Thursday, December 31, 2009

An Angel Warns Joseph in a Dream

Continuing with the Christmas story. After the visit from the Three Kings, an angel warns Joseph in a dream that Herod is seeking the baby Jesus, to destroy what he fears is a rival.

The words in my cartoon-style drawing are from Matthew 2:13. "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt... for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."
  • Copic marker colors used: W3, C0,1,5, Y15, BG93, E09,15,21,41, R000,02, G000, V000
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Three Kings Approaching Bethlehem

August 14, 2010: The week's theme for Illustration Friday is "star gazing," which seems just right for this drawing from last December.

In the Christmas story, the Three Kings (or three magi, wise men) followed the star to Bethlehem.
"....the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." (Matthew 2:9)
In my drawing, they are nearing the end of their journey.
  • Copic marker colors used: BV20,23, E11,37,43,44,71, YG91,95, G07,28, BG45,49,93,96, B26,45, Y11,26, YR21, C1, W3, R59, RV19
  • Paper: ecru Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Blog News 8

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • To make my blog easier to explore, I added a menu bar, just below my blog heading.
  • I posted an update of my Copic color chart. Recently I added a few more colors to my Copic marker collection, and my chart is now current with all of the colors I have. To view it, click here, or click on "color chart" in the labels list on the right.
  • Also in that post, I now have a link to my blank color chart in PDF format, which you're welcome to print or save for your own use.
For more Blog News posts, click on the label (below, or in the label list on the right.)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Advent Calendar 2009

Originally posted November 29. Final edits December 24: My Advent calendar drawing for 2009 is now complete. Each day's space is small, 1-3/8 x 1-5/8", so you may want to double-click the drawing for a larger view.
  • Click here for a listing of 2009 words, sources of words, and Copic colors used.
  • Click here to print or save my blank 2009 Advent calendar template (PDF format).
  • Added November 27, 2010: Click here for my 2010 Advent calendar drawing.
  • Click here for 2008.
  • For all related posts, click on my Advent-Christmas label, below or in the label list to the right.
For links to my friend Sybil's Advent calendar drawings (2008 and 2009), scroll down to my post below, also dated December 25. She has posted her drawings for Weeks 1, 2, and 3, and now her final large 2009 calendar. (Or click on "home" below, and then scroll down.)

Work in progress note: This post was dated December 25 to keep it at the top of my blog through Christmas Day. From November 29 through December 24, as I completed my daily drawings, I replaced the image here with the new version, and also updated my separate listing (see link above) with the words, sources of words, and Copic marker colors used for each day.

Sybil's Advent Calendar and Rosette Prayer Drawing

My friend Sybil has completed the posting of her 2009 Advent calendar on her blog, Praying in Color. A circular sticker was her drawing space for each day. To see her finished 2009 calendar, click here. For her Week 1 drawings, click here. For Week 2, click here. And for Week 3, click here.

For 2008, she created a freeform Advent calendar. Click here to see her finished 2008 calendar.

Sybil makes drawing a part of her prayer life. Click here for a prayer drawing that she made, inspired by my rosette instructions. Edited February 20, 2010: To see more of her prayer drawings, browse through her current blog, as well as her previous (2009) blog.

To see some of her other drawings, click on the "Sybil's drawings" label below, or in the label list on the right.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Advent Calendar Update 26 - Final

I've posted the final version of my 2009 advent calendar drawing. Drawings are complete through tomorrow, Christmas Day, Friday December 25. The words are "O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord." Click here for the updated, final posting, as well as the link to the updated, final listing of words, sources and Copic colors used. (This message is meant for readers who use a subscription or feed service to identify new blog items.)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Blog News 7 - 2009 Advent Calendar Template in PDF format

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • Added a document link to my November 6 "2009 Advent Calendar Template" post. The link takes you to a PDF format of my template, which I've just learned how to share via Google Docs. It's easy to print the calendar from there. Click here and scroll down a bit for the post, which now contains the new PDF link.
For more Blog News posts, click on the label (below, or in the label list on the right.)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Gray Lines with Blue, Red, and Green Ovals

Just a small abstract drawing. I used my ellipse template (plastic with many ovals cut out of it) to draw the outline of each oval. The other lines are freehand.
  • Copic marker colors used: C1,3,5, R29, G07, B26
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 3x5"

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

This fall, several of my family members have had serious medical issues, all now moving in a very good direction. So much to be thankful for as I drew this Thanksgiving prayer drawing.

