Doodling After Midnight

Recently I used my tax return to get a couple things from Dick Blick. I tend to make wish lists on that site and when I have the money I go through the list of wants and I choose something.

After taking Misty's Face to Face class I really felt like I needed a drawing board for my easel.  I had tried cardboard and foam core board but both were unsatisfactory. This was the one she recommended. Considering it is made of wood, it is really light.

I added a few new colors to the InkTense pencil set I have.

Then I wanted to try some of these new Catalyst Polytip Brushes that I heard about on Julie Balzer's blog. They are supposed to take a lot of abuse and my smaller brushes are quite a mess. I have debated just tossing them. These new ones look like plastic but I haven't tried them out yet.

Yesterday was a frustrating day so I found myself doodling late at night with my Lamy Safari Fountain Pen.  I am really loving that pen.  I am thinking I might have to get another one, this time with an extra fine nib. When I got it I made a big mistake of putting India Ink in it.  It ruined it and I ended up sending it in for repair.  I am using Noodlers Brand Ink with it and it works fabulous now.

Sunday Sketches - Glad To Be Back

I haven't done Sunday sketches in a long time. I have been sick most of the year so that is going to be my excuse for now. I am glad to be back though, today's sketching was fun.


 



















Lady in a huge hat that reminds me of my mom. Sorry this is so dark, I find it so hard to photograph graphite sketches.






















I have always loved the reference photo I used for this sketch.  I think her body is a little small for her head. I didn't realize this until I was finished.

Then I did some doodling on the portion of a page. Patterns are always fun to draw. You can see more sketchers on Sophia's blog

Getting back on the horse

I created this this page earlier this week when I was feeling a bit frustrated, fortunately it was a temporary thing. I have climbed back on the horse as they say.   I have learned not to stay down for too long.  It is like I need to have these moments of frustration so that the solutions can then present themselves.  I had an awakening of sorts after this last one. I am not totally sure of what I am doing right, but I now know what I am going to do next which is a great feeling.

This page was done with some Faber-Castell Gelatos for the background.  I added the birds and then stenciled in the misshapen circles and outlined them with gel pens and markers to give dimension. A few more doodles and I call it done.

I  started this little doodle weeks ago but could never decide if it was finished or not. Maybe it still isn't but I am calling it done for now. Do you have trouble deciding when a piece is finished?

I had gotten a few of these big brush markers by Faber-Castell and started playing with them on this doodle. It seems that no matter how many markers you have there are always other colors you wish you had. I bought 12 but that never seems to be enough colors for me.  I have been enjoying these full page doodles  I am not sure if I will cut them up for other pages and just leave them as is.  They might make fascinating postcards just as they are.

Have a great Mothers Day Weekend!