With the extra hour today, I made this cute little illustration. Lovely little typography sketch.
Tag: pen and ink
Share the Love (in Technicolor)
Let someone know you love them with a cute, colorful illustration. I always like looking for (and making) unique takes on the traditional Valentines card.
This drawing was done with pen, ink, Sharpies, and Copic Markers. If you haven’t tried out Copic Markers, you really ought to give them a try. They’re a little pricy from the get-go, but you can refill them…so they’re more cost effective in the long run (and more eco friendly!)
This is available as a card and as a print in my Etsy shop.
Share the Love
Working on a new typographic illustration for Valentines Day! I hope to color this and make it into cards and prints. 
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 Birthday to ME!
It’s my Birthday (coming up)…and I will make silly cards if I want to!
Wild Things
According to Google, today would have been Maurice Sendak’s 85th birthday. I thought that their “Google Doodle” was a lovely tribute and, since I truly love Where the Wild Things Are, I decided to do a little doodle myself!
This was drawn with several sizes of my Rapidograph Pens.
Cat Calavera
Calaveras, or Sugar Skulls, are a mainstay of the holiday Dia De Los Muertos. Molded from sugar, traditional Calaveras represent the sweetness of life and the sadness of death. I’ve always loved and been fascinated by this holiday ever since I was young. My Spanish teacher in primary school was raised in Mexico, and she introduced us to the holiday and its traditions.
Living in Southern California, I really enjoy visiting Olvera Street during the Dia De Los Muertos celebration. It’s something I look forward to every year. Death is a sad part of life, but I think that celebrating someone’s life is a good way to start when mourning someone’s death. This Calavera is of a cat’s skull. I was inspired to make this drawing because a friend’s cat passed away a couple weeks ago. Drawn using markers and pens, this drawing is nice and colorful. I think this would make a lovely card or tattoo design. Or both! Who knows, maybe I’ll Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos in style by getting this awesome tattoo.
El Sol y La Luna
This pen and ink drawing of the sun and the moon is one of my new favorites. I think I’d like to make this piece in to a tattoo (or temporary tattoo!). This was hand-drawn on paper with only a ballpoint pen. This drawing is Inspired by Italian and Mexican folk art.
There is a framed original for sale at the gallery.
Page Redford 