In the center oval, the words "All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love" are the refrain of a 200-year-old harvest hymn. The first line is "We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand." I didn't grow up on a farm, but in a rich farming area, and I love the hymn for its spirit of gratitude. Click here to hear the tune and read the rest of the words.

To see my Thanksgiving drawing for 2008, click here.

I've labeled a few of my drawings "multiples," including both Thanksgiving drawings. Sometimes I really enjoy creating a drawing made up of small related drawings. To see all of my "multiples" click here, or on the label below or to the right. I've also used today's layout before (five ovals from a PowerPoint slide that I printed onto my drawing paper) - you will see it in my "five oval Marys" if you click to see my other "multiples."
  • Other words: top left - family, friends, love; top right - health, healing, spirit; bottom left - work, rest, abundance; bottom right - singing, drawing, joy.
  • Copic colors used:
    center - BG000,45, YG23,63, YR14,15,24, Y26, E11,15;
    top left - R00,24,29,32, Y26, B24;
    top right - custom color B2000, B24, E15, YR15, R08;
    bottom left - YR20, BV31, YR07,15, YG23,63, R08, E15;
    bottom right - BG10,32,49, RV06,17;
    top ribbons - YG63, YR07; bottom ribbons - B24, YR15;
    left ribbons - R29, Y26; right ribbons - BG49, RV06.
  • Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Storybook Landscape in Three Frames

After several rosette drawings, I wanted to loosen up. Draw freely on a larger page, doodle, go wherever the drawing might lead me.

I started with the outer frames and then the sun. I was surprised to find myself drawing the storybook scenes inside the frames. It was fun using colors and patterns to tie the spaces together. I don't know what the story is, but I think the characters know.
  • Copic marker colors used: E00,04,33,53; V12,15; RV32; W1,5; G12,14,17,24,28; BV20; BG72; YR20; Y11; B01. Drawn mostly with sepia and olive Copic multiliners; also orange, yellow, purple, cool gray, sky blue, and red Copic multiliners.
  • Paper: Neenah classic cream, cut down to 8.25 x 11"

Sybil's Rosette Drawings

My friend Sybil drew two rosettes, inspired by my "try this" rosette directions. Like me, Sybil draws with pens and markers, mostly Copic. I love her shapes, lines, and patterns, very different from mine.
For more of Sybil's drawings posted in my blog, click on the label below, or in the label list to the right. (Drawings are used with her permission.)

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Rosette in Blue

After drawing the example rosette for last week's "try this" post, I colored it in shades of blue. I tried coloring a light blue background, but I didn't like it. So I cut out the rosette and placed it on a textured black paper background. The rosette is about 3" across.
  • Copic marker colors used: Custom color B2000, B41,45, BG05, BV04,23,31, B41+BV31 (the + means one color is colored on top of the other)
To try this, click here.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Blog News 6 and How to Draw a Rosette

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • Added a "Try This" post, showing how to draw a rosette (similar to my recent orange and yellow rosette drawing.) I think rosettes are interesting to color, and they really are very easy to draw with a few simple curves and V-shaped lines.
    • For my orange and yellow rosette drawing, scroll down (or, if you don't see it there, click here.)
    • For my "Try This" directions on how to draw a rosette, click here. If you can trace a circle shape from a jar lid and make "V" and "U" shaped lines, you have all the drawing skills you need. There's nothing tricky about it. You'll need some patience to draw all the little V's and U's, but you might find it relaxing, perhaps even meditative, as I do. If you'd prefer something less detailed, see the next paragraph.
  • Not an update, but while I'm on the "Try This" topic: In my blog, I've included a dozen easy-to-draw "try this" posts. Simple directions, sprinkled with encouragement ... because I strongly believe that Anybody Can Draw. To see what I mean, I invite you to click here, or click on "try this" in the labels list on the right, or in the menu bar in my blog header.
  • Posted my new Copic color chart. Recently I added seven colors to my Copic marker collection, and my chart is now current with all of the colors I have. To view it, click here, or click on "color chart" in the labels list on the right.
For more Blog News posts, click on the label (below, or in the label list on the right.)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Rosette in Orange and Yellow


Generally I don't use a lot of orange, but after I drew this image, I found myself reaching for the orange markers. I enjoyed drawing the rosette with all its rhythmic variations. I enjoyed coloring the small spaces with similar but different colors around the circles. And I like the end result. So much enjoyment from a few lines and colors.
  • Copic marker colors used: YR00,04,07,09,14,15,20,21; Y15,19,38
  • Paper: Ecru Crane's card, approx. 4x6"
To try this, click here.

Friday, November 6, 2009

2009 Advent Calendar Template

Added November 20, 2011: Looking for my current template? For 2011, click here.
I'm looking ahead to Advent, which in the church year is the 4-week season of hope and longing that leads up to Christmas. Last year, I made a small drawing each day in a calendar format. Click here to see the end result, my 2008 Advent calendar.

I've decided to try it again this year. Beginning in late November or early December, I plan to post my calendar drawings as I go along. Added Nov. 29, 2009: Click here to see my 2009 calendar drawings, which will be updated at least weekly until Christmas.

The blank grid above is my 2009 template. If you think you might enjoy this activity, please feel free to print or download it for your own daily drawings.... colorful tree ornaments, decorated words, geometric shapes, or whatever inspires you.

EDITED Nov. 28, 2009: Click here for the link to a PDF version, which I've just learned how to share via Google Docs.
See top of post for 2010 version.

Overall page size is 8-1/2 x 11". Each day's drawing space is 1-3/8 x 1-5/8". The image size (including the "Advent 2009" heading) is 7-1/4 x 9-3/4".

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Flowing Lines with Turquoise, Cream, and Pink


I started this drawing with flowing lines. I used deep pink and turquoise colors to trace along a few of the lines, then added some softer colors.
  • Copic marker colors used: RV17, blurred with RV000; BG49, blurred with BG10; RV000, 91, BG10; YR20 with streaks of BG10 and RV91.
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Landscape in Doodled Frame

A deeply colored landscape in a black and white doodled oval frame, with a pale blue background of wavy lines and tiny dots.
  • Copic marker colors used: Black multiliners 0.2 and brush small. Wavy background is custom color B2000. Other colors are B26, BV04, Y000,26, V09, G07,17,24,28, YG63. For the mottled effect, the moon was dabbed lightly with YR20 on terry cloth, and the other landscape colors were dabbed with colorless blender on terry cloth.
  • Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Fruit Bowl 2 - Sketch


This was just a quick little warm-up drawing, pencil on scrap paper. But I liked it well enough to color it. The coloring is sketchy like the pencil drawing, but layered in places. See Fruit Bowl 1, a year earlier, for another version of the same subject.
  • Copic marker colors used: B41,45, E00,04,95, G21, YG03,63,91, V04,15, YR04,09,15,21, R08,24, RV13,95
  • Paper: 4x6" copier paper

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Doodle with Gray, Sepia, and Pink

For this doodle, I started with the corners and worked in toward the center. After drawing the black lines, I added more lines in gray, sepia, and pink, along with some coloring. I'm happy with the result.
  • Copic marker colors used: Black, cool gray, sepia and pink multiliners; C0, C3, E11, E33, RV10, RV13+RV91. The + means one color on top of another.
  • Paper: Tan Crane's card 4x6".

