Hello 2016

Hello 2016,

I'm not quite ready for you I think. December went by so quickly, just like the whole of 2015 actually. Often at the end of a year, I feel like I didn't do much, but looking back at 2015's projects and photos, it's not too bad. :)

The Simply Shading Class was a project close to my heart because shading is one of my favourite embroidery techniques. If I ever get to write a book about embroidery it would probably be about shading! I also had some more of my patterns professionally printed as iron-on patterns and in May the project I made for Australian Homespun Magazine, a Doe with flowers embroidered on a skirt, was featured on the cover! I experimented a bit, embroidering with sewing thread (the 'knitting bear') and using just one colour ('fish and anchor') and releasing a 'Fowl Talk' PDF pattern, inspired by Shakespearean sweary quotes. In October ('Inktober') I really got back into drawing and found out that I really enjoy drawing with fineliners.

I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing this year. I started a new shading project just a few days ago that I think could turn out real nice. Maybe I could do a themed series in the same style. I'm also secretly hoping to receive an amazing, embroidery commission (Penguin Book Cover or something else completely unexpected!) In March I'm teaching my first embroidery workshop, hopefully it'll be a success. And next month I'll start attending a drawing class locally. I can draw a little but I want to learn more, possibly even master new techniques. Oh and I'm working on a new website, but more about that later.

Nicole

Inktober

Have you heard of Inktober? It's basically a 31 day challenge for artists to improve their skills and get into the habit of drawing regularly. I only found out about it last week so I'm a bit late to the party. I also feel it's not just something for artists (a label I don't feel too comfortable with anyway) but for anyone who enjoys to create something with ink and paper.

I started with the colourful Pigeon, followed by the disco dancing Polar Bear. Yesterday I made a Hare in the clouds (lots of tiny dots!) and today I drew a sinister Squirrel with his Feather Collection. Every day I post a new drawing on Instagram (@followbunny).

You could use proper ink and a pen nib, but I use fine liners (as do most people I suspect). I even made a quick trip to the store yesterday for some new ones, a nice set of Staedtler Fineliners in different sizes. It has line widths ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm. I'm also quite fond of my Rotring Tikky Graphic pen (size 0.1 mm). These pens are around 2-3$ each so you don't have to make a huge investment to start drawing. Just make sure you get pens with a width that is best for your drawing style. I generally draw small and detailed so I use really fine pens.

Favourites: coloured pencils

I love these Caran d'Ache Pablo Coloured Pencils. They are quite soft pencils and great for blending colours. 

Perfect for drawing (quick) coloured sketches of sweet looking table waiting bears!

I'm planning on buying a set of these and while I'm dreaming of the full set of 120 colours, I think I will have to settle for a smaller selection and add individual colours that I will use often.

For kids I can recommend these coloured pencils by Lyra called Super Ferby. Sturdy pencils that have a great grip for little hands due to their triangular shape. Lyra Ferby pencils come in a lovely range of colours and last a long, long time. I bought these a few at the time over the years as they are a little more expensive than regular coloured pencils but definitely worth it in my opinion.