Showing posts with label Pen and Ink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pen and Ink. Show all posts

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Coloring pages for adults! It's a thing!

Adult Coloring Pages
Or should I say
...Coloring for Adults. 

The first one sounds pornographic, but that is not what this is about!

Apparently adults are into coloring pages these days!  It is a big thing now! I've been seeing more and more of these online lately. I read an article in a newspaper insert today (July 12th, 2015).  A quick google search finds 1,910,000 results!

This is something that I have always enjoyed. But I actually draw mine out, then color it in. They say that it is relaxing. It is! That is what I have been saying all along. When I taught high school art, one of my first assignments for each year in beginning art, was to create a line design, then add color to it. Like the example shown here. This was a study about lines and creating designs with them. Then the students could add color to their designs. Same thing as what the adult coloring books are like. Except adults are buying coloring books with detailed designs. They are adult coloring books because of the detail and difficulty. But I would say that teenagers would enjoy them also.


Coloring Teaches Patience

I am really happy to see this trend. So many people these days have very little patience. My theory is that because of computers, the internet, and cell phones, many people want things to be instant gratification. Drawing, coloring, painting...many art techniques are not instant. It takes time and patience. So, I think this is a good thing! I would like to encourage people to draw out some of their own designs and color them. It also teaches creativity! Bonus!


Coloring Page Downloads

But if you are one of those poor souls that feels like "you cannot draw a straight line with a ruler", or that "you do not have a creative bone in your body", then you are in luck! There are millions of coloring pages that you can purchase and download onto your computer and print! Just do a google search and find the style and subject that you like.

I have some designs that I am preparing to upload into my etsy shop here: Hearthomes  (shameless plug).  So check back later, or follow me on etsy, for new designs in the near future!


Free Digital Download  ↓  For personal use only

For those of you that are creative, or want to try to be creative, download this ART design and start creating. All you have to do is right click on this image and Save to your computer and print. I would recommend printing on cardstock, but any white paper will do. If you mess up, or you want to try a different design, then just print it again. Enjoy!

Add your own line designs to the background and color with your favorite medium. My favorites are colored pencils and markers. I would love to see what you do with the design!


Remember, if you use this, I would love to see what you do with it! Shoot me a message here, or on Facebook or Instagram. (Links to my pages in the right column.) 


Have a great week!
Beth




Sunday, June 28, 2015

Love One Another


Sunday Sketches with a theme.
I love to draw and sketch with pen and watercolor. But I spend a lot of time working with clay, which I also love. I sketch out ideas for projects and ideas in my sketchbooks. Lately I have been making the effort to work on some sketches and finish them with watercolors. I have been inspired by another artist/blogger, Alexandra H. MacVean, to start posting 'Sunday Sketches'. She has a link up post every Sunday with a cute graphic to link up with. I will be posting my watercolor sketches here on Sundays.

So here are a couple of my recent watercolor sketches...

My theme today is...

Love One Another


I'm choosing these two watercolor sketches because I would like to see more tolerance and love in the world.
I was taught to Love thy neighbor.  This past week, there has been a lot of hate and negativity in the world. My hope is that people will learn from these events to Love one another.

Love thy neighbor

No two people are exactly the same. We are all very different.  We can't pick and choose what differences should be acceptable or not. I wouldn't want people to choose not to accept me because I'm left handed, or because I'm an introvert, or an artist. I would hope that I am accepted by everyone for what I am. I can't change who I am. God loves me just the way he made me.

Your neighbor does not have to be your best friend, or someone that you spend time with, But you should love them for who they are. God made them too. We all matter in this world.

Love one another

This world would be a better place if everyone would just love each other.
Love is caring about each other.
Helping each other.
Not tearing other people down.
Accepting that people have differences.
Respecting our differences.
Respecting others opinions.


We need more 
tolerance
in this world. 

We need...
Peace

Help spread some tolerance and love around this week. What can you do to help your neighbor? A friend? A family member? A stranger?

Have a great week!

Beth










Friday, June 20, 2014

Sneak Peak on the Drawing Board...Don't Look Ethel!



No, this is not for Ethel, but for some reason just thinking about the phrase "Don't Look" reminded me of the song by Ray Stevens, "The Streak" . A video that I watched at my parents house, many many times.  My son, who was very young at the time, really liked to watch it...over and over and over.  Actually we ALL enjoyed watching it! We went to see Ray Stevens perform in Branson a few times too. If you haven't seen this video, you should click on the link above (The Streak) and watch it. This has nothing to do with my drawing though. Excuse my wandering mind!

