Creator of things

[ashesbijoux]

About me and this Blog.

Hey! I'm Ashes. I am a multidisciplinary artisit and deisgner. I mostly do things for fun or as gifts. While I have done freelance, I'm looking to hone in on my skills. I am using the blog to hold myself accountable for my progress as an artist and designer. I hope to use my learning process to inspire myself to take my art more seriously. I also hope to inspire others to try new things, pick up a sketchbook and follow their passions.

Posting schedule & description

Sundays- Sketchbook Sunday

Shared every Sunday at 8:15 pm est.

About:

Where I share every page, the good, the bad and the ugly- from my 500 sketchbook challenge. For this challenge I am trying to make drawing more of a habit but also work on skills I feel need some love. I will be using my skillshare free trial. Sharing my thoughts about my projects and some of the classes. Once I'm finished with this I hope to start another large book. Follow along to see my progress as an artist, discover fun classes and drawing prompts.

Wednesdays- Wild Card Wednesday's

Shared - Every other Wednesday (for now)

About:

On these days I will share projects from other classes I take or projects in general. This will definitely include painting, lino-carving, metalsmithing, stained glass and sewing. (Because I already do those things and want to improve my skills) It may contain lots of other things as well for fun.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Random things pattern

Skillshare Class: illustrating patterns, creating hand drawn wallpaper

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/illustrating-patterns-creating-hand-drawn-wallpaper/112402133

Instructor : Julia Rothman

My experience:

First, let me say this instructor has such a fun energy. Her way of speaking made it feel like I was right there with her learning the project. Like being taught by a friend. I have been wanting to take this class for YEARS. I had already read thus blog post about 10 times. For some reason I felt nervous at the idea of CUTTING MY ART!?!

The blog post:

https://www.brwnpaperbag.com/how-make-repeat-pattern-julia-rothman/

So after years of thinking about it, I finally took the plunge! I am doing things to break out of my artistic comfort zone so i figured it was time. First being nerve wracked and then being plesantly surprised at the satisfaction of the entire process. I will definitely be doing this again the the future. I didn't want to cut my journal so I taped it in lol.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Day at the beach

Another drawing prompt from "Always Drawing"

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-7-creative-exercises-to-jumpstart-your-sketchbook/277788556

Instructor: Mike Lowery

Experience:

So I drew a blank here, I must admit I am not much of a beach person. I decided I would challenge myself to do the same character from my class with Gabriel but in markers. I feel I still havnt gotten my marker confidence up and this project did not help. I was cringing the entire time lol. Oh well, practice, practice, practice. Here I also included a gif. With all 3 versions. It is kinda fun seeing them together.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: character illustration: drawing faces, figures and clothing

Skillshare class link:

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/character-illustration-drawing-faces-figures-and-clothing/1906734506

Instructor: Gabriel Picolo

Experience:

This class was a good revisit to basic life drawing and character design. It took me several small seasions to complete this class. I used 8 of my sketchbook pages. The instructor is a skilled artist but it was very difficult for me to work with the camera views he had. That being said I do recommend this class to anyone getting started or looking for a simple refresher.I really like that he covers all the bases from start to finish. Here you can see my warm ups, figure drawings, character concepts, emotion and expressions. Then of my final project. I am happy with the process I got to experience and the end result.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Rocks, Gems and Minerals of New York

Skillshare class: “Sketchbook Illustration: Draw a Personal, Colorful Travel Map” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/sketchbook-illustration-draw-a-personal-colorful-travel-map/40939085

Instructor: Mike Lowery

Experience: I attempted a map of New York State showing the locations of some mines and quarrys. I wanted to feature one spot for each. (A little fun fact about me is... I love rockhounding! At some point I plan on making jewlery with my finds.) I made a lot of mistakes with this one. I leaned alot wich is the point of doing this. I definitely would like to try more maps in the future. I may try to fix it up digitally at some point. Lettering is not one of my strong points so I made it a point to incorporate words into this.

