Sunday, March 31, 2013

Boots 'n' Cats


Today I found inspiration in a song, or beat, rather. My boyfriend was beatboxing "Boots and Cats" the other day, and I thought it would be fun to illustrate.

Here is my Maine Coon Mix Ramona:

I used the app Sketchbook Pro for iPad to trace and shade my Mona:

Now for the boot. Straight outta Texas:


 My medium will be rubber stamp, so I trace the images onto the rubber.


Well, that came out a little blurry. Good thing I know how to draw!


You really want to cut out the negative space on the edges to keep any extra bits from printing.


Always print before you're finished. Remember you can subtract, but there is no adding in relief carving.

It took me about 4 tries to get the balance right.


And here's the finished result!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Salt

I drew a coral pattern in salt. If you shake the pan, the lines loosen up.



Thursday, March 28, 2013

Zig-zag manicure

Tonight's challenge was to work small. I decided to paint my nails, which proved a real challenge when trying to draw with my left hand.

orange and gold nail polishes with fine brush and dotter


zigzag manicure with dots


zigzag manicure with dots

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Strike anywhere

Today's inspiration comes from matches. I like the negative space in this one.



Monday, March 25, 2013

Nibs

Today's inspiration comes from pens. I drew a bunch of nibs with a bamboo pencil in red ink.

pen nibs, ink, and bamboo stylus


pen nibs drawn in red ink


pen nib pattern hand drawn with red ink

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Green

Today's suggestion is to use only the color green. I used a bamboo pen and some moss green calligraphy ink to draw some paisleys.

writing implements and calligraphy paper


moss green calligraphy ink


hand drawn paisley design

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Doggie bones

Today I carved a stamp and printed it. My inspiration comes from volunteering at the animal shelter.

carving a rubber stamp


hand-carved rubber stamp and ink


hand-carved rubber stamp loaded with ink


blue dog bone stamps


green dog bone stamps


purple dog bone stamps


orange dog bone stamps


red dog bone stamps


indigo dog bone stamps and finished pattern

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Unforgettable

I browsed goodwill after work today and a pair of shoes caught my eye. The designer was Texas' own Lela Rose, who makes fabulous, but very expensive, dresses. She's also done collections with Payless shoes and Neiman Marcus for Target, so her designs aren't entirely out of reach. I googled the label on my phone, and learned that the "Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose" were actually dyeable wedding shoes. And they were 11, close enough to my size 10.5 feet. I decided to get some fabric paint markers and do a pattern on the shoes. I'll pad out the toe so I can actually wear them.

white shoes with bow and fabric markers


decorating shoes with fabric markers and diatom pattern
adding pattern to dyeable shoes with fabric markers
My arms are a bit tired from coloring all these odd angles. I also haven't decided how to color the bow. I'll finish up this weekend and share the final result.

one shoe hand colored with fabric markers

finished shoes with diatom pattern

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Hail

Inspired by last night's storm. (Sorry this post is late. I've had trouble posting from my iPad.)

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Fake fashion

I've been trying to sell some used clothing online. It always amazes me how people love to buy big logos. I decided to get creative and invent my own knock-offs.

Upcycled mail

I drew a freehand version of Florence Broadhurst's Japanese Floral patten on a fashion catalog. Then I cut through the paper for a lace effect.

neiman marcus the book catalog


japanese floral pattern inspired by florence broadhurst drawn on fashion catalog


cutting out the pattern like lace


the pattern cutout shows the colors from the next page


more pattern cutting


the finished cutout, inspired by florence broadhurst japanese floral


reverse side of pattern inspired by florence broadhurst


the page behind with traces of the pattern