Step 26.More kid stuff

I couldn't resist a package of Shrinky Dinks when I saw them at the store, and I took another walk down memory lane by making some yesterday. I bought the frosted sheets so I could use colored pencils rather than the slick sheets for markers, and I traced images from my own sketchbook drawings. I put a coat of clear nail polish on them after baking to prevent scratches, but I don't think that would be necessary for the slick sheets. All around, not an environmentally-friendly project.

Even though I know what happens with Shrinky Dinks in the oven, I still squealed with delight watching the plastic curl while it shrinks and then go flat again. It's a very cool process to see. I stuck my two Shrinky Dinks on my key chain.

Step 25. Like a kid

I felt silly buying a painting kit for myself, but I really wanted it when I spotted it in a gift shop. The kit was something I would've liked as a kid, and I indulged myself with the purchase. And, I figured this would be a good way to try painting, which I've been wanting to try lately.

First came the leaves. I missed the firmness of working with a pencil and I missed mixing colors right on the paper. I did like that I could paint a lighter color on top of a darker color once the dark paint was dry, though.

By the last leaf, I got the hang of the brush and paint.

Painting the blue flowers was the best part of the project. I need to find some blue morning glories in my neighborhood so I can sit by them and draw them in blue, glorious blue.

I should've stopped after the flowers, but the kit included gold leaf for the background.

Eh. This part was clumsy, though the photo picks up flaws that aren't as noticable in real life. I'm not crazy about how the project turned out, but I had a blast making it, and I re-lived childhood excitement of working with a new kit. I don't think I'll be in the market for another kit for awhile, but I will try painting something on my own now that I got a start.

Step 20. Keep up traditions

I like to make felt creatures for Valentines Day. I usually make my own design, but this year I bought a pattern to download  from craftsy.com, which has some really cute projects.

Wool felt is a forgiving material that doesn't mind a little tugging or stretching, and can be worked and re-worked without showing wear. My cats like to sleep on whatever project I'm making, and I have to guard it or keep the lint roller in constant use. I bought this batch of felt from Magic Cabin.

These little monkeys are surprises for Valentines Day, and I worked on them on the sly this past week.

All done.

Step 15. Tools of the trade

A pencil and some sort of paper to write on - that's the extent of my concern about what tools to use when drawing. 

I don't pay much attention to remembering brands or qualities of materials I use, but I decided to take things more seriously and pay attention to the materials I use.

This weekend I went to a couple of  art supply stores to pick up some things I needed. The colored pencils I purchased are by Faber Castell. Faber Castell makes a few types of colored pencils, and the ones I purchased are polychromos. The colors blend well, and they are oil based. I also bought a couple of black pencils Prismacolor Verithin. I like the Verithin pencils because, well, they are very thin. I can sharpen them to a super thin point, which is great for a precise lines. 

After my little shopping spree, I stopped at a coffee shop and couldn't resist trying out the new pencils. I made a drawing in my lined notebook, using a Flair felt-tip marker to outline the design and the new color pencils to fill it in.

The design is based on an ancient Roman mosaic I saw on a recent visit to the Met. I liked how the pencils worked and I started a more detailed version of the same design when I got home.