The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 17-26

Hi there. How are you?

As I mentioned on Instagram this week, I like to spend a few minutes during my lunch break to work in my sketchbook.  It feels good to get in a little creative time, even if it's just 10 minutes. After I've delved into a drawing, it can be tough to pull myself away go back to work. Switching off that creative "right brain" is difficult!

Here's what I've been sketching over the last few weeks.

My latest sketchbook drawings have very much inspired some of my newest finished works. Stay tuned for more about that or follow me on Instagram to see what I'm working on in real time.

Ta-Ta for now friends. 

The Evolution of a New Illustration

 

Hi There. How are you?

I had a very successful weekend in the studio and created this lovely little Red-Breasted Nuthatch illustration. I thought it would be fun to share some of the pics I snapped as I worked on this piece,  and walk you through my process.

First off I made a simple drawing of the bird on aqua paper. I worked from a photograph.....I am not one of those artists who can work out of their head! I applied a sheet of sticker paper to the back of the drawing, and then cut the whole thing out and adhered it to the graph paper.

The first bit of ink I add to my bird illustrations is always the eyes. That very quickly brings a drawing to life. I used a black Bic ballpoint pen, a white Prismacolor pencil and a dash of white Sakura Gelly Roll ink in the highlight of the eye. 

I continued to add detail with the ballpoint pen and Prismacolors. I added a little bit of a golden brown to give this cutie his "red belly."

After a spell, (I have no idea how long this took.....I don't really pay attention to the clock when I'm in the art zone) the bird was fully formed. I drew in a branch to have him perch on. 

Once all of the inking is complete, I started playing around with my signature collage elements. As I've mentioned before, this is sometimes the most difficult part of the process for me. I tense up and worry about overworking things. Even now, I second guess...This was kind of cute like this....Why did I change it? 

And voila! All that is left to do now is give the whole thing a few coats of a satin varnish to seal and protect it. This original 8"x8" is available for sale in my etsy shop.

Have a great week friends. Until next time. Ta-ta!

The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 5-8

Hi there. How are you?  
I'm happy to share another week's worth of sketchbook drawings with you. 

This is a collaborative piece between four year old Mazzy and me. Mazzy drew the unicorn and I embellished around it. Definitely my fave of the week! It was fun to have someone else get the sketch started as that is usually the most tedious part for me. 

If you'd like to see all the drawings I've made this year all in one place, do visit my Flickr page. 

Ta-Ta for now! 

Oh wait...One more thing! I'm about to send out a Valentine's Day gift to all of my mailing list members. Click here if you want in on the action.  

The Almost Daily Sketch 2015

Hi there. How are you?

Happy 2015!! (How can it possibly be 2015 already?? I swear Y2K was just 5 years ago!)

I'm happy to be back here on the blog...I'm hoping to have much to share with you here in 2015. First up, my new sketchbook. 

For the better part of 10 years I have been keeping a sketchbook. It's always in my purse and when I've got a spare moment I can pull out and doodle away. I am terribly brand loyal and have not used anything but a Moleskine to sketch in for years now. This year I decided to switch it up a bit.

I came across "The Daily Sketch Journal" at the local TJ Maxx. (Love that place! Do you ever dig in the papergoods/craft supply section? It can be a gold mine!) I've been wanting to challenge myself to do a daily drawing project for some time now.  This book gave me the impetus to do it...Sort of. By end of New Year's day 2015, I knew I wasn't going to be able to stick with making a drawing every day. My doodles tend to get complicated, and I can easily spend a few hours on each one.  I reckoned that could commit to drawing one every other day. So that's the plan! One drawing, every 2 days.

Here are my first 2 entries. What do you think?

What I like about the "Daily Sketch Journal" is that there are no dates on the pages, just a Day number and a space to write the date. No pressure to draw every day that way. The book actually only has room for 356 drawings anyway, so it's looking like it will take me about 2 years to knock this one out.

On the downside, this sketchbook itself is a little larger than I'm used to, but I can still get it into my purse, so I'll make it work.  The other minus to this sketchbook is the weight of the paper. As it's a little thin, drawings can sometimes bleed through the pages. (Please excuse my dirty fingernails! I was cleaning most of the day. Ugh.)

I really neglected this blog in 2014. Going to try and rectify that in 2015. This sketchbook will give me some weekly material to share. Wish me luck.

Until next time. Ta-ta!

P.S. If you'd like to see more of my sketchbook, do follow me on Instagram. I post there much more frequently than I do here.

New and Notable

Hi there. How are you?

For quite a long time now, I've been thinking about and talking about turning my abstract Moleskine doodles into a sell-able product. (Read more about that here and see some drawings here.)

This week, I finally made it happen!

The "Trade Winds" series as I like to call it, is a collection of 4 drawings I did on a vintage National Geographic map of Africa. I like the way the map gives some interest and context to the these flowing abstractions and I love the little bits of red text.

The line actually flows from one piece to the other. 

Though these pieces were created in a group, I really do think they can all stand on their own. Each piece has its own title, usually coming from the text on the map.  This one is called "Off Dakar, Feb 15, 1954."

