Tops!

Beginning of a new week and almost the beginning of a new month! I couldn't be happier with how my blog is going, Feb will be the third month that I have been blogging everyday and I'm so excited to continue! Thanks again for everyone who checks out my blog, I love connecting with other artists and getting some feedback on my work is a bonus! Speaking of blogs if you haven't already go check out my friend Kathy's Blog. She is making her own stop-mo short and has started a production blog! I know I know I use exclamation marks PROBABLY too much but really, there's nothing wrong with being overly enthusiastic. GET USED TO IT!

OBSTACLES SHMOBSTACLES!!

STILL SICK!!!! yuck. Had lots to accomplish today but I'm happy that I still got my post done! Something I have learned is that if your not going to put 100% into something then there is no point doing it. So here is my 100% painting and drawing for the day!

One is the lonliest number

Dear today's sketch: I'm sorry. I have left you single :(. I am feeling under the weather today WHICH SUCKS!!! I never get sick. Why now? I also had lots of appointments to keep so here is my slightly belated and lonely post *sigh*. Tomorrow is a new day.

70% is 100% better

I FINALLY got my butt over to the art supply store and bought myself a new prismacolour french grey 70%. The one I have been using is about an inch long and was MAJORLY cramping my hand! Now my lines are better and my hand is thanking me :). I thought about switching to a marker to do lines but I think I will still with the pencil crayon. I like the texture of it with gouache...its niiiice. Also I'm really enjoying my web design class. We just started learning CSS and I'm thinking of buying a book to advance my knowledge, just gotta find the right one!

Vermilion Vermilion

One of my goals that I had was to establish a personal relationship with colour. I finally feels like I am really getting there. Vermilion has a real place in my heart, it might just be my favorite colour. it is so bright and fresh and makes the best neutral when mixed with prussian blue. Right now the only colours I am still feeling disconnected from is green, lemon yellow and brilliant purple. I'm halfsies with cerulean and crimson. THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!

the SENIOR MISS FUR COMPETITION is in town...I think

Today was pretty darn interesting. I saw 2 older ladies within 5 minutes of each other wearing these super extravagant furs! I am totally against wearing fur for fashion but i'm not against drawing it... These furs were SO huge!

On another topic I just want to say thanks for anyone who went to the awesome sea change event. I had SO much fun and met so many different artists, it was a great night. Now that the show is done I'm going to be working on some personal animation pieces which I am really excited about. Don't worry though, nothing will get in the way of my daily drawings!! By the way, here is the artwork that was featured in the Sea Change show! They are based off some of my favorite vocal groups, the mills brothers, the larks and the ink spots!

Sweet prancing girls

Today is super hectic but also super exciting for me! The "Sea Change" show is tonight so I have just been putting the finishing touches on all of my artwork that will be in it. Also SUPER EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! I have completed one of my 2011 goals today by OPENING AN ETSY SHOP!!!!! AHHH!!! This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time so I am so happy I have accomplished this goal. The illustrations currently for sale are the ones that are going in the show tonight which I will post on my blog on Monday. Also I'm selling a set of 5 postcards that are drawings that I did while sitting on bloor and just sketching people. I'm really happy with the way things turned out.
Ans here are my sketches for today. A lot of prancing....:)

Beyond Borders

So here is day 2 of me writing my blog fully in HTML. Thats right! I just coded "day 2" to be bold! I know I'm such a nerd.

I really want to start memorizing the HTML tags because soon enough I will be learning CSS and I want to be able to jump right in when that happens!

Please excuse the messiness of my blog for now!! I just want to keep trying out different formats until I master this HTML thing!

Old People Walking Slowly

One of my favorite things is old
people walking slowly. When they come in pairs its just double the fun!

My web design course is going really well! I'm just trying out some different html tags! From now on I will be posting using the HTML option on blogger!! Exciting times...

NEW PROFILE PIC!

 I finally got around to drawing a profile pic for myself.  I've been meaning to do this forever so its nice to have it done with!  I feel like painting with gouache is going to be a life long journey for me.  Everyday I use it something unexpected happens, but by far it is still my favorite paint to work with.  I have a lot on my plate today but I think I will be free and clear tomorrow.  GOTTA FOCUS!!

