Inktober 2020-part 1

This year has been a challenging one for many. I’ve been so blessed to be able to work throughout the pandemic. However, I have found it challenging to be “inspired” to create new artwork in my free time. This year for inktober, I will try and keep up with the popular-on-social-media drawing prompt list. I draw traditionally all the time for work, so I will be trying to draw more digitally using my iPad.

Today’s prompt is “fish”

I will be sharing these images on my Instagram account. Inktober is popular on social media. It is really fun to see what other artists create using the same general prompts! Stay tuned for more artwork!

The list of prompts for this year :-)

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Today Will be a Good Day: Illustration

Hello Friday!

 

Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? I hope to go to the park and sketch in the sunshine for a while. I started out the day with a delicious iced coffee (with whipped cream and sprinkles, of course) AND an illustration.

Today will be a good day, indeed.

 

This typographic  illustration was hand lettered with pen and ink. I used Copic Markers, Prismacolors, gold Sharpie, and chalk markers.

Sending Love

Happy Friday! And a warm welcome to my newest postcard design! This is part of a new set of postcards I recently made available in my Etsy Shop! Cards are glossy on the front and matte on the back for easy writing. Just add postage and drop in the mail…they also make fun artwork for your home or office…and fit perfectly in a 4x6inch frame.

Chalkboard A-Frame Artwork: Vegan Foods Demo

This weekend we will be hosting a Vegan Foods Demonstration and Tour!

I was asked to make an A-Frame for the event:

No animals were harmed in the making of this A-Frame :-)

The A-Frames we use measure 2 x 3 feet. They are sturdy, durable, and reusable. I generally use mostly white chalk and white chalk pens to do the lettering.

The Fearless Flyer

This illustration was made this week to be used in some printed signage and decorations for our Fearless Flyer. I sketched this fine flying fellow using pencil and my trusty Papermate Flair. (My favorite affordable felt-tip pen for inking detailed black and white drawings.)

I love his iconic Steampunk vibe.

He will  be colored and printed in black and white.

Typography Illustration: Do Your Best

Hand-Lettering is a BIIIG part of my life. It seems like every day I have a new lettering project that I am working on. Some projects are client-driven, while others are ones that I take on myself. This illustration was an exercise in not only doing the work, but documenting it and photographing the steps.

I chose the phrase “do your best” for this illustration because I want to encourage others to strive to do the best they can do with their art.

I wanted to show my followers on Instagram the steps I take in completing the inking of a typographic piece. I always start with a pencil sketch. I generally use mechanical pencils for their precise line and easy erasing.

Once the lines are finalized, I go over them with ink. I use a variety of pen sizes and types.

Start to finish: counter-clockwise from top left.

I wait a short while for the ink to dry and then use a soft, white eraser to erase the pencil lines. This is sometimes the hardest part! Be careful to let the ink dry, though, as it can smear and ruin your drawing!

I added stippling after adding the bold ink outline.

After the ink has dried, you can add other embellishments like hatching, cross hatching, or stippling to add contrast. I think I will color this piece, but I will leave that for another time!

 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I was so fortunate to be able to surprise my family by driving to see them! Work let me swap a few of my days off this week and take an extra day to travel through to surprise them!

My parents were none-too-happy that I was ignoring their Christmas calls (while I was simultaneously driving through Canada to see them!). My little brother and I had a good laugh, though. He knew I was coming,but kept it a secret.

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I hope that you are able to spend time with your family, friends, and loved ones. Today  quick lettering sketch, then back to spending time with family. Happy holidays!

Happy Holidays

Happy Monday!

Today, a quick sketch today to wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Black ink on craft paper.

Reindeer Games

The holidays are fast approaching! (Can you believe it is already December?!) And Christmas music has been on the airwaves for weeks now.

I’ve been decorating the store (and my apartment) with all manner of cute woodland creatures and snow people.

 

This little Reindeer was drawn using my trusty Copic markers and pens, Papermate Flair pen, Sharpies, and Prismacolor. A little bit of chalk marker was used for some of the white highlights. I plan on drawing these much larger and reproducing them for decorations around the store. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday to ME!

It’s my Birthday (coming up)…and I will make silly cards if I want to!