Mostly Markers

Frond in Greens and Blues

2012-01-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

Just a doodle. My hand wanted to draw these curvy lines today. It looked like a frond, or maybe a feather, so I colored it that way.

I airbrushed the background, and the splotchy effect was created by airbrushing with the brush end of the Sketch marker.

Copic marker colors used: G17,28, YG23,95, BG49,53,75,93, E87
Copic multiliners: Olive 0.3, black 0.1
Paper: Neenah classic cream, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

2011 Highlights - New Year's Drawing

2011-12-31T19:01:00.000-08:00

A bit of art journaling for the new year. I was inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "highlight." With black Copic 0.3 multiliner, I drew some wavy lines, then wrote some words - events, moments, experiences, and choices that highlight 2011 for me as a good year.

I airbrushed with my Copic markers in rough sections between the wavy lines (not masking, not trying to be too even). Then I drew white lines, dots, and squiggles with colorless blender "0" and colored in a few small areas. It was a very good way for me to look back at 2011. Happy 2012 to all!

Copic marker colors used: Y15, YR15, RV34, BV04, BG45, G14, C0, colorless blender "0" to make the white lines and dots on the airbrushed colors
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2"
Words: 2011 Highlights - work, quiet, exercise, music, prayer, laughter, hugs, prayer, home*, pots of tea, health, the moon, veggie box, dancing, joy, love, thank yous, singing, safety, art supplies, landscape, listening, *where the heart is, friends, family, birds, ferry, good books, geraniums

Blog News 13 - Updated Copic color chart

2011-12-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:

Updated my Copic color chart, including spaces for the new 2012 colors.

Reminder - my blog includes over a dozen easy-to-draw "try this" posts. Not drawing lessons, but drawing activities based on my drawings. Simple directions with lots of 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 menu bar in my blog header, or in the labels list on the right.

Advent Calendar 2011

2011-12-25T19:19:00.000-08:00

(Final drawing) My Advent calendar drawing for 2011. Each day's space is small, 1-3/8 x 1-1/2", so you may want to click on the drawing for a clearer view.

My friend Sybil has posted her 2011 Advent calendar here on her Praying in Color blog.

Click here for a listing of my words, sources of words, and Copic marker colors (or other materials) used.
Click here for my 2011 template - to print or save my blank Advent calendar template for your own use (PDF or JPG format).
Click here for my 2010 Advent calendar drawing, or here for 2009 and here for 2008.
For all related posts, click on my Advent-Christmas label, below or in the label list to the right.

Musical Round

2011-11-25T15:38:00.001-08:00

A bright musical round. Inspired by Illustration Friday's word this week, "round," which made me think of the rounds I've been singing with my church choir.

Though I'm not dyslexic, somehow the treble-clef symbol has always been difficult for me. After I carefully studied its shape in my sheet music, I drew it four times, and one of them I twisted the wrong way. Oh well. This was fun to draw.

Copic marker colors used: Custom color R290, B41,45, BG45, YG05, YR07, V04
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"
Words: Round; Brightly

Advent Calendar Template 2011

2011-11-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

Next Sunday is the beginning of Advent, so I'm planning for my 4th annual Advent calendar drawings. With Christmas falling on a Sunday, I decided to place it in the midst of the calendar, instead of a full row width on the bottom. Symbolic and practical.

I will post the calendar on my blog throughout Advent. Maybe not daily, but at least weekly. After my first year of drawing an Advent calendar like this, I wrote about what I learned from it. That post pretty well explains why I've continued with it.

For my previous Advent calendar drawings, click as follows:

Here for 2010
Here for 2009
Here for 2008
Here for all of my Advent and Christmas-related drawings and posts

My friend Sybil also has posted her Advent calendars in past years in her prayer-drawing blog, Praying in Color. Click here for the links to each year. I'll also link to her 2011 calendar as it appears.

You're warmly invited to print my 2011 template for your own use. Due to the more complicated layout, I've saved it as a JPEG file, as posted above. (Double click, then save, for better image quality.) You may need to paste it into Word or PowerPoint, then resize it. It's intended to fit on 8-1/2 x 11" paper with 1/2" left and right margins. Added November 24, 2011: Or you can click here to download the PDF file, which I've posted on Google Docs.

Flower Drawing with Color-Bleed Background

2011-09-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

A very small drawing (2 x 3-1/4") with a bright, stained-glass background. I wanted simple, heavy lines to stand out against a busy background. So I used a Copic 1.0 multiliner, instead of my usual 0.2 or 0.3 weight.