I've been back to the drawing board this week and part of last week. I have had some commissions to work on since before the move, so I've been trying to catch up. I've also been trying to balance my time between drawing and working with clay.  When I draw, I tend to focus just on that until the drawing is finished.  This one is getting close. It should be done today...so I will go back to the workbench and work with clay for a few days.
Variety is the spice of life...right?


Beth

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Looking back at 2013 and forward to 2014


Beginning 2013
This year has been a challenging year, but it has also been full of blessings in many different ways. Our family had some personal challenges that were hard to work through, but with support from family and friends, it has helped me to get through them.  I found a new good friend who has helped me out in so many ways, that I want to thank her for her support and friendship.  It was a blessing to find a new friend, at this stage of my life, that I can trust and enjoy spending time with.  At the same time, you should keep your friends close, because you never know when they may be gone...or come close to it.  So, keep in touch with your friends...old and new.  Thank you to my friend, you know who you are.  (Kat)  And to my oldest friends from Pine Bluff, you are a blessing to me as well! Love you all!

Ending 2013
It has been a blessing to stay very busy with my art in 2013. Thank you to everyone who has supported me by being a customer or just encouraging me in whatever I do.  I really enjoy doing this full time. I am doing what I love to do.  In 2014, I plan to make some changes. I want to SIMPLIFY my life. I have been moving towards this for awhile. I am de-cluttering my space and now I need to refocus my art.  I have been all over the place with subject and media, but I have decided to start out the new year with a 30 day challenge.  It is a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge for January.  I hope that this challenge will help me to focus more on what I want to do.  So be watching for painting challenge photos.

Some of the commissions that I worked on this year include, the Snow House at the beginning of 2013. And one of my Christmas commissions was a cute little Yorkie named Khloe. She is a little cutie patootie! Looks like she may be a little spoiled, just like my little pup! This drawing was done with pen and ink.   I've done many others with color, including watercolor, colored pencil, and acrylics throughout the year and hopefully, more in 2014...so I'm looking forward to 2014 to see what it brings.  

Happy New Year!
Beth




Friday, March 1, 2013

I Love Old and Elaborate Doorways

Private Commission
5 x 7" Ink Illustration
with printed note cards
Beth S. Macre ©2013
Another one of my latest commissions was to draw this pretty doorway.  The customer also wanted note cards of their image.  The customer also wanted me to change a few details.  Add ivy to the empty vines, remove the rail alongside the steps. Here are the results of the drawing of the door and the note cards that she also ordered.
Love the Doorway!


Beth  


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Adding Watercolor to Pen and Ink...fun!

Hearts and Flowers
Mixed Media
Watercolor + Ink

After spending time looking at a lot of inspiration on Pinterest, I got the urge to work with watercolor and pen and ink. I recently ordered some new Grumbacher pan watercolor paints. So I played around with a pen sketch using my Sakura Ink Drawing Pens and added some watercolor. (I love to do creative doodles!) I just purchased some Strathmore mixed media paper, so I wanted to try it out. I was given some samples last year and I really liked it. What I really liked is how it took both the pen and ink and the watercolor.  So I will be ordering more of that paper. I like that it comes in a wide range of sizes from small tablets up to large tablets. I also want to purchase more pan watercolors. The Strathmore paper held up much better than the second image shown here.
.
Mixed Media Paper

The second image was done with the same pen and ink and watercolor but on a different paper.  It was done on bristol paper, which is good for pen and ink, but it did not hold up as well to the watercolor. The paper ended up wrinkling up while it was wet, which cause the paint to run in places. But I already had the pen and ink sketch on the paper and thought I would give it a try. But this just reminded me that the paper choice is very important when using a water media.  
HeartHomes by the Sea
I really had fun playing with it and will definitely buy some good watercolors and more mixed media paper.


Beth♥ 




Sunday, October 23, 2011

Working Small with Pen and Ink

Rockin' on the Porch
Ink and Colored Pencil
Beth S. Macre © 2011

I organize an ATC exchange on the Colored Pencil Forum called ScribbleTalk. I have a wonderful collection of original art from a variety of artists from all over the country and some international artists.  ATCs are very small works of art. They are 3 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches.  Today I posted the most recent exchange on ScribbleTalk. I managed to finish this one for the exchange this time.  It will be going to its new home in North Carolina.  I will receive one from an artist who lives in Oregon. 

