Sandy

I am enjoying drawing the girls and using my Letraset Flex markers which are very similar to the Copics but the brush is thinner and firmer. Can't decide which I like the best--but I think I am liking the Flex markers the best. I bought some Bienfang Graphics 360 marker paper at a big discount today at our local art store thinking that it would work with the Flex markers and the Copics. Did not work. Glad I got this paper on sale. I can use it for tracing paper I guess.

This is Sandy---she is thinking hard about something.

Amanda and her Fastenator

This is Amanda. She just turned 15 the other day. She bought this fabulous red flower fastenator from Anthropologie on sale with her babysitting money as a present to herself. She is feeling quite gorgeous in it as she heads out to meet her friends at the movies.

Maybe... Derek will be there...

She is thinking about him.

Libby

This is Libby. She is also a bit pensive today but she is really quite a happy girl. She is enjoying her new hat. She started out quite unattractive but it's amazing how a little eye make up and lipstick will improve a face.  So true isn't it!?

Ruby

I love drawing girls and using my Copic markers. I have a formula that usually

makes for a pretty face although they all have personalities of their own. Sometimes

they look right at you and smile and other times they are bored or pensive. I never know

which girl will emerge. Sometimes one will look mad but I can usually cheer her up.

Her name is Ruby and she is a vintage 1920's girl. She is a pensive one---and maybe a bit bored.

Think on these things...

Happy Monday!!

Sometimes I just like to peruse all of my old sketch books and I find things that I did before the days of the copic marker. This is one of these drawings so I decided just to color her in with a bit of enhancement with my black markers and stamps. I actually had to redo the Scripture with one of my hand lettered fonts that I made and have really enjoyed using. It's like my own writing---but as a typeface. I made it in Fontifier for $10.

A flash from the past...

This was a little drawing that I did in my sketch book a while back that was just in pencil so I decided to print it out on paper and paint it with watercolor. I had forgotten that I had even drawn these girls. I like the simplicity of the girls I used to draw. The faces are colored with copic markers. I enjoy using the copics to shade faces and I need to do more of it because...it's fun! I am not sure who these three are. They don't look much like sisters and the girl on the right might be a little older but I did name them..from left to right...Lily, Becca, and Claire. They are sweet girls who love each other.

Tomorrow I will post a giveaway for Scripture beads!

I finished her

The previous picture of her was just a crop of the almost finished one but today I worked on her some more. I put some hymn music around the sides and I sprayed the stencils with the air compressor with the copics. I think I will really enjoy adding the stencils to the background. Of course you can get basically the same effect with a stencil and acrylic but there is just something about blowing it on that gives it that really soft look. And if you don't like it you can wipe it off with alcohol and it's gone, baby gone! Ok, now for the drawbacks---but it's just one---the air compressor uses lots of ink so you have to refill which involves ---more cha-ching! I haven't gotten to that point yet but I'm sure I will.

Y'all have a wonderful weekend and oxox to all.

Oh, and I am thinking about adding a tiny quote in type down by her shoulder

Here is the quote ---but I have decided yet whether to do that. Any thoughts?

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Yeah, Baby!!

I am in love! Yes, I am! This is the air compressor for the Copics that I gave myself for my birthday. Birthday isn't yet but early presents are good!!! I plan to cut some stencils and use the ones that I have and play. It sprays a very fine spray and it is very quiet too. The houses in the back are stamps that I am going to cut as a stencil. FUN! I'm doing a happy dance right now. :)

Copics Class

Well, I finally had my first Copics class and I must say that I learned so much. I was basically doing it pretty much right but the instructor gave us some great tips as to the nature of the marker and what it would do--and not do, how to refill and change the nibs. You never throw them away. That's why they are expensive. It truly is an investment and I am loving them more and more as I use them. They will never take the place of my beloved watercolors (love them, always!) but this is such a great and portable way to colors things. I might join the Copics club on Thursdays and the instructor teaches us more intricate and detailed ways of blending and shading. I feel that it is a great way to learn about colors, blending, shading and values.

And I have treated myself to something special. When I get it I will show you! I have a birthday coming up so---that's a very good excuse to purchase this thing. Can you Copics folks guess what it is??? I bet you can!

Vegetales

I took some pictures and did a line drawing in Photoshop of some fall vegetables I bought at Publix because I just love the colors and the interesting shapes. But...I was blown away as to how expensive these individual pieces of vegetables were! And really, are we suppose to eat these things? I almost put it back as I was checking out. Well, anyway, it was good practice for my Copics and I guess I'll pay $8 for a good time. And it was a good time coloring this in. The pecans are from my tree outside the studio. Bucky loves the nuts and hides them in his jaws when he comes in because he knows I will take them away from him. He gets the shells all over the floor. He and his squirrel buddies are in cahoots.

That's a lot of red on that door!

Yes, the porch is red too on my little red door art studio. I drew this in our drawing class and I have painted it in watercolors but I thought I would try it with Copics. I am finding lots of things to practice coloring. I even bought some coloring books just to practice. As you see, I am going Copic Crazy. I will have official Copics class this week and I am sure I will find out great information, tips and techniques. I love color and these Copics never disappoint! If you missed the tour you can click here.

