I Will Exalt Thee Ink Version Finished

I've been working pretty hard on this doodle, I Will Exalt Thee (ink version) and just finished it last night.  Check out my original doodle here to see the humble origins of this drawing.  This is the first in a series I am calling "Art as Worship."  If you like this doodle and want to print it out for yourself, click the image below for a link to download a PDF copy for printing.   

I'll be working on a watercolor version of this next.  

Skull Flower/Mandala - WIP

Here's a new project I am working on.  It is very similar to my owl flower - it is made the same way.  I start out with a drawing and estimate how many times I want to repeat it.  I then size and photocopy the drawing, create a flower center, and make a mock up with lots of tape and cut out photocopies.   Then I place it on my Lighttracer II light box to trace the final drawing.  Here is a photo of this step with the skull flower.

The next step is to trace the outline of the flower with a pencil.  I also add on to the drawing if I feel it is necessary.  I added a little heart tip to the petals of the center flower and some tiny flowers on the outside to make the drawing a little more full, and to tie the skull nose design in with the center flower.

When I am done with the pencil drawing I start to ink the entire illustration, starting with the outlines then filling everything in.  Before I would use a Staedtler pen set to do this, and I would burn through a set with every drawing.  Now I have my Koh-i-noor 7 pen Rapidograph set and I get more even lines, better details, and I don't have to worry about buying a $15 pen set for each drawing.  The pens were expensive ($70 at Hobby Lobby after a 40% off coupon), but they will pay for themselves after 5 drawings, and I really prefer them.   Here are a few pictures of the inking process. 





I am not quite done with this one, but when I get done I will post a picture for you to see.   I was hoping to have this one displayed in my house, but my good friend Julie has already spoken for it.  I do plan to make another one for our home, especially since hubby really likes it.

Mixed Media Toe Nails?

Okay, so please tell me if this is carrying mixed media too far.  I just could not bare the look of plain white French manicure nails.  They are just not me.  So I had to dress them up a bit.  I did details on my toes since I am not ambidextrous enough to accomplish the task on my fingernails. 

I added white nail polish for the tips, coated with a layer of clear coat, then added details in black acrylic paint and white gel pen.  It all took well and did not smear when i added clear topcoat to seal it up.  Fun!

Please note that my little toe did not make it into the picture because it sticks up.  I mean it.  I have freaky pinky toes.  Don't judge me!  I didn't make you look at them.  Just imagine a perfect pinky toe to the right and pretend I didn't say anything.