friday face off

Hi everyone, 

    It's been a very busy week so I'm running late with the art challenges this week but only by a day. This week for Friday Face Off, hosted by Nicole, I only managed a pencil sketch of what is to be a watercolour portrait. That's the plan for now anyway. I might have her finished for next week. 

    So this is as far as I've managed so far. She is actually very faint in my sketchbook but I've darkened the image so you can see the lines more easily.

    I thought you might also like to see some more of my older portraits. 

    The following portraits are all done freehand using ink for an INKtober challenge I did back in 2017. I do love working directly with ink.  I've learned to love the mistakes if they can't be rectified but, most times, I manage to blend them in. I usually draw with a .005 ink liner pen which is very, very fine, then I paint in shading and darks with liquid ink (usually Sumi ink) using a paintbrush. Then I often use a .01 or .03 liner pen to redefine certain lines more.The liquid ink gives you a wide variety of lights and darks depending on how much water you add.

    I also did an ink portrait of Selena. I don't know if you've heard of her but she was a very popular singer back in the 90's until she was callously gunned down by the woman who ran her fan club. Such a tragedy. She was known as the Queen of Tejano music and many said she could have been the next Gloria Estefan. There is a movie titled Selena where Jennifer Lopez plays the role of the popular singer. A lovely movie on Selena's life and highlights the close bond she had with her family. I'd highly recommend watching it if you haven't already. If the video trailer below doesn't work, you can watch it on YouTube HERE.

    So I thought you might like to see my process when working with ink. There is always an ugly stage in most paintings which is why you shouldn't give up and press on until you are happy.

    First the fine ink pen drawing. The ink liner pen is fine enough where I can cover mistakes and redefine areas later. Bear in mind, the line drawing is darkened so you can see the lines more clearly.

    The first pass with liquid ink and not too attractive. You'll notice the ink bled too far into her face...

    ... but, not giving up, I was able to use acrylic gouache to blend it out. And then achieved an end result where I was happy with it. I sometimes use a white ink pen for some highlights and fine white lines though not always. Sometimes I will use white gouache to block or blend areas too.

    Remember to pop on over to Nicole's blog to see the work of other participants. Click HERE.  

    Note — I'm running a little behind catching up with everyone's blogs but I hope to remedy that over the next couple of days.

    Til next time...

Love, Light and Peace

More INKtober sketches

Hello friends,

I'm taking a break from portraits for the moment so here is a bit of variety for you...

Day 8/31 - I have been using these Dr Ph. Martins inks along with some Sumi ink in a few of the following sketches. I like the range of tones I can get with them.

Day 9/31 - A penguin sketched on Strathmore Tan toned paper with Sumi ink, a Pentel pocket brush pen and a few prismacolor pencils

Day 10/31 - A rat sketched on Strathmore Tan toned paper with Sumi ink, Bombay ink, and Faber-castell Polychromos white pencil

Day 11/31 - Why a frog in meditation? Well firstly, I had decided I wanted to sketch a cute, illustrative frog.  Then, after watching a documentary on George Harrison the night before with my son, and I noted that George Harrison was big into meditation and the Hindu faith so, I thought...why not sketch a meditating frog. Note the 'Peace' sign necklace she's wearing? Sketched on Strathmore Tan toned paper using ink, watercolours, and Pentel pocket brush pen for stripes.

Day 12/31 - A teddybear sketched on Strathmore Tan toned paper using Bombay and Sumi inks, a brown ballpoint pen, and gouache for highlights. The bow is done with watercolours.

That's it for now until the next INKtober post.

Scribble Picnic is tomorrow and I still haven't a clue what I'm going to do for the challenge. YIKES!

INKtober - Day 3 of 31 - Sktchy portrait

Hello friends,

I'm afraid I haven't been well today...we've had rain for a few days and also a cooler change. The moisture in the air seems to have flared up my asthma.

I did manage a quick Sktchy portrait though.

