Now I will be an artist

Camel

2011-11-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

Hi. So I have been gone for too long. Also my scanner no longer operates with my laptop every since I got Windows 7. So there. This is a photo of a sketch of a camel. And something on it that was supposed to be a woman but I am not so sure.

Mouton Rothschild

2011-07-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Mouton Rothschild is one the world's finest red wines. Significant part of the brand is the fact that each label is designed by a different renowned artist. You can see them here. For obvious reasons the often feature sheep. Inspired by this I drew my own 'label' for Mouton Rothschild.

Of course, I expect to be asked to design the label for the 2009 vintage.

There is something wrong with the chair but I am tired

A bowl

2011-06-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Drawing soothes me. So I drew a bowl. Here it is:

I drew it from imagination, so some bits look weird where my imagination failed me.

IF: Journey + Rush

2011-04-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is quite lame. Also this is me trying to kill two birds with one stone because this is my IF submission (theme: journey) as well as a submission for mine and ariba's private contest (theme: rush). Also this is me on Thursday when I am rushing off to catch my plane (only I am NOT a cat in real life).

IF: Toy/Cultivate

2011-03-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

So I cheated a little. This post was originally made for last week's IF - cultivate but I didn't manage to finish it on time. I suppose in some bookworm world a bookmark makes a toy.
This is a bookmark I made for my sister Basia:

IF: Warning

2011-03-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

When I was little I always thought those secluded raised hides were just houses for people who weren't big on company.
This is a special dedication to my boyfriend who has just confessed to me that he pretty much hates people. :)

CLASH

2011-02-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

The new word for my and Ariele's illustration project is 'clash'. I appreciate it that my illustration is not 'clash', it is 5 second before the clash.
Also I promise to ditch the pencil eventually and add some colour to my drawings.
Especially that my scanner is completely disrespectful towards my careful shading.

IF: Sweater

2011-02-13T08:49:00.001-08:00

It seems that I am in some dog phase.
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you : SWEATER.
As per James's advice I tried to work on tonal variations. I thought I did a pretty decent job but then the scanner completely undid my hard work :(

IF: Surrender

2011-01-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

I was bent on doing this week's IF even before I knew what the word was. Then I learnt it was 'surrender' and quite frankly drew a blank. I kept seeing some horrible war images where what I really wanted to draw was some sweet children's illustration. I wanted to draw animals too. I kept thinking and thinking and eventually came up with this:Interpret it as you like.

Also the tress in my previous post should've looked more like this:

Bait

2011-01-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

So I have fallen into a black hole! It could happen to anyone!

What really happened was that I decided I suck at drawing so I will become a writer instead and I started writing short stories, which will be available shortly on my goodreads account

Ages ago me and ariba had this fantastic idea of doing our own Illustration Friday. I came up with our first theme: "bait" and consequently fell of the face of the earth. It wasn't very nice of me. It's a new year and new me, so I sat down today and did my little drawing. I decided not to worry anymore that my drawings are not very good as I have given up on becoming a famous illustrator. Right now I am just doing it for fun, so trash it all you like.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: BAIT

Also, while I have your attention I would like to lure you into my other blog here where I don't post any horrendous drawings but share my views and reviews on just about anything I can think of.

IF: Giant

2010-07-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

Two posts in a row! I am on a roll! I haven't participated in the IF since the Flood and I am not coming back strong. I admit this is no more than a contour sketch which took about 10 minutes and I haven't even used any reference photos at any point. I used black and white charcoal (for the first time, ha ha, can you tell). I know that I should stop being so lazy and actually take my time with my drawings or it will never go anywhere. But I am just not very patient. And this is my problem. It has always been. When I decide to have a baby, I don't know how I will manage to wait 9 months for it to arrive.
Anyway, here it is: a kid with a GIANT teddy bear.

