Doodling on Black Paper

New, to Me, Paper for Doodle Sketching

I had some black paper that I used to use for my colored pencil drawings, so I decided to try them out with a white pen (Uniball Signo Gel Pens).  I created a few drawings and loved the look, but wasn't thrilled with the way the pen was going onto the paper. It did not always flow evenly.

I saw these little packs of black paper at my local craft store, so I decided to try it out. The first drawing I did on this new (to me) paper turned out so much better than the other paper!

So I got online and found the same paper, Strathmore Artagain in a larger tablet size and ordered it right away! I ordered mine through Amazon, but it is also available through Blick Art Materials.

I've been playing around with the square tile paper to see what it can take and what I can do with them.

Here are a few of my doodles on the black tiles. 

I took one of them (so far), and added color with colored pencils. I always use Prismacolor pencils. I plan to add color to all 3 of these doodles.

I had hoped to use some paint pens, but the first kind I used did not work like I had hoped. So I will need to experiment with some other types of pens to see if I can get the look I wanted. For now, I will stick with the colored pencils.  I have tons of colored pencils! I hope to find some pens that leave a bright color on the black paper, similar to the white pen that I am using.


If anyone knows of some colored pens that work well on black paper, I would love to know! And if I find some, I will definitely update this post!

Hope you are having a nice 3 day weekend!

Have a great week!

Beth♥

Creative Inspiration

When inspiration strikes...

I hope that I am working! 

When I feel like I am in a rut,

I get out a different medium.

It makes me think again.

Think outside the box.

Try a new technique.

Retry an old technique.

Just create something different.

Maybe a transition? 

Only time will tell! 

Have a great week! 

Beth ♥

From the frozen South...

Yes, it's February. Yes, it's winter. Yes, we do have cold weather...but...

usually not for such long stretches at a time!  It is just sooo COLD!
 I love snow, but we haven't gotten more than an inch (at most) of snow.  We did, however, get quite a bit of freezing rain, sleet, maybe a few snowflakes a week ago and it is still frozen.  Today is the first day that it has gotten above freezing since last Saturday, when it was in the 60s for one day! It was a tease though. Today it has gotten up to 33.  So some of the ice is melting. But another round of freezing stuff, hopefully snow, is predicted for tomorrow.  So it will be another few days before we see a heat wave in the 40s!

I've been spending more time trying to stay warm this week.  But I have managed to get a few things accomplished with my art.  I have some custom bowls in the kiln. I have two tiles waiting to be glazed.  I am working on a custom letter doodle design similar to these two shown.  The custom one has things that are personalized for a gift. I
will show a photo of it, when it's complete.

I also have some pen and ink orders to work on, so I have a busy schedule for the rest of February.  Let's just hope that we get some thawing out weather soon.  This Southern girl needs some sunshine!

Beth♥

Home is Where My Heart Is Doodle

I love to doodle with Zig Millineum pens and my Prismacolor colored pencils. It is very relaxing.  I can pick it up to work on it any time outside of the studio.  (I have trouble sitting down with nothing to do with my hands, so I always like to have something nearby to work on.)  This is one that I just finished.  It represents my HeartHomes in the Four Seasons.  I had to include a little Owl and a little Red bird.  I've included two close ups, so you can see the details.   I have the flowers of spring, the yellow and orange leaves of fall, the snowflakes of winter, and the greens of summer. Just an example of how I relax and have fun. Hope you enjoy!

Beth  ♥

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♥