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 I have been working on a really cool side project that I will share with you all by the end of this week, so keep checking back for it!  It's something I'm really excited about that I have put a lot into. 
I find myself drawing an average of 9 warm-up pages a day which is great.  When I first started posting on this blog I think i was doing something like 2 or 3 pages max.  I'm really happy with how my accuracy and speed have improved (which is my main objective with these sketches).  Even my left hand is getting more coordinated every day!  Its like watching myself learn how to draw all over again which is really eye-opening.  Although i was super focused on my drawings today, my painting focus is definitely less than stellar.  I don't know why but I think its got something to do with the urgency of finishing my warm up so I can get on to my real work!!  I gotta remember to just take a breath and enjoy every minute of everything.

BRRRRRRRRR

 WOW it is snowy today.  The colder it is outside the comfier I feel inside :).  I really can't wait for better weather though so I can open up my sketching options.  I really want to get out to some parks to watch families play or see people taking a leisurely stroll or playing with their dogs!  None of this happens when there is a snow storm!  Just something to look forward to though.  KEEP WARM!!  And if you are one of my international friends who are blessed with year-round sunshine go outside, take off your shoes, feel the grass and sun and think of me.

me vs. me

I went to improv last night and had a blast performing with my group.  This is the first time in almost 2 years that I am not taking an improv class and only performing.  It's strange to not have as much improv in my life as I'm used to but also good in a way.  I have more time for art and I am able to focus now on my career goals.  Also it puts things back into balance.  I originally started improv to be a better animator, but it really took on a life of its own as soon as I realized how much I enjoy it.  I was splitting my focus between art and improv and therefore not getting far enough ahead in either.  Now that I have taken a step back I am really able to process what I learned and understand how it can be used to make myself a better artist.  I had some great ideas for illustrations and projects last night on my way home from performing thanks to the awesome show we put on.  Now that these two important parts of my life have learned to get along I'm really excited for what the future holds!

Another BLUSTERY day here in TO.  January is really going great so far.  I'm getting a lot of emails and awesome comments on my blog so thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by!  My web design course is really great and I am working on an actual portfolio website for myself (SO EXCITED!).   The Sea Change show is coming up soon so I am working away on finalizing postcard designs and also finishing up some new paintings.  After much trial and error I have found that illustration board is really the best way to go when painting with gouache.  I can't STAND when paper starts to curl!

swinging her arms sooo wide

very interesting wrap/hood/jacket

Different Strokes for Different Folks

As I'm looking to take on new personal projects I realized I have to start cutting a bit of time off of my daily warmups.  With that i've decided to work on evenly applying gouache as that can be tricky in itself.  Also it takes less time :).  So for me it is win-win!  I've got some righties and a lefty here today!  Guess which is which!

So Fresh and So Clean!

I'm soo tardy today but done is done!! Here are some FRESH drawings I did today, both left handed!  See ya in a few hours!

Starting the week off sooo right

Ya! This is an exciting week for me because I will be starting a web design course and I believe I'm scheduled to do some improv as well.  As the days go on I am getter better acquainted with gouache and its quirks.  Therefore I am becoming more and more confident painting with it.  The only problem I'm having now is my cramped cramped working space.  I know I can make it work but it requires SERIOUS and CONSTANT organization.  The second I get lazy about it everything goes to hell.  One day I will have an actual studio space and that will be AMAZING.  Onwards Monday!

X

For the last few days my motivation to draw has been a little low.  Because of that my drawings were coming out badly.  I was putting down lines that I felt like had no control over and that I knew were wrong. Either way I pushed forward.  Today when I went to draw I said "enough" to myself and just really focused.  I find it helps to imagine what the person is thinking to establish an emotional connection with your drawing.  Its like writing a book or play.  When you understand the character on a personal level the story writes itself.  When I made a connection with a person in my head it was effortless to draw them.  In fact I did 11 pages today!

Sea Change

I bought new paints today!!  Super excited as I am exploring new colour schemes. 
The other thing I am excited about coming up is this awesome art/performance night that I will be a part of.  If you are in Toronto you should definitely check it out.  I will be selling postcards and prints of my work.  Can't wait to meet more artists!!

Wading through Peanut Butter

Urggg...just one of those days where I'm moving super slow and it is a major challenge for me to keep my focus.  The most important thing to remember on a day like this is just to make sure to complete the goals I have set for myself today.  So far so good, so on I trudge.  What do you do to keep moving on days like this?