Karen Campbell’s latest drawing series and accompanying book
I am a member of Karen Campbell’s drawing club. Recently she launched a new series called “Whimsical Women of the World” where we drew a face, inspired by a photograph of someone and coloured using any medium of our choice. Karen’s style was to use alcohol markers, I started off doing that, but changed to coloured pencil part way through. I really feel I learnt a lot along this journey, and my muscles memory for face drawing is getting so much better. I definitely need to work on the colouring aspect with pencils, but even that is getting better, learning to blend is a skill in itself, I’m better than i was but i have a long way to go.
And then something amazing happened….
Donna Holmes : Published Artist
At the end of the series, Karen produced a “how to” book, which is now for sale, and in it she would feature students artwork. I was lucky enough to have one of my pieces chosen, so I can now absolutely claim that I am a “published artist”!!
Following my recent Instagram win, I decided to take a good look at Pen Pusher as a business and see what they have to say for themselves.
They are UK based and say they are “your new source for stationery, calligraphy, and lettering inspiration” and they have a very good approach to using Eco friendly and sustainable products, in addition, I have to say their website is smart and easy to get around, and even easier to spend some money on!
I told my daughter about the website, and she went off and created her own wish list of items too!
I had seen their Instagram media posts about a variety of products, and I could spend an absolute fortune, however I chose to limit myself (and my purse!) on this occasion.
With our lists in hand, I created my first order late one evening, and the order was picked, packed and sent the very next day. I received it that day after that. Perfectly swift service there!
My daughter chose 2 items from her list, Zebra Kirarich Glitter Highlighters and Nolki Graphic Washi Tape – Tokyo. And I chose a variety of things, the most exciting to me was the Kuretake Nihon-Date 55 fude dual-tip brush that I had seen on the Instagram feed being demo’d.
On arrival the items were nicely packaged (it seems I didn’t photograph this- my bad!)The delivery was quick, well packaged, and when I sent a PM to them to ask about the Nihon pen it was responded to almost immediately. And since then, every time I have contacted them, Gavin the owner has been responsive, polite, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.
All the goodiesAll the goodies
I’ve never really used dot grid paper before so that will be fun to try. I also have alcohol markers so I want to see how the Frisk paper holds up to them.
I definitely recommend you give them a try if you are in the market for a new stationers.
I have been using the dot grid paper as part of my monthly challenge and I am loving it. Its really good smooth paper and now I am learning how to do the basics via drills – NOW I understand WHY people use dot grids! Yes some inks shows through to the other side, yes if you use watercolour it crimples the page a little, but so far I have tried all sorts of pens and markers and for the most part it holds up well.
I have today given the Frisk Marker pad a good run for its money. Initially I was sceptical because the pages do feel quite flimsy. Its a 70gsm marker pad in A4. That said, I have to admit, I do like it! It performs well with the markers, no piling on the paper, yes it bleeds through but its OK on the correct side. It takes lots of layers of the marker and blends well. For my standard of drawing and use of markers its a perfect option for me.
All opinions expressed here are my own. I paid for any products discussed. I received no payment and I am not affiliated in any way with any brand mentioned herein.
I recently entered an Instagram challenge hosted by Gavin at Pen Pusher. A 14 day lettering challenge, to letter song titles, post and tag using #penpusherchallenge.
I had a lot of fun writing the daily challenge and posting, and to my surprise I was picked as the lucky winner.
Prize
The Online Calli-Brush pens are a gorgeous pastel colour, dual tipped to allow for calligraphy or brush pen lettering, and create a lovely written word.
The Kuratake Wink of Stella Brush, are without doubt a gorgeous thing. I absolutely love the green and red, they work well on any paper type (white, black or kraft) . They have a lovely glitter effect to them, however the white I have yet to find the best way to use it, I’m sure that’s just me though!
Calli-Brush quick test
WInk of Stella Quick test
Drawing with Wink of Stella
Layering capabilities on Wink of Stella
I do enjoy taking part in Instagram challenges, and its so nice that a business takes the time to send the prizes they have on offer. It restores my faith in social media giveaways.