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Blog News 5

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • Removed labels "Copic" and "pre-Copic." Since 2008, my drawings have been almost entirely Copic. Before that, they were all pre-Copic, so the two labels were just clutter. To see drawings by date, go to the archives list, below the label list on the right.
  • Divided "About My Labels" into three parts, due to blog software limits on the number of labels per post.
  • Updated "Tools I Like" with my new scanner information.
For more Blog News posts, click on the label (below, or in the label list on the right.)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ribbon Lattice


New printer/scanner set up yesterday, and it's not fully functional yet. When it is, I'll update "about my tools and materials." Meanwhile, here is yesterday's drawing, a lattice pattern with ribbons of color and a white ribbon woven through.

The main colors are bright, but softened and shaded with cool grays and other colors. For the background, I used my custom color B2000, and after it dried, I colored over it with colorless blender for a blurred, somewhat cloudy effect.
  • For a brighter drawing with similar colors (Cathedral Shapes), click here.
  • For a basket weave drawing and how to draw basket weave, click here.
  • For more ribbon-theme drawings, click on the "ribbons" label, below or in the label list to the right.
  • Copic colors used: Cool gray multiliner. Background B2000 (see above). Main ribbon colors B14, R24, YR 24, YG63. Shaded with C0, C1, B26, E71, BG96.
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Friday, September 25, 2009

Curved Shapes in Greens and Yellows


A very small, abstract pencil drawing. Curved shapes colored in greens and yellows, with an airbrushed background.
  • Copic marker colors used: Y06, YG21,63, G21,40; Copic airbrush Y06 and speckles of YG63. When I color on top of pencil, I try to dab the colors on, instead of dragging the marker tip across the pencil lines, to avoid smearing the pencil.
  • Paper: a 4x4" square of Strathmore medium-weight drawing paper.

Blog News 4

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • Added labels for brightness (vivid, mid, muted). To see the drawings in each category, click on "Brightness: Vivid," "Brightness: Mid," or "Brightness: Muted" in the label list on the right.
These labels give my personal, overall impression of the coloring. "Vivid" is strong coloring, often primary colors. "Muted" is softer, paler, perhaps monochrome - often still colorful, but with a quieter feeling. It includes my black and white drawings. "Mid" is mid-range, somewhere in between vivid and muted.

As a few minutes of browsing in my blog will show, I'm attracted to using vivid, intense colors. For me, one of the joys of Copic markers is the brilliant, transparent clarity of their brighter colors. But I also enjoy working with soft, muted colors, where my paler and grayer Copics help me to be colorful in a gentler way. And for either vivid or muted colors, I can use simple coloring with interesting contrasts, or I can layer and blend colors without them getting muddy. (For examples of each, click on "Coloring: Complex" or "Coloring: Simple" in the label list on the right.)

I've tried to place consistent and helpful labels on my posts. One reason for all my labels is to help my viewers find drawings they might enjoy. Another reason is to give me a way to sort and view my own drawings in various combinations. For a description of my labels that may not be self-explanatory, please click on About My Labels, in the label list on the right.

For more Blog News posts, click on the label (below, or in the label list on the right.)

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Spiky Plants

Spiky abstract plants with subdued streaks of color.

I airbrushed the background last (using the Copic airbrush) with a pale blue. Because it was so pale, and there was already some blue color in the leaves, I didn't mask anything when I airbrushed.

February 6, 2010: Today I posted a revised drawing (above). I wasn't happy with the hard horizontal lines at the base of my plants. So I cut it in two with my sharp craft scissors, just below the base of the plants, cutting unevenly to follow the lines of the mulch. Then I moved the bottom portion up about 1/16" to cover the horizontal lines. I added some irregular black lines along the cut edge. I taped it across the back with acid-free scrapbooking tape, and used my 2-way glue pen in a few spots on the front. It looks better to me now. See below for original version.
  • Copic marker olors used: plants- streaks of BG93,96, E71, blended with custom color B2000; ground- W1,3, V000, YR09 on W0, W5 on W0; background- airbrushed with B41
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Monday, September 7, 2009

Purple Statice Flowers in a Speckled Vase

A stoneware vase with statice flowers. The vase and trivet were airbrushed (using the Copic airbrush), with lines of colorless blender to decorate the trivet.

