Evolution...of a DoOdLe :)

Today I was thinking how I could possibly enhance my blog to make it more meaningful - how someone could get more out of it.  While I love sharing my thoughts, my inspirations - I also wanted to show others how they too can be an artist.  

So then I thought...why not show my pieces in their evolution stages.  From start to finish...

First off are my doodles - I. LOVE. to. DoOdLe.  You can literally turn what you think of as scribbles and, well, doodles into BEAUTIFUL works of art.

The first thing I always do when I doodle is I just start drawing.  I draw shapes - circles, squares, triangles...I draw flowers...LOTS of flowers.  I draw leaves, paisleys, anything really that comes to mind.  I grab my journal and I doodle. (This is also great for practicing at night in front of the TV - you are spending quality time with your sig other and yet still getting your drawing practice in!)

This is different from the finished project below but I wanted to show you what one of my doodles looks like in total black and white :)

So then, I grab my watercolors and my watercolor 'pen' and I start painting.  I LOVE watercolors. My favorite right now are Koi watercolors and they come in this fabulous travel tray that you can take with  you anywhere.  Watercolors so forgiving and if you don't like how some paint comes out, go over it, blend it, smudge it.  Love me some watercolors! :)

I often get asked - how do you come with your designs or how do you know what colors to use in your doodles.  The answer is - I don't know immediately what I am going to create.  I just start and evolve the piece as I go.

  I NEVER sketch my doodles in pencil - always in black sharpie with a fine tip (gasp!).  But what if I make a 'mistake'?  In my mind - there are NO mistakes.  Art is what comes from your heart.  If you feel you make a mistake - keep going.  Shade around it...make a shape out of it.

And as far as colors go...let me tell you.  I love, love, love color.  The more the better I always say.  So keep adding color in.  OR, even better, pick THREE colors - and only THREE - and use those in your piece.  OR take one color and use different shades of that one color.  There is just SO much you can do.  Limitless, endless.

When I am done painting (and this is my favorite part) - I add the small details.  The smallest of details can really make your piece pop.  Shading with the pen, adding definition to the petals:

Once you feel your piece is done, sit back and enjoy your work.  I love giving my pieces away in a nice, simple black frame so the colors REALLY pop.

In my next post, I will show how one can add mixed media elements into their doodles and how you can really make each piece fun and unique~