It seems I am getting into a bit of a habit now with the 52 Week Illustration Challenge . (You can see January’s artwork HERE)
I have been planning ahead what I would like to do for each theme, then pick one or two of my favourite ideas (depending on how busy my schedule is) to work on.
This is what I have managed to do for February’s themes…..
Week 5 – Flowers
Flower Illustration by Nicky Johnston
This was another little one…
Done with ink nib and water-colour.
So inspired by the topic, here is yet another variation of ‘flower’.
Done with coloured pencils. (Faber Castell Polychromos)
Week 6 – Machinery
I thoroughly enjoyed this topic, and my illustration grew to be two large pages put together. My three year old has named it his favourite picture. Today he spent 30mins sitting, following each path, pipe, ladder, working out how the taps really work!
Done with ink and water-colour.
Week 7 Watercolour
Watercolour is not my natural medium to use and I am enjoying it more and more as I try different techniques and variety of illustrations.
I wanted to get the beautiful effects of paint swirling in water – not sure I mastered it all that well, but I had fun trying!
Week 8 – Cross-Hatching
My style of sketching not usually a cross-hatching style, although I do use it for effect from time to time. This is the pure beauty of pushing the boundaries in this challenge….trying, experimenting and freeing up the mind and spirit.
While snuggling with my 3yr old, I couldn’t resist capturing his cuteness with his ‘Bubby’ bunny blanky!
(2B Pencil Sketch)
I traced my pencil drawing and concentrated more on the cross-hatching using Indian Ink….but it looks a little clunky for my liking!
I had a little vision of a mouse in a house….and scribbled this down on a crumpled envelope….
Then I transferred this idea into a quick sketch using Indian Ink. I realise now just how impatient I am, I was so frustrated by how long the ink took to dry, I continued to go over and over, and rather than leaving ink, I ended up leaving scratch marks….but this effect doesn’t look too bad either!
Week 9 – Tree
I was inspired by ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ when I created this pair of paintings…water colour.
And a quick sketch of a cubby house I visualised while in recovery after having a painful back procedure….very meditative and really helped reduce my pain, believe it or not. I carry a sketchbook everywhere and I am so glad I had it with me on this day!
Yet another successful month of artwork has been completed….I have enjoyed EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Staying creative,
Nicky x
You can see all my 52 Week Illustration Challenge contributions HERE
See Tanya McCartney’s blog to see her ‘picks of the month’ from the 800 members! (I’m so glad I don’t have to choose – there are just too many wonderful pieces!)
