Inspiration: Tools of Affinity

Several cartoonists discuss their preferred tools in this delightful short. 

Hope it inspires you like it did me. :) 

Toronto Comic Arts Festival: Pencil it In 

I'm happiest with my pencils and watercolors.....
Which tools do you like the best?

Sketchbook Journal: March

My happy place....

March pages in progress.

Inspiration: Cute Little Stinkers

Whenever I get into a "funk", and I'm feeling uninspired, 

I watch critter videos/documentaries.

Flower the Skunk

Totally want a pet skunk, by the way. :)

Where do you find inspiration?

Gratitude Journal: Faith

This week's pages:  

I don't think "Freedom of Religion" is a license to be a jerk.

Instead, what a gift it is to be able to express my beliefs....

without suppression or persecution.

 ♥  

Watercolor and acrylic. 

Inspiration: Sugar & The Hi-Lows

  I love music.

And I'm loving this group!

Their album comes out today.

Sugar & The Hi-Lows on iTunes
Check 'em out.

Happy Valentine's Day
xoxox

Sketchbook Journal - February

Last week's journal pages.

I snagged a boot. :)  

Watercolors, stamps, and magazine clippings.

Schmincke Watercolors

This past Christmas, I unwrapped a beautiful Schmincke watercolor set.

The colors are so rich and velvety.

I had fun testing them out.

I saved the wrappers from the half pans and then pasted them as reference to my sketchbook:

Here's the outside of the tin:

And here's the Schmincke logo:

Meliora Cogito is a Latin phrase.  It's translated:
"I strive for the best." 

Library Books

This week's library picks:

David Richards gives lots of great information in Personal Painting Style.
...lots of goodies inside....

Drawing School & The Ultimate Watercolor Course 

were good books on the basics.

The library makes me happy.

How about you?

Inspiration: Sugar & The Hi-Lows

Just saw this new group perform last night...
What a treat!

Sugar & the Hi-Lows
"Skip the Line"


"I've Got You Covered"

Give them a listen. ♥

Peaches

Introducing Peaches,
a lovely little bulldog originally photographed by Vivian Chen.

Vivian is a photographer based in San Francisco.
She was kind enough to let me use some of her photos as reference for this charcoal drawing.

You can find her wonderful work here: www.vivianchen.com.

Here are the "before and after" photos:

  

The left side is the underpainting; the right is the finished piece.
Charcoal, 18"x24"

Off to mail her a print!

.....Almost finished!

home stretch!
Just about finished.

charcoal, 18" x 24"