Painting figures in my sketchbook

It feels like it has been a while since we had a quick sketchbook tour. I decided to work on figures again so let’s take a look at a few of them.

One of my goals has been to add more life to my paintings. Below is a warm up page where I am playing and loosening up. The hope is that with more and more practice I’m building confidence and achieving better results.

I just love to paint people in coats and scarves. Hats are fun too.

I added a few bunnies on the page as well, they are pretty cute.

Chilly walk – 7 x 10 inch mixed media sketchbook

Another painting from my imagination. I started first by painting the people and the pup. Then I added the distant trees and foreground colors and shadows. I like that the green jacket really pops.

What I like about this style is that the figures lead you into the painting and you get to fill in the blanks as the viewer. A little mystery creates interest.

Quiet walk on the beach - 7 x 10 inch mixed media sketchbook

I used a different approach on this one. The beach landscape was painted first and then I added the figures after it dried. I was careful to think about the figures placement and size since they would be my focal point. A few distant people or shore birds on the beach might have been a good idea to add.

Everything was pretty loose and simple. Most of the landscape was painted with a large flat brush. I used a round #6 brush for painting the figures. A small liner brush was used to paint the distant birds and a few small details on the hill.

Something different here. I sketched out a landscape scene with some sheep. A little planning before painting this time.

I changed up the distant sheep in the actual painting. They probably should have been placed on the left to balance things out though. I guess that is a good note to remember if I repaint this one.

I do like how the sheep turned out and it was a fun practice. I’ll call that a win. 😊

I hope you enjoyed looking at a few pages in my sketchbook. Life has been busy but I hope to do more work in my sketchbook and show up more on my blog.

Wishing you all the best of season and a wonderful new year!

– Patty Anne 💚

Follow me on Instagram at pattyanneart

Something new – painting figures

I recently decided to try painting figures. I’ve been wanting to add people to my landscapes for a while now so I watched a few videos online to help me get started. Today I have a few tips to share with you that have really helped me.

My thought is to keep it simple starting off with views from behind.
-no hands or shoes necessary
-keep brush stokes to a minimum (that is a challenge)
-start off with a jacket first then add legs with simple brush strokes.
-be careful with head size, not too big
-add few darker areas of shadow

I love that little pop of color on the scarf and hat.

Here I started with a few figures and then played around and added a background of city buildings.

Out for a walk hand in hand. This simple scene makes me smile.

Chilly walk in the park was a good practice too.

I’m not sure where my art will take me this year but I hope to keep working on landscapes and dropping in more people and animals. I needed a new challenge and something fun to work on. I think this will be a good direction for me this year.

What are your creative goals this year?

I hope you are inspired to create art and have fun. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Wishing you all the best this year friends! 💜

-Patty Anne-

Join me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Sketching and painting birds

I’ve been wanting to learn more about painting with gouache. After watching a Skillshare class by Kate Cooke, I was inspired to paint this little bird.

I decided to practice a little watercolor version first. Once I get better acquainted with gouache I’ll be sure to share my adventures with you.

Happy Sunday, friends! 💚

watercolor bird painting

I just love how this little guy turned out. Oh those sweet little legs.

Which then inspired more birds…so here we go!

bird sketching practice

A few quick sketches working on shapes and not worrying about detail.

It’s always good to warm up and play. I really need to do more of this. Just fill the page and have fun.

watercolor bird sketch

Tip: A little planning and sketching before any paint hits the paper is really important. By sketching first I can make sure the shapes are as desired and that all elements fit nicely on the page.

Chickadee practice and color mixing

This little guy was painted in a separate sketchbook to get ready for my larger painting above. I mixed up a variety of neutral colors and tested them out on my paper.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love. Art is for everyone. Just play and have fun…be good to yourself.

Until next time, share a smile and stay excellent!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

You can see more of my work on Instagram @pattyanneart

Looking back at a Buck Silhouette

A few years ago I painted a buck silhouette. I love this simple painting and thought it would be fun to share it again.

