Practice makes a whole lot better! WOYWW

Do you remember on this post I said that I was going to start practicing drawing faces. Well I have been. Lots and lots actually and I am really impressed with the way they are coming along.

I have found it really hard to draw black and white faces or faces just using a pen or pencil, yet when it comes to painting I am loving it. I find painting faces much easier because I can play with shading and tones. I just don't seem to be able to do this with just plain old drawing.

Anyway I thought I would just show you how my practise is coming along...

So this is what is on my work desk today for WOYWW. Both are in my sketchbook which I have been using for practise and experimentation. I don't mind how they look but I think it is important to look back on them and see your progress.

So what else is on my desk. Well my laptop that the sketch book is lying on, my kindle, my phone, my cartoon of Ribena. Love Ribena! My brushes, a water pot and my Reeves water soluble wax pastels which is what these two ladies were created using.

And it appears there has been an error with my scheduling as you have two blog posts today. Oh well never mind!

My sweet valentine

I have to say I am a bit of a romantic. I also have to admit that I kinda like the commercialism of Valentine's day. Not the really cheesy roses and smutty cards stuff but the more unique pretty handmade kinda stuff. I like a nice meal and a snuggle on the sofa with a film not the going out to a restaurant with lots of other couples stuff. I think what I like most is having a nose on pinterest and getting caught up in all the beautiful valentine's photography!

I was having a nose around on Etsy as I often do and I love looking at all the wonderful things people have created. So I decided to make a little treasury of all the little valentine's inspired things that I particularly like and things that are my style or would be very happy to receive if I had a secret admirer out there.........

Of course I had to include an art journal which is simply amazing and also my canvas lol!

To view these items click on the image and it will take you there!

Or click here!

Drawing faces practice

In nearly all my girl pieces the girls usually have no face or a face made up of just cartoon like eyes and pink cheeks. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly I quite like the cute kitsch feel of this. I have always drawn cartoony faces and I like the happy non complex feel of them. I also think that as soon as you give them a face you also give them a personality and you don't always want that. Sometimes you want the words you have added or the piece as a whole to do the talking not the personality of the girl. Does that make sense? I hope it does because it does to me! Oh and finally....because I pretty much suck at drawing faces. Simple as.

I hate it when people say "oh I can't draw". What rubbish! Anyone can draw you just have to either be taught or teach yourself and of course practice. If you want to do something you can with a little determination and practice.

Anyway just lately I have wanted to expand my creativity and the scope of what I am creating so I decided to get the sketch book out and my lovely set of Daler Rowley drawing pencils and have a go.

So this first one is just of a mouth and nose. I didn't feel ready to tackle the eyes just yet. But as far as faces go I was quite happy with this one.

And then onto the faces with eyes! My first attempt is utter pants and totally scary!

Ok so moving on... another one, this time I decided to add a bit of colour by using some chalk pastels.

And here is my final one for now. Getting better. Still a lot of work needed. I don't actually want my drawings to be life like but just a pretty and "stylised" face. Once that is pleasing to the eye and not something from a horror film!

So keep practicing is what I say and I will update you on my progress.

Latest Etsy Shop Addition: Making Mud Pies

The latest edition to my etsy shop is this little girl who would be far happier making mud pies!!

Everything about her is me. From her out of control big red hair, to the mud on her face and dress. I was quite tom boyish still now but in a strange feminine way I still love pretty dresses. No matter how hard I try to look neat and pretty I always end up getting grubby! Naturally this mixed media piece needed lots of grunge and drips and I really enjoyed getting my hands messy creating her!

Go to etsy to check her out

 

Mail Art swap: Look what I received!!

Do you remember me saying in this post that I was mail art swapping with Heidi from Little Nore? Well the most amazing post arrived for me yesterday. I don't actually get that much post anymore as most bills and communication is done via email so when something does land on your door mat I get really excited. Even more so when it is in a handwritten envelope as that usually means the contents is going to be good.

It was.

Look at this most amazing piece of art that Heidi created...

I love it soooooo much. It is beautiful and my photo doesn't do it any justice! It made me smile so much so thank you thank you thank you Heidi! I wrote a note to Heidi and in it I said that I was struggling with feelings of not being good etc etc etc and she wrote me back a really positive and inspiring letter which really boosted my confidence today. I feel so very happy today I am buzzing and have loads of enthusiasm for creating.

When I thought it couldn't get any better, I logged on to the computer and Heidi had also written a blog post with mail art she had received and mine was there too. Awesome Happy Day!

Go check out Heidi's blog here: http://heidimmcdonald.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/mail-art-magic-part-one.html 

Craft Space Envy

This month's craft space envy...

Love the idea of an idea board above the desk!

if nobody cares...

I saw this on pinterest and just fell in love with it!

Source: bubbelsoda.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest