Past the finish line...

Yup, February is the month to do a challenge. Four perfect weeks to write four blogs (unless it's a leap year). It was a challenge mostly for myself but perhaps next year I'll have a few folk to doodle along with me.

It all started because I needed to use up my collection of Sharpies which I hadn't touched for a year or so. And yes, I did buy more permanent markers - couldn't resist them, the colours were just too nice. A fold-out pack of 36 permanent markers by BIC with dependable pointed tips (fine) across the set and the fumes aren't quite so strong.

Each marker has a grip and they are individually named with such quirky titles as: Tiki Hut Tan, Rambunctious Red and Fandango Pink. The range of colours were better than I could find in the Sharpies so I think BIC might be my new fav cheapy permanent markers.

Next seven pieces:

day 22

day 23

day 24

day 25

day 26

day 27

day 26

I'm very satisfied with what's come out of this challenge. I feel I've developed a few different styles of using markers and am curious to see how that translates into paint. This past year I've been wanting to use paint more - I trained as a painter and identify as such, although markers (permanent, acrylic or Indian ink) are a quick method of getting an idea onto paper.

So that's February over, #februdoodle @bloowabbit was good fun and I greatly appreciate all the 'likes' and comments left on my fb, Instagram and twitter pages. It's always interesting to read what friends think of my doodling. 

Off to buy a new sketchbook...

Sharpie fumes overload blog

A change develops in my doodling style blog

One week into februdoodle blog

Februdoodle blog
Hashtag and Instagram blog
February the 1st blog

Copyright © 2016 by Roisin O'Hagan/bloowabbit

All rights reserved. The artworks/illustrations or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the artist except for specific permission granted with a free downloadable.

Sharpie fumes overload...

Trying to keep my mind open and clear from preset ideas in order to doodle as unconsciously as possible. Over the past weeks I've developed different styles of doodling and am finding that I'm attracted to certain colours of markers so there is some level of selection. Am finding repetition is inevitable when completing a daily challenge without prompts.

I reckon that a challenge with Sharpies would be better completed in the Summertime. The fumes from the markers can be strong, sometimes quite powerful and an open window beside my table would help. But the weather is too cold. I'm now committed to the challenge using the Sharpies so I tend to draw at different times throughout each day to give myself breathing space.

Some of the pens are drying out (I've had them a while) and I'm tempted to buy another pack just to finish #februdoodle @bloowabbit. Packs in supermarkets seem to have the same range of colours as I've got already but if I came across some different packs I might add them to my stash. And perhaps having some different colours to choose from might help with the repetition.

Next seven februdoodles:

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

What is evolving from the februdoodling is a plan to complete more work in a sketchbook - practising facial shapes, features and emotions. New sketchbook and drawing in it every day during March, although not done as a daily challenge. 

A change develops in my doodling style blog

One week into februdoodle blog

Februdoodle blog
Hashtag and Instagram blog
February the 1st blog

Copyright © 2016 by Roisin O'Hagan/bloowabbit

All rights reserved. The artworks/illustrations or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the artist except for specific permission granted with a free downloadable.

A change develops in my doodling style...

By the ninth day into #februdoodle@bloowabbit I tried selecting a few colours alongside grey and black. And these doodles look very different. By the end of this week it was clear I was slipping into a predetermined idea. This doesn't fit my original challenge parameters. So do I loosen up my style again or go with the flow? Day 12 remains my favourite doodle/image to date - sometimes when following a challenge something clicks.

I don't normally use Sharpies in my art. Sometimes the ink colour can vary even though cap colours seem the same. Plus, nibs vary too, some are pointed while others are stubbed. It seems to be hit or miss when buying multi packs. But I wanted to use up my stock.

I did use the Sharpies as I would a pen, allowing the image to grow from series of lines but I also used the flat side of the nib in a more painterly way. And came to the conclusion that there's fine line doodling and perhaps paint block doodling (for want of a term), both styles giving a very different effect.

Here's the next seven februdoodles...

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Wondering what the result would be if I used both the blocks of colour from last week's doodles alongside the linear portraits that dominate this week's doodles. I think this is something I could work on in a separate sketchpad, aside from the art challenge. Perhaps in the week ahead I'll develop another change in style? Aimless it is then...

One week into februdoodle blog

Februdoodle blog
Hashtag and Instagram blog
February the 1st blog

Copyright © 2016 by Roisin O'Hagan/bloowabbit

All rights reserved. The artworks/illustrations or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the artist except for specific permission granted with a free downloadable.

One week into februdoodle

Seven days down, twenty one to go. Yay! At this point I really wish I had more of a social media presence - I'd love to see other doodlers get involved but hey, maybe that's in the future. If you do want to join in then upload your image with the hashtag #februdoodle  and add @bloowabbit so I can see it online. Doodles can be created with any pencil. pen or marker and can be of any size.

black pen doodle 2016

So my idea was to draw aimlessly in order free up my drawing style. I found it difficult sometimes to simply put pen on paper and let it go where it, in my guiding hand, went. I found I doodled better when watching Netflix or Amazon Prime or YouTube. When I'm sitting in meetings the agenda sheet is usually covered with black pen doodles by the close, (which look very different from the Sharpie doodles). So to doodle aimlessly the mind needs some sort of occupation to prevent a preconceived image leading the doodle.

alcohol marker doodles 2015 

The type of images I've ended up with remind me of my first marker doodles from 2015. Many contain repeat patterns, flat dramatic faces, and fantasy images. Yet this past week I've been layering patterns and colour washes so that might indicate there may be some evolution in my doodling style.

Here's the first seven februdoodles...

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

I seem to have selected more blue/purple Sharpies than other colours. Although I do like bursts of orange/yellow. I'm wondering what I would end up with if I purposefully selected a couple of colours to draw with or would that be contrary to my februdoodle 'aimless' approach? It would simplify things as I spend part of my doodling time deciding what colour to use next. 

Posting my doodles online means I'm now using Twitter every day so that's all good.

Februdoodle blog
Hashtag and Instagram blog
February the 1st blog

Copyright © 2016 by Roisin O'Hagan/bloowabbit

All rights reserved. The artworks/illustrations or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the artist except for specific permission granted with a free downloadable.

Black and White 3

Re-doing a previous drawing 'Mother of Bees'. Link to a previous blogpost Artwork process: Mother of Bees. 

Using pencil eraser and new fineliners. Colouring in the shirt pattern was meditative.

Background comes from the zigzag movement made by bees in flight...

Bloowabbit facebook page

bloowabbit Instagram page

Copyright © 2016 by Roisin O'Hagan/bloowabbit

All rights reserved. The artworks/illustrations or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the artist except for specific permission granted with a free downloadable.

Black and White 2

Second black and white drawing. Used same pens and pencils as the first (black and white) though I added some Payne's Grey coloured pencil to her hair.

Soft pencil sketches on A3 Bristol Board...

Favourite retractable rotring propelling pencil, pencil eraser and unipin fineliner...

Coloured background in black Sharpie as before and used a Faber-Castell PITT marker in white to create a circular pattern behind the figure and dragons.

My uniPin fineliners were on their last legs so time to break out a set of drawing pens my son had bought online. Although not being a known brand they work just fine.

Liquitex acrylic paint marker gave the skin an ivory tone.

Bloowabbit facebook page

bloowabbit Instagram page

Copyright © 2016 by Roisin O'Hagan/bloowabbit

All rights reserved. The artworks/illustrations or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the artist except for specific permission granted with a free downloadable.