Sketch Diary - Warm up collection

I hadn't drawn in a while and needed a page to just scribble on for a bit to get my wrist loosened up... also to get my brain loosened up. I definitely recommend doing warm ups before you sit down to draw that super cool idea you have. Get the junk out on a junk page. If that junk page ends up being super cool, great! But if not, you don't waste too much brain power just scribbling around and instead you get nice and warmed up for that super cool idea.

with love - M

Sketch Diary: Inktober Day 6 - Woman looking up

A sketch from 2016 that I decided to ink for Inktober. I like how the hair turned out.

with love - M

Sketch Diary: Gesture warm-up bathing suit lady

I'm gonna take a WILD guess that I was shopping around for a swim suit and coverup kimono when I drew this. Just a WILD guess. Also, you don't have to finish all your drawings people. It's ok just let it go. This thing was going no where fast. Whatever.

with love - M

Sketch Diary: Loosen up with scribbles

Even when I'm just wildly scrolling my hand around the page, I still draw mermaids.

So why are you uploading scribbles, Mere?! Because the best way to show you how I warm up is to... well, show you. Sometimes the mind is willing but the body is weak. Gotta loosen up those fingers and most importantly, the wrist! That's where the magic happens, for me anyway. If my wrists are tight, I can't draw diddly-squat.

If you've never tried it, I highly recommend it. Here's what I do:

1. Put pen to paper (pen is better than pencil if you have a habit of wanting to erase all the time, no erasing!). 
2. Then I close my eyes and start slow, building speed and then slowing down as I meander around the page. 
3. Once I feel I have adequately made my mark and loosened my wrist, I stop and open my eyes. 
4. I look for shapes. Usually I see postures like a torso in movement or something. 
5. Once I see the shape clearly enough, I play with is further, now looking at what I'm drawing. I add details as I feel like it till I'm as done as I want to be with the drawing, usually about 15 minutes or so.  

And that's it! Enjoy.

with love - M

Sketch Diary: Tilted concern - up close portrait

Ta-dah!  This was therapeutic to draw. I definitely enjoy drawing portraits the most. The placement of the nose and lips gave me some trouble but uh... they're stuck there now! I was trying to get a more youthful looking face but still serious.

with love - M

Sketch Diary: My Fair Lady warm up

Quick warm up before getting into a more serious sketch. It was super serious. You'll see it tomorrow. Be patient. I know, it's difficult. I believe in you. Don't give up. Stay strong. Bananas.

with love - M