Initial sketch as I try to figure out general spacing
A more advanced layout with slightly different font options
The final product
Showing posts with label drawing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drawing. Show all posts
December 20, 2013
Progression of a custom ornament
I recently did a custom ornament for a client and thought I'd share a bit of the process:
November 18, 2013
In the studio
Here are a couple of pieces I worked on over the weekend:
Both are mixed media on bristol, but for the top piece (Lady in Lace) I used graphite and the bottom piece (Lilac Fairy) I used ink. I personally like the feel of the top one better - there's something about the sketchier quality of the graphite that I think works a little better.
It's always fun to try something different. That's what weekends are for, right?
Both are mixed media on bristol, but for the top piece (Lady in Lace) I used graphite and the bottom piece (Lilac Fairy) I used ink. I personally like the feel of the top one better - there's something about the sketchier quality of the graphite that I think works a little better.
It's always fun to try something different. That's what weekends are for, right?
September 23, 2013
Moving Sale!
We are moving to Michigan, and I'm having a sale to celebrate! Help me clear out my shop inventory!!
15% off any non-custom purchase of $5 or more.
Just type the code MOVINGSALE into the coupon box upon checkout.
This is a great time to start your Christmas shopping!
You can visit my shop here
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter for more updates like these!
July 17, 2013
July 16, 2013
New logo
You may have noticed some changes in the look of the blog.
I decided to redo my logo and give my blog, website, and shop a fresh, cohesive look.
I started by practicing my hand lettering on graph paper with pencil. I am still very much a beginner... note the large eraser.
I then used a lightbox to copy it over in watercolor, which gives it a much softer look than the pencil.
I was inspired by another logo I was working on at the time and decided to add a floral element. I love flowers and combination watercolor and graphite felt like a nice addition to the painted name. (the flower I landed on is a wild rose).
I played around with some different combinations until I found one that I liked, combining the two images (the flower and my name) in Publisher, and finished with a little cleaning up of lines in Photoshop. I actually ended up re-painting my name in black, which is what stuck for the final version.
On the wonderful blog oh so beautiful paper there was a great post about hand-lettering by Ladyfingers Letterpress. Their work is beautiful - a great inspiration to keep practicing!
I decided to redo my logo and give my blog, website, and shop a fresh, cohesive look.
I started by practicing my hand lettering on graph paper with pencil. I am still very much a beginner... note the large eraser.
I then used a lightbox to copy it over in watercolor, which gives it a much softer look than the pencil.
I was inspired by another logo I was working on at the time and decided to add a floral element. I love flowers and combination watercolor and graphite felt like a nice addition to the painted name. (the flower I landed on is a wild rose).
I played around with some different combinations until I found one that I liked, combining the two images (the flower and my name) in Publisher, and finished with a little cleaning up of lines in Photoshop. I actually ended up re-painting my name in black, which is what stuck for the final version.
On the wonderful blog oh so beautiful paper there was a great post about hand-lettering by Ladyfingers Letterpress. Their work is beautiful - a great inspiration to keep practicing!
June 24, 2013
Succulents
I bought some succulents a few weeks ago. They were so cute and I was excited because succulents are cacti -- totally hard to kill + no spiky points = win!
I then made this adorable sketch to celebrate my victory:
hey guys! you look so healthy!
But then my brown thumb of terror took reign and now, I am sad to say, my succulents look like this:
(warning: this photo is both embarrassing and sad):
In the words of Pinterest: Nailed It!
If you have any words of advice on a SUPER EASY way to have succulents, please share.
I mean, seriously, a bell jar? One of those self-watering bulbs? A greenhouse?
June 19, 2013
Vacation Sketchbook
Having time to paint almost every day was an absolute joy... so great that I am now contemplating a project!
What activity would you do every day if you had the chance?
June 10, 2013
Art Crush: Michelle Schneider
My newest Art Crush is Michelle Schneider of The Art of Michelle.
I discovered Michelle through a favorite blog of mine 6th Street Design School, and I have been obsessively reading Michelle's blog and staring at her work ever since.
She works mainly in watercolors and her work is so fun. Her charming illustrations capture the most adorable little moments.
I asked Michelle what it means to be an artist and a Christian.
In her own words:
My faith has always been integral in my work. I whole-heartedly believe that painting is my professional purpose in life- even before it was my profession. It's something that I've always prayed most fervently about and what I hold closest to my heart. My values in business must always reflect my personal values and belief in honesty, purity, and quality. I believe in developing my best self and delivering the best quality product I know how to create.
Her line work is delicate and adds lovely detail to the pieces. The graphite line work makes you want to get right up in her work to see all the intricacies.
Michelle did a series of 12 bird paintings recently; each is thoughtful and whimsical, and the birds have the sweetest individual personalities. Here is the video she made about the process.
She also occasionally works in oils, which makes me totally jelly since I miss working with them so much. Can you see the delicate pencil lines? Gorgeous.
Michelle makes lovely house portraits and each includes vintage music and book paper somewhere in the painting. The way she incorporates it into the work is brilliant - she really uses the pattern and direction in very meaningful ways.
But this right here might be my favorite piece: Here is her own house imagined in the snow. It's so adorable and the tiny cardinals are such a sweet touch, and it's so full of love that it brings tears to my eyes.
