Finding A Peaceful Resolve In Mandalas

Sometimes I have the urge to do one half of something and not the other. Usually this means I want to color but not draw. This urge always hits me when I haven't drawn anything, thus have nothing to color.
Thankfully I have this relaxing book full of mandalas that I can satisfy my craving in.



The possibilities seem endless with different patterns and any color at my disposal.



Pencil, marker, doesn't matter..





Even if the results aren't as great as the ones before...



the feeling of peace of mind at the end is all that matters for the itch has been cured :)

Wordless Wednesday

Colored Pencil Colors

Lately I have been musing about color, more narrowly about my colored pencil colors. Then I found this extremely helpful guide by Gayle Mason on her Blog: Fur In The Paint. It felt like the discovery of a lifetime when I saw it.

I couldn't find a nice catalog list like hers for Prismacolor pencils but when I went on the site I found something that I thought was a little better. Pencil Chart

I took the time to make pages in Photoshop so that I could read what they said and have a little more room.



I don't have all the colors they have listed, but I thought it was odd they didn't have all the ones I do have listed. That was just a simple fix in Photoshop as well :) I absolutely love this as now I can see -all- the colors I have at once and decide more effectively which I'm going to use. I plan on laminating them when I get some new lamination sheets so that they will last much, much long.

Some Fishies

Thought I would show off two new members in the household. For now I'm just calling then Red and Blue, lol.





Guy at work didn't want them anymore, so I offered to take them so I would know they went to a good home :)

Morning Sky, You Inspire Me

These are addicting to make...







All of these come from what I see in the morning on my way home from work. It amazes me how different the sky can be each morning. Now to see which one I use first...

Dream Of Me

"It was to be an exciting day at the animal park, hundreds of animals there waiting to be seen. I rushed in through the front gate and made straight for the first glass wall I could see. Inside a sting ray and little sharks delighted my eyes as little silver fish darted about their ways. Moving on there were more fish of different shapes and colors then anyone could imagine.
Next it was to be the large birds in their larger cages. I came to a red tail hawk who shied away from me when I approached, causing some disappointment to sink in. So I went to the eagle, and he did the same! Onward and the chinchillas, rabbits, bears, so many others and the snakes! How can a snake know to shy away from me? Crushed, I slowly moved on, thinking that I was cursed as none of the animals wanted to be near me.
But what is next, ah the giraffe, will she see me? So over I went, and over to me she came like finding her long lost friend at last. Delighted, I opened the giraffe's gate and let myself in to hug her and let her know that together we could be. She laid down and I sat against her, hand running along her black spotted coat till it was the end of the day..."

"Dream Of Me"
6 in x 6 in
Colored Pencil and Water Color
on Bristol vellum

I am so happy with how this came out. I know it's not perfect, it can't be because I'm still learning, but I love it! This one is definitely going on the wall once I find a frame for it.
I already have an idea worked out in my head of what I want to do next, just need to find good reference pics. Hint? I'll tell you that antlers will be there.

I feel bad it took so long to get this finished. I had strained my wrist at work and some simple movements were more then I could bare. But it's all better and this is done so yay yay yay!

What's Going On

I was going to wait till I finished this before showing it, but it's taking me a long time and I hate not posting on here. There is a smidgen of a story with this but it's going to wait till the finished end.



I'm really trying to take my time with this and think layers and color schemes through before I put it all down. I really want to take my art seriously now, especially if I want to go somewhere with it one of these days...
Hopefully I haven't just jinxed it and I'll finish it! It seems like the past couple of drawings I have posted haven't been finished...oops!