My inspiration was from a photo that I took while on a trip this summer with my old friends from high school. I posted a photo of the front porch here.    I'm sure at some point, this porch or house will be in another work of art from me. Right now its still in my mind, but it will be done someday. 

Have a nice week!


Beth♥ 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Blog or Website?

HeartHomes
...or both?  If I want to market my art, what is the most effective use of my time and money? I have been blogging for several years now.  Before I discovered the blogging world, I was journaling about my art on my computer, which no one saw except me. Then I found blogs and it took me awhile to get the courage to actually start my own.  I really didn't think I had anything to say, much less anyone would want to read about it. Well, along the way I did pick up some readers and met some very nice artists.  I have no idea how much this blog is actually read, but for me its still more about journaling about what I'm doing with my art.  I'm not sure that it has any effect on marketing my art, but I guess it gets my work seen by some people, at least.  Being from a small town, there are no art galleries or local places that sell original art. (That's the subject for another blog post.)  I do have online shops where I sell my artwork and I have links on the sidebar of this blog, set up to both of my Etsy shops, Hearthomes, where I sell my little clay houses, and BMacre, which I sell my pen and ink drawings and other drawings and paintings.  I also set up a page on Facebook to display my artwork, which has brought in some business from local people, which is great!  It has always been hard for me to talk about myself and show what I do either because (1) I feel like no one is interested, or (2) it feels a little like showing off.   But I can't sell my work if I don't show it to people, right?   ...This is why I did not go into sales, but I'm learning.
Custom Pen and Ink
House Portrait

So my dilemma is, should I have a website? Do people actually go look at websites that stay the same for long periods of time? How often do websites get changed?  So far, having the blog and facebook page has worked for me.  I can very easily add pictures of what I am working on currently. But would a website make a difference? I have a free website with WIX, but it is very limited on what I can add to it. And it needs updating if I keep it. But I think that if I have a website, I will be using my domain name. Problem is, I just don't know how to set up a website, or the time to learn anything very difficult.


If you have any thoughts on this subject, I would like to hear your comments.
Beth 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day Rest...

Custom Pen and Ink House Portrait
Beth S. Macre © 2011

I guess I could have taken my husband up on the offer to go to J'town and go out to eat, but honestly, I just wanted to spend my Mother's day doing nothing. Well, nothing except relax at home.  So that is what I'm doing.  I felt like I just needed some time to relax! I've spent the last several weeks rushing around trying to get things done for work and I actually feel like I can rest today without feeling guilty about not working on something on my 'To Do list'.

Last year on Mother's Day, we were at the Dunwoody Art Festival, in Georgia.  We had a wonderful time and I would love to be there this weekend too, but it just didn't work out for this year.  It's probably a good thing that it didn't work out, because I have been working, it feels like, non-stop, on commissions, as well as school projects.

One of my latest pen and ink portraits is posted here.  It is a house that is going to be moved or torn down to make room for a new house, so the customer wanted it to be preserved in a drawing.  I completed another pen and ink portrait, just yesterday, that I will post later.  It was a commissioned piece for Mother's Day, so I will wait a bit.
Hope you are having a wonderful Mother's Day, doing what you want to the most!
Have a great weekend!
Beth


Sunday, March 6, 2011

Altered Book Experiments and More

I just finished another pen and ink commission and have 3 more waiting to be started.  Commissions are good.  Lack of time to play and experiment makes me sad. Spring Break is in two weeks! I'm hoping that that break will give me a boost of motivation!  This dreary, rainy weather has me in a funk this weekend.  So I thought I would post a picture of my pink dog sculpture to add something whimsical.  As a project in one of my classes, we made sculptures out of plaster strips.  As a demo for the project, I created this dog.  I didn't take pictures as I created her.  She looked pretty rough at first and I didn't think she would make it to the final stage, but I think the pink color and the face added just what she needed.  Some of my students named her Rex, but we later decided on Roxy after she was painted pink! Later I will post a picture of some of their projects, if they want them posted online.