I sketched this with ink pen, Sumo ink and brush, and a Pentel pocket brush pen.
Her name is Jessica Aguirre.

I'm hoping to continue with the 'Gone but not forgotten' portraits when I'm feeling better.

Stay tuned...

INKtober - Day 2 of 31 - Selena Quintanilla-Perez

Hello friends,

I figured that, since I did Amy Winehouse yesterday, I might stick with a theme for the first week of INKtober.

You have most likely heard of Selena Quintanilla-Perez — the American singer songwriter, also known as the Queen of Tejano music.  Selena was tragically shot and killed by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar, on March 31st, 1995. Selena was only 23 years old at the time of her death. She was a beautiful, giving person with an infectious smile and was loved by many.

They made a movie about her titled, Selena, and she was played by Jennifer Lopez.  It portrays her life from childhood to stardom — a beautiful movie with a tragic ending.  Another that I'd highly recommend if you haven't already seen it.

A loose pen sketch to start with

Then some Sumi ink and my Pentel pocket brush ink pen to finish her portrait

Here is the official tribute video to Selena. It's one of my favourite songs performed by Selena.
You can click HERE, if the video doesn't play for you.

Stay tuned for more ink sketches...

INKtober - Day 1 of 31 - Amy Winehouse

Hello friends,

Well today marks the start of INKtober! I didn't complete it last year (got to 19 if memory serves me correctly) but I thought I would try it again this year. (Just checked and I actually made it to 24.)

Recently, my son and I watched a documentary on Netflix titled, Amy.

I must admit that I'd never heard much of Amy Winehouse apart from the occasional news segment about her doing drugs and then, of course, her death at only 27 years old. I didn't even know what type of music she performed but, after watching the documentary, my heart broke for her.

Amy was a young woman who adored music and even wrote her own songs. Amy classified her music genre as a mix of jazz and hip-hop. She had an amazing voice!  Sadly, Amy was not prepared for all the fame and media attention that stardom would bring her. She was overwhelmed by it all. She fell for the wrong guy who ended up marrying her and then introducing her to hard drugs. On top of that, she was bulimic since her teens which didn't help.  Amy adored her father who appeared to enjoy the limelight more than she did — even starred in his own reality show about being Amy Winehouse's father.

She had a few very close friends who saw the self-destructive path Amy was on and, at one stage, they pleaded with the father to encourage Amy to go into rehab but her father said she'd be fine. They also begged her father and manager to not let her tour but they both seemed more interested in the tour bookings and not wanting to cancel. It was clear that his daughter needed help. At one point, Amy didn't even want to go on tour but they bundled her up and sent her anyway.

The media/photographers had a field day and, seeing it all unfold in the documentary, their harassment of Amy reminded me very much of what they did to Princess Diana. I'm sorry but I'm of the opinion that, just because someone becomes famous, it does NOT mean their private lives should be available to one and all. They are not demi-Gods, people, so leave them alone and allow them some privacy!

Not long before her death, Amy had told a close friend that, if she could give up all the fame and go back to the life she had before, she would.

Amy did go to rehab and was drug-free at the time of her death.  However, she did indulge in alcohol and that is what killed her in the end.  An autopsy report showed that Amy was something like five times over the safe limit and her heart just stopped beating.

I would definitely recommend this documentary...in fact, I watched it twice because it affected me that much.

In honour of Amy and her amazing talent, I chose to kick off INKtober with a sketch of her.

Starting with a loose pencil sketch

Then inked using a Platinum Carbon fountain pen

To finish off, I used Sumi ink with a brush and also a Pentel Pocket brush ink pen

To end off this post,  I thought you might like to watch/listen to one of my favourite songs performed by Amy Winehouse. And the direct link if the video doesn't work for you...click HERE.

NOTE - I'm not sure yet but I will probably post a weekly update with my INKtober sketches as I don't think I'll have time to post daily.

Stay tuned...

