19 October 2016

Pushing the boundaries!

As crafters, many of us try (and in my case, often fail) to make our own Christmas cards each year.  Some are diligent and create the darned things "all year round" whilst others hit panic mode in November when they realise there just are not enough hours in the day to get them all done!!

Well, I reached that conclusion a little early this year........my Christmas card tally was in single digits and I'm away in early November...........things were not looking promising!

Then I sat in my studio day dreaming.........how long was it until my trip to Arizona to attend Jennifer Dove's Copic Bootcamp?  As I gazed into space I found myself pondering over the Copic fine art creations we have seen that amazingly talented lady producing......who can forget the giraffe drawn on an ostrich egg or those fantastic tulips and it got me thinking.........dare I have a go?

Could I do it?  So far I'd only ever used my Copics to colour stamped images adding the odd background here and there........would I be able to make the jump to a hand drawn piece of art as the Allen Christmas card? Well, there was only one way to find out - give it a try!  What is it they say - "nothing ventured, nothing gained" ...........but what was I going to draw - not a tractor in the snow, that was for sure!  Then my mind wandered to Ruby, the photobombing chicken and it got me thinking...........Christmas....birds....Turkeys, suddenly it hit me, what about a little Robin!


Well, I've waffled on long enough, so here it is:





It is based on an image I found online, along with numerous pictures of Robins I used for reference, primarily because, believe it or not this is the first time I have ever drawn a bird!




I would love to have taken some pictures whilst I worked on it, but I was simply too scared to do so........what if I goofed and had to start over!  So please forgive me; having drawn the image in pencil I drew a deep breath and started to add the colour.  Firstly the holly branch and leaves, then the Robin. Oh boy, creating the texture on those feathers took some thinking, I was layering lavenders, blues, browns and greys to get the right colours. Then of course there was that vibrant "orange" chest....yes, believe it or not Robin Red Breast is in fact orange!! Finally I turned my attention to the snow, colouring white is a challenge all on its own! I was literally holding my breath as I neared the end - praying that I could finish it without making a mistake - and thankfully I did, woo hoo!!!!  

Oh and it's 100% Copic, no coloured pencil enhancement whatsoever (pinky promise)!!! 

Are you all ready for the Copic list, you know me, I use lots.........well when you have a full set of Copic markers it would be criminal not to try and use as many of them as you can!


From now on I intend to use my markers for way more than just colouring in stamps.........and I have to say I am really rather pleased with my first piece of Copic Fine Art.........keep watching, there will be more, for sure!!!

Thanks for dropping by and I hope this has inspired you to challenge yourself, push those boundaries and try things you have never done before.................you never know where that journey will take you!


Happy Colouring

33 comments:

Faye Wynn-Jones said...

It's absolutely stunning. Gorgeous, gorgeous work. I don't know why you weren't sure you could pull it off, I've seen your portraits! You are amazingly talented and an inspiration xx

Jennifer Dove said...

Just wow. I have studied this over and over and every bit is my favorite part. Please add me to ur Christmas list. I love birds and I love Jane so I have to have one 😝 Just wow!!!!!! No, really, WOW!!!

paperpapier said...

I scrolled up and down looking for your coloured robin but i could not find any. Seriously, you did not photoshop-ed the robin, did you?

Jane said...

No Photoshop enhancement - anyone who knows me is well aware I am technically challenged and I honestly wouldn't know how to do it that way if I wanted to. This is 100% me - hand drawn, hand coloured - then scanned into my Mac!

MarkerGeek said...

What Faye said! This is gorgeous Jane, and honestly I wouldn't have expected anything different. :)

Only By His Grace said...

Now this is what I call art. It is beautiful. You have done a stunning job Jane.
The snow is unbelievable. I thought you must have used some fluffy stuff or something. The Robyn is amazing and so is the holly branch. I so want to do this but alas I don't think I could ever come up to this standard. The feathers looks so soft and fluffy. Love, love, love it.
Hugs Maz

Amanda said...

Wow, just wow this is absolutely stunning. Hugs, Amanda x

Linda Carson said...

i adore this delightful beauty! It's absolutely picture perfect in every colorful detail! You are one gifted artist! I hope you frame it and enjoy it for years! Move over Jennifer Dove....Jane is in the house!!

Nancy Jensen said...

Absolutely amazing! You should do this type of thing more often!

Jeanne said...

What a magnificent piece of art! I thought this was a photo at first. You are so wonderfully talented. To think you've never even drawn a bird before. I am in awe. Thank you so much for pushing yourself and showing just how much one can accomplish. Wow!

paperpapier said...