Before I colored my drawing, I scanned it for future use on greeting cards. To see how I used it, click here for the post on my other blog, Mostly Markers- Cards. If the Copic marker color-bleed background appeals to you, you may also want to click here for a different card example that I did yesterday with the technique.

The background was very easy to make using Julia Stainton's color-bleed grid technique, posted on Ellen Hutson's educational CLASSroom blog. I separated my blue-green and red-orange sections with a stripe of yellow. My background colors are Copic Y15, YG05, YR04, R35, R24, and BG45.

After the paper was dry from my "0" colorless blender drips, I added some Copic markers on top of my background pattern. I used some strong reds on the flowers (YR09, RV29, R08, and R59), and muted greens and blue on the leaves and ground area (G24 on the leaves, BG93 on the lower ground stripe, and BG53 for the upper ground stripe). For the leaves and ground, I colored gently in long soft strokes, so as not to disturb the "drips" pattern underneath. I really like how the pattern still shows through.

Paper: Neenah solar white

Orange and Yellow Patches

2011-07-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

I was nearly finished with my "gesture" drawing for Illustration Friday's word for the week. Then I ruined it with spilled ink. At such times I remind myself, "it's only paper." So I drew something completely different. Patches of orange and yellow marker, and a wandering line doodled with brown Micron pen.

Copic marker colors used: Y11,15,21, E25 (dots), 95, YR00,04,15,20,21
Paper: Neenah

Landscape with Scribbly Lines on Watercolor Paper

2011-07-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

For this imaginary landscape, I scribbled lines in many colors of ink, then colored with my Copic markers. The markers look like watercolors on the soft, thick Arturo paper. Love the fuzzy torn edges.

Copic 0.3 colored multiliners used: Sky blue, sepia, cool gray, cobalt, olive, wine, pink
Other pens used: Micron 0.5 brown, Faber-Castell Pitt sepia F
Copic marker colors used: Custom color B2000, B21,41,63, BG70,72, C0, W0, E21,41,81,87, YG61,63,91, BG93, BV20
Paper: Arturo bright white watercolor card from Ellen Hutson (size 3-3/8 x 5-1/8")

Pattern of Vines and Flowers

2011-07-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

An overall pattern of vines and flowers, drawn with Copic 0.3 black multiliner and colored with Copic markers. My inspiration was a very different painting, a wall border around the top of a large dining room (photo below).

Due to my underlying grid of 2" squares and 1-1/2" circles, my drawing has a formal, static appearance. Drawn for Illustration Friday's word for the week, "stay," which is a lot like "static" (remaining in place.)

Copic marker colors used: YG21, G14, Y19, B01,24,26,41, BG49,53, R02,59, Custom colors YG6000 and R290
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 11x7"

Blue and Brown Doodle

2011-07-04T09:32:00.000-07:00

Just a doodle. Rounded shapes and arched lines, colored in blues and browns.

It's been a very long time since I posted a drawing. My artistic efforts have gone more into card making, as posted on my other blog, Mostly Markers - Cards.

Copic marker colors used:B01,05, BG32,45,49,53, E21,23,25,37
Copic 0.2 multiliner
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Three Purple Flowers in Vase

2011-04-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

Three flowers in a vase. Drawn with pencil, colored with Copic markers and a bit of colored pencil.

Added April 26, 2011: Click here to see my greeting card with another version of the flowers.

Copic marker colors used: Y11,19, W0,1, RV000,91, V000,12,20, BG10,70,93, custom colors YYR2000, YG6000
Colored pencils: Venus Spectracolor cream and lavender
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Blog Update

2011-03-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been making greeting cards, not drawing so much. It's curious to me that either I draw or make cards, not both interchangeably. I don't know what that says exactly.

Maybe just they are different art modes for me, and I'm not (or not yet) good at switching back and forth. Or maybe I love them both, and when I'm doing one, it's hard to tear myself away for the other.

Anyway, for more current posts, you're invited to visit my other blog, Mostly Markers - Cards. Click here, or use the link in my blog heading, just below the green leaves.

Sweater Love

2011-02-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

I love sweaters. The colors, the textures, the cozy feeling. I love knitting sweaters. I love wearing sweaters. So I couldn't pass up Illustration Friday's word for the week, "sweater." And with Valentine's Day tomorrow, a few hearts seemed to fit right in.

My drawing posts on this blog are fewer lately, because I've been making greeting cards, posted on my other blog "Mostly Markers - Cards." Today's drawing also became a card - a Valentine for my husband.

Copic marker colors used: Custom color B2000, B45, BV00, V12,15,17, RV06, R00,02,35,59
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

New Year's Resolutions for 2011

2011-01-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

My New Year's resolutions for 2011, doodled and decorated. After the tiny drawings for my 2010 Advent Calendar (click here to see it), I enjoyed working on something larger and looser.

