These little guys are based on my two younger boys, the "little brothers" to the two older kids. (Based on a photo taken back in 2002. The pic is not quite finished yet actually.... I don't really like it all that much, but that is beside the point.) It had been so long since I had seen my drawing pencils or paints, that I just needed to sit down and sketch a bit.
Graphite (or just plain pencil) was my first, and still favorite medium. Now don't get me wrong, I really enjoy pen and ink and I am still learning and loving watercolor. I think it is just the pure simplicity of using only pencil and paper (And the generous, forgiving nature of the eraser!) that keeps me coming back to graphite.
I have always struggled with a chronic lack of self confidence when it comes to drawing. It is for this reason that "Sewing" contains so much clip art alongside the diagrams. I was truly wanting to learn watercolor when the time for the "Tea & Cake" illustrations rolled around, so I took a deep breath and did a bunch of drawings to "color". I think I like the way graphite can be smudged and streaked and pushed around a bit (and that eraser :-)). It's more non-committal than pen and ink, which is on for good as soon as pen is touched to paper.
A personal "style" is another problem area for me. Everything one hears or reads goes on and on about an illustrator needing their own "personal and recognizable style". My problem is, I like experimenting with too many different styles, so much so that I wonder if I will ever settle on one (And then there's my crazy "thing" for vintage kitchen implements. Lol!). I have really enjoyed watching the styles of other artists evolve and develop over time. Sarah Jane has been quite frank in her efforts to pin down her style and it's nice to see that I'm not the only one. :-)
Have a fantastic day!
