Believe … in yourself.
I thought I’d spend sometime today finishing off this bookmark design.
I’m not too happy with the colours, a bit too dark, but I can always re-colour at some point.
Digitally drawn and coloured, though I did sketch the writing out and scan it in to help me write it on my Microsoft Surface book with my Microsoft Surface pen.
#fundaysunday #sundayfunday #weekendvibes
This is my current work in progress, with a little bit of wisdom thrown in.
I planned the lettering out on Rhodia dot grid paper before scanning it in. I then re-drew the letters digitally.
I did a blog post with tips for hand lettering yesterday, but there’s also some in my upcoming book A Dangle A Day, available for pre-order.
The patterns around the quote were also drawn digitally, using my faithful Microsoft Surface pen, along with my Microsoft Surface Book and Autodesk Sketchbook Pro.
I’ve started to add colour, though there’s quite a lot to do, including adding textures. It’s a pleasant way to spend time.
What I’m quite pleased with is the stone background behind the letters. It’s not perfect, but I got my head around how I could achieve this. Working in layers means I can do things I can’t do with traditional media, try as I might, but it involves working out how I can use layers to do different things as well as becoming aware of what I could use layers for.
Yes, I could watch and read tutorials, but there’s something satisfying about working out for yourself how to do things, and creating things in your own way. That’s the sheer bloody-minded independence I have at times.
Perhaps I could learn quicker with tutorials, but I also know I can become quickly overloaded with information and instructions and ideas (something that frustrates me as before my two episodes of severe depression and anxiety I had no trouble at all…) so bit by bit I discover what I need to be able to do at any one time. Then practice using it until it’s easy to do and natural.
I do love how I can flip-flop between traditional media and digital work, as well as combining the two, whether it be a sketch that is then worked on digitally or using traditional media backgrounds to draw upon digitally. It also takes me a little bit out of my ‘comfort zone’ too, but in an enjoyable way.
It’s Sunday, so that means it must be #fundaySunday #Sundayfunday.
This was my bit of fun for the day. I created a background using Distress Inks, a mini-blending tool and a stencil.
After scanning it into my Microsoft Surface Book, I imported it into AutodeskSketchbook Pro and started to draw entangled patterns on the top of it.
It was just an experiment to see how it worked out, including the use of colour gradient fills for the entangled patterns.
I think it worked out ok. I think there’s some more things I’d like to try out using this method; scanning backgrounds and then working on them digitally opens a new world of possibilities for me, as well as keeping me playing with more traditional media. I do love the mix of the old with the new.
Of course, drawing on my Surface with the Surface pen is a lot like drawing with pen and ink on paper but with more possibilities…
I’ve just finished this drawing; the first zendoodle/zentagle type drawing I’ve done in a while. I enjoyed drawing it – drawing always is an enjoyment.
I’ve temporarily coloured the background; I will be colouring it in ‘properly’ as time goes along.
Materials used :
I have scanned it in and cleaned the image up and created a transparent file I can work on digitally.
Today’s entangled image. Drawn using a Sakura Micron PN pen on bristol board. A little less than A4 (Letter) in size.
I finished this today. Sakura Pigma PN pen in blue on A4 dot grid paper.
Note to self – use a dark coloured pen, not blue, on dot grid paper otherwise it’s going to be a nightmare to remove all the little dots on the drawing!
Two drawings I did over the Christmas period using my new Sakura Micron PN pens. These are different to the usual Micron pens as they have a solid, plastic nib, which is a lot more durable in use.
I’m rather heavy handed with pens, and as much as I love Sakura Microns, Uniball’s Unipins and Faber-Castell’s Pitt pens, their nibs don’t last as long with me as their ink supply does. I end up chucking the pens way before the ink has run out.
Yes, I could use my Rotring Isographs, but the ink takes a while to dry and I tend to smudge my work.
Previously, I’ve found the Sakura Pigma Sensei in 0.4mm to works well for me, and the nibs are similar to the PN.
The big drawback at the moment to both the Sakura Pigma Sensei and the PN is I can’t order them here in the UK, I have to source these pens either from the USA or from Japan/Hong Kong, so it takes a long while for them to get to me, often with a high shipping fee.
The Sakura Micron PNs are definitely on my shopping list when I need more of them! I’ll stick to the other brands for the finer line work that appears in my pen and ink drawings from time to time.
First work in progress (WIP) for this Wednesday is the Doodleworlds colouring book. It is currently in the last phases of approval and proofing at CreateSpace.com, so it should be ready to purchase soon! There will be a pdf version available on Etsy at the same time.
The coloured cover art on the front and back covers has been done by the winners of the contest run in the facebook group Angela Porter’s Coloring Book Fans.
Here’s the back cover with the list of winners and their images on the covers:
Congratulations to them, and thank you for your work as well!
WIP Wednesday is a weekly event in the Angela Porter’s Coloring Book Fans facebook group, so pop on over if you’d like to join a whole heap of lovely, creative, friendly coloring fans!
And here is my contribution to this week’s WIP Wednesday:
I’ve spent time working on a few more DoodleWorlds colouring templates for a book I’m going to self-publish, most probably in November 2017.
I’ve gone ‘old school’ on these – pen and paper – simply because drawing on the screen was starting to irritate me just a bit. Also, a change is as good as a rest for sure!
The coloured artwork on the covers is going to be provided by the winners of a competition running on both the facebook group Angela Porter’s Coloring Book Fans and the Colorist app.
So, if you fancy having a go at colouring in the template to be found in either the facebook group on on the Colorist app, then head on over there – closing date is midnight on Hallowe’en.
Here’s a sneaky peek at one of the new templates for the book. I used my Chameleon Pens to colour this one in.
I’ve added some new items to my Vida Collection, typically ‘Angela’ style abstract art focusing on line and colour. The collection includes scarves, tops, wraps, leggings, bags, jewellery, cushions/pillows and tapestries.
Later today I’ll be adding new leather products to the collection, including passport holders and baggage tags.
Although I didn’t do anything in particular on Tuesday 10th October 2017 for World Mental Health Day (other than re-tweet and re-post relevant articles that is), I did do an anti-stigma talk on Thursday 12th October 2017.
I delivered my talk and story to a group of front-line police officers who were receiving training. It seemed to go well and be received well. I’ve not read the feedback forms though, nor am I likely to, as even if 99% of them are positive, the 1% that may not be all the positive or says I made no change is the one that I’ll focus on and will end up worrying and fretting and being hard on myself…
What did surprise me was how anxious I was when I woke and on my way to, during and after my talk, far more than I’ve been before.
Gnawing stomach, shaky, hypervigilant, cold sweaty palms, unable to speak in order…
I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to be like that, or that was how I lived every day of my life for many, many years while I was still a teacher.
Well, not quite like that – it was worse back then, a lot worse!
Echoes of it reminds me of how far I’ve come, how much better I am now.
Of course, after the talk and driving and getting home, I had the post-anxiety ‘crash’ where I felt shaky, wobbly, my eyesight was still very acute, and a headachy tiredness grew.
A huge mug of tea, a couple of Jaffa Cakes, and an afternoon sleep with cat cuddles saw me a bit better in the evening, but I was still emotionally drained. So, I too it easy, ordered a take-away, though I didn’t have much of an appetite.
Friday I was still a little wobbly, but today I feel more like myself again.
Art always helps me calm and ground, so that has been my therapy, and will continue to be so I’m sure.
Art is the Adventure 