Click here to see my May 2010 statice drawing.
  • Copic marker colors used: purple multiliner; flowers V000,04,09, B24 0n V000; leaves YG91,63; vase W0 base, airbrushed with Y95 and V09; rim of vase Y95; trivet airbrushed with BV04,23.
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Monday, August 31, 2009

Cathedral Shapes in Five Colors

My drawing (above) was inspired by the design of my friend Sybil's drawing (below) of a carving in England's Durham Cathedral. I used Sybil's basic shapes with decorative triangles, dots, and curves, and colored with only five colors (though not the same five as hers).
  • Copic colors used: YG23,63, R24, B24, YR24. The white dots were made with colorless blender.
  • Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"
See below for her drawing, a 5x7" page from her travel journal. (Used with her permission.) For more of Sybil's drawings posted in my blog, click on the label below, or in the label list to the right.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Geode with Olive Frame

For this drawing, I used the sketch for last week's orange flower drawing. Today I picked up my original pencil sketch, added an outer border, inked the lines, and colored it.

To see the other geode drawings and an explanation of what I mean, click here, or click on "geode" in my label list on the right side of the screen.
  • Technique: To make the background texture, I colored evenly with YG91 and let it dry. Then, using the colorless blender (chisel tip), I went over it with small circles in vertical strips, then in horizontal strips. I finished that and let it dry completely, before adding the other colors.
  • Copic marker colors used: RV17,95, B01, all streaked with W0; YG91,95
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Monday, August 17, 2009

Bright Dots and Wavy Lines 1


A simple doodle. Ten wavy lines. Small imperfect circles, filled in with bright colors. Fun to do. And fun to look at, for me anyway. Added March 20, 2010: For a later version, click here.
  • Copic marker colors used: B14, BG45, Y15, RV17, G14. Note, in real life, the G14 is less yellow than in this scan.
  • Paper: a 4x6" scrap of Strathmore Bristol Board, vellum finish (a lightly textured surface - not "vellum paper")
To try this, click here.

Blog News 3

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • Added a "Custom Colors" post to supplement my "Color Chart." To see both posts, click here, or click on "color chart" in the label list on the right.
  • In response to a reader's comment, added info on UV sealer spray to the post on "How I Store and Protect My Drawings and Materials." For all of my posts on tools and materials, click on "about my tools and materials" in the label list on the right.
For more Blog News posts, click on the label (below, or in the label list on the right)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Orange Flower with Blue and Orange Ribbons

An orange flower, framed by ribbons of blue and orange.

Copic colors used: Flower - sepia multiliner, Y000,11, YR09,15,20, E95, R00,02,24,32,59, W1; Frame - cobalt multiliner, W0, R00+W0, Ro2,24,32, B2000*, B41,45.
* B2000 is my name for a very pale blue that I made from 1 part B24 and 24 parts colorless blender. Click here for more about this custom color, and for a link to Marianne Walker's I Like Markers post on how to mix custom colors.
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Geraniums in Blue Planter

The geraniums in their blue ceramic planter.

Click here to see them in another, close-up drawing from three months ago, drawn right after planting them.

Copic colors used: Leafy plant YG03,21, G12,24,40, RV91; Planter B01,41,45, BG32,72, BV20, Y11, E25, W7; Geranium flowers R02,08,24,29, RV14,19,95; Geranium leaves YG03,63, G07,14,21,24; Background W0,1, E41,43. Also W3 for all the shadows.
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Monday, August 3, 2009

Blog News 2

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:
  • Labels (See list of labels on right side of page): Added two labels "coloring: complex" and "coloring: simple." If you have an interest in complex or simple styles of coloring, you can click on the label to see only those drawings. The post "About My Labels" describes the two types of coloring.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Yellow Abstract with Blues and Greens

Just an abstract drawing. I started with pale watercolor wash for the background. After it dried, I added lines and squiggles of olive Copic multiliner, then accented it with deeper-colored marker lines alongside some of the multiliner lines.

