Every Day In May – Days 1-3

Hurray!  I’m on track for Every Day in May.  Here’s a round-up of drawings I did over the weekend.

Friday, May 1:

2.5" x 3.5" scratchboard
2.5" x 3.5" scratchboard

A friend of mine gave me some scratchboard paper cut to ATC size.  It had been sitting on my drawing desk for a few weeks and I finally just dove into it.  I’d never used the paper before,  so I had no specific tools  to work work with.  I just knew that I had to find something to scratch the ink off the paper.   I didn’t feel like going to the art supply store to find something suitable.  I knew I would end up with some expensive tool that I would only use once and then consign to my art supply graveyard.  So I found an old needle and a box cutter and set out to draw a cat.

Now this is most likely NOT how you do this, but this is how I went about it.

First I destroyed a piece of scratchboard by experimenting with my tools.  I realized that the tip of the blade on my knife  made a very fine line  and that I could go about making the same strokes that I made when using a pen.

After that I grabbed another card and drew a rough sketch in pencil on the surface of the scratchboard.  I then just worked my way around the sketch, just as if I were using a fine point pen.  It’s a bit messy, but I not bad for a first effort.  Just a bit of fun and it was nice to try something new.

If you are interested in how you are supposed to work in scratchboard, check out this tutorial. I found it a great overview explaining the materials and tools you need.

Saturday, May 2

 2.5" x 3.5"  white colored pencil on black paper
2.5" x 3.5" white colored pencil on black paper

I’m making cards for a swap with a Black and White theme,  so I made this card.  I skipped the scratchboard and just did a drawing with white colored pencil on black paper.

Sunday, May 3

2.5" x 3.5" graphite pencil
2.5" x 3.5" graphite pencil

Here are some sketches I did Sunday for a card I’m making for a personal trade.   My partner collects cards featuring her pug and she sent me some pictures to work from.   I’m having fun with my sketches.  Now I must work on the final card.  I’ll be posting it here when it’s done.

Well, so far so good.  Now what to do for Monday’s drawing?

Published by Mellanie C

sketch artist, daydreamer Figurative artist specializing in small format art and portraits.

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