The words are: "2011 resolutions: More prayer, exercise, joy, gratitude, art, fruits and veggies, singing, rest." I placed "resolutions" vertically on the page, with most of the other words crossing it. Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "resolutions."

For my 2010 New Year's Blessings drawing, click here.

Copic marker colors used: mostly RV17, BG45, B24, B26, R35, YR07, G14, YG05, V04, V15
Paper: Neenah, 8.5 x 11"

Sybil's 2010 Advent Calendar and Christmas Drawing

2010-12-27T08:40:00.000-08:00

My friend Sybil has posted her Christmas drawing and also her finished 2010 Advent calendar on her blog, Praying in Color. Her 2010 calendar was a freeform Jesse tree, stained glass window shape.

Click here to see her 2009 Advent calendar with a circular sticker as her drawing space for each day. And click here for her 2008 freeform calendar.

Sybil makes drawing a part of her prayer life. She calls it "Praying in Color." To see more of her prayer drawings, browse through her current blog, as well as her previous (2009) blog. For some of her other drawings, posted on my blog with her permission, click on the "Sybil's drawings" label below, or in the label list on the right.

Advent Calendar 2010

2010-12-25T15:35:00.000-08:00

My Advent calendar drawing for 2010. Each day's space is small, 1-3/8 x 1-5/8", so you may want to click on the drawing for a clearer view.

Click here for a listing of words, sources of words, and Copic colors (or other materials) used.
Click here for my template - to print or save my blank 2010 Advent calendar template for your own use (PDF or Word format).
Added November 26, 2011: Click here for my 2011 Advent calendar drawing, or here for 2009 and here for 2008.
For all related posts, click on my Advent-Christmas label, below or in the label list to the right.

Work in progress note: This post was dated December 25 to keep it at the top of my blog through Christmas Day. From November 28 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.

Doodle in Green and Brown

2010-11-26T17:06:00.000-08:00

This fall, I've been making cards, as posted on my other blog "Mostly Markers - Cards," and today I mailed out a box of 120 for Operation Write Home. Then I had the urge to doodle. Just something to get my arm moving. Colors I haven't used lately. No intended audience.

Unlike some of my other drawings, it would not look good on a greeting card. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe vegetation. Seed pods and seeds sprouting. Or maybe not.

Copic marker colors used: Custom color YG6000, YG05,21,23,95, Y28
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

2010 Advent Calendar Template

2010-10-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Added November 20, 2011: Looking for my current template? For 2011, click here.
I'm continuing to make greeting cards which I post on my other blog, Mostly Markers - Cards. (Click on the link in my blog header, just below the green leaves.) As a result, I'm not posting as often on this blog. But today, I'm looking ahead to drawing daily during Advent, which in the church year is the 4-week season of hope and longing that leads up to Christmas.

For the past two Advent seasons, I made a small drawing each day in a calendar format. Both years, I found it to be very meaningful, and I'm looking forward to it again this year. Beginning in late November or early December, I plan to post my calendar drawings as I go along.

Added November 27, 2010: Click here to see my 2010 Advent calendar drawings.
Click here to see my 2009 Advent calendar drawings.
Click here to see my 2008 Advent calendar drawings.

The blank grid at the top of this post is my 2010 template. If you think you might enjoy this activity, please feel free to use my template for your own daily drawings.... colorful tree ornaments, decorated words, geometric shapes, or whatever inspires you. I've saved it on-line at Google Docs, where you are very welcome to print or download it.

Click here for the PDF template on Google Docs, if you'd like to use it as is. Note, for the PDF document, you do not need to have the font (Lucida Calligraphy) on your computer.
Click here for the Word template on Google Docs, if you'd like to be able to edit it. Note, for the Word document, the font may look different on the Google Docs site, but (if you have the Lucida Calligraphy font on your computer) it will be OK when you download it. If you don't have that font on your computer, I think it will use a default font when you open it. Of course, then you can change it to another font.

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 2010" heading) is 7-1/4 x 9-3/4".

Acrobat Doodle

2010-09-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Acrobats spiraling through the air. A happy doodle, inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "acrobat."

Copic marker colors used: Ground and spirals B32, G12, V12; Acrobats YR07, B14, G14, V04

Blog Update

2010-08-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

It might look like I've disappeared, but no, I've been making cards. See my other blog, Mostly Markers - Cards, for recent postings. The link is just below the green leaves (basil actually) in my blog heading.

Pot with Artificial Ivy

2010-07-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

This brightly painted ceramic pot, about 3 inches tall, was a gift from a friend thirty years ago. It is filled with (not very convincing) artificial ivy.

Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "artificial."

Copic marker colors used: C1,3,5, R08, E25,41,43, Y38, G12,17,40, YG03,63,95
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Gilt-Edged Notebook

2010-07-11T11:35:00.001-07:00

Once again, Illustration Friday prompted me to draw something I never would have thought to draw otherwise.

This week's word "diary" started me thinking about my mom and how she encouraged my creativity ... drawing, painting, collage, writing, singing, sewing, knitting, embroidery, and more. Especially all the journals, paper, and art supplies that she gave me over the years. This gilt-edged notebook, my current diary, is just one example.

I really enjoyed drawing it and thinking of her. Thanks, Mom. And thanks, I.F. See below for a scan of the actual diary.

Copic marker colors used: W1,3, YR00,07,15,20, Y19,26, G17,21,24,28, YG97, E43,44, V000,12, BV04, RV13,91
Background: Copic airbrushed with B45 marker, dotted with B41, 45
Copic multiliner colors used: Pink, purple, sky blue, orange
Gold Uni-ball gel pen
Paper: Neenah

Blog News 12 - Greeting Cards, New Blog, and Sources

2010-07-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

My blog "Mostly Markers" is one year old this month, and I've really enjoyed doing it. A big thank you to all my viewers and especially everyone who's left a comment or question for me.

My biggest news is that, while this is still my primary blog, I've just begun a new "companion blog" called Mostly Markers - Cards. All of my posts labeled as "cards (greeting cards)" have moved over there. I placed links on the headers of both blogs, so it will be easy to go back and forth.

Why a new blog? Lots of reasons. I think it will simplify my blogging. Some of my labels for drawings don't make sense for cards, and vice versa. Cards have their own aesthetic and charm, and I think it's interesting to keep them together. Etc.

I've really enjoyed creating cards again. As I wrote in the header for my new blog, they are small collages - mailable art. Along with the lines, shapes, and colors that I love about drawings, cards also feature textures and dimension, not to mention layout and construction challenges. They are just plain fun to do. So while I'm adding more drawings to this blog, I'll be adding more cards to the new blog. I still plan to keep my "reference posts" here, such as "try this" and "about my tools and materials." They have been linked to this blog from the new blog"s menu bar (below the header).

Finally, I added a new post to "about my tools and materials." It's about my sources, titled "Where I Buy My Tools and Materials." Hope it will be helpful to others.

Orange Card with Beads

2010-07-05T17:10:00.001-07:00

Updated July 9, 2010: This post has been moved to my new "companion blog." Please click here for "Mostly Markers - Cards" to see it (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.

Two Cards with Large Punched Dots

2010-07-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sun and Flowers Card - Punched Dots

2010-07-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sunshine Card - Embroidery Floss

2010-06-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

Bright Dots and Wavy Lines 3 - Cards

2010-06-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Paisley Leaf Doodle

2010-06-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

A leafy branch. My doodle was inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "paisley."

Copic marker colors used: G24, YG03,05,21,23,63
Paper: Neenah

Twelve Cards for Operation Write Home

2010-06-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Updated July 9, 2010: This post (including the rest of this group of cards) has been moved to my new "companion blog." Please click here for "Mostly Markers - Cards" to see it (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.

Bright Flowers with Orange and Purple

2010-06-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

After my orange and purple watercolor background (shown below) was dry, I added the line drawing of flowers and leaves, and colored them with my markers. I like the bright background combined with flowers that are even brighter.

Copic marker colors used: G21, YG63, RV06, Vo4, YR09
Watercolor background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - orange 2A, cherry red 6A, and violet 10A. One or two drops of liquid watercolor in 1/4 teaspoon of water. For more information about the watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Snail Trail

2010-06-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Garden snails. So cute. Except when they eat the flowers.

My doodle was inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "trail."

Copic marker colors used: R08,59, G14,17, B05, BG49
Paper: Neenah

Sybil's Rosette and Ribbon Drawings

2010-05-31T16:38:00.000-07:00

Below are four recent marker drawings from my friend Sybil (used with her permission.)

Her ribbon drawing (first drawing below) is actually two drawings, done several weeks apart, which are connected by the gray ribbon across the middle.
The next three drawings are her free-form interpretations of my "how to draw a rosette" post.

For more of Sybil's drawings posted in my blog, click on the label, below or in the label list to the right.

Slithering Snake

2010-05-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

A snake slithering through the grass. Drawn with olive and sepia Copic multiliners.
Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "slither."

Click here (or scroll down) for last week's drawing "early," done too late to submit.