Watercolor wash background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - grass green, ultra blue, orange, daffodil yellow - 1-2 drops of liquid watercolor in 1/2 tsp water. For more information about the watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Copic colors used: olive multiliner; B01,05, blurred with BG000; YR 15, Y15, YG21, blurred with Y000; G12
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Abstract Quilt with Gray and Colors

Ribbons of colored multiliner. Squares of gray. Squares pieced with blue, purple, and white stripes and checkerboards. Squares appliqued with green, pink, and light gray patches. I thought the large gray squares might look too bland, but I like the way it came out.

I enjoyed making the patterns similar but different. I enjoyed working with the not-square squares, which were drawn with two sets of lines, each radiating from a point just off the top of the page. (I started with lightly drawn pencil lines, using a ruler, but then when I inked them with the colored multiliners, I intentionally made them a bit wavy, to look less mechanical.)

Copic colors used: Ribbons between squares: cool gray, wine, purple, sky blue, and turquoise Copic multiliner with BV000 and BG000. Gray squares: C1 with BV000 and BG000 along the edges. Colored squares: B01 and V12; BG32, RV91, and C0. (7/26 EDITED color list to include C0)
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Blog News 1

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the blog began:
  • About My Paper: Added some info on Neenah classic cream and baronial ivory paper colors
  • Blog Help: Added a link describing "image resizing" for Explorer browsers
  • Labels (See list of labels on right side of page): Added a label "commented on" to help readers find the posts with comments Edited Jan. 2012 - I deleted this label; not so useful after all.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Landscape with Sketchy Coloring


Although I love to experiment with my drawings, I don't always love the results. But I'll try this technique again sometime.

Along with my sketchy lines, I used some very sketchy coloring - not my usual solid or layered colors. After coloring, I spritzed it all with colorless blender fluid in a small spray bottle, for more of a watercolor look.

Copic colors used: sepia multiliner, V12, G21, YR15,20, B21,41,45, BG000,10, E000,11,41,43,95
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest 80 lb. cover weight, smooth, Classic Cream color

Friday, July 17, 2009

Landscape with Storm

August 21, 2010: The week's theme for Illustration Friday is "atmosphere." I was struggling with how to draw that, when I remembered this drawing from last summer. Storms and lightning make the atmosphere into something we can see, hear, feel, and smell.

Though I currently live in an area where thunderstorms are rare, I grew up in the midwest, with the summer drama of lightning and thunder. The storms can be destructive, but they also have a wild beauty that I appreciate. My husband and I just returned from visiting family in our home state. One of our days there was dark and stormy. Today I drew a stormy landscape.

Copic colors used: Clouds W0,1; Sky BV20, Y000; Trees G17,28, YG23,63,97,99 with streaks of BG93,96; Buildings BV23, B45, C3,5, E04,43,44
Paper used: ecru Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Welcome to My New Blog

Welcome! I created this blog, Mostly Markers, in July 2009. There are more than 100 drawings posted. I hope you will enjoy viewing it.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Black and White Doodle Page


Michelle Houghton's "Oodles of Doodles" warm-up lesson encouraged me to try this page of doodles, which I drew with Copic multiliners (0.3 and Brush Small). A few of the doodles are from her lesson, but most are from my imagination.

It was tedious to fill up a whole page like this, but interesting to see the patterns emerge. Some of them will probably make their way into future drawings.

I'm tempted to color it, of course.

Edited February 8, 2010: The link to the warm-up lesson is no longer active, but there was an on-line class ($25 fee) offered in January 2010 (also no longer active.) I haven't taken the class, but assuming it's like the warm-up lesson, it would be worthwhile. If you're interested, check back some time on Michelle's blog or the Get it Scrapped (Debbie Hodge) web site.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Cove Landscape with Herons


This is a cove drawn from life. It might be my first ever "real life landscape," because my landscapes are usually just lines and gestures. There's a lot I could do better, but I like it anyway. Especially the rocks, and the shading in the far hills.