Happy Sunday, friends! 💜

I sketched the buck first and then dropped in different colors filling in most of the space. I allowed the colors to mix and mingle and didn’t fuss with it. I tapped on my brush to  created a little fun spatter.

While the painting was still damp (not too wet/ not too dry), I sprinkled on some salt. As I recall, I used kosher salt which is flaky and creates these nice large blooms.

After it completely dried, I brushed off the salt to find a beautiful pattern.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸  Patty Anne  🌸

follow me on Instagram @pattyanneart

More Sketching for Inktober

I have more #inktober sketching to share with you today.

Happy Thursday, friends! 💚

 

A simple pattern of leaves. I went back to an old favorite for this sketch.

 

I’ve been wanting to sketch some animals this month and decided to try a squirrel. This fella ended up with a larger body than planned but I think he’s pretty cute.

 

 

A little rainy day sketch, something a bit different for me. The umbrella needs more work but all in all I can feel the rain.  ☔️😊

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸  Patty Anne  🌸

find me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Patty Anne Art

Warming up for Inktober

I’ve been sketching a lot this week and thinking about #Inktober2019.  It’s hard to believe that October is right around the corner.

Happy Sunday, friends! 💚

 

I added to my micron pen stash and have been thinking about a theme for the month.

For this parrot above, I used minimal lines and really like how that worked out. That might be something to work on throughout the month.

 

 

I love to play with botanical doodle sketches. That will definitely be part of my work for the month as well. Having fun and seeing where the sketch takes me…

 

Florals alway work their way into my sketchbook and so I’m sure they will continue.

I like the idea of having a theme and think I will go with a combination of playful, floral, and animals. I’m excited see where the pen takes me this year. 😀

I hope you decide to join in on the fun too. You can sketch whatever you like or find the 2019 list of prompts online. I can’t wait to see all of the amazing art that is posted by other artists.

Until next time, share a smile and stay excellent!

🌸  Patty Anne  🌸

find me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Owl doodle ink sketch

I have a little owl to share with you today.  Hope this silly guy leaves you smiling.

Happy Sunday, friends! 💗

I thought it would be a hoot to work on a little owl doodle. 😉

A simple owl sketch starts things off and then the fun begins…adding different #zentangle patterns all over.

 

A little more completed here and this fella looks like he is wearing his fancy clothes.

 

Darkening the eyes made a difference (always important when painting as well).  The addition of a fun pattern on his head worked well. I like how that turned out.

I finished this piece a few months ago and set it aside. Recently I pulled it back out and with a fresh eyes decided that this guy needed to make an appearance on my blog. 💚🦉

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸 Patty Anne  🌸

find me on Instagram at pattyanneart

Patty Anne Art

Humming by on Thursday

A little look back at a painting from last fall. I was inspired by watercolor artist, Jean Haines, and I painted this colorful little hummingbird.

Happy Thursday, friends! 💚

Hummingbird Joy –  9 x 12 inch Bee watercolor paper

I hope things are going well and you find yourself humming a happy tune.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸  Patty Anne  🌸

See more on Instagram at pattyanneart

Patty Anne Art

Tufted Titmouse digital art

I sketched a cute little Tufted Titmouse recently and decided to enhance it in Procreate.

Happy Thursday, friends!   💚

This little guy is a frequent visitors at my backyard feeder.

 

I used the Procreate water brush and technical pencil for this digital piece.

The background color was added using the abstract pattern, Opticon. I used various colors and brush sizes to create this cool pattern. I love how dreamy it looks.

Tip: To connect my bird with the background, I allowed the abstract pattern to overlap the bird in a few places.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love. Thank you for stopping by and following along.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸  Patty Anne  🌸

follow me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Patty Anne Art

Quiet Thursday – sketching

A quiet post for you today with a few pieces from my sketchbook.

Happy Thursday! 😊

Waterlily sketch – using a technical pencil

 

Queen Anne’s Lace ink sketch – using Micron pens

 

Cardinal ink sketch – using Micron pens

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

Patty Anne 💙

follow me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Patty Anne Art