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.

Native Hibiscus

This is from one of our native hibiscus trees in the back yard.  I loved this stage the flower was in as it was opening up. 

This one took 31 layers to complete.  I was playing with different brushes to get a watercolor effect.

Brushes/Techniques used:

Drag and drop base colors (flower and leaves)

MWC Water Wash #8 brush for texture

MWC Splatter Wash #8 brush for texture

Darks using Gouache brush tool and blending with layer set on multiply to maintain texture

Lights using Gouache brush and blending

Bee and branch using Gouache brush set at lowest size setting

 

Another Gift - From Madison and Jonathan

The kids made a trip to West Va last week and on their way back, they picked this little gift up for me.  They know I love lilies and hummingbirds and couldn't pass it up.

And of course I had to draw it.  This one presented quite a challenge working with glass, reflections, and shadow.  It took 22 layers to complete this building the colors and values up.

 

Gifts from the Kids

When the kids gift me with trinkets and whatnot, I love to sketch them.  These are from last month I hadn't posted yet.  

Seems I'm getting a bit lazy these days blogging my work.....LOL.  I really need to get back in the habit of blogging as it is a means of a personal art diary for myself and to print for the family.

This first trinket is one that Travis got me years ago from Universal Studios here in Florida.  This first one is a Family statue representing parents and three kids.  I decided to draw it and then use ivy to decorate it.

Mother's Day gift (2024) from Madison.  Again using ivy plus flowers to decorate the trinket that has a significant meaning to Madison.

This next one is a plant and water vase from Madison and Jonathan they picked up on one of their trips to Orlando.

Been on a Bear Kick

It's been a busy month for me working on various card ideas and I decided to bring out Opal and friends to use as drawing models.

Starting out, I used Opal to create a Mother's Day Card.  From one pose, I took it further adding various items he/she could hold. 

After I worked on these, I worked on these "posable" illustrations using another of my miniature bears.  

These are using yet another miniature bear in my collection:

Another card created using a previous Opal drawing from a couple of years ago:

One of the reasons I love illustrating individual subjects versus full compositions is to give me a library of subjects to choose from in order to create cards for people.

I also enjoy creating the step or demo sheets and individual subjects make it easier for me to do so.  Helps me to remember how I went about things and as a means to share with others who might want to use or learn the techniques I enjoy using.

Ivy Plant in Pot and Glass

This is from an ivy plant growing in my bathroom.  The section I drew is what is draping over the pot onto the edge of my bathtub.  I first drew the plant and then on a separate layer, created the pot.  Then I decided to work yet another layer for the glass.

Terry and I.......LOL

Boy do these take me back in time as a young girl.  I remember believing they would bring you good luck.  I still have one of the earlier versions with the colorful hair and then came across these two I just had to purchase because they represent us now at our age.

I just couldn't resist drawing them to be later printed for my sons as a memory keepsake.

Same steps for both:

Couple of New Sketches

From day to day, I never know what might grab my attention to sketch or draw.  One of the dog toys grabbed my attention and I decided to draw it.  

This next drawing is a wildflower Terry brought in knowing I love drawing various flowers.  To us it's just a weed popping up in the yard but after doing some research, we learned it's a wildflower you can actually purchase seed to sow.  The flowers are tiny.

Drawing of Handmade Door Hanger

Back years ago, I used to do a lot of crafting making my own Christmas ornaments, wall hangings, etc.  This hangs on my bedroom door and I decided to grab my iPad and draw it.

 

Pink Flowers

This flower illustration was using different brush tools for some texture.  The one thing I love about Procreate is the fact there are still techniques to learn.  I love being able to play without having to start something completely over again.

Steps Involved

1 - Line Drawing

2 - Base Colors using line drawing as a reference and working on layer below.  Color added by dragging and dropping a flat color.  Also used the eraser and the MWC Light Wash #7 brush tool tapping for some texture.

3 - Removing (unticking) the Line Layer.

4 - Adding middle tone color to flowers using the Soft Airbrush brush tool.

5 - Adding middle tone color to the leaves using the Soft Airbrush brush tool.

6 - Darks on flowers and adding centers.  Still using the Soft Airbrush brush tool.

7 - Darks on Leaves and adding cast shadow.  Soft airbrush brush tool.

8 - Finishing touches which include a layer with white to line some of the edges of the flowers; layer of blue over a few leaves; layer of gold on a couple leaves; and a layer using white and the MWC Splatter Wash #2 brush tool for added texture over flowers and leaves.  Also adjusted the color saturation of the top two smaller leaves as they looked too gray.

9 - After thinking I was finished, I decided to make a couple of changes.  I added a touch of blue to a few of the flowers for some variation and darkened areas on the leaves.