Copic marker colors used: First I colored the snake with W3+E00 (two colors on top of each other). When it was dry, I dabbed it with colorless blender (0) on a piece of terry cloth, to make the mottled effect. Then I colored the grass with streaks of YG21,23,63,91, G40, and BG93.
Paper: Neenah

Teapot with Cup - and Sybil's Teapot

2010-05-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

An early morning pot of tea is my favorite way to start the day. For this simple drawing (above), I used a heavy line - 0.8 Copic multiliner, instead of my usual 0.2 or 0.3. Inspired by last week's Illustration Friday word, "early." I drew it from life, but I changed the teapot color and added the green cloth.

Copic marker colors used: Table E43,44; Background airbrush E43; Cloth G21 with BG93 lines and dots, shaded with airbrush BG96; Cloth edge G24,28; Cup, spoon, and tea C0,3, E00,33, B26, BG93, G24,28, Y15, R24; Teapot base color Custom color B2000, dotted with R02, E11,43, BG32,72,93, B21,45, shaded with airbrush C3
Paper: Neenah

Added May 31,2010: See below (posted with her permission) for my friend Sybil's teapot drawing, which she e-mailed to me after she saw my drawing. She drew it a few years ago "in response to a wonderful exhibit at an art museum ... all kinds of artsy teapots." Wonderful patterns, colors, and shapes. For more of her drawings and a link to her blog, click on "Sybil's drawings" below or in the label list to the right.

Patches with Black Dots

2010-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

This started out as a drawing on a watercolor wash background. I couldn't seem to make it work. But such lovely colors! So I cut it up into strips, rearranged it, taped it together, cut it into strips crosswise, rearranged and taped it again. Then I added black lines between the patches, and some black dots for accent. It works better now.

Copic marker colors used: A few touches of orange and rose, but I didn't write down what they were. The black lines are Copic multiliner BS (brush small). The black dots are Copic marker black 100.
Background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - lemon yellow, true blue, persimmon. 1 - 2 drops of liquid watercolor in 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of water. For more information about the watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Red and Blue Swirls

2010-05-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

A pencil doodle from my small sketchbook. Lines inked with red and blue pen. Colored (including the page edges) with red and blue markers.

Pens: Cobalt Copic multiliner 0.3; red Uni-ball gel impact pen 1.0 (does not smear or bleed with Copic markers)
Copic marker colors used: B21,26, R24,29
Paper: Strathmore medium drawing paper, natural white, 4x6"

Turquoise Stripes - Drawing and Card

2010-05-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

Straight lines, wavy lines, and long streaks of color.

Updated July 9, 2010: See below for the greeting card that I made from this drawing. Please click here for "Mostly Markers - Cards," my new "companion blog," for the card-related information (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.

Mother and Child

2010-05-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

I was wondering what to draw for "fearless," this week's Illustration Friday word. Then the church service this morning reminded me of this Bible verse, one of my favorites. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." Today is Mother's Day, so the words connected for me with the thought of a mother's love.

My drawing is very simple, a few curved lines on tan card stock, with a little color. I used a heart shape, cut from scrap paper, to guide the flow of the written words and to mask the shape for the airbrushed color (Copic airbrushing with my marker.)

Copic marker color used: E4
Paper: tan Crane's card approx. 4x6"
Words: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)

Twisty Lines and Dots - Colors

2010-05-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

Twisty lines with dots of color. A playful doodle. Click here for my earlier version in black and white.

Copic marker colors used: Y38, YG63, BG49, YR14, RV17
Paper: Neenah

Sketch of Statice Flowers in a Clear Vase

2010-05-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

Warming up on scrap drawing paper, I did this sketch of purple statice flowers in a clear glass vase. I decided to finish it by adding some sketchy colors.

Because it was scrap paper, there were some stray marks and dots, so I added more. I let the marker drop, fine tip down, from a few inches above the paper, to make dots and marks in random sizes and shapes.

Then I ran a marker along the edges for a small, irregular border. A light wash of watercolor completed it for the table top and shadow.

To see my earlier, less sketchy drawing of statice, click here.

Copic marker colors used: YG63,91, BG10, V04,09,12, BV04,08
Paper: Strathmore drawing paper, cut down to 4x6"

Twisty Lines and Dots - Black and White

2010-04-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

Black and white doodle, twisty lines (Copic Multiliner) with dots (marker).
Added May 4, 2010: Click here for a similar drawing, with colored dots, that I made two weeks later.

Copic marker colors used: Black 100 for the dots
Paper: Neenah 8.5 x 11"

Birthday Card with Yellow and Violet Flowers

2010-04-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

Blog News 11

2010-04-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:

Added a label for cards (greeting cards) on several posts, including today's birthday card post (above).