Overdue

2010-07-04T03:54:00.000-07:00

Hello,
It is me again. I was in a coma for 2 months. No, not really. But I didn't have internet all that time, so it is pretty much the same. You would think I have drawn a million things without having internet to steal my time. But I didn't have a table either. Or time. And maybe I was a bit tired and lazy. A little like this leopard:
I used my new Caran d'Ache wax crayons and watercolours. The grey smudges courtesy of my scanner.

Rufus and the Apple Tree

2010-04-19T13:57:00.001-07:00

I am really sorry to all my 7 readers for this long absence but many things happened, I had a flu, my sister came, the president died, I had to go on extensive flat hunting... but I am back to stay now. My Children's books illustration course started today and I feel very inspired indeed.
One the main task today was today was to create a simple picture book based on the following brief:
Cover: Rugus and the Apple Tree
Page 1: Rufus asleep under the Apple TreePage 2: An apple drops on Rufus's head, and he wakes up.
Page 3: Rufus stands up crossly, and looks up into the Apple Tree for the culpritPage 4: He turns around and sees the offending apple on the ground.
Page 5: Rufus happily picks up the apple, as it is good to eat, opening his mouth wide.
Page 6: Apple eaten, and with a bulging belly, Rufus reaches behind the Apple Tree for an umbrella (don't let your readers see all of it yet, keep them guessing)
Back cover: Rufus and Appl Tree once again asleep with umbrella over head, and a contented smileon his face.
We had very little time to do it, so we had to communicate the idea best using rather simple sketches. Below is my try, I didn't get to do the cover. My Rufus is a fox because I grew quite fond of them while doing the little study a few posts back. I was rather concerned about the apple, we know that when I draw one it tends to look like a turtle's head.

I stupidly done most of it in H pencil which doesn't scan very well.

IF: Expired (dead pigeon)

2010-03-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Yes. This is the only thing I could come up with for 'expired' theme. A dead pigeon. The other one is looking at his dead mate but you can tell he is only slightly bemused but not terrorised. This is because pigeons are not afraid of death. I learnt that while cycling in Warsaw when I repeatadly had to avoid their suicidal attacks.
I made this using my super duper fantastic uber-awesome Derwent Inktense pencils which obviously kick ass. I am not even going to criticise myself on this occasion.

Topless

2010-03-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

If you know me then you know I am a true connoiseur of male torsos. My favourite part of any rock or hip hop gig is when they take their shirts off. And I am known to watch the entire football match waiting for the shirt swapping moment. So this is my little tribute to the male torso. You would think that after years of studying the subject I would get the proportions a little better, but oh well!

Btw. Of course I would love to do some life drawing of the subject :D So if you have a nice one, and you live in London - let me know.

One day, I am telling you, one day...

2010-03-16T03:31:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to produce something presentable in watercolours. Here is another go.
Well, what I lack in skills I certainly make up for with enthusiasm.

Cartoonisation of a fox

2010-03-10T13:43:00.000-08:00

No, I am not dead. I have just been.. er.. I would say 'busy' but that's not entirely true. I have just been drawing lots of really horrible drawings that just can't be posted. I tried something in watercolour, something in acrylics and I failed twice. But I am not giving up. I will get there. Meanwhile, here are some random doodles from my sketchbooks.
First - the cartoonisation of a fox. I decided to draw a fox as realistic as I can and then continue drawing foxes each time cartoonising them more.
Here is the outcome. Of course it looked better in my head, as usual. But as you can't see to inside of my head you will just have to settle for this:

And since I have been gone for so long I am going to leave with a lion too:

Another weekend gone by

2010-02-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

I did draw all weekend. I am not happy with the big piece I was working on. Frankly, it was quite tragic. I still like the idea and the sketch but it turns out I know nothing about painting in acrylics. It was my first time really trying them, so yes, I know, quite shocking it didn't come out as I'd planned.
Just a second ago though, I drew this. I am not happy with my life right now. I feel like it is going to crush me soon and I won't be able to go on. And this is how this feeling translates into a cartoon/comic.
Also mozzarella is of course spelled with double 'z'.Then I realised it makes a perfect entry for this week's Illustration Friday theme 'perspective'. In literal and metaphorical sense.

