In order to meet one of my goals for the year, I need to post approx ten times a month. This month, the first month, started off quite well...only to fumble near the end. I want to blame it on an unwanted, and unexpected, "guest" we had this past week, Mr. Norovirus. It wasn't a terrible visit, not as things can get with him, but my productivity stopped. And I know, I know, that I could have kept going and was just using this as an excuse to sit around doing nothing. And that's basically what I did for a whole week! Nothing. And I was bored and I wanted to sketch, yet still, I did nothing! Why do I torture myself like that?
Okay, so about the Toucan. He started off as an experiment. I sketched him with a Pentel Pocket brush, then used some water-soluble oil pastels that I had from long ago, which I rubbed with my finger. I was trying to achieve something similar to Roz Stendahl's Stabilo Tone sketches. Well, a combination of poor quality materials, and inexperience, resulted in a really ugly, smeary drawing. I took it in stride though, it was my first try! So, I scanned the picture and using only the blender tool in Painter 10, I smeared it around until I got this. If it hadn't been just an experiment, I think I would have worked harder on the composition, which, now I see is rather awkward! What I loved about the toucan from my photo reference, here, is how very black his his feathers were and the colors were incredible!
And these are the sort of doodles that come out of me when I watch television--which I've admittedly done too much of lately! Above is ballpoint pen with a General's Sketch and Wash pencil, then watercolor added. Below is just ballpoint pen. I started of well with the layering, but then the movie was too good and I ended up not doing any more. 
Taking it from the top, I love the toucan. Birds are so hard to do, and the colors just pop right out at you. Your TV drawing is not only very well done but hilarious - I know the feeling! Your ballpoint pen effort is just fine. It's original, creative, and well executed. As for your lament, you were sick - I think you can cut yourself a hall pass! hugs, nancy
ReplyDeleteYou have been very busy for someone who has supposedly ben loafing around the house! I love the face-tree-hair thingy...that is how I feel most days waking at 5, walking the dogs, and working from 7-3:30, home again to clean so Hunter and I can "relax"...lol
ReplyDeleteLove the toucan - the colors are amazing. And your doodles are so much fun.
ReplyDeleteShirley
I think you are too hard on yourself. The drawings are terrific.
ReplyDeleteAren't toucans just fabulous. I didn't realize there were different kinds until my trip to Costa Rica. Great work on the brilliant colors.
ReplyDeleteYour toucan is dignified, and looks like he has an opinion different from mine and knows it! I love the colors on the beak. The drawing that really blows me away is the tree woman! Excellent! Great imagination and very unique style. My doodles are more creative than when I try to make art, almost invariably. But I don't remember any being this good. The last looks good enough to be an illustration in a fantasy book. It is magical and takes me away..
ReplyDeleteToucan is fabulous! The colors are amazing!
ReplyDeleteFree Hand Madhubani Painting
I love that toucan - so dramatic!
ReplyDeleteLove, love the tree/face drawing! And the drawing from the previous post as well...so glad you are back, healthy and drawing!
ReplyDelete10 times a month...TEN TIMES A MONTH??? Oh good grief, I can feel my palms sweat from the pressure! I hope these count for 3...because with these three, each one has such individual appeal, I think you can say that you were composting creativity, not loafing. When I'm sick, I go for that whole Blank Mind thing - LOL Seriously, I spent all day yesterday looking at Fruttavendolo, LOOKING at it, and I'm not ill. Good for you Raena...you inspire.
ReplyDeleteI love your Toucan and really love your tree doodle--it is wonderful!! For someone who did "nothing" for a week--I am impressed I think it is the time of year. I just posted something omy my blog after an entire week of "whining" about the weather and doing nothing!!
ReplyDeleteWhy do I so strongly relate to the face/tree sketch?!
ReplyDeleteAwesome work! My favorite has to be the tree/person. Very well done. I love the toucan too. The color is super. I wish I could do what you do with a ballpoint pen. It is amazing!
ReplyDeleteNice drawings/paintings - love the Toucan composition and colors. The tree sketch reminds me of the scream by Edvard Munch - except happier. Great work! 10x per month - good goal
ReplyDeleteI love the way the background and the toucan's bill glow. Good work on all the art.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun sketches! I hope you enjoyed doing them as much as I enjoyed looking at them.
ReplyDeleteThe toucan is beautiful! The colors turned out really well and bright, and the sketches are randomly superb as well. No matter early or late I believe the most important, and the most fun while doing art is the journey, and that Raena, you're excelling at without a doubt ^^
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel Raena. I know people who won't even listen to me till I finish with my excuses. These drawings don't need any. I love the look in that toucan's eye. He's great. The TV picture is unreal. It ought to be on the cover of a literature magazine. I LOVE it. And the bottom is a wonderful flight of fancy. All in all, terrific!
ReplyDeleteThis is what you do when you are sick?!? Great job on all three- beautiful work. A good mix of styles too. Fabulous!!
ReplyDeletethese illustrations are gorgeous. i love your line work and use of color!
ReplyDeleteOh no, how did I miss this one? I love your doodles, especially the tree with the face. See, even your doodles look frameable!!! I say don't put pressure on yourself or deadlines to create by. That just causes stress. You'll get to it when the moment is right.
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