Copic colors used: Cool Gray multiliner; Rocks W1,3,5, YG91; Hills BV20,23, C0; Grass G21+YG91, BG93; Sky B32wide, B21, C0; Mud & reeds E41,43,44, G07, YG21; Poles E00,09; Outer water BG72,75, BV20, B000, BG10; Inner water BG000,010,72,45, B000,26, W0,1, B21; Dark birds B41, C3; White birds C0.
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Sunday, June 14, 2009

River Landscape 2


I wanted to try a colored version of a 9x12 pencil landscape drawing from 1981. I used my light box to trace it onto 8.5x11 paper, moving the upper left "over and down" a little to fit the smaller page. Then I colored it sparsely. I'm happy with the result, in the spirit of the original.

Copic colors used: W0,3,5; C0,1,3,5; E41,44,49,71; Y000,11; YR00,21; BV04,20,23,31; G07,24,28; YG23,63,91; BG10,49,72,93,96
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Monday, June 8, 2009

Green Vase with Flowers


After drawing the decorative vines on the vase with olive Copic multiliner, I added dots of marker for the leaves and blossoms. Then I airbrushed the vase and the table top with the Copic airbrush. Finally, I completed the bouquet of leaves and flowers.

I like the vase and the bouquet, but I'm not so sure their styles go together well. Someday I will probably cut the drawing apart, then draw a new vase for the bouquet and a new bouquet for the vase.

Copic colors used: Blossoms RV10,14,91,95, R02,59, YR04, orange & purple multiliner; Large leaves G14,21, BV20, YG23; Large leaves G14,21, YG23, BV20; Vase pattern drawn with olive multiliner, G28, RV19, R59, BG05,75; Shadow C0, BV20; Vase background airbrushed with G24, BV23; Table airbrushed with C5, BV23, BG75
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Striped Geode


I completed the brightly-colored inside of this geode first. The paper size is 14 x 17" with a lot of white space. The drawing, as you see it posted above, is approx. 8.5 x 11".

Copic colors used: Inside B26, YR09, Y06, RV19, V09, B05, G14, C5,7, brush small black multiliner; Outside C7, BV04, B00, G12,21,24,40, W0,5
Paper: Strathmore Bristol Board, vellum finish (a lightly textured surface - not "vellum paper")

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Tomatoes in Colander, with Basil and Napkin


In real life, the small colander is red enamel, but I didn't want that much red in the drawing. The napkin is brown, with faded edges. I made it blue instead, and I like the way the edges look. The table top is imaginary, drawn with streaks of marker to look like light-colored wood.

Copic colors used: When I plan on a lot of layering of my colors, I like to start by coloring everything with a pale base color. Base colors - Stems E000,Y000, Tomatoes R02, Colander C0, Cloth B000, Basil G40, Table E21 (streaks); Colors added on top of base colors - Stems G21,24,E41, Table E41, E44 on E21, Colander C1,3,5, Sanford Uniball silver Gel Impact pen, Basil YG03,63,G07,14,17, Tomatoes R08,24,29,W3, Cloth B1,14,26, Shadow W3,5
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Geraniums Decorated - Sybil's Coloring


With help from one of her friends, my friend Sybil colored an enlarged copy of my geraniums drawing. Here is her version. I really like it. She named it "Geraniums Decorated" (used with her permission):

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Landscape in Ribbon Frame

This scan (11x14) includes most of the drawing, on 14x17 paper. I used the Copic airbrush to do the sky and the lower part of the fields.

Paper: Strathmore Bristol Board, 14x17, vellum finish (a lightly textured surface - not "vellum paper")

Monday, May 18, 2009

Landscape in Pieces

Ribbons of landscape. Nice shapes and colors. The irregular lines were fun to draw.

Copic colors used: Horizontal C1,3,BV000,00,20,23,31; Diagonal YR21,26,E21,25,B41,45; Upper arc C1,B41,45,E25,G21,YG63; Lower arc G40,YG03,63,BG32,72,75

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Small Landscape Drawing

This is a small drawing on sketch paper, glued onto a 4x6 card. I drew it with pencil and colored it with my markers. No multiliner this time. I like the watercolor effect.

