Sketchbook Delight 1

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That title reminds me of that dessert I used to love as a child called Angel Delight!  But this is no pudin', this is the title of a fantastic online course that I joined yesterday.  It's run by artist and teacher Alisa Burke and is stuffed full of videos and ideas and fun.  I've just looked at the first lesson all in one go and started putting together my first pages already, which is saying something for someone who is daunted by a blank page, let alone a blank book!  I was somewhat cautious as, although I admire and read Alisa's blog regularly, I wasn't sure if it was going to be right for me... but when I sussed that $50 is only around 30 quid, I thought that really there wasn't anything to lose!!  And it's been money well spent from the first day.  I tried another online drawing/doodling course recently and I found it just wasn't my style... I couldn't get inspired to keep going.  Perhaps it's because I see Alisa's beautiful bold and bright work and think that I'd like to draw and design like her, that will make this time more successful. Watch this space.

So here is my starting point... beginning to try out different mark making tools (paints, pastels, pens and pencils...hey all the P's!) to see what effect happens when blended... if they do... and to create a reference book for future use.  So these little snaps represent sketching pencils, chalky pastels and Tombow brush pens.  I'm so looking forward to trying out watercolour pencils and paints tonight ... I had no idea I'd find this simple, yet vital excercise, so much fun, but it really is!!  I think because this is going to serve as a reference for future sketching I should also add a record of all the colours I have in a particular media so I can instantly see which tool produces which colour..

Chalky Pastels - hard to control, but loving the effect.
The black looks more like charcoal.

WH Smith Sketching Pencils B to 6B blended with a finger!
I love the serenity of monochrome
Note to self: get some cotton buds for blending.. fingers get filthy black!!

Tombow ABT brush pens from the Brights set blended with water.
I love the watercolouriness of the yellow/cyan blend on the right!