I don't have very much to say about these. I started off trying to get more layering into my sketchbook, as shown to me by Wil, even tried some typography. Things I learned: It takes a long time to fill a page when you're layering; and when drawing fur, it is probably not a good thing to start off with solid lines, as you have to work very hard to get the fuzziness back in. I had a slight headache when I began, which steadily grew worse and led to some cheating by filling in a lot of space with black. I tried to fill some with writing too, but the words wouldn't come to my aching head. My favorites are the cat and the ostridge (or is that an emu?). The boy? I didn't do him any favors, AT ALL! It was the first sketch of the page and I obviously was just warming up! 
This is a small sketch done while my husband and I were cooking dinner. I think we can all guess who did most of the work! It's approx. 2" X 2" on a cheap writing pad. After using a ballpoint for so long yesterday, I cannot wait to use my pencil again. Or some watercolor.
Methinks you're being a tad hard on yourself! I think this is a wonderful spread. Filling all of it in? Wow! Hope your head feels better. Oh, I also really like the tea kettle .... and the fact that you were drawing, not cooking! lol nancy
ReplyDeleteLOVELY .... A SPECIAL POST ...
ReplyDeleteVery nice job with an interesting variety of subjects. I particularly enjoy the ostrich.
ReplyDeleteRaena,
ReplyDeletethis rocks! keep it going. What i forgot to mention to you when i finish a page with all the layering is that i need to have a cold beer and a nap.
Thank you all very much!
ReplyDeleteWil, LOL, NOW you tell me!
These are great, I wish I could draw with ballpoint pens but I find it so difficult.
ReplyDeleteLove the ostrich, they're awesome because they look so dumb :D
I am sorry it gave you a headache, and I agree with everyone above and that probably you're being too hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteThat aside though, I can tell you that my absolutely favorite in this one is the Ostrich! I love the polar bear too(I believe all boys do anyway), but the ostrich is super hilarious! I am not sure why but the biggest bird in the world has always been amusing and a little silly to me, I always smile when I see them.
It's so cool that we share the same wedding anniversary ^^
I'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteRoach
I'm getting so many ideas to try from following the EDM members blogs.. I've always tossed aside my ballpoint pens for needle tip ons. I guess if it makes a mark, it can be used for sketching, drawing, shading..
ReplyDeleteWow!! I'm impressed. You are very talented in so many areas. I love both your pictures. Great art.
ReplyDeleteYou've got some great sketches in here - the woman in jeans looks really good. Maybe this would be easier if you let the pages fill 'organically' over time rather than trying to do it in one sitting? At least, that's how I'd aproach it.
ReplyDeleteThis is great, and I agree with curiouscrow...let the page fill "on its own". Awesome - and I love the ostrich!!
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous, Raena!
ReplyDeleteBoth are really wonderful. I especially like the tea kettle. I can't imagine using a ball point pen--no erasing!! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteYea You!!! These are just wonderful pages...
ReplyDeletethe black "cheating" you did works so well, allowing the eye to rest a bit. I also love the ostrich - I mean, really, that look! but he's also placed in such a way the viewer has the fun of 'discovering' him. Your teapot and background is a terrific way to study gray-scale (excellent shadow work) Can not imagine working with a headache - too much of a baby about pain - so double congrats.
I love these! The montage of images fill the page in a very eye catching way. BTW, its not cheating unless there is some rule out there that says it is!:)
ReplyDeleteI really like the directional strokes on the tea pot, and the background really pulls it together.
I think you should work with the pens more often. Really great!
The full page of drawings is very fun to look at. The dark background really makes the face and the cat pop but it must have been quite a chore to fill in! I really like the lettering to--especially the word "ballpoint". Hope you are feeling better now.
ReplyDeleteHi Raena, it's beautiful! Really inspiring, I can't wait to get a ballpoint pen and start some myself. Love and lots of chocolate against the headache ;-)
ReplyDeleteBoth are wonderful. This is inspiring me to try sketching in ballpoint. I imagine it is very difficult to achieve the variation of tone that you have so masterfully done here. I especially like the teapot and the lively tiled background. Hope your head feels better :-)
ReplyDeleteGeez, I looked at your page and wished that I could do as well. Can hardly wait to see more of your work when you are feeling good! Take care.
ReplyDeleteI love this layering look. I would like to try this myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd the second sketch is really well done.
Very good page, with the lettering.many good sketches, the ostrich, the cat, the bear.
ReplyDeleteThese are fun pages to make and after lo look at.Congratulations!
I know all about the first sketch on the page problem - but I think he looks great - and someone out there looks like him! I think these are wonderful sketches. My favorites are the walking girl and the birds - but I would have said the guy too, had you not said anything because he has a lot of character and is well-done. My first sketch of a person often ends upon looking like an ostrich whether I intend it or not! I like the tile and the dark outline in the teapot drawing too!
ReplyDeleteLove it,and the black as a filler is just adding nice depth to it and it works so well as you dont have it all over the page... I really like it. Ostrich is my favurite, by far
ReplyDelete(kind of reminds me of my dog Charlie when he is trying to see whats on the table, funny)
Funny, I was just sketching in pen last night and thinking how hard it was to shade in pen. You've got it down, Raena! And like everyone else, I laughed when I saw the ostrich! He's a cutie. I especially like your light touch with a pen. Mine turns into an inky mess. I think you did a wonderful job putting all the collaged images together, and as for the teapot, yay to your husband for making dinner!
ReplyDeleteAwesome sketches!!! Thank you so much for sharing them. And your Parrot story was fantastic too (prior post). Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you used negative space. Your sketches don't look like a mish mash of images but brilliantly woven pieces that come together as a cohesive whole. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove the tea pot! Can't beleive that you did that while u were cooking!
ReplyDeleteThat looks really cool, I should try the layering thing sometime. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! this is so great! I love your sketches!
ReplyDeleteand I like the way you and your husband make dinner! Must try this!! :)))
The whole spread looks fabulous! Love the cat, especially, but all of the drawings are great, really. The pot on the second drawing is just awesome, and the background is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the parrot you drew on the previous post, too!
These are wonderful! Great pen work.
ReplyDelete