Pigeons!

Pigeons, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 5 x 7" each, 2013.

These pigeons are part of the "Creature Comforts" show at the Art Dept.  Some of them took on personalities of their own!

The originals are for sale at The Art Dept, but I also used these pigeons to make archival prints as well as fabric for scarves like the one below:

The whole show with work my work and the work of Amanda Gallant is at the Art Dept through December 1st. Stop by if you're in the Philly area!

Illustration Friday: Creature

Marco, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 16 x 20", 2013.

I wasn't planning on posting an Illustration Friday this week, but then I saw the theme! I've been working on a ton of stuff for a show called "Creature Comforts" at The Art Dept. gallery here in Philadelphia. The show opens Friday!

This is the biggest piece in the show, and I finally got it scanned! Thanks to Zack all of the pieces got put together in Photoshop.

If you want more details on the show look here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/208473656000483

Illustration Friday: Underwater

Sirena, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 10 x 22", 2013.

I've been working on drawings for a show at The Art Dept. in November. When I saw this week's Illustration Friday prompt, I knew this would fit right in!!

You can see the preliminary drawing here.

Here's the promo for The Art Dept:

Gelatopus

Gelatopus, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 11.5 x11.5", 2013.

I scanned one of the drawings I'm doing for the November show at The Art Dept. today, and I thought I'd share it! This one's kind of silly.

Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

When I was researching octopus pictures for this drawing, I came across this really cool youtube video:




Also, this week Koosje Koene featured me on her blog. You can see the post here. Also check out her website! She makes awesome draw tip videos, and has online drawing classes. It's worth a look! Thanks, Koosje!

Preliminary Drawing: Sirena

Sirena Prelim., graphite on bristol, 10x22", 2013.

I thought I'd post another peek at the work I'm doing for the November show at The Art Dept.

This one's kind of hard to see, so I posted a closer, detail view. I'll be scanning the final soon!

Preliminary Drawing: Marco

Marco Preliminary, graphite on bristol, 16 x 20", 2013.

Guess what? I have a new camera, so I can post photos of my artwork again! (Thanks mom and dad!)

This is a peek at some work I'll be showing at The Art Dept. in November. I'll post more soon... expect some mermaids, gelato, and plague doctors.

Right now the final version is sitting on a wood board half painted, so I'd better get back to it!

Work in Progress

I've been horrible at posting, but working on a lot of new things... here's a little look at one!

Have a good end to your weekend!

Owl Notecard

Earlier this week I drew a small owl, and decided that it would make a great notecard. The illustration was graphite and watercolor on hot press watercolor paper.

The cards are available on Etsy and at The Art Dept. in Philadelphia.

I hope everyones doing something fun for the Fourth of July! (even if you don't live in the US, I hope you have a great summer day!)

Doves & Grapes

Doves & Grapes, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 11 x 11", 2013.

My housemate, Sara, recently got married, and I made a drawing as a wedding gift.

I was inspired my Audubon's paintings in The Birds of America. I own a huge copy; it's one of the best gifts I've ever received. I was also inspired by looking out my window; it overlooks a courtyard full of grapevines.

Here's a look with the frame and lettering:

I hope everyone's enjoying their summer. There's been a lot of hot weather and thunderstorms here!

Illustration Friday: Tribute

White Rabbit, graphite and acrylic ink on hot press watercolor paper, 5 x 7", 2013.

I recently have a giveaway contest for a 5x7" drawing, and the winner wanted something Alice in Wonderland related. So, here's my small tribute to Alice in Wonderland!

Have you seen the Illustration Friday blog this week? There's a wonderful tribute to Penelope Dullaghan; she started Illustration Friday, and this past week was her last week running the site. Thank You Penelope!!!

Thumbelina

Thumbelina, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 11x14", 2013.

I'm working on building my portfolio, and thought it would be nice to include this drawing.

I'll be picking the winner of my drawing giveaway tomorrow. If you haven't entered yet, details are here.

100th Post! **GIVEAWAY**

Hedgehog Party, watercolor and graphite on Rives BFK, 7x9", 2013.

I made it to 100 posts on this blog! Whew!

I know it took me much longer than most bloggers, but I still want to celebrate. Everyone has been so supportive of me, so I thought having a GIVEAWAY for my readers would be fun.

I am giving away a custom 5x7" drawing!
I'll draw a portrait of you, your favorite animal or place, delicious food...whatever you want.

Here's how to win:
Simply leave a comment on this post (Google+ comments work too).
Tell me what you'd have me draw. If you're indecisive, just say hello!

Want an extra entry?
1.Retweet this post on twitter:

I'm giving away a custom drawing! RT this post to win... details here: sarahdrawsthings.blogspot.com/2013/04/100th-…
— Sarah Ryan (@SarahRyanDraws) April 21, 2013

2. Like this post on Facebook:

If you feel like it follow me on twitter or like my Facebook page too :)


I'll pull a name on May 1st.

PS: The hedgehog drawing in this post is available on a notecard in my Etsy shop or at The Art Dept.

And the winner is:

Paul!  
Congrats... and thanks to everyone who entered!

Preliminary Drawing: Thumbelina

Preliminary Drawing, graphite on bristol, 11 x 14", 2013.

Here's the start of a new illustration I've been working on.  I don't have enough on my portfolio website; I'm hoping that when this is finished it'll be good enough to add.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend!!

Miniature Cats

I'm not a cat lover. I know that's horrible to say on the internet since everyone is obsessed with cats. I'm allergic to them, and I just don't trust them... they make mean faces at me.

My sister, however, has two cats and loves them. I drew her tiny portraits of her cats, FDR and Cliff Lee, for her birthday. The photo below is one of the preliminary drawings so you can see the scale.

Happy Birthday, Emily!!

Illustration Friday: Wool



Squirrel, watercolor, graphite & colored pencil on watercolor paper, 5 x 7", 2013.

 This little squirrel is wearing a nice wool scarf to keep warm. I'll be drawing lots and lots of squirrels pretty soon!

I recently downloaded the Vine app, and took a short video of my process:



Does anyone else have Vine? I'd love to see some great illustration profiles! I'm registered under my name, "Sarah Ryan".

Illustration Friday: Storm

Storm, micron pen, watercolor & gouache on watercolor paper, 7 x 9", 2013.

I should be working on something else, but I had an idea for this week's Illustration Friday. So, I did a super quick little drawing to get that idea down. Maybe sometime I'll do a bigger more finished version.

Three Little Birds

Goldfinch, Sparrow, & Cardinal, watercolor and graphite on Rives BFK, each 5 x 7", 2013.

I've been drawing lots of backyard birds... here are three!

I'll post more up soon.

My Workspace

I recently signed up for ArtHouse Co-op's "Encyclopedia of Workspaces" They are collecting photos of work spaces from all over the world. I love to look at photos of work spaces... not the kind that would be in a magazine or decorating blog, but real, used work spaces.

I live in a house with five other people, so my workspace and bedroom share a room. The space might seem small to other people, but it works perfectly for me! 

The chart above is from Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. I haven't really posted on my blog much lately, I feel like every project I've been working on has been stuck on "Dark Night of the Soul".  I figured this "Encyclopedia of Workspaces" project was great to participate in because it's simple to complete, and it would get me moving. There are a bunch of other really great, free Arthouse Co-op projects on www.sketchbookproject.com. If you are an artist, photographer, writer, or just looking for something to do, sign up for one!