Floating Lemons

Pen & Ink Poppy Sketch

 

 

Every once in a while I have to take a break from 'work', however much I enjoy it ... to just have fun and splash around with paint and ink. I used to be far too much of a perfectionist but in the last couple of years I've been taught (ouch!) to relax and stop being so controlling -- yes, to just let go! Not an easy thing to do but once I got the hang of it, every once in a while I now have to loosen up and enjoy myself scribbling with ink, and splashing with paint and ... well you get the idea ...

 

 

Had so much fun that I've promised myself to take these breaks at least once a week, every few days if I can manage it.

A red poppy from my garden, drawn with black Winsor and Newton non-waterproof Liquid Indian Ink and then painted (cheerfully) with yummy Schmincke watercolours, in my Moleskine skecthbook. Cheers.

 

Carefree Cyclamens Colouring Page

 

 

Despite a hugely busy schedule I've managed to squeeze in some time every evening for (much-needed) relaxation and therapy, doodling away at what I eventually turn into colouring pages ... for even more creative therapy! Above is my latest one, and I'm hoping it's good enough to make the cut and join the rest of my printable colouring pages up at my Etsy shop. I'm done with the finishing touches and will scan it in and clean it up in Photoshop. And yes, it's the same cyclamens that I painted in my earlier Crazy Cyclamens Watercolour post, now drawn in a completely different style.

And below is my Quirky Flowerpots colouring page, printed out onto A3 watercolour paper and worked on using Winsor and Newton watercolours and a variety of marker pens. I'm not entirely pleased with the end result but am happy to leave things as they are and start on something fresh. Sometimes trying to fix things just ends up ruining them further, so it will stay as it is. I give up!

 

 

Maybe you can do a better job ... Here's the link to it up at the Etsy store: Quirky Flowerpot printable colouring page.Have fun! Cheers.

 

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Crazy Cyclamens Watercolour

 

 

Every once in a while it's good to take some time off for a break, and do something inconsequential, that has nothing to do with college or work ... to just have fun painting loosely and making a mess and enjoying it all without considering the end result. After all, it's the process that's hugely fun, no matter how it turns out.

 

 

The final result is nothing amazing or serious, but hopefully it reflects the fact that I had a great time playing. It's always good to take a break, a breath, and allow things to flow freely -- so as to gain a new perspective on everything else. To be able to see things with fresh eyes, distance, and some clarity. I may have to do this more often!

Painted with Winsor and Newton watercolours, on Arches hot pressed, 100% cotton, 140lb watercolour paper. Cheers.

 

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Colouring Fun - Strawberries

 

 

Here's another little doodle that might make it into the pages of that colouring book I'm planning. It's a bit different as the mouse, bees and birds seem to have taken over, but the botanical/floral flavour is still there ... and they seem to be enjoying the strawberry plant and its abundance of fruit. Here's an in-progress sketch that I remembered to photograph:

 

I normally start these sketches with a light pencil drawing that I then ink over. Drew this with Staedtler pencils and pens in my large moleskine journal.

 

Doodling Colouring Pages

 

 

I seem to be achieving a certain (precarious) balance recently, between work and 'real life'. In the evenings I find myself putting work to the side and bringing out my moleskine, with much pleasure, to doodle in. Black and white lines just creep across the page with not much help from my brain cells ... thankfully as it turns out, as I'm normally exhausted by then. I get into a lovely flow and watch as scenes emerge onto the blank page.

And yes, they might all eventually end up in a colouring book if this keeps up. I'm asking for advice from friends who are colouring fiends and they seem to like it, so ... I may also dig out my Floating Lemons newsletter, buried away since the beginning of the year, and offer these as free pages once a month, we shall see. After all, I'm only just starting college and we know how much havoc that wreaks with my time and life in general ... hugely looking forward to that!

Drawn in my large Moleskine journal with Staedtler pencils and pens. Cheers.

 

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