Winter games

2010-02-27T06:14:00.000-08:00

I am afraid my laziness continues. Lots of lazy sketches again. I focused on people in motion this weekend and luckily the Olympic Games are not over yet so plenty of reference everywhere. It started off as a single person sketch and then I went on adding more people so that's why the composition is non-existent here. It's really good they wear loads of thick clothes which makes them rather shapeless (apart from bloody figure skaters - that's why the guy with the gun is going to shoot her).

DUI (Drawing under influence)

2010-02-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

My weekend was really unproductive. I was impatient, drew tons of 3 minute sketches and couldn't really finish anything.
The best thing I got is this pineapple, which was drawn under influence of some cider and Polish beer.
Right now I am gathering experience and collecting emotional baggage that I am going to unload on paper over this coming weekend (hopefully).

Train

2010-02-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

I joined Monday Artday. Illustration Friday is just not enough for me. I need to find something for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I have a feeling I will soon forget words and will only be able to communicate with the outside world through my drawings, which doesn't seem half bad. Who needs words when you have crayons?
Anyway, this is my first submission to Monday Artday. The theme was : train, so this is southbound Bakerloo train, at Oxford Circus on Tuesday at 6pm. I am there. Find me!

IF: Adrift

2010-02-14T02:57:00.000-08:00

This week's Illustration Friday's topic is 'adrift'. So here is a turtle in soft pastels. My first ever use of soft pastels (as I bought sticks AND pencils I figured it's about time I use them!). Now, if you want to see REALLY nice soft pastels children's illustrations go to Ms Lynne Chapman's blog.
Muchas gracias to ariba for jointing my bigger than A4 picture.

Putting things in perspective

2010-02-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

First things first. I am quite amazed. Susan got most right, but dthaase was the only who got the llama right! Also a special mention to ariba who came up with "a frog with a wizard hat and glasses pissing in the air". So I am not sure who gets the prize or even what the prize really is. Here are the correct answers:
1. Baby octopus
2. Cat
3. Pony
4. Horse and a gentleman in a hat
5. Some sort of generic whale
6. Baby cat
7. Car with a spoiler
8. Dog
9. Llama
10. .... Rooster's head!!

You did very well and I learnt I can draw with my eyes closed which can be very useful when I am really tired.

On Thursday I decided I will tackle another dreaded subject: perespective. See, I know all about perspective in theory. But somehow, when I am trying to draw city landscapes, buildings are either floating in the air or about tumble down. London deserves better than that! As usual I started off with something easy, no spectacular architecture but bookcases!
Mere three hours later and lots rubbing out I produced this:
Hardly impressive. So I decided to colour it. I had already used watercolours once when adding colour to the elephant a few posts back, so I wasn't as petrified.
Another three hours later I ended up with this:

I don't think it is tragic but I really hoped it would somehow looked more impressive given the time I spent doing it. A bit anticlimactic.

Blind one line drawing

2010-02-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

Inspired by one line drawings by dthaase and an article I read about blind drawing I have a contest for you. Apparently, blind drawing is good for connecting both halves of your brain (!) and some other things I don't remember. The point is to draw by looking only at your reference object/photo and not at your actual drawing. You outline things by tracing them with your eyes and then have your hand follow your eyes. Easy, no?
So here it is. If you can figure out what any of the numbers was supposed to be (especially 10!!) you can win a prize.

Mouse finger

2010-02-09T01:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at work we had a health & safety training. You wouldn't believe how many horrible illnesses and conditions you can develop while working in the office, including the dreadful "Mouse finger"! Since a picture is worth a thousand words:

My boss set it as his wallpaper, so this might very well be my first artistic achievement!