Another project that we are working on is Altered Books.  I was able to get ahold of some old books that were being discarded from the library.  I collected several stacks with the idea of doing a class project with altered art books.  I'm showing a few shots of the altered book that I have been working on.  My advanced art class is working on this altered book project as an ongoing project for the rest of the semester, as they have time. I am trying to work on one with them, when I have a little time.  They see me working on projects that they do and that helps to inspire them with what they can do with their books. They also inspire me, so it works both ways.  This is a new medium to me and it reminds me alot of mixed media collage, but in a book format.  I have seen some examples that artists used a journals along with their artwork.  So it looked pretty interesting to me and I hope to finish it, but it may take awhile, with all of the other projects that I need to be working on.  I'll post more photos as I go.

The first photo shows the book cover that I have already painted.  I plan to add some more things to the cover later.  The second photo is the inside of the back of the book that I painted.  The old library checkout card and pocket are painted also.  I didn't want to remove them. I wanted them to be part of the art.



Thanks for looking!

Beth♥
 

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Resting and Reflecting on 2010


Pen and Ink Commission
Beth S Macre© 2010
Well its been awhile since I posted in my blog. Its been a very hectic 2010, but especially leading up to Christmas.  I was commissioned to do several pen and ink home portraits for Christmas.  Although I love doing them, the added pressure of getting them all done in time for Christmas on top of working full time, was stressful to say the least!  I hope to do more in the future, just not all right before Christmas! 
2010 has been a busy one and I will be happy to say goodbye to 2010 and hope for a less stress filled 2011.  I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and hoping the economy will keep getting better and better!

I hope everyone has a great New Year and stay safe and close to your loved ones. 
Beth 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thanksgiving Week

I cannot believe that it is already Thanksgiving week!  Only two days to work the day job this week, but I have plenty to work on. I now have 5 pen and ink commissions to get done by Christmas, plus a some custom clay houses that I need to finish before Christmas.! So yes, I am getting a little overwhelmed with all that I have to finish! The pressure is on.  I can't share the pen and ink that I am working on now, because it is for a Christmas gift for a local family.  Don't want to give anything away.  I guess the only piece that I can share right now is a Pen and Ink of a local church that I drew as a commission and has already been delivered.

So, I am very thankful to have all of these projects in the works.  Hope you have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Beth

Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Holiday Rush has begun!


Pen and Ink
Commission 2010
This is my latest commission. All of those windows was really a challenge, but I finally got them done! I've even finished another pen and ink commission since I finished this one. Now on to the next 4 commissions! Love the commissions, just wish I were doing this full time, not moonlighting! One of these days. 
Have a nice weekend!
Beth

Monday, July 19, 2010

Latest Pen and Ink Drawing and Facebook


I'm feeling like a broken record this month! I have had more pen and ink commissions come in this month than I have in a few years!  This is my latest.  I guess that word of mouth is partly the reason for the sudden interest in the pen and ink drawings.  But I love it and these little house commissions are only 8 x 10 inches, so they do not take too long to complete.
The great thing about these pen and ink drawings is that I only need a few materials. Black drawing pens and a good drawing paper. My favorite pens include both Zig Millineum and Sakura Pigma Micron in several different sizes. My favorite paper for these drawings is Strathmore Smooth Bristol Board. I love it because it is smooth and the pens do not get caught on the texture of the paper.

I also post photos of my latest work on Facebook , on my 'Fan Page' (separate than my personal page).  And I have found that it really makes my artwork visible and makes people aware of what I do.  So, I have found it beneficial to participate in the 'social networking'.  Although, at first, I found it very difficult to post pictures of my work, so publicly! Its still difficult, but its getting easier.  Some people that I know from everyday life, have told me that they did not know that I was an artist!  So that is a positive thing and I get good feedback on my work from people that I have, or someone that I know has, some connection  with.


