Donna’s Sketchbook

[Jacy13]

@donnamakesart Now your making me want to fill up a page with stylized tree studies! Actually, I could probably really use the practice. Haha, awesome work

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@donnamakesart great study! my trees tend to be too identical. I also need this type of exercise

[braden H]

@donnamakesart This is exactly the kind of study i tried/wanted to do. You've given me some inspiration!

[donnamakesart]

Thanks @Braden-Hallett @Nyrryl-Cadiz and @Jacy13 tag me if ever you do! Also, if you’re willing, let me know what brushes your use for digital works. This has opened a while new world for me haha.

[donnamakesart]

I’m revamping my portfolio but could not figure out what direction I wanted my art to take. I followed the Dream Portfolio assignment and found some interesting insight: mainly my use of line art and color palette did not match my vision for the perfect illustration

My recent works have been heading towards that but with this modboard I can fill in the gaps and point out what I’ missing much quicker

Now for the hard work: master studies haha.

[Navya Raju]

@donnamakesart this is really inspiring to see, thank you for sharing!

[ambiirae]

@donnamakesart I was just thinking about this last night! That was one thing I was unhappy with on my contest entry was my tree so I figured i might do a practice sheet of trees or plants that are more stylized

[donnamakesart]

@Navya-Raju thanks! Glad you found it inspiring

[donnamakesart]

@ambiirae yes. It was a useful and surprisingly fun exercise

[donnamakesart]

Master study no. 1

The illustration looks deceivingly simple but, oh man, it’s so detailed and not at all my natural style. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s the OPPOSITE of how my brain functions

The focus on shape and design composition is taking a lot of focus on my end but I’ve been learning a lot! I’ve always wondered how illustrators could make a piece defy perspective and have wonky lines but still have them look appealing and believable. Basically, the secret is to not lift your pen. And don’t draw constructive sketches. Just draw shapes

I hope that made sense hahaha.

[Dima Eichhorn]

@donnamakesart I love your trees, can i borrow them for inspiration?

[donnamakesart]

@Dima-Eichhorn yeah sure tag me if you ever post! Would love to see your works haha.

[Jeannelle]

@donnamakesart this is lovely! I’m not very good with trees and general foliage. I would love to do this exercise as well. Now you’ve inspired me. Hehe

[donnamakesart]

I felt a bit dishearted with it... Maybe I’ll revisit this in the future.

[donnamakesart]

Still looking for my style haha. Some pieces for JAN 2020

[KayPotter]

@donnamakesart you’ve got a real softness . I enjoy following your sketchbook!

[donnamakesart]

@KayPotter aw thanks! This thread gives me closure to move on with next projects :))

[donnamakesart]

Update on the master study. This is kind of proving how, even when we copy other artist’s work, you will draw it differently. My hand naturally drew the elements one size too big haha.

I suspect this was done traditionally then finished digitally but I have figured a way to fake the textures on Procreate. It just takes a lot of conscious work

The biggest take away was really the shape language. I’m not sure if I want to incorporate it in my style but it’s another tool in my tool box