What's in My Sketchbook?

Following the dreadful result of the last sketchbook page, I was hesitant to work on the next one.  But it seemed like my brain and hands were beginning to remember how to paint.

Can't say I'm all pleased with the final work, but it was better than the last one.  Didn't like the background color - too bright for me and it clashed with the rest of the color palette.  I realized that I have always had problem painting the background.

Maybe it's related to how I paint.

After I finish sketching the subjects, I always start with the painting of the subjects.  And normally by the time I finish the sketch, I'd known what sort of color palette I'm to use on the subject.  But when time comes for painting background, my mind goes totally blank.  At the end of the day, I either pick color base on basic color theory or just use some of my favorite color mix.  

It would be interesting to know how my fellow creatives pick color for their background work.  :)

Some of My Favourite Drawing Tools

BTW, after showing most of my sketchbook pages here, I never let you all see what my sketchbook looks like.  Here is a photo of it.  

It is of  A5 size, plastic black cover student grade (i.e. cheap) sketchbook.  The KEEP CALM sticker on the cover is a gel skin cover from my old Kobo eReader.  I bought the little red notebook elastic from kikki. K to tie up the sketchbook.  Pretty neat aye!

The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday - hosted by Eva and Kristin.  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!  AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY (1 YEAR OLD) to PPF! Yiiiiipppppeeeee!!! WoooHoooo!

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend! xxoo

What's in My Sketchbook?

After more than two months away from my sketchbook, I finally made a sketch page about two weeks ago.  And what a shocker!

It was a struggle from start to finish.  Nothing went smoothly.  It's as if I have never painted before.  By the time when I finished it, I was pretty upset.

But instead of pecking on my wounded ego, I asked myself if I had learn anything from this sketchbook page.  One thing popped into my mind - painting is not like riding a bicycle, once you learn it, you'll never forget it.  Good painting skills require continual practice.

A valuable lesson learn ...
 

The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday - hosted by Eva and Kristin.  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend! xxoo

Drafting and Sharing

Another hot weekend ... you know me, can't really work under summer heat, hence so far could only managed to finish draft of a new drawing plus the transfer.

One thing I started to pick up about my drafting. I don't do loose sketch type of draft like most artists. (It is because I don't know how to "loose sketch"!) My so call draft is actually quite detail in terms of composition. All subject (objects?) are drawn and place at the right place in this draft stage. The only thing I leave out is the fine details of an object, e.g. the vines of a leave. And this usually require a whole day to finish.

After transfer (either by hand-held "tracer" or transfer paper (Saral) or DIY light table) and depends if the transfer requires enlargement or not, I'll need to re-draw some parts. Easily another day's of work.

I'm beginning to think if it makes more sense to simply start drafting on the actual drawing paper. But then, as the name "draft" indicates, there are deemed to be lots of alterations (using vinyl eraser) before I'm satisfied with the drawing. This will leave "bruises" on the paper which would affect the coloring stage. Guess the only way to find out is to give it a try.

Well enough of talk about my drawing and let's do some sharing.

1) Here are 2 of my favourite reference books for drawing.

- Plants (check details here)



- Animals (check details here)


I got them last Christmas and have been poring over them for inspiration. Also through them, I re-discovered my love and obsession of "vintage" illustrations. I'm planning trips to some 2nd hand book stores to see if I could find more books on Victorian illustration.

2) My Basic Drawing Tools (as shown in between the 2 books):


- AS pigmented ink could be diluted to achieve watercolor effect
- Speedball pen
- No. 4 Round Brush