I quickly sketched these faces with a 6B water soluble pencil and then splashed some watercolors on the paper – trying not to overthink it.

After the watercolor dried, I added more details with my (Faber Castell) Graphite Aquarelle pencils – in 4B, softening the lines with a Pentel waterbrush:

It was so fun that I decided to try the same technique with flowers:

I tried to create a quick sketch and loosely paint it with watercolors so the colors would blend on the paper.  Below, I added the water soluble pencil in 4B:

Next, I hope to add some collage papers to these paintings.  I will post my progress next week!

May your day bloom with happiness!

Cheers! 🙂

Once Upon A Time…

I’m sure there is a story here… Somewhere!

Well, at least a “colorful” character or two…

Or six!  🙂

Technique:

I cut two pieces of 9×12 inch hot-pressed watercolor paper into 4 pieces.  Next, I painted  positive and negative shapes in watercolor in a variety of colors, randomly adding a few splatters at the end.

When I had a few minutes, I drew faces from magazines, old photos and/or my imagination. Some of my faces are simple and others have more detail.  I used a 2B pencil, Tombow markers, PrismaColor pencils and a Micron .01 black pen.

It was great fun to create these people!  I hope you give it a try!

Happy Creating!  Cheers! 🙂

Making Faces

I’m enjoying Lynn Whipple’s new online art class called, “Making Faces.”  Lynn brings such energy and playfulness to her classes!

This quick sketch I did yesterday with Tombow markers and soft pastels:

If you’d like to learn more about Lynn’s online class go to CarlaSonheim.com

One of the things I enjoy the most about taking online art classes through Carla Sonheim is the friendships I have made through the years.  I learn a ton from the teacher(s) but I also learn from my classmates!  It is an AWESOME experience!! 

Cheers!  🙂

P.S.  Lynn’s class gives me new inspiration for the “100 Day Project” that I’m doing on Instagram.  This is face number 56/100.

Let’s Face It

Creating a face every day on Instagram can be challenging for the 100-day project that I started April 4th.  Yet, probably not in the manner you think!  😉

Let’s face it… I cannot draw a face with the SAME materials every day.  I need variety!

I have created faces with collage papers but not on a collaged background.  So this began my recent challenge for myself.

I started by randomly gluing pieces of papers in my sketchbook with a glue stick.  I chose papers without a lot of pattern and light in color so my pencil sketch would show up.

Here is my collaged background and my completed pencil sketch of my first experiment:

I tried to select papers in colors that went well together but not spend too much time on it.  In other words, I didn’t over think it!

My second one, I added color pencils to my pencil sketch:

Tomorrow, I will show you how I created my third collaged piece a little differently.

These were super fun to do!  I hope you give it a try!

Cheers! 🙂

My First “REAL” Selfie

I have been reading about drawing faces from various sources and decided to try a go at a more “realistic” selfie using my new set of Rembrandt Soft Pastels:

I have only used soft pastels for drawing flowers so this was a bit of a stretch for me!

It helped me to focus on the “shadows” when drawing my face and NOT see it as a face – or MY FACE, eek!  That’s really scary as I would spend waaay too much time focusing on wrinkles and double chins…

OH, I see I’m digressing! Lol! 😉  Here I am in my red glasses:

So I’m proud of myself for completing this first “REAL” selfie and to posting it here and on Instagram!!

Phew!  🙂

Happy Monday!

Jane Austen

I’m a little behind on my assignments in my year-long class with Carla Sonheim.  So yesterday, I combined two lessons into one.  This quote from Jane Austen on writing:

And secondary, Carla’s tip on sanding magazine paper.  Roughing up this glossy paper gives it “tooth” which adds a nice texture to my collage.  It also gives a nice vintage feel to this piece which I like.  I added other papers, including an old postage stamp.

As many of you know, I love experimenting in art!   So this page was super fun to do. 🙂

Do you have a favorite book that Jane Austen wrote?  I hope you share it with me!

Cheers! 🙂

Colorful Faces

I made quick random marks in my mixed media sketchbook using watercolor and water soluble Tombow markers.  I only had a few minutes to create before I fixed dinner so I didn’t even let the page dry before I went onto the next one.  I did 10 pages in about 15 minutes.

Next, I decided to make quick one-liner sketches of faces from a magazine with ink without thinking about my backgrounds (paint had dried).  It was super fun!

Here are my 4 favorites:

Do you have a favorite?  I hope you share it with me!

Cheers!  🙂

Moonrise

Sometimes I like to put brush to paper in watercolor without thinking about an outcome.

This experiment I did in my art journal recently.  As winter fades and Spring awakens:

The colors in nature change from greys and blues to greens and yellows.

I also painted similar colors and patterns on Lutradur in watercolor.  This photo tells you about this product if you haven’t heard about it.

The product can be used in sewing and paper arts. It feels like a heavy interfacing used in sewing.

I cut out a few strips of the painted Lutradur and glued them over my watercolor paper.  I like the subtle contrast with the paper.  I added a gelli-printed circle to represent the moon.

Have you ever used Lutradur?  I’d love to hear how you have used it!

Cheers!  🙂