The Shining

Bugsy the Shiny Bug (pencil, watercolor, waterbrush)

I found this great picture of a beetle at M.E. Smirnov - photos of exotic scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) http://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/eng/m_smirn6.htm. I chose this particular beetle because of the shiny armor it had. The colors changed a bit when I printed the picture, but I only noticed it when I was done. The aim of this project was to find out if I could use watercolors to imitate the shining and the texture of the shield. Well, it took me few hours, but I was quite happy with the result. Maybe I was even too happy, because I didn't make any background for this cutie. I just decided that it was ready.

First I made a drawing with a pencil and then started adding color layer by layer. I think I made about ten layers for some parts of the shield. So this is perhaps not the best project for an impatient person, but it was a really educational one. Also, my students are always wondering my interest towards insects and they are bored with the bug-related assignments I give them. I think I kind of owed this one for them.

What a Day to Visit a Woodshed!

In a Woodshed (black fine liner, watercolor, waterbrush)

I was visiting my parents few days ago and decided to go outside to paint something, because the weather was quite nice, only a light rain and three degrees Celcius.. Somehow I ended up in a woodshed making a sketch of logs. It was interesting, but as it seemed, possible to draw and paint with your gloves on. I also tried out my new Derwent water brushes that I found the day before. The brushes have their own water container which was very convenient as I was outside without any water source.
I had to work quickly and take a break to warm up, but it was still nice and the end result is ok. The water brushes worked perfectly and I can recommend them to everyone who likes to use watercolors.

My Heart Beats for You

Valentine's Day(pencil, black fine liner, acrylic paint, felt tip pen)

So I didn't send any Valentine's Day cards either.. But I drew this picture of a heart instead. I used an old background made with a sponge and acrylic paints because I thought that the colors were just perfect for this occasion. And what could be a better topic than a heart? I drew it from a picture (http://thegraphicsfairy.com/royalty-free-images-anatomical-heart-vintage/) with a pencil and then continued working with fine liner and a felt tip pen until I was ready.

With this picture I want to wish everybody a wonderful Valentine's Day!
With heartfelt regards, Anni <3

The Frog Prince

Waiting for a Kiss(collage, watercolor, pencil, feathers)

Here's my newest sketchbook page. I did the background few days ago when we were trying out collage technique with my students. Today I had a day off so there was a lot of time to finish this page. When I was looking up some ideas I saw this photo of a frog and wanted to practice coloring its different textures. It took me few hours to make this page but I think it was time well spent although the frog and the background don't quite fit together. Maybe a bird of some kind would have been a better match. Well, I'm still happy with this page.

I almost forgot to tell the name of the photographer. The original photo of the cute frog was taken by Sebastian Lassie.

Co-operative Art

Onni and the Sea (pencil)

I wasn't the only one who had some difficulties staying alert at the teachers' lecture. My colleaque Raimo looked like he needed something to cheer him up so I gave him my sketchbook and encouraged him to draw anything he wanted. I also told him that I would then continue working with whatever he drew. After a while he handed me this lovely sketch of a landscape.

I happened to find a photo of my friends' dog Onni from my phone. Onni looks a bit depressed in the photo, so I decided it could be missing someone at the beach. I think that the end result is something I wouldn't have done by myself. The background made me think differently. I think I should do more sketches together with someone.

Greetings from Tallinn!

Teachers' year started with a day that was full of speeches and lectures and because I had some difficulties to concentrate for eight hours straight I had to come up with something to do while listening. Luckily I knew how the day was going to be and was well prepared. I took my sketchbook with me and the day just flew by. Eight hours felt like three because I was drawing almost the whole time. Drawing usually helps me to concentrate on the lectures as well and I think it did so again. 

I had these two watercolored backgrounds that I had made earlier and now I finally came up with something to use them for. I went through the pictures of my cellphone and found some pictures of Tallinn. I took these pictures in December when I was visiting Tallinn Polytechnic School, Tallinna Polütehnikum. I really liked Tallinn and all of it's beautiful streets and buildings. I took a lot of photos I could make sketches of later.

I chose these two pictures because they show two different sides of Tallinn. The other one is from the old town and the other looks more modern. Both scenes have something in them that I found appealing.

For both of these works I used pencil and watercolors. Finally I added some light with white ink. I had to water the page so the ink didn't look too sharp from the edges. I added the watercolor and ink at home because it would have been too difficult at the lecture without a table. That's why I had time to draw other stuff as well. I will post those later.

Two Scenes from Tallinn (watercolor, pencil, white ink)

My First Ball Gown

Today I started practicing for my future lessons starting in January. The aim is to design and make beautiful sketches of dresses using different techniques. I noticed that I've never actually drawn any dresses or made any clothing design sketches since drawing princesses as a young girl. I decided to use some inspirational sketches to get started so I found myself in Pinterest going trough different kinds of fashion sketches. At first I felt a bit rusty, but when I kept drawing it got easier as usual.

My favorite is the one I did last. I took the pose from a sketch by Michel Canetti and designed my own ball gown. Then I added some glitter, because after all, its New Year's Eve!

Ball Gown (pencil, watercolor, glitter glue, diamond stickers)

I love the fashion poses, because they are so interesting to draw. Also, the human proportions are usually way of, and you get to exaggerate. What could be more fun? I wanted to use different designers' sketches so I could try out different styles. I used sketches from designers and artists like Pamella Rowland, Katie Rodger, Marchesa and Holly Sharpe.When I relaxed and let myself draw without thinking too much, I also started to like what I was doing more.

Now, because my blog is all about showing you that it's OK to draw, even though all your works are not masterpieces, I will also show you the first five sketches. There you go!

The First Five (pencil, watercolor, glitter glue)