I like how the map backdrop helps to further the implication of movement and/or travel.

Each piece measures just 4" x 4" and is mounted on a 3/4" deep panel. 

All four pieces are for sale individually in my Etsy shoppe.  If you are interested in purchasing the entire series of 4, please contact me.....You will receive a discounted rate. I have already had an inquiry about purchasing the whole set, so do act fast! 

Do let me know what you think of these new pieces, and do enjoy your weekend! Ta-Ta.

New Moleskine Creations

Hi There. How are you today?

My moleskine has been calling to me lately. If I'm sitting in front of the TV, my moleskine is out and I'm drawing away. I've missed drawing. Though I've never stop creating in the forms of designing, home remodeling, making gifts, snaping pictures, etc.,  it's been ages since I've actually put pen to paper. 

It's felt good to exercise the drawing hand again. Now that the holidays and art show season are over, I'm looking forward to regularly getting back into the studio and working. I'm planning an ambitious 2013 summer art fair season.....Gotta build up that inventory! 

I really enjoy drawing in this abstract manner. I know I've said this before, but I need to turn these sketchbook doodles into a sale-able product. It's on my to-do list! 

That's all for now. Gotta get Jack to band practice! (He jams with "The Burning Hotels" when he's down visiting us.)  Ta-ta!

Time Flies

Hi there. How are you? Are you enjoying the weekend?

Time seems to have sped up here as things have gotten busy.  I'm working more hours at my regular job and I've also started subbing at the local elementary school. This was the first week in almost a year that I worked all 5 days. It's nice to be making a little more money.

I did this drawing while I supervised a student music teacher.  Even though she could do all the teaching she still needed a certified teacher in the room. So she taught and I drew! I had forgotten how insane the life of an elementary specialist is. The music teacher had a different class every 20 minutes.....How do you get anything done in 20 minutes?

I have spent the weekend getting ready for my upcoming fall and holiday events. Lots of printing and some new products in the works. I hope to have some new things to show you shortly!

Enjoy your Sunday.  Ta-Ta for now!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 30

I did it! 30 drawings in 30 days!

Overall, I really have enjoyed this project. It felt good to produce something on a daily basis and now my drawing hand is really "in-shape!" Just like an athlete, I need to "warm up" if I expect to make quality, detailed work and I get rusty when I've gone too long without drawing. I enjoyed this project enough that considering giving myself another 30 day challenge, but don't know exactly what that will be quite yet....

I had some down time during the art fair this weekend, and I was able to do another drawing....

To see all 30 of the Month of the Moleskine drawings in one place, mosey over here.

Gotta run. Much to do in preparation for next weekend's art fair in Rockford!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Days 28 & 29

Hi there. How are you?

I know. I know. This post is very late! I'm a failure. But I do have an excuse! My internet access this weekend was very limited while I was away for an art fair.  I promise that this sketch was completed on time though!

I intended to do more to this sketch, but decided that I liked its minimalist look. Especially after the debacle that was "Day 27!"

Today's post is also a little bit minimalist. Inspired by the delightful breeze that blew all weekend at the fair,  I played with wispy lines in this one.

If I get a chance, I'll do a little review of my time at the Cedarhurst Craft Fair. But don't hold your breath! We leave on Friday to head up the Rockford for the Greenwich Village Art Fair. Ahh!

Ta-ta for now friends!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 27

I'm not too proud of this one. Just glad it's done and that I'm in the home stretch of my month of drawing.

Enjoy your Saturday friends!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 26

Hey. It's Friday! 

I'm getting ready to head up to Mt. Vernon, Illinois for the Cedarhurst Art Fair this weekend. They are predicting evening storms. Great. Wish me luck!


The scribbly background covers a big, nasty smudge. I kind of like it!

Have a fab weekend friends!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 24

Hi. How are you? We're back in Carbondale after a weekend away.

I'm not feeling the drawing thing right now, so I've been lettering my "daily drawings" instead.  I'm also a little annoyed with my new Moleskine. It was one that I picked up at Target on clearance, and I guess I got what I paid for. The paper is really thin and you can see yesterday's drawing peeking through the blank page. It also doesn't seem to absorb the ink very well. I end up smudging all the time! Grrr.

To check out all of the Month of the Moleskine drawings, make your way here.

I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday! Ta-Ta for now.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 23

Here ya go! Gotta run. Busy! Busy!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 21

Today is a special day!

This is the first drawing in my new red Moleskine and.......It's my birthday!  I'll be spending the day with family and friends in Rockford.

Hope you are enjoying the Labor Day weekend and last throws of summer.  Ta-ta!

To see the Month of the Moleskine series in its entirety,  click here.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 20

I'm 2/3's done! Woo!

To see drawings 1-20 of the Month of the Moleskine series in one place, make your way here.

Ta-ta and happy Saturday!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 19

Happy Friday friends! Last day of August.....What the heck happened to summer?

September is also going to fly by.  I've got 2 shows this month! Do check out my events page on jenniferjohansson.com to see a list of all my upcoming shows.

I've archived the entire Month of the Moleskine drawing series here.

Ta-Ta!