Colour-brave

2010-02-07T14:43:00.001-08:00

Hello my non-existent readers leaving me really nice non-existent comments. Don't worry. I am great. When I lived in New Hampshire I learnt you can have a really nice conversation with a cat and a wall. Walls are exceptionally good listeners! (That's why we say that they have ears).
Anyway, back to this blog's main theme. I have come to realise that I am colour-shy! I opened my old crayon box and, whereas browns, greys, and dull greens wear some signs of use, all my bright reds, pinks and yellows look still brand new.
I took them all out and drew furiously just to prove to myself I am not colour-shy. It was also an exercise in drawing symmetry (I failed, obviously).

IF: Muddy

2010-02-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

Back to basics. Since all my creations don't look exactly as good as I hoped they would, I decided to go back to basics. Contour drawing! I need to practice getting shapes and proportions right before I go anywhere else. I pretended the minimalism is on purpose and submitted it to this week's Illustration Friday (the topic is: "Muddy").

I am quite sure the mud would look better if I had those instead of Crayola felt tip pens (yes, honey, blame the tools!).

IF: Focused

2010-02-04T14:02:00.000-08:00

Now that I am an experienced artist - I have drawn TWO things already, I decided to participate in Illustration Friday(this week's theme is FOCUSED). I had an idea that looked really good in my head. But then I put it on paper and it looked like this:

I was very disappointed. I thought that it would look great because I DID use colour pencils before! When I was 10. I had to stop colouring the hand because it started to look dangerously orange. And there is something a little wrong with the magnifying glass perspective. Also the composition looked a lot more dynamic and interesting in my head.
Hmm. I should've added smoke! There is no fire without smoke!
I was only happy with the ant, that is until my friend said that he thought that red bit on the ant's face was his moustache! Can you believe it?! A moustache!
Nobody understands the artist!

Colour blobs

2010-02-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

After the pencil warm-up I decided to open one of the shiny boxes I'd bought. I picked watercolours because, you know, they just looked easy. You just splash blobs of coloured water here and there and you're pretty much done. How hard can that be?
I had a sketch of an elephant that I chose to colour. I am not much of a landscape person (not yet anyway) but I do love drawing animals.
Here it is (of course with my scanner's artistic input of various smudges):

Also my scanner got rid of light yellow blobs I carefully splashed all over my elephant.
I think we can agree that watercolours are NOT as easy as they look! I am not done with my Winsor&Newton set just yet, though! I am not going to give up that easy.

Steep stairs

2010-02-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

I started off with some drawing in pencil - so I don't feel discouraged. At least I know how to operate a pencil. I drew this:

Initially I was very pleased with myself. After 7 years of not drawing I managed to draw something that actually resembled what I had meant to draw! However, after looking at it for some time I realised that I completely messed up the perspective of the stairs. I should've had them becoming gradually smaller AND lighter, instead I shaded them as if my life depended on it. Unfortunately it was crying over spilt fixative. I couldn't fix it anymore.

Also I realised that I had actually left a contour on the girl's shadow (shock horror!).
Ah, I have a long road ahead of me!

I am so excited, I just can't hide it

2010-02-01T05:05:00.000-08:00

Hello another set of non-existent readers!
This is my third blog that I am likely to forget and abandon within a couple of weeks.
When I was thinking of my New Year's resolutions and tried to come up with something slightly more original than: go to the gym and eat healthy food, I decided I will become an artist. It's not that I don't like my 9 to 5 but the idea of doing that kind of thing for the rest of my life sounds a bit dreadful. Drawing and painting on the other hand sounds delightful. The only problem is I haven't done that in ages. Also I don't think I have really used anything other than a pencil in my adult life (though I remember I was big on wax crayons when I was 8).
The first thing I did was go to an art shop and virtually leave my paycheck there. I bought every single medium I could think of. Now I have all these new shiny things that I have no idea what to do with but I know google and youtube will save me. Then my friend gave me his scanner so now I can also show my attempts to the world, so stay tuned.