Sloping Lines in Green, Blue, and Purple

2010-04-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Layers of lines and colors. A feeling of gentle motion.

Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "dip." Of all its different meanings, I thought of lines sloping down and curving into each other.

Copic marker colors used: B21,24,26,41,45, G12,14,17,21,24, V000,04,12,15, C3
Background was done with the Copic airbrush: marker colors B24, G14, V15.
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4x6"

Orange Pattern Card - Rescued

2010-03-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

I made the patterned paper with two hand-cut rubber stamps (a circle and a square) and three colors of liquid watercolor ink. I wanted to rescue it from my scrap pile, and so today I used it for a birthday card. Posted for Illustration Friday's word for the week, "rescue."
Updated July 9, 2010: The detailed card information for this post has been moved to my new "companion blog." Please click here for "Mostly Markers - Cards" to see it (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.

Bright Dots and Wavy Lines 2

2010-03-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

I started with wavy lines and circles, using my plastic circles template to get "perfect" circles. Drawn with 0.5 Copic Multiliner - a thicker line than I normally use. Next I colored the circles with five colors of Copic marker, leaving some of the inner circles blank. To complete my drawing, I added a watercolor wash with three colors of Lyra Aquacolor crayon, picking up the colors directly from the crayons with a wet brush.

Bright and cheerful. I'm happy with it. For an earlier, simpler version, click here.

Copic marker colors used: B24, R24, V04, Y19, G14
Watercolor wash background: Lyra Aquacolor crayon numbers 5610008, 34, 51
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Geranium Birthday Card

2010-03-06T20:51:00.000-08:00

I made this card for a friend's birthday. At her request, I colored my May 2009 geranium drawing for her, using soft colors. Click here for the geraniums with their original coloring.

Updated July 9, 2010: The detailed card information for this post has been moved to my new "companion blog." Please click here for "Mostly Markers - Cards" to see it (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.

Lenten Prayer Calendar and Perspective

2010-02-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

Tiny daily prayer drawings, each a little less than 1" wide. To put things into perspective for me.
It's my picture of Illustration Friday's word for the week, "perspective."

If you'd like to do something like this, click here for a PDF calendar template to print or download with daily blank drawing spaces for Lent 2010 (February 17 - April 3). It prints on 8.5 x 11" paper, and then can be enlarged on a copy machine to 11 x 17" if you want more room to draw. (Created by my friend Sybil, and used with her permission.)
Click here for Sybil's "Praying in Color" blog to see her prayer drawings.
Click here for my 2009 Advent Calendar. Larger and more complex drawings than the ones in my Lenten calendar.

Garden Weeds

2010-02-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Weeds propagating in the garden. Dandelion with its many seeds, grass with its ground-level runners, and a plant that I know as "witch-weed," perhaps in the morning-glory family. Witch-weed propagates by a white underground rhizome that sends up threadlike roots and elongated heart-shaped leaves. It's difficult to remove, because the rhizomes are brittle, and just a small fragment left in the ground will grow another plant. Today's drawing was inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "propagate."

Below is my 1981 pencil sketch of a small witch-weed plant that I found growing in my garden. After I drew the weed, I'm sure I thoroughly destroyed it.

Copic marker colors used: Rocks W3, BV23; Soil E43+E21 (colored on top of each other), dotted with E33,71 applied with W0 brush tip, all blended with W1 and 0; Leaves and stems G07,40, YG05,21,23,63; Dandelion roots E41; Rhizome Copic opaque white; Sky airbrushed with B01, then mottled with Copic Opaque White applied on a wet brush.
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Blog News 10

2010-02-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:

Updated my post "about Sybil and her drawings" to include my friend Sybil's new blog location.
Added a post on my watercolors, with color charts for my Dr. Ph. Martin's Radiant Concentrated Watercolors and my Lyra Aquacolor crayon watercolors, and my notes on the two different products.
Not an update ... but while I'm discussing my blog features: In my blog, I've included more than a dozen easy-to-draw "try this" posts. Not drawing lessons, but drawing activities based on my drawings. 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 menu bar in my blog header, or 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, or in the menu bar on my blog header.)

Blue Landscape and Lyra Aquacolor Crayons

2010-02-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday instead of my favorite liquid watercolors (Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors), I pulled out my barely touched box of 24 Lyra Aquacolor crayons. I used them to paint the background first, and when it was dry, I added the black lines with Copic multiliner and did some shading with my Copic markers. But then my black lines looked too dark, as did the sky area. So with a tiny brush, I applied streaks and dots of Copic Opaque White, smudging and feathering the white with a small wet brush.