I have found her work to be such an inspiration; she speaks often on the blog about her work being informed by her faith, and many paintings have direct tie-ins / are inspired by scripture. It's a beautiful way to let God speak through her talents.
Here is Michelle's shop and her blog.
All work and photography by Michelle Schneider.
I discovered Michelle through a favorite blog of mine 6th Street Design School, and I have been obsessively reading Michelle's blog and staring at her work ever since.
She works mainly in watercolors and her work is so fun. Her charming illustrations capture the most adorable little moments.
I asked Michelle what it means to be an artist and a Christian.
In her own words:
My faith has always been integral in my work. I whole-heartedly believe that painting is my professional purpose in life- even before it was my profession. It's something that I've always prayed most fervently about and what I hold closest to my heart. My values in business must always reflect my personal values and belief in honesty, purity, and quality. I believe in developing my best self and delivering the best quality product I know how to create.
Her line work is delicate and adds lovely detail to the pieces. The graphite line work makes you want to get right up in her work to see all the intricacies.
Michelle did a series of 12 bird paintings recently; each is thoughtful and whimsical, and the birds have the sweetest individual personalities. Here is the video she made about the process.
She also occasionally works in oils, which makes me totally jelly since I miss working with them so much. Can you see the delicate pencil lines? Gorgeous.
Michelle makes lovely house portraits and each includes vintage music and book paper somewhere in the painting. The way she incorporates it into the work is brilliant - she really uses the pattern and direction in very meaningful ways.
But this right here might be my favorite piece: Here is her own house imagined in the snow. It's so adorable and the tiny cardinals are such a sweet touch, and it's so full of love that it brings tears to my eyes.
I have found her work to be such an inspiration; she speaks often on the blog about her work being informed by her faith, and many paintings have direct tie-ins / are inspired by scripture. It's a beautiful way to let God speak through her talents.
Here is Michelle's shop and her blog.
All work and photography by Michelle Schneider.
May 16, 2013
Sketch of the Day
Recently in an effort to get back to a daily habit of art-making, I have started doing daily pen and ink sketches of whatever inspires me.
It's really nice to make time for drawing every day, no matter what.
Some sketches are more finished than others, but I have been enjoying every one.
There is something about making even a small piece of art every day that helps me to sleep better at night.
For a continued look at my sketches of the day, follow me on Instagram: #sketchoftheday
It's really nice to make time for drawing every day, no matter what.
Some sketches are more finished than others, but I have been enjoying every one.
There is something about making even a small piece of art every day that helps me to sleep better at night.
For a continued look at my sketches of the day, follow me on Instagram: #sketchoftheday
February 01, 2013
Thoughts on Doing What You Love
or "Why I Am An Artist When I Could Have Made Way More Bank As A Lawyer"
“It is very important that you only do what you love to do. You may be poor, you may go hungry, you may lose your car, you may have to move into a shabby place to live, but you will totally live. And at the end of your days you will bless your life because you have done what you came here to do. Otherwise, you will live your life as a prostitute, you will do things only for a reason, to please other people, and you will never have lived. And you will not have a pleasant death.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Being an artist is not easy, especially in a serious, political area like D.C.
Typical conversation with someone new:
Them: So, what do you do?
Me: I'm an artist.
Them: .... like an actor?
Me: No, an actual studio artist. I paint and stuff.
Them:... but, what's your job?
In those people's defense, I do have a day job (because girlfriend needs health insurance), but that's not my passion, my identity, my future. It's not what makes me wake up excited in the morning to start a project or stay up waaaaay too late at night to finish sketches or spend an entire day locked in my room/studio experimenting with new mediums and techniques until my fiance comes home and wants to know what we're doing for dinner (um, food?).
My studio
Art makes me happy... but more than that, it's simply how I express myself and find meaning in the world. There's something in me that NEEDS to create, that only feels fulfilled when I'm sketching or painting or sewing or MAKING something.
If it were about money or fame, I would have gone into another career, something that doesn't have a prerequesite of being DEAD before your work is worth money.
Actual email conversation I had with my dad several months ago:
Dad 5/2/12
to Jennifer
Keep painting. The Scream sold today for $120 million.
____________________________________________________________________
to Dad
Yeah that guy's been dead for 200 years. He's making $0 dollars.
____________________________________________________________________
Dad 5/2/12
to Jennifer
Good point.
____________________________________________________________________
I mean, really, everybody's gotta do something. You may as well do what brings you absolute joy.
For some, that is being an attorney.
For some, that is being a parent.
For some, that is playing competitive sports.
For some, that is educating and shaping today's youth.
For some, that is healing the sick.
For some, that is saving the environment from preventable human destructions.
For some, that is lobbying for policies to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
For some, that is giving hope to those who feel lost and alone.
For me, that is creating something new; capturing a truth; expressing my loves, fears, doubts, confusions.
For me, that is art.
And, hopefully, if you are good at what you love, someone will pay you to do it (assuming it's, ya know, legal and somehow contributes to society).
The ultimate dream, no?
Image of The Scream by Edvard Munch from here
All other images by me
January 24, 2013
Sneak Peek
....a lil peek at the very preliminary stages of some new pieces.
Working on my hand-lettering. Graph paper is ah-mah-zingly helpful!
What are you working on today?
Working on my hand-lettering. Graph paper is ah-mah-zingly helpful!
What are you working on today?
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