Wednesday 15 March 2017

Paper lantern

Hi everyone!

The theme for this week's Scribble Picnic is LANTERN.  Thanks again to Michael for hosting this wonderful art collective. You can check out Michael's blog HERE.

This theme had me a little worried because I had nothing right up until the day before (yesterday) the deadline.  I'd heard some good advice from a few illustrators who said to just open your sketchbook, put pen/pencil to the page, and the ideas will come. I did just that and — it worked! I was suddenly getting lots of different images in my head for the theme — kinda like visual brainstorming. I very quickly noted them down in my ideas sketchbook. They are very rough but that's okay because they are only to remind me of the original idea so I don't forget it.


I decided to go with a little Panda holding a paper lantern so took more time with that one. Do you remember making those paper lanterns in school? I used to love making them!

I transferred my sketch into my Moleskine watercolour journal and did a light outline in pen

Then added some layers of watercolour and also used a Pentel Pocket brush pen for the black fur. I'm so pleased that I was able to meet the challenge after all. That said, I'm not altogether sure that she is finished yet. If I do add any more to it, I will be sure to post the end result for you to see.

My apologies for the crappy photos. It's been raining here, on and off, so the dull, gray afternoon did not provide the best lighting for photos. I'm loving the rain though so not complaining about that.

You can check out everyone else's take on the LANTERN theme HERE.
Next week's theme is FAIRIES.  You are welcome to come and join us.  To find out how, click HERE.

40 comments:

  1. She is such a cute panda Serena - the bow in her hair and ruffled dress certainly make her so sweet, despite those claws!!!
    Yes, we made the same lanterns as kids - there weren't all the readymade seasonal decorations available fur purchase back then. I think it was more fun making our own - remember paper chains at Christmas too?

    Mary -

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    1. Thanks, Mary. It certainly was so much more fun making our own decorations. OH yes, and the paper chains were another favourite of mine.

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  2. Serena,
    I am a former elementary school teacher so I have had my hands on many many paper lanterns. However, that thought never crossed my mind when I heard the word, lantern. :) Lovely panda. I have to Google Pentel Pocket brush.
    Blessings,
    Janis
    janiscox.com

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    1. Thanks, Janis. I love the Pentel Pocket brush pens...it's like having a paintbrush filled with black ink at the ready. So convenient. :)

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  3. Serena this is so cute and charming! :)

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  4. So cool to take a peak inside your sketchbook and to see where your ideas are formed! :0)

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  5. Serena this is so adorable! Well done.

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  6. Just precious....and I love seeing your sketch book brainstorming....what a delightful result. Love it.

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  7. Sweet little panda. I like the quick sketches you did, especially the little girl holding the lantern. I always made paper lanterns with my kindergarten kids during the month of Ramadan and we'd hang them as colorful decorations around the classroom.

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    1. Thanks, Tammy. I may well use some of those ideas in a later sketch. You can't go wrong with paper lanterns...kids love making them. :)

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  8. she is very cute :) I've never actually made those lanterns before, never had the chance to. it is good advice to just open the book and draw, no worries about what happen or doesn't happen but at least the book is open in case something comes to mind for an idea to draw

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer. A pity you never made them as a child because they were lots of fun and very easy to make. I was amazed as I, literally, had no ideas in my head for the theme until I put pencil to paper.

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  9. just sketching can help motivate you, I know I do it all the time, working on the theme, it's always a good way to find ideas.

    the result is so darn cute! I like the colors and the paper lantern, I think I remember those, sort of, very good take on the theme.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. Thanks, Lissa. I sketch what I see in front of me normally but I find imagination sketches a lot more difficult. It was fun to see what came to my mind when I put pen to paper.

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  10. Serena, I so love seeing your process and the idea you came up -- so many good ones there too. The panda with school lantern was a really good idea and well executed too. I love both the painting and the ink drawing. Very adorable and really love your umbrella.

    No, I don't remember making those paper lanterns in school! We never made anything! :o Seriously. Sounds like a fun project. Maybe you should have actually made one for here too. That would have been so fun. :)

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    1. Thanks, Michael. I may illustrate some of the other ideas at a later date. A pity you never got to make paper lanterns as they were lots of fun. I love arts and crafts class at school. What a good idea...I should have made a paper lantern to show also.

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  11. I enjoyed seeing your sketches that show your idea storming.
    Your little panda is so cute. Really fun.

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  12. Pandas are one of my favorites and this one is so cute. Great idea to have her hold that paper lantern. She looks very proud of her creation and you should be proud of yours too.

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  13. Sweet! Love seeing all the sketches, your process, and the final drawing. This is a challenging challenge--LOL! ;)

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    1. Thanks, Rita. Haha...yes. I'm challenging myself to use my imagination to come up with whimsical ideas for the themes...it's lots of fun and I'm surprising myself at what comes to mind. :)

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  14. That panda!!! Too cute and sweet!! Well done Serena ♥

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  15. I'm glad you got some rain. I bet that's helping a lot with the heat and humidity you were getting before, and making things much more comfortable for you.

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    1. Thankfully, the rain has helped to cool things down a little. Still humid but not unbearable like during our heatwave phase. :)

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  16. I really liked seeing the ideas you sketched out on paper, trying to decide what to do. Your end results are so cute and darling. Look at you go...stretching your creative mind/heart. :)

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    1. Thanks, Alexandra! I'm having so much fun coming up with ideas for the themes.

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  17. That turned out so cute! I had forgotten all about the paper lanterns that I, and the kids I taught, used to make.

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    1. Thanks, Joeks! The paper lanterns were lots of fun to make. :)

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  18. Oh, that panda is completely adorable! You are really doing great with the Scribble Picnic prompts.

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  19. Great post, Mum! I love the panda holding the paper lantern. She is cute! Also love the ideas you had before ending up with her, that great advice to take to put pen/pencil to paper and just let the ideas come.

    Love Brad xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Brad. Glad you liked the post.

      Love Mum xo

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