Usually I am more a dog person, but there is something about cats ...Starting to practice more with watercolor - while our 3  year old starts practicing the eraser, excited that he likes to draw though. ;-)

Going to a water park today after enjoying quite a  few cupcakes the last few days, made me think of this. More of my silly creatures here ...

More of my silly creatures here ...

Yes, I know, I should make progress with my book. But right now, I am lacking inspiration and I am happy, when I get some small projects done. Beside - I am waiting for my Niece to visit us and therefore we have to make room in my so called office - or should I say messy art-room? Working hard on my zazzle store, but it feels like all designs are just swallowed by 3 trillion other zazzle products. Oh well, still enjoying the opportunity to be creative.

This card is one of the reasons I didn't make much progress with the book. I colored it, while I was on the phone with my best friend "over the pond". Not surprising that I like how it turned out. I also tried to gat a better idea about my Zazzle Store. But oh boy,...Zazzle is not my best friend.

I have not made progress in a long time. Our 1 year old decided, that he just doesn't want to stay with the babysitter . And for sure not, when mommy is next door. Therefore I spend more time on creating some Greeting Cards. Those items have a shorter Turnaround-Time. Anyway here is a new scene of my picture book. Who knows, if I'll ever be willing to finish.

Getting wrapped

I am not sure, if this scene, will be a part of the book. I read that a lot of childrens book have either 24 pages or 12 double pages. This page is still just a sketch and I am hoping that my drawing skill will grow a little as i continue from page to page. Therefore I am planning to design each page quite detailed before I am working on he final pages. 

Wishing my watercolor skills would be better I would sure take that path. Watching this watercolor tutorial is so inspiring.  

I would be happy to read your thoughts.
Thanks for reading.
Gerda
www.send2smiles.com
http://www.facebook.com/Send2Smiles

3. Coloring with Markers

Here it is. The new attempt to color the design with markers. I traced the previous design on marker paper and started to color. I am not too familiar with the coloring techniques with copic markers. One is called to flick for instance. There is still a lot to learn, but I tried to get some input through some youtube videos. This one I found most fascinating. Also, if you are interested to start out with copic marker - you can sign up on

http://www.copicmarker.com/certification to get information about a copic marker class close by. I am willing to take the next class close to where I live. ;-) Just keep in mind - they are quite pricy.

My 3 year old son got to see the design and told me to add an BIG Elephant. Well, no room for a really big one, but a decent sized elephant was an option. The idea to incorporate my kids actual toys in the design came a little bit too late, but I'll try to do what I can. There is also the wood tow-truck in the bottom right of the design. It's a Fagus Truck and one of my sons favorite. ;-) He also wanted me to add his matchbox cars, ok one, ok two ...no...no more. He was disappointed. I am sorry.  

   

Thanks for reading. Gerda 

www.send2smiles.com  
http://www.facebook.com/Send2Smiles                                    

Switching to Copic Markers?

After I tried the Prismacolor Pencils - I figured I should give my Copic Markers a shot. I collected quite a few over the last 5 years and they are the best Markers I know. I also started Prismacolor Markers and I did not have a good experience with those. Anyway , to get started I needed to purchase a Bleedproof Marker Pad, specifically designed for Copic Markers. Almost embarrassing to say, but when I bought my first 5 Marker in Aachen (while I still lived in Germany), I did not know, that there is a special paper for Copic Markers. So if  you do want to start out with copic marker - don't underestimate the importance of the paper quality. It makes a huge difference. By the way - there is just a Brush in the picture, because my 3year old one wanted to help me to get organized. No need for a brush, when you do copic markers. ;-)

Thanks for reading. Gerda
www.send2smiles.com

My Children's Book Project

For quite a while I have been willing to create a children's book.  Since my little two boys are 1 and 3 years old now, I feel, that I should get it accomplished as long as they might be interested in such a book. I have no professional education to be an illustrator, and this is quite a journey for me. So far I have just been illustrating Greeting Cards and our German Cookbook "Goodbye Tüte" through a Print on Demand Service.  But that is probably the reason, why I am expecting to learn a lot through the process and I would like to share that with everyone who might be interested in it. I have the idea that a lot of people have the dream of certain projects but hesitate to get started . So I do hope, that it might inspire someone else to just get started. Even if  you have not figured it all out. ;-)

Well, I don't - just jumping into the cold tub. 

1. The story that I do have in mind is about an adventurous little toy plane. Obviously I won't tell the whole story, but for some reason it might be more a story for little boys. ;-).

So in the first picture here you see my first drawing. (I love watercolor picture books, but since I have the kids around I figured using a dry medium will be a saver choice.) I did the sketch on a 11x14 mixed Media pad and started the first coloring attempt with Prismacolor Colored pencils. I liked it but wasn't 100% sure, if I should continue with this medium. 

Thanks for reading! Gerda

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner and I am happy to participate in GCUs Design Contest for it. And now its' really exciting that I found a Lady-Frog for my own lonely St. Patricks Frog - the one and only St. Patrick's Card, that I created probably 3 years ago in watercolor. I really enjoy Sandra Caldwells style and her "doodle" work. Hope to see more from her, soon! Check out her store: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/babycakesdoodlecards

Yes, usually I am lost in all those whimsical drawings, but once in a while I get sidetracked. This is what happened when I created my new Wedding Party Greeting Cards, that I created from old newspapers. http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/bridesmaid-newspaper-dress-892595?pid=892595&gcu=44424595883