Drawing the crap out of a bald eagle today at work - doing tricolor sketches is super satisfying. Tombow brush markers have been getting a lot of mileage recently and this particular color combination really vibrates. I want to use them for something other than sketching but my snotty art school conscience keeps telling me that markers are non-archival. The Prismacolors I used in my highschool sketchbooks have since bled into the paper, if anyone has any experience with this, please chime in! Special appearance by a bottom-heavy pin up girl, and my field notes book that is filled with doodles of pies. Seriously.
It seems as if that drawing bug is persistent…painting like this gets me so worked up that I want to throw out my phone, and lock myself in my house for a week or two. I would love to, but I think my work, friends, and roommate might protest. I can’t wait to clear my head over the holiday!
This also marks the first appearance of my alter ego (or Adventure Time character), the Ice Cream Witch. The limit to her powers is still unknown but she gains energy from McFlurries, and sucks all the fun out of a room instantaneously.
I’m finally feeling like I’ve got my drawin’ bug back, where sketching flows and relaxes me - but every time I try to draw a saucy pin up girl, she ends up looking like Megan Fox. I must put a stop to this, for all our sakes. Expect more from the drafting table, and since I’ve finally joined the future with a fancy new iphone it’s so much easier to share! I like it just a little too much but this is the first time I have the newest, fanciest electronic device since maybe getting a Tamagotchi in 5th grade. Ironically the iPhone, much like the Tamagotchi, needs constant attention, never leaves my sight, and makes all sorts of maddening noises. I will let you know when I start feeding it digital cakes to keep its mood happy.
Trying to not get too ambitious, but damn this is exciting. Another piece that’s in it for the long run - first session.
Sunday afternoon sepia-toned barn swallows.
If you give me enough time, I will roll an idea around in my head for weeks, kneading out lumps and smoothing rough edges until I’m absolutely confident in it’s execution. I’m used to work that’s built with watercolor, with just as much construction as there is excavating - tattoos require planning and deliberation - there’s no going back once it’s committed to skin and a decisions you make early in the process can completely derail you.
I have been bouncing this idea back and forth for some time now, and good ole Matthew Woodson graciously donated a large swath of skin for the cause. For such a large piece, it’s such a relief to have someone who is willing to work with you, and is willing to commit to finishing it, which can be several sessions and many many hours of work. The photos don’t really illustrate how huge this is, almost hip to knee. So far, it’s only line work and to me, just feels like a wire frame for what this tattoo will turn into. I can’t wait to get lost in the textures and whiskers and dust and details of this - five hours in, many more to come.
sleepalmar asked: Your work is such an inspiration. I was wondering what materials you work with most of the times, at least on your moleskines.
Moleskines are at mercy to whatever I have available when I’m on the move - usually a mechanical pencil or a Sakura Micron or Staedler pen. When I’m at home, I use watercolor and gouache. Truthfully, this type of moleskine that I use doesn’t take watercolor well, it’s smooth like bristol board and any heavy water (or ink) use ripples the pages. I prefer gouache, specifically Holbein Acryla which is densely pigmented and steadfast. It doesn’t reactivate with water like many other gouaches. After at they’re topped off with a smattering of paper scraps, chinese food fortunes, loose tobacco and what have you.
Water media is my power animal! Watercolor paint is one thing that makes a huge difference in quality and brand. Most cases, the most expensive is not necessarily the best, but skimping on watercolors will not do you any favors. Synthetic pigments act differently than true pigments, both mixing strength, brilliance and opacity - and it takes a lot of time and experience to learn all their specific behaviors. I’ve tried a ton of brands, but I stick with Winsor and Newton’s Artist line of colors.
Thanks for the message! I hope that helps.
Chinese take out fortunes know too much! When in doubt, self medicate with food.
Drew this at a restaurant while waiting for a friend, which is a great way to keep yourself occupied when sitting alone in a crowded place and indulges my strong instinct to avoid eye contact when surrounded by strangers. Come to think of it, this was the first night out after I quit smoking, which would explain my determination to finish something in my sketchbook, instead of waiting outside aloofly, cigarette in hand. Ugh. That’s another story!
Another ubiquitous to-do list. They’re tucked into all my notebooks, my desk, crumpled in the bottom of my purse - compulsive listmaking is a good way to parse your day into manageable, tolerable, bite sized events - while feeling like you’re a responsible adult for getting things done. Or something like that.
Agkistrodon contortix
You know you’ve done something right when the photos you take of a tattoo do it no justice to the way it moves on the body. Snakes have been coming up a lot lately in my life, so it’s oddly appropriate that I finish this piece now. 2 sessions, almost 6 hours.
