Prismacolor doodles

Sometimes I fill in my sketches and life drawings with prismacolor markers.

Romantic Portraits

Through a request, I made 12 watercolor paintings about a newly wed couple,  one painting for each month. I enjoyed it immensely,  and feel my skill with color grew. Here are a few examples of these paintings, and I hope to upload more when I get a chance. 

Big Hair & Knees-and-Elbows

Sometimes I observe my son and think, "How does his little neck support that enormous head?" But then it's mostly hair. I also notice that he's developing the lanky all-knees-and-elbows look characteristic in older boys. When did this happen?!

Car Seats

I was sitting in the back seat of the car between my two sons when I sketched this. I didn't finish because I started to get carsick. :p

Blooms Like Heaven

I found this old sketch of my boys, and thought I'd share. I did it about a year ago. I have moved away from realism so much since then! Stylization is much more expressive and fun, but realism sure looks good!

Grabbing Moments in my Sketchbook

I've been super busy painting for a commissioned project. I haven't done any personal projects for myself due to deadline crunching, and also because my husband and I decided to buy a new house.  Golly, that takes a lot of time on the phone! 

But there are always moments here and there I can put into my sketchbook.  My friend Sara bought me this adorable little 31 purse for carrying my sketchbook. It's the exact size of a moleskin, unzips to lay flat, and has a built-in pencil pouch. Perfect! I've been toting it everywhere and pulling it out even if only for a few seconds.

I did this one, "The Littlest Birds Sing the Prettiest Songs," based on a song that comes on my kids' radio. I think it's adorable. I grabbed these moments every day, a few minutes at a time, in the parking lot, waiting for Kindergarten to let out.

This one is based on my father-in-law's true story about a time he took the train in the summer-time, and a little boy was curious about his white beard, sure he was Santa, but trying to act skeptical. Very cute! I want to finish this one, 4 panels, in watercolor and ink.  Someday when I finish these commissioned pieces!

One artist whose work I admire, John Hendrix, illustrates the Sunday sermon, so I thought to try the same thing one day in church.

Also, in church, sometimes I sit where I can get a good view of others on the other side of the sanctuary, and they don't know I'm drawing them. ;)

In our small group, Katie is one of the pretties mommies I know with such a beautiful little boy. I had to draw them, too.

I drew this one in church too. My favorite fantasy when I was a little girl.

Avanti's

I drew this at Avanti's while waiting for my three year old to finish his tortellini. I love my special dates there with him. I also love Avanti's for their crayons and white place mats!

With Every Pencil Stroke, A Prayer

I offered a portrait commission for a fundraiser auction for a local charity. I did not expect to do a portrait of Josh and his sister, Jessie for their mother. This past year, the town rallied to support Josh in his fight against cancer. Benefits were held, prayer vigils held, newspapers updated. We the community held our breath as Josh fought for his life. He was smart, kind, 17, with a bight future, and a Facebook page that proclaimed, "I love Jesus" in capital letters.  He inspired thousands of people with his famous quote, "When you can't stand, kneel."  Needless to say, this was a difficult portrait to draw! I was nervous, wanting perfection for such a nobel person. I was full of thoughts for all the loved ones left behind. I have never had the opportunity to create a portrait of a hero. And I was full of prayer.

Grant's Special Summer

I decided to document the process I use for illustrating.

#1. I made a sketch and cleaned up the lines.

#2. I put down the colors quickly, like an underpainting.

#3. I went back with markers, pushed back and pulled forward different parts to create depth, and layers of color.

#4. I added some colored pencil for texture, and an outline to preserve the "cartoon" look of the boy and the dog. I also added the title on Photoshop.

Self-Portrait

Original Monkey

I used Prismacolor markers for this drawing of my son.  I was going for a more stylized, simplistic, cartoon-look, but I couldn't resist the temptation to make it look more and more realistic. As a result, I have many different shades, colors, and details, with exaggerated eyes.  I think I like it.  But, who knows? I'm always trying to define my style. Aren't we all? Isn't style ever-changing?