New Year Challenge Turns into Treat

 
 
 
 

Just before New Years Day, my friend encouraged me to start a drawing challenge for the month of January. Usually I'm really bad with committing to things like this but for whatever reason I had no good excuse not to so I jumped right in. I've been wanting to draw more and this seemed like a New Years resolution I might actually do. Not only did I make it almost everyday on time, I became obsessed by it. I was excited to get home and tackle the next illustration. All I could think about was sketching, pens, paint and techniques.

We chose a list from Creativebug which was perfect. I loved the promps everyday. And the community of other people also taking the challenge was so encouraging. Everyone was supportive. Seeing all the other illustrations and talent was motivating and inspiring. Highly recommend it! It made me feel more positive, productive and energized. When January started to wind down, I was sad that it was ending.

But I've created a new list for February and have other friends joining in this month. Even though we aren't in sync with the larger community this time, we are still having fun.

It's amazing what a little doodling or crafting each day can do!

Color Palette: Paint Mixing

Here are a few colors I am using in my test illustration for my children's book. I like how they look together on the palette.

Color Palette: Beach Break

Color Palette: aristokitten

Inspired by the Aristocrats DVD looping in our house all weekend, these color palettes are taken from two of the kittens in the remastered movie. Which by the way, also has great vintage typography and animation.

Color Palette: Nautical Commute

Thanks to some really bad traffic, I ended up with this amazing route home on a sunny day. I really need to do this more often. It's hard not to be inspired by this view and fresh air. Oh yah, Go USA! It's Olympics time after all.

Color Palette: 80's Cool

The ultimate in 80's fan technology. This baby is a high-class addition to our little guy's summer bedroom. Keeping him cool in more ways than one. I love the shaded blue buttons. The white plastic has turned slightly beige. And the typeface has that odd Quantum Leap futuristic / Magnum, P.I. feel.

Room to Grow

We haven't had to do much to our little guy's room since he's transitioned from baby to active preschooler. We moved out the convertible crib and upgraded to a big boy bed, keeping it a simple platform and letting the bedding and million stuffed animals do the rest. The bold dark wall color is a great backdrop for colorful books and framed illustrations which can be updated as his interests change. Currently featured are illustrations from a close friend, Brian Fraley, who created them for our baby shower party and a Japanese calendar page of his birth date which was wrapped in a gift, a spontaneous suggestion from a small shop owner.

Color palette: First patio happy hour

There is nothing filled with more promise than the first sunny day warm enough to have a drink on a patio. Especially in Seattle when the wet winter has dragged on far too long. Our trip to Slims Last Chance gave us sun with a slight chill, stiff G&Ts, and spicy chili. I love the color and illustration of their tattoo inspired mural, plus all the great kitschy bar finds inside. A friend swears the Hamms bear is the one he gave away years ago.

Color Palette: Evening Containers

The worn shades of the shipping containers blend to create a fabulous family of colors as seen from my bus window each evening.