Happy New Year: 2015’s gonna be busy…

January 4, 2015January 4, 2015 | Sabby G

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This is the year I really need to work on myself as not only an artist, but a freelance professional. I know what I’m good at, what I understand, so it’s time to focus on that and keep developing. The end of 2014 brought on a few clients, and, along with that, the hope and esteem that, ‘hey, I can make a professional artist of myself. I just need to work.‘ Key word there. Stop twiddling my thumbs. That’ll be my main resolution, methinks. So overall 2015 will hopefully be the year where I establish myself professionally. Wish me luck!

Now, aside from that, there are of course other smaller, more typical resolutions I’d like to conquer. Get back into ‘at home’ yoga, for example. I’m so bloody stiff it’s ridiculous. Also bum exercises, haha… Health-wise, that’s really it. The exercise. I’d like to think I’m a pretty good eater.

With a wedding on the way, I’d also like to keep my expenses at a minimum. Not so hard for myself, unless of course something shiny comes along…

Finally, get organized! Or stick to a schedule… something to help me manage my time and… well, everything! Again, with a wedding to plan and a profession to kick into gear, that is key.

Oh yeah, and those three little chickies are frogmouth chicks, in case you were wondering ;)

Happy New Year! :D

Playing with Promarkers: A Whole New Ballgame

September 28, 2014November 28, 2014 | Sabby G

Caracal Portrait: My latest attempt at rendering fur using Promarkers — Caracal Portrait: my latest attempt at rendering fur using Promarkers

A belated happy fall (or autumn, if that’s how you roll), everyone! Finally, the season of colours, warm outfits, and harvest is upon us! Speaking of colours, I’ve been really getting into Letraset’s Promarkers; a less expensive version of Copics. These alcohol-based markers are fantastic, and, like their ‘cousins’, come in hundreds of colours… and I’ll be honest, deciding which colours to buy was, itself, quite an undertaking. Knowing my interest revolves around our natural world, I chose my hues accordingly, keeping in mind I would mostly be colouring fur, trees, and flowers. Still, by the end of two trips to the local art store, I wound up with a hefty collection… to start. Still missing my greys, though (using my PITT artist pens for now)! Continue reading →

Analytical Sketching: Sum Up

September 16, 2014November 28, 2014 | Sabby G

This Thursday will mark the finale of my latest course at Syn Studio, Analytical Sketching. Essentially, it revolved around building up objects and figures from lines and geometric shapes. It really helped me to build upon my basic skills, and I noticed a significant improvement in the ‘3D’ appearance of my comparatively flat sketches. We only ever used pen and markers, which forced us to commit fully to whatever marks we put down. Since then, I think I may have touched a pencil once or twice. Of course, I was already a pen fan to begin with! Here are a few highlights from throughout the 10 weeks. Continue reading →

Wet Media: Inked Nuthatch

March 19, 2014 | Sabby G

So there seems to be a lot of ‘wet’ media so far… Ah well. This was done with a Pentel Pocket Brush that split on me, so I used the ‘snake’ tongue to my advantage for the feathery look!

As a wildlife biologist, I have a certain fondness for birds. The Red Breasted Nuthatch is something of a common sight here in southern Quebec (and North America in general, actually) and at ~4-5″ are tiny little things. Adorable!