More Inktober sketches

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the well wishes regarding my fall last week. My foot is pretty much better now and, in hindsight, my daughter and I believe it was actually a pinched nerve causing the severe foot pain that night. A couple of days rest and it was fine...so it could have been back/hip related after all.  My hand is still in a fair bit of pain when I try to carry out heavy tasks but that is to be expected with nerve and soft tissue damage.

Over the past week, I have been busy with daily sketching for Inktober.  I have been posting my sketches over on my Instagram feed if you want to see them daily as I don't get time to post here every day.

A meerkat sketched with water-soluble ink and then a water wash was applied.

This emu was sketched with permanent ink, then washed with water-soluble ink.
The eyes are done with ballpoint pens.
Getting the beak to look right was quite challenging.

This little cutie is called Teenie.
She is my Mum's pomeranian.
I sketched her with a Platinum Carbon pen and
ballpoint pens in suitable colours.
Then some white ink and a light wash of watercolour to finish.

A mirror selfie, sans-wrinkles.
Sketched with a Lamy Safari fountain pen
containing water-soluble ink.

Then a water wash applied with a brush.

I adore all animals but I admit to having a soft spot for pigs. This mother and baby sketch was prompted by my utter disgust at how the pigs were treated in Burlington, Ontario, recently when the truck taking them to slaughter rolled over.  The treatment of the injured pigs was nothing short of cruel and apathetic on the company's part.  Pleas from a local animal sanctuary's owner to take the injured pigs into sanctuary care went ignored and was even laughed at.  The poor, injured pigs were left to suffer for hours before being callously killed where they lay and then were unceremoniously dumped in a dumpster at the site. I hate how apathetic the human race has become. Did you know that pigs have the intelligence of a four year old child?  They are smarter than dogs and yet we get away with committing such atrocities against them.  It is so very wrong!

This is the initial pen sketch of a reference image on Sktchy.

I finished her with ballpoint pens in various colours
and a touch of white ink and watercolour to finish.

Yesterday, I was visiting with my Mum so didn't have a lot of time to sketch. 

I managed a quick, loose pen sketch of some new inks I bought recently. 

I used the ink colours to paint and spatter them with a brush.

Fun, fun, fun! 

I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches again. 

To see the sketches of other participants, click HERE.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Day 5 of 366 Daily Sketch Challenge

Just a quick post and run tonight. 

I have a migraine trying to get a grip on me.
Another self-portrait.

Just close your eyes and relax....

5/366 daily sketch

Hahnemuhle D & S sketch journal - A5 size, 140gsm, landscape format 

Platinum Carbon fountain pen,  

Watercolours, LAMY black ink, and white gouache.

© Serena Lewis 

Just to give you an idea on how I work, 

below is the loose pen sketch I did 

before applying the watercolours and detailing. 

Now I'm off to bed to hopefully
get rid of this looming migraine
before it gets a hold on me. 

Day 3 of 366 Daily Sketch challenge

Another self-portrait...

I thought I'd paint a background first, 

then sketch over the top.

3/366 daily sketch

Hahnemuhle D & S sketch journal - A5 size, 140gsm, landscape format 

Fountain pens; watercolours; gouache.

© Serena Lewis 

I will continue to do my daily sketches 

but not sure if I'll post them daily 

or two to three times a week. 

I'll play it by ear.... 

Stay tuned for more daily sketches.

Day 2 of the 366 Daily Sketch project - another self portrait

Yesterday, I couldn't decide on which sketchbook 

to start off the year with. 

I've stocked up on quite a few over the years.
All varying sizes and papers.

Just a few from my stocks

I opted for a Hahnemuhle D & S Sketch journal. 

I hoped it would take watercolour okay

being that it is more designed for pencils/pens. 

The paper is also quite thin at only 140gsm. 

However, the natural white paper appealed to me 

and I wanted to play with a new book.

Another quick self-portrait today.