More Copics

I printed off more of my drawings from drawing class and colored it with Copics. As I recall drawing that candle stick was difficult and such a simple looking object. I do much better with organic shapes rather than angles and lines. But that is my weakness in drawing so I guess I need to do more if it. Drawing is hard---hard in a sense that I don't want to push through it when I start it. Sometimes the push pays off but sometimes it doesn't.

I am looking forward to my Copics class next week. Even though I think I have about figured them out I am sure I will learn some good info and tips.

Copic Rattle

This is one of those 11:00 PM ditties. I forgot to buy a card for a baby shower so that means--make one yourself. I did get some new pink Copics yesterday so I decided to draw something baby-ish and use them. Still working on the blending thing. But as Copics do--it bled through to the inside. I keep forgetting that. Oh well, it guess it needs an insert anyway. That will make it more finished looking. So, if I am true to Art du Jour---then this is the Art du Jour for today!

So now I am off to lunch with my good buddy, Lori. We always have such a good time lunchin'! She is actually my art therapist too. She's good at that. We ouuu... and ahhhh... over each other's art and I get to see those wonderful handmade journals she makes in person!

Copic Fruit

I really am loving using these Copic markers. I think that if you have some watercolor knowledge it helps somewhat although I catch myself trying to blot it with my finger but to no avail---because it's a marker! The top picture is a photograph I took and turned it into a line drawing and then used the markers. The bottom two are sketches from my drawing class. I am planning to venture into coloring my girls with the Copics. I think I have all the face colors now. I have found that Carpe Diem Art Supplies are the lowest price I have seen so far for Copics.

Copic Girl

Still playing around with my Copics. I have been putting off drawing and coloring a face because well---I guess I was just chicken-- but I decided to draw one. At some point I am determined to learn how to draw hair better. I have watched Youtubes but when I start to do it I can't remember what they did---and what colors they used. And I don't have those colors--ahhh the colors---will it ever end? I hope I can take my Copics to the poor house. I smoothed the shadow

on her neck in PS.

Coping with Copics

I have found that Copic markers are good therapy. Anytime I am stressed, or feel like my coping skills are dwindling which has been certainly the case lately then I bring out the Copics. So the motto for the day is,"Copics for Coping!" That must be why they are so expensive! Well now, that explains it all.

Copic Poppy Ditty

Well, I have finally gotten my Copics on a chart so now I can see what I have. The thing I like about these markers is that you can make a 10 minute little ditty. I am hoping my little ditties will get better as I learn more about these markers. I love the illustrative look they give with the vibrant colors. And it's fun to add a little calligraphy too.

Oh, and I went to the Jacksonville Quilt Show yesterday and all I have to say is ,"Oh my my my...!!!"" Sensory overload as well as budget busting overload too. I have decided to become a hooker! hee hee You'll see.

Copic Apples

In our drawing class today we drew this apple still life and I decided to brave it and color them with Copics. Copics are very different from watercolors or acrylics and you have to really think about highlights, color blending and layering. It's extremely fun but challenging, especially since I have not had my beginning Copics class---but I have watched many Youtube videos. This one looks better in person ---and from a distance! So in viewing this---please back up! I'm learning---and Hobby Lobby is having a 30%off sale on these very expensive Copics. Unfortunately, you need lots of them and you have to understand the letter and numeric label system. If you buy any, start off with the light ones and build from there because if you just buy several random colors that you like you will be disappointed with the results. Gradations of color value is the key.

Copic Flowers #2

For me the Copics seem easy but it's deceiving. You really have to be careful because they layer so well that if you have picked up the wrong color then your little picture is non fixable. I had that problem with the purple flower. That's why you need so many colors---gradual gradations and shades of color. Hobby Lobby 40% coupon here I come. For me, this is a good way to create a little colorful eye candy piece when you don't feel like pulling out the acrylics or watercolors or if you have a new manicure and you are in need of a quick color fix. (Like I ever get manicures!)

Hey--and guess what---Zach passed the bar!! WOO HOO! He's an official lawyer now!

What is the world is this?

I have tried to resist... yes, I have... tried and tried with all my might but I guess I have given in to my weakness for trying something new---can you guess what I colored this with?? Now don't read any further...can you guess? So, before I tell you (have you read down further yet?) I wanted to first say that these are the calligraphic letterforms that I am teaching in my new upcoming online "Italic Calligraphy" class coming November 2nd. We will learn this basic letterform and a few little variations.

Ok, they are Copic markers. I really don't know what the heck I am doing even after looking at several Youtube videos and a DVD but I must say, they really are fun. You know how I love markers anyway! I need to take a class and there is one here in Jax soon that I am planning to take. The problem is....oh so many colors and oh so expensive! And you really do need many colors to do the shading correctly. I bought some at Hobby Lobby on sale and I guess I will have to get more. There are about 350 colors! Oh goodness....goodness me...