Copic Cats

I found these new stamps at Michael's the other day, and being a cat-lover, had to practice with a few shades and colours with my new Copics. I recorded the colours I used and keep these little sample images in a small artist's portfolio so I can refer to them later:

First Copic Drawing

My first real drawing with my new Copic pens... if you don't count a small cartoon Reindeer I coloured in for a greeting card.

I created it for my other blog I'd Rather Be Blogging to illustrate a close encounter I had with four does on the way to work early the other morning.

I started with a pencil drawing, outlined it in 0.3 black Multiliner, and coloured it in with E11, E21, E25, E29, E57 and E49. Shadows were coloured with W1, W5 and W7.

I'm still learning, but already am in love with using these markers!

A New Treat

Those darn enablers over at the 2Peas in a Bucket Scrapbooking site... after reading so many message board posts about something called "Copics", I came to discover the wonderful markers used by many artists. Unlike regular felt pens, these Japanese alcohol-based markers are fantastic for creating beautiful blended colours. Now many crafters are using them to colour in stamped images or drawings too.

They're not cheap and it takes practice to use them properly. So while on a business trip, I absorbed as many YouTube video demos as I could and read blog posts for tips and tricks. Then a few days later I purchased my first pens in what, I am sure, will be a moderate collection (the Sketch markers have over 300 colours).

So here's my first attempt - a reindeer to adorn a simple holiday card:

After more practice, I hope to do some real drawings of my very own using these new goodies too.

My Redecorated Craftroom

A few weeks ago I repainted daughter's old green and purple bedroom; since she moved to a larger room downstairs last winter, I set this one up as a scrapbook / craft / art space. Now it finally looks more like it. New shelves, painted accessories, baskets and desk organizers were also added.

I love working in there; with, of course, a cat or three to around to keep me company.

More images can be found over at 2Peas here in a slideshow format.

Harley And Daisy

One of my most favorite blogs to visit is Daisy The Curly Cat. I love reading about Daisy and her "brother" Harley and their adventures in sunny Florida. Well, Daisy won my first-ever blog contest over at I'd Rather Be Blogging, so I sent her two sketches of my favorite cats (after my own, of course ;) ).


I do hope they like them!