In other news, I am also still working with clay. I have been accepted to show and sell my work at the Norcross Art Festival in Norcross, GA in October, so I will be busy behind the scenes working on many, many more clay tiles, houses, ornaments, and more! The photo to the left shows some beads that are in the process of being glazed.  The beads are added to the hanging houses and ornaments.   I will post more photos as I go.  I'm beginning to get a little panicky, though....I realized the other day that I only have 3 1/2 weeks until I go back to work to my full-time teaching job! So I have to get as much done now as I possibly can.  I always feel this panic about this time, though.  Lots to do and not enough time to do it in, but I am so thankful to be able to do what I love. 
Stayed tuned for updates! ~ Beth

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

New Blog and New Pen and Ink

Image from My New Blog:
View from the Highway

I love to take random photos when I go on trips.  I take pictures from stores, signs, scenes from the road (View from the Highway).  But those photos just go into my ever expanding digital files on my computer.  So I decided that I should share some of my favorites from my travels.   So I started this new blog called 'View from the Highway".  Those photos do not quite fit into this blog, so from now on, whenever I go on a trip I will be posting those photos into my new blog.  If you are interesting in following along with View from the Highway, feel free to 'follow' me over there! Hope to see you over there! 

Below is my newest Pen and Ink commission. 
Pen and Ink on Smooth Bristol Paper
8 x 10

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Pen and Ink House Drawing

Private Commission ~ Pen and Ink
8 X 10 Pen and Ink in Frame
I've drawn a few homes and businesses over the years. Many of them have been done with black pen. This one is my most recent home drawing commission. I have 2 more orders that I will be working on over the next week.  I love drawing houses and architectural structures, as you can probably tell by looking at my artwork.  Many buildings, parts of buildings, plus the many little houses that I have created out of clay.  Yeah, I probably should have been an architect.  But I didn't go that route.  Sometimes I wish that I had, but this is pretty interesting to draw and paint and sculpt them.  So a realtor, who happens to be my neighbor, commissioned me to do this drawing for her client, and she has ordered 2 more drawings. So you will be seeing more pen and ink artwork soon.

As for the supplies that I use, I prefer a smooth acid free paper (this one is Strathmore Smooth Bristol 100 lb.)  and I use a variety of black pens, but for commissioned artwork, I use either Zig Millennium or Pigma Micron, in different sized tips. Both of these types of pens are acid free, lightfast, and waterproof. So these drawings should last and last!

So enjoy and I hope to show you more next week!
~Beth




Sunday, March 8, 2009

Spring Doodle



This time last week we had 14 inches of snow, yesterday we had temperatures in the 70s! Arkansas weather! Gotta love it! Its been a busy week at school and after school so I haven't started the portraits that are on my drawing table. I did do a little doodle at work this week. I like to have something to draw or paint on when I get a few minutes here and there when my students are working diligently. I have spring flowers on my mind, so here is the doodle that I started. I used a black micron pen to draw the flower designs. I started adding some color with colored pencils last night. I will be adding more color as time permits, so I will post an update as I go. But I plan to start a portrait first. I have so many projects to do, and so little time! I can't wait until spring break in 2 weeks!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Stiff Neck!

I've been nursing a stiff neck and shoulder this week, so I haven't drawn anything new this week. But I did finally list the Papillon ACEO on Ebay today. I hope to do some more ACEOs over the next couple of months. I will not have alot of time to start anything larger until after my trip to France in June! I will be traveling with the French teacher and 12 teenagers to Paris and I'm beginning to get excited! I hope to take lots of pictures for future paintings. So for now, I hope to sell a few ACEOs to raise a little spending money for the trip. I will be working on some handmade ceramic tiles over the next few weeks also. My students are working with clay now (which may be why my neck and shoulder are bothering me), but I plan to work with the clay also, as time allows. I started one this week, but it will take a couple of weeks before it is finished. Here is a photo of one one of the clay tiles that I did last year. It also has the Papillon...in the pretend dog house.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

New sketch!

“Radar”
2 1/2” x 3 1/2”
Beth S. Macre © 2008
Well I was able to get in one sketch this afternoon. It started out just as a quick pencil sketch that I planned to put colored pencil to, but then I decided to add black pen outline...and 30 minutes later I had this much ink. So I'm calling it finished. I may do another using colored pencil. This little fella is more than happy to pose for a picture any time. He is one happy little Papillon!

Friday, February 8, 2008

More sketches...




'Pink Painting' journal sketch
2004
Beth S. Macre




'First Baptist Church' pen & ink commission journal sketch
June 2004
Beth S. Macre


'Cooks Barn' colored pencil commission journal sketch
'Farmer's Bank' pencil and ink commission (on table)
Fall 2005
Beth S. Macre

Ceramic Rainbow Themed Houses

What I’m working on… This month I took pre-orders for my tiny  Rainbow themed houses. I made several samples to try out different details so...