I like the finished drawing. The Lyra Aquacolors were easy to work with. I used a wet (but not dripping) brush to pick up the color directly from the crayons and apply it to my wet watercolor paper. The colors are more opaque than my Dr. Ph. Martin's colors, which look very transparent. Both are beautiful in different ways.

Updated February 16, 2010: Click here for my color chart and more information on both types of watercolors.

Copic marker colors used: B63, W5, BV23.
Watercolor wash background: Lyra Aquacolor crayon numbers 5610034, 37, 47, 51, 83, 87
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Brown Squares with White Dots

2010-02-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

Most of the time, I draw first, then color. But for this drawing, I started with my markers. Working on top of my light box, with a half-inch grid placed under my drawing paper, I colored many squarish shapes. The grid helped me to keep them lined up.

Then I removed the drawing from the light box. I outlined my shapes with black Copic multiliner in several widths. Last, for contrast, I added white dots with a white Sakura gel pen (Gelly Roll.)

Copic marker colors used: E04,15, YR14,15,24
Paper: tan Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Yellow Butterfly with Blue and Green

2010-02-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

A yellow butterfly drifts in a space of blue and green.

Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "adrift."

Starting with a watercolored base, I decided to experiment with a cutout butterfly. I drew a butterfly shape on a scrap of bristol board (just a bit lighter weight than my watercolor paper) and cut it out with sharp craft scissors. I used my Copic markers to airbrush the wings, add the spots, outline the wings, and color the body. I will try using cutouts again sometime.

Copic marker colors used: Y15,38, YR14,21,24
Watercolor wash background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - grass green, ultra blue - 1 drop of liquid watercolor in 2 drops of water, brushed on wet paper. For more info about these watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Paper: Base: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"
Paper: Butterfly: Strathmore Bristol Board, vellum finish (a lightly textured surface - not "vellum paper")

Basket with Apples and Pears

2010-02-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

Bright colors for a winter's day. It is drawn from life, except the basket was a metal pan, and the napkin was beige.

Technique - added February 8, 2010: To create the textures in the napkin, the tabletop, and the wall, first I colored with a light color, a bit unevenly. After my first color was dry, I used another light color on top of it, also coloring a bit unevenly. See color list below for details.

Copic marker colors used: Custom color B2000, BV20, C1, Y000,11,19, YR20, G14,21,40, YG21,63, R00,32, RV11,14,17,29, E09,11,37,41,43,44,49,53, dots of sepia multiliner.
Color details: Napkin: Y11 on top of G40. Tabletop: Custom color B2000 on top of BV20. Wall: C1 on top of Custom color B2000.
Paper: Neenah, 8.5x11"

Scribbly Gray Lines with Bright Dots

2010-02-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

Just a doodle with scribbly ink lines wandering across the paper. I traced over the lines with gray, and then, where the lines looped, I added 2-tone dots of bright color.

Copic marker colors used: C3,5, B01,26, R08,32, G14, YG03
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Child with Book

2010-01-31T21:25:00.000-08:00

The child's attention is focused on the book. Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "focused."

Copic marker colors used: Y000,13, R000,02,24, G07, BG000,32,49,93, YR07, BV20, B01,24,41, W1, C0, E000,11,09,15,53
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

Tangled Lines

2010-01-30T20:58:00.000-08:00

After my watercolor background (shown below) was dry, I drew the sepia lines. Then, with markers, I traced along the lines and colored a few small areas. I used the Copic airbrush to add some brown speckles.

Copic marker colors used: E11,33,95, YR21, Y15,38; Sepia multiliner; Copic airbrush E33
Watercolor wash background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - saddle brown, orange, and daffodil yellow. 1-2 drops of liquid watercolor in 1/4 teaspoon of water. For more info about these watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Garden Flowers

2010-01-17T14:19:00.000-08:00

I started with a watercolor background, shown below. After it dried, I drew the flowers with multiliner and added some touches of color with markers.

Copic marker colors used: YR15, V12, BG72,93, G21,40,YG03,21,95
Watercolor wash background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - crimson, grass green, ultra blue, daffodil yellow - 1-2 drops of liquid watercolor in 1/4 teaspoon of water. For more info about these watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Landscape in Rose and Brown

2010-01-10T19:27:00.000-08:00

This landscape began, as shown below, with a wash of watercolor. After the paper dried, I added the line drawing and shaded it a little with markers.

January 17, 2010: This drawing, from last week, fits well with the current weekly theme "wilderness" on Illustration Friday.

