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".