I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 20 November 2020

Inktober - the final few

Hello all!  If you fancy some really vibrant colour, don't miss my Love this Life tag trio, but for now I'm back with the last three Inktober line and wash paintings.  31 is an awkward number, but that's the number of days in October, so we're stuck with it!  As usual, I'm not going to hang around long at the top of the post.  I'll let the last few paintings speak for themselves... 

... but below that I'm sharing just a few process photos from the month so that you can see some of the different ways I went about conquering my fear of drawing. 

Day 29



Day 30 



Day 31



One of my reasons for taking up the Inktober challenge was that I'm still wary of the whole drawing thing.  I'm much more comfortable with painting.  But there was a time (and not so very long ago - only a couple of years) when making my own marks with paint was also scary and unsatisfactory, and I found my way to more confidence and more proficiency by ignoring the wobbles and just doing it... especially by doing it daily - you learn so much.

There were some days when I started out with the paints - doing a loose watercolour of whatever my subject for the day was, and often that made me so happy that I would be worried about adding the pen work in case I spoiled it.  




But the Inktober is really a drawing challenge so I made myself add the pen detailing, and more often than not I loved the result!

As the month drew on, I started to get more confident - exactly as I hoped - and in the last couple of weeks my method was to start with the drawing far more often.  And by late October I had got to the point where I enjoyed some of the drawings so much I was worried that I might spoil them by adding the paint... that's a pretty dramatic shift for me!  After the paint, I would often add a few more pen and paint details together to finish things off. 
 



There were still times I started with loose watercolour sketches, but now I was more confident that I would enjoy the pen stage too.



So the challenge I set myself - despite being in the early stages of sorting my life and starting to pack it up at the same time - really paid off.  And of course having that time set aside for creativity each day was one of the things which helped keep me sane through the packing process too.



I will definitely be making time for both drawing and painting in my new life - I know there's lots more to discover and new fears to conquer.  I hope to keep learning and growing and building confidence, because I'm always happiest on a learning curve!



If you'd like to see the whole progression, here are the links for Week 1, for Week 2, for Week 3, for Week 4.

I hope you are finding ways to keep learning and growing despite the chaotic times we are living through.  Thanks so much for your company on this journey and for your amazing comments on all my Inktober work - it's been really heartwarming and helpful to hear your feedback.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I'll see you again soon.  Happy crafting all!

It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover, to your surprise, that you have rendered something in its true character.
Camille Pissarro 

Learning to draw is really a matter of learning to see - to see correctly - and that means a good deal more than merely looking with the eye.
Kimon Nikolaides

I'd like to join in the fun at Paint Party Friday with these - it's time for the Year 10, Week 38 Check In over there

20 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

These are all so amazing Alison. I love drawing natural items and adding them to my art, even in my wacky forms. Looks like you had some super drawing practice with some great results! Happy weekend. hugs-Erika

Christine said...

Gorgeous work as always!

Lagene said...

Your drawings are FANTASTIC!

Lowcarb team member said...

Had to stop by and say how nice these are :)

All the best Jan

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

These are all lovely.

Linda Kunsman said...

All so delicately and beautifully painted. Happy PPF!

Amanda said...

Your art work is beautiful and I am envious of your results, well done you. Look forward to seeing how more time develops you further.
Love
Amanda x

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oh my, Alison! These are so amazing. Regardless of how you started and your worries about messing them up, they all turned out absolutely stunning. Oooh! .. to have your talent. Wow!! I missed some of your previous paintings and am going to go back and take a look. I love these to bits!! Hope all is going well for you with the moving. hugs xx

Christine Alexander said...

Alison wow, such amazing watercolour paintings :)

Annie said...

Your drawings and paintings are absolutely fabulous Alison x Well done on conquering your fears and enjoying the learning process.

Have a lovely weekend

Annie xx

Helen said...

well done on facing your fears - the drawings are fabulous.

Astrid Maclean said...

Absolutely gorgeous, I adore every single one and it's so interesting to see the actual plants next to your paintings!

Safe travels!!

DVArtist said...

OMG, you art is simply breathtaking. Enjoy your day.

Sandy said...

Wonderful Alison -- I think you should frame these!!
Sandy xx

Marci said...

Some lovely drawing and painting.

Mac Mable said...

Alison you are one quick learner...LOL x. I enjoyed seeing the progression in this post and you are one talented, creative and artsy lady x. Thank you for sharing this with us x.

craftytrog said...

They all look amazing Alison! Well done!

Sue said...

What a beautiful finale Alison, I've loved seeing your Inktober collection. Take care, Sue xx

Cocofolies said...

Ok, sorry for the time it took to visit you this time Alison... I'm overbusy, trying to rebuild my site, and many many other things at the time being, despite the lack of classes! But that's for me the opportunity on the contrary to look for other ways to develop my job, still creating if I can... Fingers crossed!
That's said, all these new drawings and watercolor paints are simply fabulous!!!!!
I adore the two last ones, but not only :)
Take care, hugs
Corinne xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Superb work...I have so enjoyed your drawings and water coloring.