Initially I did the Santa as a blind drawing from memory, which means I put my pen on the paper and, while gazing out the window, put a general shape down without looking at what I was drawing. I went back touched up and filled in a bit with a black Sharpie pen and put in the lettering. Then using Copic markers and a white paint Sharpie, I went back and added the color. It's a mini; a 3.5"x4.75" on watercolor paper.
I like the innocent, whimsical nature the blind drawings have. If you have a hard time getting started on a big scary blank page, using the "blind" technique and a tiny canvas alleviates the pressure of possibly screwing things up beyond repair. Then if it turns out like crap you can always say "Well, what do you expect when you can't look at what you're doing?" and toss it in the garbage without any guilt.
Check out Mr. Toast's blog, Hot Toast and Jam, here.
Hi Holly so glad you submitted an entry. That is indeed a fine specimen. I can't draw well, just paint but that blind project is a great idea. I will try it. So great to have you aboard.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Great work, as usual, Hollywolly. Santa's downward gaze is weirdly attractive to me!
ReplyDeleteOh you made me laugh! I love the opt out sentiment to blind drawing :) Welcome aboard C.T. Claire
ReplyDeleteA woman after my own heart! I love COPIC & Sharpie markers on watercolor paper. Go, YOU! The colors in this are great.
ReplyDeleteNow that is what I call "creative" and look at the results, a precious and rather whimsical Santa..The background really sets him off!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Creative Tuesday... The more the merrier.
Happy Holidays.
Love it...especially the rosey cheeks! I know one other blogger that does those blind drawings...makes the challenge very interesting, that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments everyone. I had a fun time coming up with my contribution to the Holiday challenge. Seeing everybody's interpretation of the theme was fantastic. The art created as a result was amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh, Holly, you are BRILLIANT! What a great idea employing the blind technique. Hahha. Love your then justifications you can use. Well, as it turned out, this is marvelously whimsical. Love it adn love the coloured stripes too. Hee. It's truly so funny and adorable. What a fine intro to you for the rest of us. Welcome aboard the Creative Tuesday co-op engine! do check back in tomorrow where I will diplay a montage of all our works. Happy Christmas to you too!
ReplyDeleteTo QMM above, --dear, it doesn't matter at all if you feel you can draw well or not --you far exceed expectations with simply just doing it adn being creative. You do that each and every fortnight and i , for one, so appreciate it! thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh, btw, Holly, I love your avatar with coffee cup, hohoho! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the colors... it is very whimsical, indeed :)
ReplyDelete(I also like blind contours for the exact same reason!)
xo
Kristin
Fun! I love the idea of blind drawing. I used to do this with my elementary school students; it is very freeing. Welcome to CT.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool, I really like the style of it. I also like your house your building (I checked out your other posts), very awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is a blind drawing?? Are you kidding me Holly? Too much, too much. I don't wanna see what you could do while looking. I'm sure it would make me despair of my own cartoon drawing skills.
ReplyDeleteLet's just say I go through several absolute crap versions before I manage one that's worth keeping.
ReplyDeleteHi Holly! Nice to meet you through Creative Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love your santa and the stripy background...and you did it blindly? Brilliant!I'm definitely going to have to give this a go.. :)
Cool! Everyone seems to be doing watercolor nowadays. Here's mine http://thelunaticsdiary.blogspot.com/2010/12/crimson-queen.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute Santa, Holly. Copic markers are wonderful for creating with! :)
ReplyDeleteSo good to meet you here at Creative Tuesdays. I love the colors of this santa. He's a cute one! A jolly old elf, there, with the blind technique . it's one I haven't tried in a while, i think you are right, time to bring it back! xxoo
ReplyDeleteGreat Santa!! No need to through this one away! Love the background colours.
ReplyDeleteI like your simple beautiful drawing.
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought that this was a blind drawing! (I'm lucky if mine look like ANYTHING, let alone what they are supposed to look like, lol!) This has such a charming and whimsical nature to it. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteA blind drawing? Really neat how it turned out and I like the bright colors! Welcome to Creative Tuesdays!
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