I know I've done a lot of drawing classes from the same instructors so I'll be mixing it up a bit here soon!

[ashesbijoux]

☆back to classes☆

Title: Accidental Friends

Skillshare class: “Drawing for Stories (Live Session): Use comics to tell a story” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/drawing-for-stories-live-session-use-comics-to-tell-a-story/1301309418

Instructor: Ira Marcks

Experience:

Another great class by Ira. I decided to take my drawing "something hairy" (from always drawing with Mike Lowery) as the character inspiration. The task for me was to simplify them without loosing their personalities. I've drawn many mini comics over the years. I don't think I've ever done storytelling with just animals. Let alone few words. In this class Ira really broke down each part of the story. That helped me take my funny idea of my pets odd relationship dynamic and convey it in a clear way. It was a very enjoyable process!

Can't believe I am 23 pages into my sketchbook already!

[ashesbijoux]

Prompt 7: lamp or light

“Always Drawing: How to Start and Keep a Daily Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-how-to-start-and-keep-a-daily-sketchbook/1516835205

I had too much fun with this. The first thing I thought of was a moth who owned a lamp shop. Thought it evolved into a Luna month's home. Here she's inviting you in for some homemade lantern fired pizza. I plan on. Taking this concept further. It brought me a lot of joy. I incorporated patterns, characters and a background all at once. That's not something I do much in my art. So I feel I finally was able to tell a cute story with one image.

Come join us for a slice!

Unless you are an ant, you aren't invited. (I don't make the laws of nature)

[ashesbijoux]

Prompt 5: A favorite thing.

“Always Drawing: How to Start and Keep a Daily Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-how-to-start-and-keep-a-daily-sketchbook/1516835205

I couldn't think of a favorite thing. I am fortunate to have a lot of neat things. I decided on my gumball machine. My Uncle passed at the end of last year and this was a gift from him. I have been missing him alot, so this was a way of connecting to him. He used to repair these, phone booths and other things. I've tried to draw it a few times and failed miserably. I did better this time for sure. It's the first one I've colored. I think with some digital tweaks it could be pretty nice.

[ashesbijoux]

Prompt 4: Something Lost

“Always Drawing: How to Start and Keep a Daily Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-how-to-start-and-keep-a-daily-sketchbook/1516835205

I have been wanting to draw more patterns. This was really relaxing. It's based on a vintage ring I bought when I was 16. It was lost for ages, then somehow tuned up broken in my early 20's. I wish I had kept it. At that time I could never imagine that I'd later gain the skills needed to fix it. Life is funny like that sometimes I guess. I'm not into doing inlays currently, but maybe someday I'll try to re-create the ring for myself. Who knows, I sure don't.

[ashesbijoux]

Prompt 3: Someone in a Spaceship

“Always Drawing: How to Start and Keep a Daily Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-how-to-start-and-keep-a-daily-sketchbook/1516835205

I've had this knocking around in my mind for a few years. It was fun to try to get it out on paper. It's from a dream I had a few years ago. I was in a spaceship looking down at the earth with these tall hooded guys. The one gave me a really cool old book and I was flipping though the pages. The book was about the evolution of souls of different species. It included other planets and beings. It showed some souls transferring planets. It was pretty cool. I really loved the book, it was beautifully illustrated. I asked if I could take it back with me haha! Sometimes I have pretty wild dreams lol.

[ashesbijoux]

Prompt 2: Cactus

I've not drawn many cacti in my life, so here I've decided to do a sort of study on different types. I think I may ink this at some point.

I think so far I'm doing alright on this challenge overall. I'm starting to make drawing a habit. I hope I can stick to this. I'm currently spending an average of an hr per page. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Somedays I'm drawing several pages while others I'm unable to draw. I can't wait to look back at my page and review my progress.

