The Gift of Time
I had a lot of fun drawing art supplies this week. During the busy holiday season, it’s been great to take time to sketch something every day. As I worked, I thought about my favorite tools, but also about how much more important time is to developing art skills. And so, while I hope that Santa slips a new paint brush or pen into your stocking, my greater wish is that you find time for regular creative practice in the New Year. Take a class, treat yourself to a weeklong workshop, or just make time for artwork every week. It will be one of the best presents you can receive.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with wonder! Thank you for following Drawn In—your support is truly a gift to me.
Tips and Techniques– Drawn with Ellington Pen’s Alpine Rose EF fountain pen with Jacque Herbin writing ink in an Italian-made journal with cream, laid paper. I find that the texture of this paper slows the drawing process, as the fountain pen doesn’t glide across the paper the way it would on smooth paper. I like the results, but I’m looking forward to doing another drawing like this in color in my watercolor journal.
Join me for my next online class, Sketching Through the Winter, to sketch your own art supplies…plus some other fun subjects. Also check out two in-person workshops next June and July on the Workshops page.
Drawn In 
Jean- This is so beautiful. I love the texture you achieved on the Escoda and daVinci brushes. Did the paper’s texture help to create this effect? You’ve inspired me to do some ink drawings of my paint supplies!
Hi Susan- Yes, the paper played a role in getting that texture. I hope you enjoy drawing your supplies!
Jean- This is so beautiful. I love the texture you achieved on the Escoda and daVinci brushes. Did the paper’s texture help to create this effect? You’ve inspired me to do some ink drawings of my paint supplies!
Jean! You are a well of limitless ideas and creativity. Everything about this piece filled me with awe and laughter! Awe at the beauty of the line work, shading, composition; laughter at your sneaky addition of objects “ah natural”! At first, all the obvious tools of the trade were visible and exquisitely re-created, right down to the labeling and a bar code!. It wasn’t until close-up inspection that the seed pod, shell, feather and other natural ephemera revealed themselves. Reminded me of a Magic Eye illustration! It was pure love at second sight!
Thank you for sharing your work, tips and techniques over the past year. . The time it takes for developing and bringing so much inspiration to us all is what’s priceless. May you have a magnificent season, filled with wonder and curiosity about the natural world. (And may Santa stuff your stockings with tools a plenty, so you can continue to bring us awe and laughter in the coming year . All the best, Jean.
Thanks so much Barb. I appreciate your consistent feedback– you are a thoughtful blogger and artist. I’m not sure there will be any art supplies in my stocking this year, but I may play Santa and put something in myself. I’m looking to find TIME as well. Happy Holidays to you! — Jean
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wishing you all the time in the world!
Some of my favorite tools 🙂
Mostly the basics– can’t go wrong.
Thank you, Jean, for the inspiring message.
You are welcome, Peggy!
Thank you for giving us the gift of inspiration and encouragement all year long! I get excited every time I see “Drawn In” as the Sender in my mailbox. Your work is beautiful, compelling, thoughtful and greatly admired. Here’s to another year of creativity and sharing!!
I’m all for that Mary Beth! So glad you enjoy seeing Drawn In in your inbox!
Jean, thank you for this peaceful and beautifully rendered picture. I may not have time to draw or paint every day, but I have had the gift of following your blog for many years. It continues to be a rewarding source of beauty and encouragement. I continue to hope to join you at a future in person workshop. Happy Holidays!
I’m glad to know that you are taking encouragement from my posts. It would be great to meet in person some day. Until then, wishing you more beauty and creativity in the New Year!