2/366 daily sketch
D & S sketch journal - A5 size, 140gsm, landscape format 
Drawn directly with Platinum Carbon and LAMY fountain pens 
painted with watercolours. 
© Serena Lewis

As for my opinion on the D & S Sketch journal?

So far, I like it a lot.
I'd prefer the paper to be a tad more thick
because I can slightly see the previous page through it
but not bad enough to be a problem.
The ink doesn't bleed through which is a plus for me
and it takes light layers of watercolour just fine.
Can't complain....

Stay tuned for more daily sketches

The activist in me...and a sketch.

There was a protest rally
in Brisbane, on October 17th,
calling on our government to
ban the live export of animals.
Live Export is an unnecessary, barbaric, and evil trade
that is literally a hell on earth for animals.
Those beautiful, innocent beings suffer tremendously
and we need to speak out against such atrocities.

Profit should NEVER come above the well-being of the innocent.

"Humanity is accruing an enormous debt of karma by its treatment of animals."
~ Eckhart Tolle

Moleskine A5 watercolour sketchbook 
Platinum carbon fountain pen 
LAMY Joy fountain pen 
Derwent watercolour pencils


This was my first ever protest rally
and I was determined to go
despite being a little nervous.
I made up my poster the day before.

I headed off early Saturday morning by bus
with plans to sketch before the rally
but that never happened.
Time just got away from me.

For lunch, I enjoyed a delicious vegan all-you-can-eat 'Feast' meal
at Govinda's, a vegetarian restaurant, in Elizabeth Street.
It was my first time there and the food was divine!
Their vegan chocolate mousse was the best I've ever tasted.
I met a few other vegans whilst eating lunch there
and one has been a patron of Govinda's for 25 years.
I'm not surprised.

I intend to take Bradley there when
we are in the city next.

It was a blistering hot day
but hundreds of protesters still showed up.
 I found myself sitting beside
a few more vegans which felt great!
We chatted, shared info, and discussed future dates
for more animal causes.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress 
can be judged by the way it treats its animals.
--- Ghandi

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures 
from the shelter of compassion and pity, 
you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."
~St. Francis of Assisi

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, 
man will not himself find peace.
--- Albert Schweitzer

I made a sketchbook entry about the rally.

The soul is the same in all living creatures 
although the body of each is different.
~Hippocrates

All in all,
I am so glad I went along to the rally.
It felt right!
It felt good to be a voice for the animals
and I plan to take part in more events
to help animals.

I already have the T-shirt for one coming up in January 2016.

To the Strawberry Farm we go and a sketch

At the end of October, 

Michelle thought it would be nice 

to visit the local strawberry farm 

being that it was a week before 

they would be closing for the summer. 

Strawberries would not like 

our hot, humid summers at all. 

So, off we went....

It was an overcast day 

with possible rain forecast 

however it stayed clear just for us. 

Maddy and Mikayla (on right) love picking strawberries!

Michelle with Mackenzie snuggled nice and cosy

I helped Maddy mostly 

but also collected my own punnet of strawberries

The girls enjoyed some fresh strawberry ice-cream afterwards

I've never been a huge fan of strawberries 

but, I discovered that strawberries 

direct from the farm 

are sweet, juicy, and delicious! 

I just had to do a strawberry sketch to mark our special day out.

Sketched directly with Platinum Carbon and Lamy fountain pens, 

followed by Prismacolour pencils, in my Moleskine A5 sketchbook. 

© Serena Lewis

Our freshly picked strawberries did not last long and, 

as I decided to sketch the subject a month after the fact, 

so a quick trip to Flickr Creative Commons was in order.

Thanks to HJL at Flickr 

for his lovely reference image found HERE.

This was the final sketch in this particular sketchbook.
AT LAST!!!

It only took me FIVE years to complete it. 

I got sidetracked with other sketchbooks. 

***************************

Last week, Bradley and I had our first choir practise 

for our upcoming Christmas performance. 

It was so lovely to see everyone again. 

We have some new members too. 

Stay tuned for more sketch updates....