Copic colors used: B000,01, E000,71, G21,24, R02,08, BV04,20, W5. Note: in an effort to keep the pencil from smearing onto my marker tips (which looks bad but doesn't hurt the markers), I tried not to drag the tips across the pencil lines.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Geraniums


We planted geraniums today in the big ceramic planters in front of our house. Vivid reds, pinks, and greens. Then, of course, I had to draw them. A couple weeks later, my friend Sybil colored a copy of my drawing in a different way.

Edited August 10, 2009: Click here for another geranium drawing, several months later.

Copic colors used: Base colors G000, RV000, R000; W0,5, RV14,19,95, Y38, R02,08,24,29, G14,21,24,28, Y000, YG03, E04
Paper: white Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Doodle Toy 2

A doodle that looks like a stuffed toy. Maybe a cat's toy.

Copic colors used: RV10,13, Y13, B41, 45, with lines and dots of RV11,14, B24, Y19.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Airbrushed Landscape


I decided to try a full-page set of masks, trying to learn my new Copic airbrush. I cut curvy lines, then drew around the outside of each piece with my Zig 2-Way Glue Pen. I like the chisel point for this, but the fine point would work too. After the glue dries clear, it is temporary glue.

Then I airbrushed in sections, removing & replacing each mask. I had some blank paper along the edges that I colored with markers. Then it still looked boring, and the upper left sky was too dark, so I tried some lines and doodles with my colorless blender. I really like that effect - little stripes with colored edges.

Copic colors used (airbrushed) Sky B06, BG45; Purple hills BV08, C7, E49; Orangey brown hills E09,37; Green hill G28, YG99, E25; Green-purpley hill G07, R59, Y19, V09; Brown hill (lower right) E29, W7. Lines added with E33, BG45, E25, YG63, and brush tip of "sketch" 0.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Doodling on a Tan Card

Doodling - one shape leads to another. Simple, flat coloring on a tan Crane's card 4x6.

Copic colors used: Sepia multiliner, G24, YG03, R24, B01, E33, YR21, Y38

To try this, click here.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Sea Animal

This was my first airbrushed background. It takes a little practice, and this one came out uneven, but with nice colors.

I used a torn paper mask (fastened down with dry Zig 2-Way Glue), a little bigger than the center image. I used a pale gray (C1) marker to color the blank edge. That made a nice little colored edge that I really like.

Then I dabbed the center image with Colorless Blender fluid on terry cloth to get the mottled texture.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Daisy Drawing in Five Colors

I drew a 4x6 line drawing, then scanned it and pasted it into Powerpoint, 4 on one 8.5 x 11" page. I printed it out and colored each set of daisies in bright colors. (Shown above.)

About a week later, to make a thank-you card for a friend, I printed one onto a 3.5x5 Crane note paper, and colored it in lighter colors. (Shown below.) The dotted ground and background were inspired by Michelle Wooderson's post on coloring a galvanized bucket.

Updated July 9, 2010: Because it includes a card, this post has also been added to my new "companion blog." Please click here for "Mostly Markers - Cards" to see it there (dated the same as this original post.) For the future, I'll post all of my new greeting cards in Mostly Markers - Cards. This blog, Mostly Markers, will also still be active with all of my non-card drawings and reference posts.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Ribbon Doodle 2

A bench? The inside of a hot air balloon? Maybe just a ribbon doodle. I enjoyed making the details of the coloring.

Copic colors used: BG000, C1, Y000, RV91,95, R29,59, V04,09, BV20,23, G07,21,28,40, E41,44
Paper: white Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Parting of the Red Sea


In the Exodus story, the pillar alternated between fire and cloud. But at our church's Easter Vigil service, during the reading of this passage, my mind's eye saw it as fire and cloud together, with a deep V of water, so that's how I drew it.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Tree with flowers

When I colored the tree originally (see below), I thought it looked too dark and heavy compared to the flowers. So I drew a new tree, colored it, and cut it out. Then I cut along the bottom of the old tree, slid the new tree in (on top of the old tree, behind the front-most red flowers), and glued it in place. Much better.

Old tree: