Digital Art Process Video!

I realize I promised to start sharing videos with you guys like 3 months ago!

Well better late than never right?!  

This is a recent piece I created in the Procreate App on my iPad Pro.  Included in the layers is a landscape image of a highway and collage paper I scanned into the computer.  I sketched out the girl on a separate layer.  The glitter was a preset brush that is super fun to use for details.  

If you have yet to try Procreate you must check it out!  It is one of my fav apps and is pretty close to the layering you can do with Photoshop.  

Enjoy!  

xo

How She Came To Be

A watercolor background was sitting in my journal longing for something else.  

Using a Stabilo marks all pencil (everyone should have one!)  I sketched out this face.

With a q-tip dipped in water I started to wet the pencil marks and it became a back and forth dance between the water and Stabilo.  

The whites of her eyes were added with a liquitex paint pen.  A sharpie would work just as well or even a dab of white acrylic.

As always my work never feels quite done until I add some words.  

This reminded me of how much I love watercolor and miss drawing faces the old fashioned way off of the iPad.  ;)

What I've Been Up To . . .

Hope everyone is enjoying a great start to the year.  And yes I do realize January is nearing the end lol.  Time is picking up speed at rapid rates which continually makes me anxious! I spend way too much time looking behind me or worrying about what is ahead which of course distracts me from the present moment.  

In my art world I have been creating digitally in Artrage.  Its a great app for digital painting and sketching.  I have it on my desktop Macbook Pro and have been trying it out with a Wacom tablet.  It is taking me a little getting used to but so far I am enjoying it.  

Each of these pieces was created in ArtRage.  As you can see hearts and Love continue to prevail in my work no matter what the medium.  

I am getting the itch to get back to some cardboard art and play with paint.  Its been some time now.  I am also toying with the idea of shooting some video tutorials for you guys.  That of course will be a work in progress but what I hope will be a fun new step for me!  I will keep you posted!

You can check out more about ArtRage HERE!  

xo

Back To Paper 53 . . .

This is a simple fun little sketch I worked up last night on my iPad.  I used Paper 53 which is one of my favorite art apps.  One thing I love about this app is the watercolor effects you get with the paintbrush.  

As always hearts show up in my work.  I couldn't resist adding them to the ends of her hair.  Sometimes whimsical is so much fun!

 Check out the Paper app
HERE!

xo

My First Haiku

Many years ago I wrote poetry.  I have always loved putting words together.  You will often find some words incorporated into my art.  

Recently I decided to dabble in it again. I have never attempted a haiku.  One day last week standing at the kitchen counter with a pen and the back of a grocery store receipt I penned the words you see above.  

As I read through them over and over one of my sketches turned digital art popped into my mind.  I felt that the image was fitting for these words.  Working on my iPad, which is what I use for most of my digital creating, I added the haiku text to the image in the Phonto app.  Super easy to use and its free!  

Hope your summers were lots fun in the sun!  As always it  has sped by way to fast.  Behind the scenes in my studio I am starting to figure out a set up to record my mixed media process.  So hopefully I will be sharing some art videos with you soon!  

Beginnings of Her . . .

I can't recall the last time I tried to paint a face.  It was something I enjoyed and then I seemed to just drop it.  Not sure why. Possibly out of frustration.  I become easily impatient with most things in life and my art is no exception.  

Late last night before bed I grabbed a neocolor 2 and quickly sketched out this girl.  I added water with a q-tip and smudged the water around, went back in with a little more crayon.  My plan is to go back in with some white gesso and see what happens.  I kinda like her expression already.  I love that she was not planned, she is just what came out of my hand as I sketched.  

If I can shut down the critiquing gremlins I may get her done.  Something simple, something small, and hopefully something inspiring . . . 

xo

Digital She Art

I have to admit that sketching on my iPad is always easier for me than getting
 out the paints and supplies.  Worse on my eyes but creatively it is a
super accessible outlet.  This gal was created in Paper 53 app (my fav!)
 The words as always spill out of me as I am drawing.  

To finish her up I put the image through
Pixlromatic app to add some filters.
And then I felt that "sigh"
 knowing it was complete. 

xo

Lets Fly Away . . .

Late last night I was sketching on my iPad using Paper 53, my favorite drawing app. Of course the drawing was filtered with Snapseed as well.  Just can't help myself.   This sweet girl showed up and her message quickly popped into my head.  

"she wanted to fly away and she did"

I always wonder if the words that come through onto my artwork are things I am feeling and wishing.  I suppose that may be a silly question to ask myself because isn't that what we all do when we create, leave a bit of ourselves on the paper/canvas?

And lately I have been feeling restless and struggling with anxiety.  That tends to leave me with the urge to "run away"  although the way she puts it sounds so much nicer doesn't it? ;)

Her - Filtered

Last night I grabbed my graphite pencils and sketchbook, dusted them off and created this girl.  I tried not to think too much, just created whatever needed to come out of me at the time.  

I miss drawing and sketching.  I have been in a bit of a funk lately, for months actually and am planning on trying to sketch everyday as a daily practice for my mind.  Maybe if I put it out there I will stick to it! 

When she was finished I took a pic of her with my iPhone.  Of course the next thing I did was throw her in Snapseed (on of my fav filter apps)  and filtered away.  

And just like that she is transformed into something completely different.  

If you have never tried this with a sketch or even a painting give it a whirl.  It is addicting and fun!  Snapseed is a great app to start with.  For this gal I used the "drama" filter first and then the "grunge"  filter to achieve the effect you see here.  

Be sure to stop back and share a link to what you create!  I would love to see!

xo

Wordless Wednesday

"Looking Through" 

A Sketch, Some Butterflies, and IPhone Apps . . .

I found an old sketch I had done very quickly on watercolor paper using a stabilo pencil and water.  I hated it.  lol  Well, hate is a strong word.  I just didn't vibe to the image.  

So when I saw it again yesterday I grabbed my butterfly stencil and some homemade black spray paint.  After a few pumps of the black paint I felt I was on to something.  

I quickly took a pic of it with my iPhone.  It traveled from there to my iPad where I started playing with apps.  I added filters to it with Distressedfx and Pixlromatic. If you have not checked out these apps they are really cool!  I also put it through one last filter via PicTapGo another of my go to photo apps.  

You never know what you can create with a limited supplies!

xo

Full Circle With Misty . . .

I cannot remember the last time I took pencil to paper.  I used to sit with my drawing pad and graphite for hours, always keeping it close by.  That was quite a while ago.  I am talking maybe 2 years.  Since I got an iPad last summer that has been replaced with digital drawing.  

I signed up for my 3rd class with Misty Mawn, an artist who inspires with her amazing, raw, soulful artwork.  If you have not yet experienced a workshop with Misty it is definitely worth it!  There is always something for everyone from drawing to painting to photography to writing and more.  I am always amazed at how much she packs into a class!  Check out her latest class HERE.  

I worked on this charcoal sketch last night upright on the easel.  I forgot how messy charcoal can be.  I tried not to think to much as I went along.  Tried to silence the inner critic who is ever present threatening to ruin my art!  She is messy, a bit dark, but has a message of love.  

Sharing today over at Sunday Sketches!  

Click HERE to join 

xo

Sunday Sketches . . . Its Digital

With such an awful week in the world and so much negativity around these hearts make me feel better. Hearts and love often find there way into my work.  Somehow they bring happiness just seeing the images and words.  

I created this sketch in my iPhone using the ASketch app.  It was fun to create that way.  I still have not gotten an iPad but if I keep this up I will need too for my neck and hands.  lol  Working so small can wreak havoc on the bod!  

Sharing today over at Sunday Sketches

Wishing you a Sunday filled with love  

xo

Can I Just Scribble My Way Out of It ??

I started yet another new class. Big surprise I know! Anyway, I am a big fan of Alisa Burke so when she recently announced her new class was about abstract art I couldn't resist. I did this piece in my 5x7 sketchbook using a black pen and sharpie marker.

I have to say I really enjoyed scribbling and scratching on the paper. It feels good. I was not trying to be perfect or trying to create much of anything. I was curious to how it would turn out. I feel like scribbles represent the state of my mind lately.

If you have been following my blog than you know I have not been feeling up to snuff and just not been myself. Today I started to realize that the loss of my dog back in September has affected me so much more than I care to admit. Actually I am afraid to admit how much because I don't think I can handle it. I feel lost, sad, frustrated, and seem to cry at the drop of a hat. Yesterday I was out in the backyard and looked out to the place where Bosco and I would play and I broke down. Never even saw it coming. Hit me like a ton of bricks. It was like I could see him running around . . . I am crying now just typing this.

I have not been creating much lately. I feel like I have lost my muse. I am glad I was able to take pen to paper today and get some angst out. Sometimes I wish it were that simple . . . I wish I could just scribble my way back to happy . . .

Sharing today over at Sunday Sketches.

Bouquet of Love . . .

'bouquet of love . . . from me to you.'

watercolor, pitt pens on 5x8 watercolor paper

I finally found some time to try the tube watercolor set Lou bought me for christmas. I had sketched this image out quickly in my journal knowing I wanted to paint it. I used payne's gray (so excited as that is my fav color! lol) burnt sienna, and burnt umber along with some black pitt pens.

Funny how I am liking adding my own script to these pieces. And I enjoy scribbling with the pens.

There is certainly much to master in working with watercolor. It is hard to get used to the techniques. I don't like that I cannot cover up mistakes like with acrylic but I am so loving the washed effect. That is what keeps me coming back.

I am sharing this today over at Paint Party Friday which I have missed with all the holiday craziness and of course my recent obsession with digital art!

Hop on over HERE and join us!

It is another lovely unseasonably warm day today here in NY and the weekend as well. And I am not complaining at all! Just going to enjoy it!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

xo

Adding A Burst of Color To My Sketch

'you can see love'

prints available on etsy

Ok so I am pretty addicted to this digital collage thing! This time I took one of my whimsical sketches you may recognize from a previous post and collaged my watercolor painting over it. I played with layers, opacity, and that eraser tool till I was happy with it.

I love the results! Its pretty cool how I was able to add all this color to a black and white sketch! Looks like it was a painting. I thought the drips at the top were perfect with the rain drops in this sketch. Fun!

In other news I just signed up for Misty Mawn's new online workshop "Open Studio"! I missed her workshop last year so this time it was a no brainer for me! I have wanted to take a class with Misty for some time now. I am excited to get started! I just hope I can tear myself away from photoshop! lol ;)

xo

You Never Know . . . New Journal Page

I was up late last night working on this page and am really happy how it turned out. I saw this image a few nights ago in my head. Weird how that happens.

I am taking Sketchbook Delight with Alisa Burke. Its a great class! So fun and Alisa is a great instructor! I am really having fun with watercolors which I used on this page along with pitt pens and a bit of graphite. For the words I debated on using more fancy lettering like I am learning in letterLab with Lori Vliegen but as you can see I just ended up quickly writing the words in script. Actually I didn't think I had enough room. But I felt the sky needed something so I thought the words would be a good fit there.

I am sharing this page today over at Paint Party Friday. Click HERE to join us!

Wishing you all a great weekend!!

xo

Sunday Sketches . . . NYC Skyline

I spent some time playing in my journal this weekend. I was inspired by a photo a took of the NYC skyline and wanted to try a sketch. I loosely sketched it out and added gray and pink watercolors with a bit of yellow for lit windows on the buildings. I am really loving watercolors when I sketch.

I took a pic after I first laid down the colors over the sketch and I also like it this way. It was fun though to go back in with my black pitt pen and outline, scribble and sketch it back in. Although I am not happy with the bold letters at at the bottom it was how I was initially inspired to write them so I just went with it.

I am sharing this today over at Sunday Sketches hosted by the lovely Sophia.

Hope you will join us!

xo

Sketching More Faces . . .

I have been doing more sketching lately. I always miss it when we are apart! lol Here is another face I sketched with new techniques I am learning from Jane Davenport. It is actually making me less stressed with faces because it is easy and quick to get started. I do love this girl a bit more than the last one I shared a la Jane. I think I just feel more connected to her.

For class we are supposed to be sketching with colored pencil but I just cannot bring myself to let go of my erasable graphite! And of course I love the look of monochrome. Maybe its the photographer in me or the fact that I don't want to screw up my sketch with colored pencil mistakes. lol An artist friend of mine suggested using both and I may just do that next time.

There is just something so simple about picked up a pencil and paper that always appeals to me. I can be pretty lazy when it comes to setup and cleanup of painting supplies. Maybe I just need to stop analyzing and just let myself gravitate toward the type of art that appeals to me in that moment. . .

Sassy Girl Sketch

'she wanted to dance'

I just love sketching. It frees my mind and I just never know what or who will end up on the page. This girl was sketched out using a number 2 pencil. Typically I go for my graphite but thought I would change it up this time. lol

I have been flipping through the pages of Julie Nutting's Collage Couture the other day which inspired me to sketch out this sassy girl with the fancy outfit. Its a fun book full of great techniques for fashionista type "she art" As you can see I went a bit wild with her hair. And then daring with her outfit! But I love it.

I am sharing her this week for Sunday Sketches. Don't forget to stop by Sophia's blog to see all the sketched loveliness being shared this week!
xo