I had a slow start with our first project for The Year of the Fairy Tale but I think that is mostly because I haven’t been drawing much lately (again) but once I really hunkered down to do it it wasn’t too bad.
The first fairy tale we are illustrating is The Frog Princess (the Tsarevna Frog). We were to quickly sketch some faces with our non-dominant hand and then with our dominant, which for me was first using my right hand then left. Funny, I didn’t find there was much of a difference between the sketches! Doesn’t say much for my sketching and I will agree. I have a horrible time with sketching. I am so finicky that when I sketch I almost intentionally make it look crappy because that is how I feel when sketching. I don’t have much talent/confidence on that side of things and that is why I have to work on it, you know, make myself do it anyway. Character sketches build character! 😉
I did some ‘drawings’ of frogs next. I call these ones ‘drawings’ because I took more time with them than with the girls. I think frogs are just easier for me. I have a hard time with faces but I am working on it.
This morning was an early rise for me so I could centre myself (yoga and tea) then get to some sketching and drawing. It was nice to work on the drawings in the light of one lamp with the rest of the family asleep. It feels good to have something to show for my day before everyone else wakes.
I like what I finally came up with.
Thank you for sharing even the sketches you didn’t like very much! I like seeing the whole process. Your final drawing–oh, I love it! That frog looks like he is just adoring that girl. <3
Thanks, Amy! It’s tough to share sketches when you feel they are pretty awful. 😮 But, it’s humbling too, and it actually takes the pressure off a bit of feeling like everything posted needs to be good. I guess that also comes from being a photog and only posting the best images to represent your business. 😉
That sounds like a wonderful project you’ve taken on this year. I love your sketches/drawings, and those frogs are so cute! You asked me which pens I use for my lettering. My favorites are the acrylic markers from Posca. Very opaque, and they last long. I have a Sharpie waterbased marker too, and although I didn’t like it so much in the beginning (it “spits” sometimes …) I’m now used to it, and that white is also very opaque.
I think this is going to be a wonderful year! Thanks for the tip on your pens – they are so so lovely! Will be looking out for some from Posca!
How lovely to see your process, thank you for sharing. And that final drawing…love!!!!!
Thank you, Kim. It’s easier to share the process when you are happy with the outcome.:)
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I think your sketches are wonderful! I haven’t had a chance to even look at the workshop. My baby girl arrived on January 23rd and turned my whole life upside down (in a good way!). At this point I’m just hoping I’ll be able to do art again before she goes to college. 🙂 I hope you’re enjoying the workshop!
Oh yay! Congratulations on your new little sweetie! You have good reason to not be able to do much participation at the moment – hopefully once naps are a usual thing you can steal some creating time – or sleep! At least the workshop is a year so certainly not all is lost. 😉
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