Jane, I definitely trust you that you didn't enhance it digitally. It is another way of complimenting your amazing colouring technique which look so real! I have been following your blog via Feedly for some time already due to your exceptional colouring skill. Sorry that my comment has let you interpreted it other way.
Hugs,

Unknown said...

Absolutely jaw dropping you are incredible and such an inspiration xx

Curly said...

Omgoodness!!! This is such an outstanding piece and the fact that you haven't drawn a bird before just leaves me totally gob smacked, you art work is incredible, it looks like a photo, your are one very talented lady with a Copic. Have a lovely time in Arizona, im sure you will blow there socks off with your talent.
Have a lovely day
Kindest regards
Bridget 😊 Xx

Gayatri said...

It looks so natural!!! and coloring with copics!!! Gorgeous!!!

Pon Malar said...

This is amazing :) looks so realistic. The bird seems alive & the leaves, the berries, the snow... Just wow :)

Lorraine said...

WOW..Jane, this is stunning. You are one talented lady!
Lorraine x

coops said...

Rather pleased!!! missus :D
I would be absolutely cockahoop if I could colour like this , never mind draw it as well.
You should be extremely proud of yourself, this is absolutely amazing, I love it <3

xx coops xx

Annette said...

I've looked several times, like PaperPapier and all I can see is a professional photograph. Seriously hun, you are so talented I wish I could just watch you colour. To have drawn that yourself too is just stunning. I'm not sure it motivates me, more suggests that I hang up my pens in submission! Beautiful card but far too good to give away (unless it's to me!) xx

zehra said...

Wow, I love getting ur emails, and this coloring is super beautiful, wow. So so cool

Cathy T said...

Absolutely beautiful beyond words. This really needs to be framed. Your skills are off the charts. I can't wait to meet you at Boot Camp. This really is a piece of art, it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

Denni said...

Simply breathtaking and stunning. Wow!

Roxy said...

Wow this is SUPERB!!!!! You shoul be extremely proud of giving this a try and being so extremely successful... it takes my breath away it is so beautifully detailed! I hope you don't make this into a card but put it into a frame and hang it on the wall it really is beautifully superb!

Sue said...

This is exquisite - one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen - enormous congrats Jane - you should be designing Christmas cards!...xxx

Tracy said...

I think I've used the word speechless here before but it truly applies to this amazing example of just how talented you are. Every detail down to the tiniest feather is exquisite. You should be VERY proud of yourself Jane. Hugs!

Barbara Sproatmeyer (LM2) said...

Oh yea, you rock! I like that you built up the background instead of leaving it white. It also helps to make your snow look more white - but you knew that. LOL. The whole thing is very awesome! Very inspiring. :)

Househund said...

I think this if your best work to date.. and there is a lot of Amazing work to choose from.
Oh Wow As I type this there is a Robin sitting on the fence, I think he is giving his approval :O)
Bless you for listing the colours used, but I won't be trying this NOT EVER ... hahahah
If I say this piece in an art shop I would snap it up.
You truly are an amazing artist and person.
I just wish more people were aware of your talents xxxxx

Househund said...

Just looking closer at your masterpiece.
The snow is Amazing. It almost looks 3d
Can we have a tutorial PLEASE just something easier for us lesser beings :o)

Gloria Stengel said...

Jane, it was lovely to meet you at Boot Camp!! I am still stunned by your patriotic cacti. ;) Safe travels home. I cannot wait to see what you make next! Looking forward to seeing the BOOTS pop up on the blog!!!

Gloria
San Diego, CA

Unknown said...

I feel so honored to have gotten to see this in person. You are an amazing artist. You have inspired me to go out of my comfort zone. I absolutely love this!

Unknown said...

I'm little bit late, but I have to leave a comment. stunning,amazing great!!
And...what else? I don't find words enough!
love it!
Sandra- Italy

LivArtNow said...

This is breathtakingly beautiful!! Love it!! You do some of the most magnificent copic coloring I've ever seen, Bravo!! tfs, hugs and smiles,Linda

creatingincolors said...

I came over to your blog after seeing today's post of your Polar Bears on MFT. I am simply blown away by your talent. I can't stop scrolling through your posts. I keep saying to myself "how did she do that". I can't imagine how you did the white on this one. Amazing work.

Susie said...

Well Jane, this answers my question on whether you've met Jennifer Dove *laughing* Isn't she amazing! I wish you could have seen my face the day I met her in my local papercrafting store in Peoria, Arizona. I was absolutely blown away with her fine art and Copic skills. This first time sketch of a bird on a branch is equally amazing. Love your work!