Copic marker colors used: E11, W0
Watercolor wash background: Dr. Ph. Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors - saddle brown, ultra blue, and crimson - 1 drop of liquid watercolor in 1/2 teaspoon of water. For more information about these watercolors, including my color chart, see this post.
Paper: Canson Montval watercolor block, 140 lb. cold press, 4x6"

Confined in the Heart

2010-01-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

The scene, imagined or remembered, is confined in the heart. Inspired by Illustration Friday's word for the week, "confined."

Copic marker colors used: RV19, E15, W1,5, Y11, B26,29,63, G07,21, YG05, BV20; Copic airbrush background Y15, B29
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"
Words: confined in the heart

Angles in Pink and Gray

2010-01-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Angles, not angels, and very different from most of my drawings. Sharp points and zigzags, not curves and flowing lines. Pinks and grays only, no shading or layering. Large scale, repetitive shapes.

As often happens when I draw something "not me," I don't much like the result, but I still find it's worth doing. And maybe it will grow on me.

Copic marker colors used: C0,1,3,5, BV20,23, RV000,02,06,10,11,13,14,32
Paper: Neenah classic cream, 12.5 x 17"

Large Doodle with Dots

2010-01-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

Large paper, moving the pen in long lines, just a few colors. This drawing paper has a soft, slightly rough surface, which does not blend or correct well with markers. That's why I chose it today, to avoid getting too complicated.

Copic marker colors used: YR21, B41,45, R24, G21
Paper: Strathmore medium drawing paper, 14 x 17"

New Year's Blessings - Outlined Words

2010-01-01T05:53:00.000-08:00

Wishing my readers many blessings in 2010. A simple drawing, mostly words written with marker and outlined with pen (black 0.2 Copic multiliner).

It's a very easy technique that transforms everyday printing or handwriting into a finished-looking image for a drawing. For a few more examples, see my Advent Calendar 2009. If the technique interests you, I've posted my 3-step instructions, and I'd love it if you would give it a try. To try this, click here.

Words: Blessings, peace, hope, joy, gratitude, light, 2010, health
Copic marker colors used: YG05, BG32, YR21, B63, R32
Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Blog News 9 and How to Draw Outlined Words

2010-01-01T05:51:00.000-08:00

Updates to Mostly Markers, other than new drawings posted, since the last Blog News:

Added a "Try This" post, showing how to draw outlined words (similar to today's New Year's Blessings drawing.)
- For my New Year's Blessing drawing, scroll up (or, if you don't see it there, click here.)
- For my "Try This" directions on how to draw outlined words, click here. If you can write or print legibly, and if you can draw a line around a shape, you have all the drawing skills you need.
Not an update, but while I'm on the "Try This" topic: In my blog, I've included more than a dozen easy-to-draw "try this" posts. Not drawing lessons, but drawing activities based on my drawings. 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 menu bar in my blog header, or 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, or in the menu bar on my blog header.)

An Angel Warns Joseph in a Dream

2009-12-31T10:30:00.000-08:00

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"

The Three Kings Approaching Bethlehem

2009-12-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

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.)

Advent Calendar 2009

2009-12-25T05:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Advent Calendar Update 26 - Final

2009-12-24T14:22:00.000-08:00

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.)

Blog News 7 - 2009 Advent Calendar Template in PDF format

2009-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

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.)

Gray Lines with Blue, Red, and Green Ovals

2009-11-27T17:22:00.001-08:00

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"

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

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"

Storybook Landscape in Three Frames

2009-11-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T07:34:00.001-08:00

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.)

Rosette in Blue

2009-11-21T12:57:00.001-08:00

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.

Blog News 6 and How to Draw a Rosette

2009-11-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

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.)

Rosette in Orange and Yellow

2009-11-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

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.

2009 Advent Calendar Template

2009-11-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

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".

Flowing Lines with Turquoise, Cream, and Pink

2009-10-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

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"

Landscape in Doodled Frame

2009-10-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

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

Doodle with Gray, Sepia, and Pink

2009-10-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

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".

Blog News 5

2009-10-03T11:06:00.001-07:00

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.)

Ribbon Lattice

2009-09-27T06:05:00.000-07:00

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"

Curved Shapes in Greens and Yellows

2009-09-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

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.)

Spiky Plants

2009-09-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

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"

Purple Statice Flowers in a Speckled Vase

2009-09-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

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"

Cathedral Shapes in Five Colors

2009-08-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

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.

Geode with Olive Frame

2009-08-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

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"

Bright Dots and Wavy Lines 1

2009-08-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

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)

Orange Flower with Blue and Orange Ribbons

2009-08-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

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"

Geraniums in Blue Planter

2009-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

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"

Blog News 2

2009-08-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Yellow Abstract with Blues and Greens

2009-08-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

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"

Abstract Quilt with Gray and Colors

2009-07-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

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"