Madison's Build-a-Bear

Well, my plan for August didn't quite work out as life kind of got in the way of my daily challenge.  Here is my latest using the same technique as I was using last month working values first and then adding color.  With this one I played a bit with blending modes to visually see the difference in how they portray color (to include stacking two together).  I had a hard time choosing as I like all three variations.  I ended up choosing the color blend mode by itself simply because it's move lively.  My second favorite is the two blend mode layers stacked.

 

Yesterday and Today's Sketching

My goal for August is to attempt something each day.  I'm on a kick sketching in black and white and then adding color either by using a layer using Multiply or a layer using the Color Blend Mode.  Both are transparent layers and merge with those layers beneath.

From what I experience and understand, the difference is the Color Blend mode only shows color over the underlying grays and black within the layers below it.  The Color Blend mode is also more saturated in color than the Multiply.  Resulting color shows up much brighter/stronger than if I used the Multiply mode and with that I often have to go in and change saturation, brightness, or even opacity for the results I want.

Multiply mode makes the color layer "blend" with the layers below but you have to take care where you lay the color down.  It will show even in areas surrounding the underlying layers regardless of color (black or color).

There is so much yet to learn and that is what is fascinating to me.  I have only touched the surface of what I can do even after all these years I've been using Procreate on my iPad.  A whole different set of techniques to play around with and continue to change with new upgrades.  And of course the biggest plus for me is one can play to their hearts content and just undo as many times as it takes to get the results without having to start over or ruin a paper or canvas piece of artwork.

So here is yesterday's and this morning's sketching.  It's not much but it's something.  The garlic is using Color Blend mode but the broccoli and cauliflower are using the Multiply layer mode.

Texture Paper Settings with Digital Sketching

I don't always feel like adding a paper backing.  When printing notecards or even ATCs , by leaving that off, it takes less ink.  Plus I can choose textured paper to print on anyways.  For web viewing, I prefer a nice white background.  Texture hardly shows with the size resolution files I save for the web so it's actually useless to even bother.

When I do use a paper background, I try to go as light as I can but still see some texture.

Here is a comparison and visual reminder to myself what setting I might prefer to use if I include a paper background.

 

Memory Keepsakes

This first takes me back in time when Mom was in the hospital over 10 years ago.  My Sis and I went to the hospital gift shop and I ended up with this, thanks to my Sis.  It reminds me of that time when mom fought and won the battle she was in the hospital for at that time. 

This little keepsake is a plastic vase filled with something that looks like water (probably a clear epoxy or glue) that holds these artificial pansies in place.

And this toy I sketched as a memory of the video I just watched with my great-niece's reaction to her new toy.  Not just her reaction but my nephew's dog, Lilly.

Flower Drawings

After a bit of a break or what I refer to as a recharge period, I  worked these flower sketches.  I've been in the mood to work my drawings in black and white and then go back adding color.

This first one was originally sketched in my Alpha sketchbook using a mechanical pencil.  From there I uploaded to my iPad and ended up with the following by using the pencil sketch and blending out using the Gouache brush tool.

Using the same flower arrangement, I then worked this next drawing adding a little artificial bird I have perched on one of the branches.  

We've been seeing more bees IN the house here lately.  Both mud daubers and these little wasps.  In fact in the kitchen you can hear buzzing from the back wall.  Terry believes they must have a nest just under the edge of the roof (I believe what's called a soffit but not sure on that).

I decided to work some sketches I could use to add to other drawings.

And most recent is another of our Hibiscus that is in the back yard.  

Playing with backgrounds.  Not sure which I like better....the green or the blue.

 

Drawing Black

One of the things I tend to avoid drawing is anything that is all black like shown in the following photo.  

I sent out a request to my art mentor, Hany, asking what he would advise in how to approach drawing an all black object and my take from what he shared was paying really close attention to the light sources.  That way the drawing won't look like a flat blob of black as I always fear.

Using one of my favorite techniques of laying down color and blending, I chose to work on the earpiece as seen in the photo above.  I made sure I had decent lighting shining down on my work area giving me lights and darks I needed so the piece wouldn't look flat.

I don't think I did too bad with the lighting but wonder if I couldn't have gone a tad lighter in the lit areas...particularly there to the left as you view the drawing.  I didn't want it stark white but think I could have gone a shade lighter with the gray.

Overall, I'm happy with the results and I thank my dear friend and mentor for the guidance helping me gain the results that I did.