“Always Drawing: How to Start and Keep a Daily Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-how-to-start-and-keep-a-daily-sketchbook/1516835205

[ashesbijoux]

So at this point I decided to start chipping away at the challenge list from “Always Drawing: How to Start and Keep a Daily Sketchbook” by Milke Lowery. These will be shared intermittently with my classes.

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-how-to-start-and-keep-a-daily-sketchbook/1516835205

Prompt 1. Somthing Floating

I choose to do a dandelion because that's the first thing I thought of. Plus I like to draw plants. I must admit I took the easy way out with this one. I will try a bit harder next time lol.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Wish on a star, concept art

Skillshare Class: “Art Licensing: Create and Sell Your First Greeting Card” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/art-licensing-create-and-sell-your-first-greeting-card/620158029

Instructor: Ilana Griffo

Experience:

So, in addition to taking a lot of art classes... I'm trying to get over my stereotypical fear of the buisness side of art. I have taken a lot of good licensing classes on Skillshare so far. This is the only one that actually had and art project to submit. I liked that it combined both buisness and art in the process. She takes you step by step and it was great. I am excited to put some of this stuff to use in the future.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Exploring face shapes and expressions.

Skillshare Class: “Cartooning: Drawing Faces and Expressions” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/cartooning-drawing-faces-and-expressions/231904775

Instructor: Ira Marcks

Experience: I took this class because I tend to be a bit stale in the expressions department. A lot of the people I draw look similar. So one of the things I've wanted to challenge myself to is to break out of this bad habit. This class was short, sweet and to the point. Lots of great information packed in a tidy package! This is s stuff I wish they had taught me in character design class. I also like that the instructor is very hands on and will give you feedback on your work. So far out of the 25+ classes I've taken, he is only the 2nd instructor to do so. I will be taking more of his classes for sure!

I see va lot of people take his classes, so if you are one of them, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Bug party

Skillshare Class: “Always Drawing: 7 Creative Exercises to Jumpstart Your Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-7-creative-exercises-to-jumpstart-your-sketchbook/277788556

Instructor: Mike Lowery

Experience:

This is my last project for this class. Overall I have really enjoyed the exercises. As well as the overall delivery by the instructor. I hope he does make more sketchbook classes like this!

So the bug party... I imagined a bug karaoke party. The bugs are singing the song I like bugs by, Jesse Welles. I just tried to draw bugs I haven't drawn before. I was thinking of thumbelina the whole time haha. I liked drawing the cicada the most.

[ashesbijoux]

Title: something furry

Skillshare class: “Always Drawing: 7 Creative Exercises to Jumpstart Your Sketchbook” https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-7-creative-exercises-to-jumpstart-your-sketchbook/277788556

Instructor: Mike Lowery

Experience:

This was the last exercise for this class with an option of 2 different topics. I however, have decided to do both topics. Next Sunday will be my last post from this class. After wich I will be moving on to another class. Though I do plan on taking more of Mike's classes in the future.

Um, well, let's just say I liked this before I colored it haha. Here I tried to capture the essence of my 3 furry friends. Particularly, Sir Capachino with his owl head. These are characters I've drawn before a few times but, here I tried to refine them a bit more. I do think I got the boys down great design wise. Lattè is ready for his belly rubs. Ru, however needs some more energy in her design. I hope to keep developing these designs!

(Somehow I've been blessed with not 1, not 2 but 3 buddies who love belly rubs).

[ashesbijoux]

Title: Weird Animals

Skillshare class: “Always Drawing: 7 Creative Exercises to Jumpstart Your Sketchbook”

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/always-drawing-7-creative-exercises-to-jumpstart-your-sketchbook/277788556

Instructor: Mike Lowery

Experience:

The instructions were not clear on real or made up weird animals. The cat owl I made up. The others were from reference photos. I don't draw a lot of animals, like, ever. Definitely a challenge for me here and yet another skill to work on. It was fun though. Bet you can't guess which animals are real and wich are made up. Lol