Figuring Out My Process

Last week was a very different week. I didn’t create alot of new art and also I apologize for not publishing last week. I honestly didn’t have anything planned and didn’t want to overwhelm myself with putting something together last minute. So, I just let it go. Who’s gonna notice right? Well, I noticed … I felt off. I felt bad for not showing up even though this publication isn’t that popular, showing up is important to me. It gives me purpose and, in my opinion it shows God that I’m serious about creating this content on a weekly basis.

Anyway, I did alot of revisiting. I have been working on a large 18×24in still life for a couple of weeks and its finally completed. Im not sure how I feel about it but I made the decision to stop. Sometimes you have to force yourself to stop working on a piece in order to avoid screwing it up by overworking it.

I honestly don’t remember what inspired this piece but its filled with some favorite motifs, like the strawberries in the bowl, something I love to draw for some reason and let’s not forget the flowers. I love drawing and painting flowers.

Speaking of flowers, yesterday I decided to familiarize myself with different types of flowers because since I love abstracting them, I feel like I should know more about them, open myself up to different types so I’m not constantly repeating shapes and I also feel once you know how to draw something in its realistic state it’s that much easier to abstract it.

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Next, I revisited a pencil and pastel sketch. I am very inspired by nature and divine femininity so I came up with an idea of a woman laying on the ground with tree roots going through her into the earth. I sketched the idea in pencil, then in NeoColor 2. When I posted it on instagram, I received good feedback but there was still something missing for me.

It just didn’t reflect what I was really trying to say.

Pencil Sketch

Pastel sketch

It needed more of ME, I was being precious and keeping it safe.

So I went back to the drawing board literally and started over using different materials. This time I used Tombow markers, pencils, gel pens, gouache and neocolor… truly a mixed media piece.

I decided to add birds and a butterfly 🦋 which are significant symbols of feminine energy.

I left it there, although I do want to turn this into a bigger painting on canvas , I will let it marinate for now.

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Some other random sketches

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Creating with Intention

I’m really finding peace in working in this way. I’m developing a process for myself and I’m really proud of that. Usually I will just go in without any idea or direction and it’s a 50/50 chance that i will end up with something that I like.

Now, I’m being more intentional, sketching in pencil, planning , choosing colors before hand and I even created a mood board for the still life above! Yes! I created a mood board! I learned that in a few Domestika courses that I took. Honestly, I thought mood boards were bullshit, but I was so wrong. I love creating them and using them.

All of these things help me to be more efficient, manage my time better and at the end, chances are that I have a piece that I’m happy with, not to mention being more organized and intentional helps to regulate my nervous system which is a major PLUS!

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We are still in July, which means you still have plenty of time to get your hands on this print in the mail once you become a paid member, as well as the digital download.

This is a watercolor painting that I made on 9x12 paper, but I am now offering it as a 5x7 print. It will only be available for July, after which it will be for sale in my shop.

Next month, I will feature a whole new print and digital download

Digital Download

Become A Paid Member of Sketchbook Shenanigans and receive:

1. monthly print (5x7) sent to your physical address.

2. monthly (8.5x11) digital art download that you can print out on your own paper.

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Check out my YouTube channel as well as the latest video that premiered this morning.

What’s in My Plein Air Bag?! ~ Plein Air Kit

https://youtu.be/2whDn5uobOw

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as always

sending you all love and light

Martine