I Finally Went Big

Hi there. How are you?

Friends, I finally did it. I went big! It only took 3 months for me to sit down and actually finish this large (for me) 12" x 18" drawing.

I'm pretty darn happy with the results.

I finally finished this large 12" x 18" drawing that I started in September 2016!

It all started in September.

After making several small drawings in this same style, I felt the urge to work on a larger scale. You can see and read more about those earlier pieces HERE.

In September 2016, I found a pad of 12" x 18" paper in my husband's art supply stash and went to work with a red Bic pen. I thought it would be fun to share the process shots that I took along the way. 

Here are the first marks I made.

The first marks of my 12" x 18" abstract ink drawing. I started with the red.

The early stages of my abstract ballpoint pen drawing.

Then I added blue.

After a while, I started layering in the royal blue. Adding a second, darker value adds more depth and dimension to the composition. I had considered using black instead of the blue, but the art teacher in me thought better of that. Color in your darks is always a better option. This color combo might be a bit patriotic and maybe cliche. I don't care, I love it!

A work in progress shot of my large abstract ballpoint drawing. See how much more dimension the areas with the blue have than those with just red.

A detail section of my still untitled ballpoint pen drawing.

The last leg

Last Friday, I spent much of the day in the studio. I was determined to finish up this drawing. After a day's work, I took photo of the piece. For some reason when I look at my work on the computer screen, I can better take in the composition as a whole.

After months in the works, this drawing was nearly complete.

Finally finished!

After a few more tweaks, my drawing was finally complete. Yahoo! My next hurdle is to properly photograph it so that I can make prints and/or textiles out of this composition. (Can't you just see this on a pillow?)

The best way I've found to archive my work is to scan it. As this drawing is way to big to fit on my scanner bed, this isn't an option. Hopefully I'll have some time later this week to set up the tripod and my trusty Nikon DSLR and make it happen.

Eventually, I'll frame this piece too. My handy husband is going to help me make custom frames for this new series. No more cradled hardboard mounting and varnishing.....These pieces need to behind some glass! (Well, actually plexiglass.)

Here's what it might look like framed:

Completed and still untitled ballpoint pen drawing in framed mockup.

I'm still not sure what color/finish the frame will be. I just know it will be minimal and will hopefully complement and elevate the work.

Want to buy this piece unframed? Just get in touch!

That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed this. I'll be back next week with another post.

Anything you'd like to know about?

Do tell.  I don't have a topic in mind for next week yet.

Ciao!

A 2016 Success - An Injection of Color

Hi there. How are you?

Last week, I started a series of posts to celebrate my successes in 2016 and look back at what I've accomplished. Click HERE to read the first installment.

This week, I'm talking color. For years (easily a decade) I have been drawing/doodling with Bic ballpoint pens. I only worked with black ink. Don't ask me why, it was just always black. Here's a "vintage" ballpoint drawing from way back in 2008.

A Moleksine drawing from 2008. I must have been listening to Bowie at the time.

An injection of color

As I discussed in a previous post, I bought myself a package of Bic Cristal Xtra Bold ballpoints in 8 colors. I started drawing in color and never looked back! You can read more about that transition and my earliest colored ballpoint drawings HERE.

For the first time ever, I started drawing with colored ballpoints.

A few of my first sketchbook drawings with a colored ballpoint.

I experimented with every color in the set, but I kept to one color per drawing. That was just the parameter that I made for myself. I was trying to cling to just a little bit of minimalism I guess or maybe I was worried that they wouldn't look "fine-arty" enough if I used more than one color.

The first sketch I made with more than one color. Using two colors adds more dimension to these compositions.

Two toned

After some encouragement from an Instagram acquaintance, I decided to expand my tonal range. This was my first ever two color ballpoint drawing. I really like the the depth that the dark blue provides when layered on the lighter green.

There was no stopping me after that.

Multi-color ballpoint sketchbook drawings from 2016

I was onto something.

And I like that something. I'm happy with the way things are progressing in my practice and I'm excited to do more. Now, I just have to finish this large12" x 18" drawing I started back in September!

I started this large 12" x 18" original drawing back in September. One of these days, I'll actually finish it!

Follow the journey on Instagram

If you'd like to see what I'm up to on a daily basis, do follow me on Instagram. I try to post there daily and often post process videos in my Instagram Stories feed.

Want to see how I make these drawings?

This post has gone completely viral on Pinterest and I've had a flood of requests for information about how I make these drawings. So I made an e-course! 

Not interested in a class? 

Join my mailing list. You'll get access to a hyperlapse video of my drawing process. Expect emails from me about once a month with more behind the scenes content.  You'll also be first to know about about new work and exclusive sales. It's a party. Trust me!

Ciao! Jen

A 2016 Success - Tea Towels

Hi there. How are you?

It's the week between Christmas and New Years and I'm in a contemplative mood. I'm thinking about my progress in 2016 and what I can do better in 2017.

After doing my year end accounting, I was feeling pretty blue, pretty defeated. Monetarily, 2016 was pretty pathetic for my art biz.

Then, I started thinking back at all of the new things I made this year. The new connections I've made, the wholesale accounts I've gained and the successes I've had. I DID make some progress.

Over the next few posts, I'm going to celebrate my successes in 2016 and look back at what I've made. Sound good?

First up: Tea Towels

This year, I introduced 2 new tea towel designs, both of which started as drawings in my sketchbook. Let me show you the process.

Veggies are a hit!

I introduced my veggie print tea towel at a holiday craft sale I did earlier this month. I'm happy to report that it sold like gangbusters! They went over big as gifts for mom and grandma. I've just got a handful of these left.

The origin story

In January of 2016, I took part in a 31 day drawing challenge with Creative Bug. (See all of my drawings here.)  Each day, participants were given something to draw. The Day 17 prompt was root vegetables and man did I have fun with that.

My Day 17 drawings turned into a pattern for a tea towel.

The magic

I scanned in my drawings, and with some Photoshop and Illustrator magic, I turned them into a pattern. Then, my friends at Merchop screen printed them for me. This is my favorite tea towel design to date!

The detail

I'm so impressed with the detail in this print. Merchop has got this tea towel printing down!

My tea towels have sold so well in 2016 that I am excited to make add a few more designs to the collection in 2017.

Have a tea towel design idea for me?

I'd love to hear from you.

Leave a comment or send me an email. 

Until next time. Ciao!