Draw Something Everyday: October 2015

In October I purchased a brand new sketchbook from my local art store Artist & Craftsman Supply. This will be my third sketchbook I’ve started this year. Thanks to my Draw something everyday series I’ve burned through sketchbooks much more quickly than I did last year.

I’m not complaining, though! I’ve been really pleased to see the variety of things I’ve drawn. And since this was the third book of the year and one I will use into the new year I decided to get a more textured paper that could handle watercolor, paint, markers and pens as well as charcoal.

That’s why the first drawings from this month were watercolor portraits. I decided to use two photos of my sister that I took and using pen and water tried to see what textures, lines, cross hatching would be most effective for the tones and textures I wanted to achieve.

From this initial drawing exploration I decided to try different pens, pencils (lead and watercolor) to see try out what marks can be created in this book and how the textured paper can be used to create different visual effects.

When you get a new sketchbook – what do you draw first? How do you decide?