As a company I have been impressed with the website, and the engagement of the owner via Instagram. I look forward to spending some money with them!
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed here are my own. I paid for any products discussed. I received no payment and I am not affiliated in any way with any brand mentioned herein.
My latest ScrawlrBox subscription arrived, and its another good one! The theme is Geometric Shapes and Cubism. In it are three pouches of Sennelier Soft Body Acrylic paint in Blue, White and Red, a Proarte No6 Scholarcryl brush, a Koh-I-Noor Hardmouth MAGIC pencil, a Daler Rowney Acrylic Paint Pen and an A5 pad of Daler Rowney Acrylic Heavyweight Paper. An exciting box to say the least!
The Featured artist is Julien Raynaud from France. The feature card says “Julien’s art offers colourful geometrical figures inspired by his past”….
My immediate thought was WOW what a box! I love Cubism but only really know of the great Picasso, however I am sure there are many artists out there, I’m just not familiar with them so this is a great opportunity to investigate the style.
The Sennelier paints are in cute little 40ml pouches and are soft body, which I didn’t know what it meant, but to my uneducated head means “runny”. I managed to pour more out than I meant to on the first try but then I used them way too thin in the actual painting, but of course I could layer if I wanted to. I need to practice with these a little more! Initially I had a play at making swatches and trying to make different shades and tones with only these three paints. I liked the results, really good colours!
Now to start on my first “real” piece. I drew a face using the magic pencil. What a lovely pencil this is, I shall definitely have fun playing with this in future projects!
Koh-I-Noor Hardmouth MAGIC pencil makes some gorgeous lines
Next I primed the Acrylic Marker. It was easy to prime and the ink flowed nicely giving clean crisp lines. I suspect its an equivalent to the a Posca 5M pen, it certainly felt and acted similar. I drew over my pencil with the paint marker and in my opinion it’s a good alternative to Posca.
Daler Rowney Acylic Paint Pen
Then to the painting. I added some extra lines with the pencil and played at making blocks of differing colours. The acrylic is a runny, thinner paint, but it’s lovely. Sennelier are a nice brand, I have some of their heavy body paints and I like them, maybe this is why I had some thinner, streaky patches. It’s just something to get used to and be aware of when painting. I liked the results, the paint was easy to mix on the palette with the paint brush and even on the Daler Rowney paper it mixed well and didn’t dry too quickly – well, if I wasn’t being stingy with the paint at least!
My finished piece “cubism style”
Overall I really liked this box. It is a lot of fun, it contains products I mostly am aware of how to use and they’ve already been moved to my art stash collection ready for my next painting session. I am very happy with the box and with Scrawlr as a company.
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed here are my own. I paid for any products discussed. I received no payment and I am not affiliated in any way with any brand mentioned herein.
I follow many people on, and there is always a challenge to get involved in, I thought it was time for me create my own – so here we are, March 2021 Spring Inspired Song Titles, done your way!
Daily Prompts
As I am a bit of a “Jack of all trades, Master of none” I decided to make my challenge of a similar style. There is a prompt for every day of the month, and I would love to see how people interpret the challenge and create something in their own style. Doing as many of the days as you feel comfortable. I chose Song titles of Music that speaks to me, gets me moving, or I just really like, all with a “springtime” feel / theme to them. Try Lettering in Modern or Classic calligraphy style, I don’t mind. Maybe create a journal spread on the day prompt that speaks to you. How about doing some Needlepoint – Embroidery, knitting, crochet or cross stitch. How about incorporating a bit of each of them in a spread. Honestly I don’t mind, do as much or as little as you want. I’m quite keen to see how I manage too, getting something done everyday for 31 days is a big ask!
If you like a smaller challenge, here is a weekly prompt instead.
Weekly Prompts
All I ask is that you use the hashtag #artisticspringtime and follow my Instagram page @donnas_creative_space
Good Luck, I cant wait to see what you do
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed here are my own. I paid for any products discussed. I received no payment and I am not affiliated in any way with any brand mentioned herein.
