Blog News 9 and How to Draw Outlined Words

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

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

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.)

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.

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.)

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.)

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"

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"

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.)

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.

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.)

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.

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".

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"

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

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".