Self Portrait

You may have noticed a new portrait on the header of this blog and on my website. Drawing a self portrait is always very hard for me, but the image I was previously using was over five years old. It was time for an update.

I made an attempt last year, but it was too weird to work on. I was staring at myself in the eye on paper:

I prefer the new one where I'm looking down at the paper. It fits my personality better. Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

I did have to edit the face for the final so it would look more like me. here's a look at the work in progress from my Instagram stories:

I've also been using this portrait on my promotional materials:

The Little Red Hen

"Not I, said the cat!"

I'm trying to include more children's art in my portfolio. Here's a little red hen spread.

I always hated the ending to this story. Her friends weren't helpful, but maybe she should give them another chance.

Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

I also thought that the cat would make a good card:

It's available on Etsy here.

A Few Steps Back

I got back from the winter SCBWI conference and immediately got the flu!

February has been a month to rest and recover.

Arthur Conan Doyle SCBWI Conference Homework

I had the opportunity to take a workshop about references from the wonderful Barbara McClintock and Eric Velasquez at the winter SCBWI conference.

The homework prompt was about a young Arthur Conan Doyle. The part of the prompt I focused on was that his first story was about a man eating tiger.

Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

Missing Dinosaur Books

Here's an illustration I included in my portfolio for the SCBWI conference. It's a completed version of an illustration I worked on back in September.

To see the preliminary drawing, plus two other drawings from this story, check out this blog post.

BIlly Goats Gruff

Billy Goats Gruff, watercolor, gouache, and pencil on Rives BFK, 11x14", 2018.

I'm going to the SCBWI conference next month!

One of the workshops is about learning where your art fits in. There's an assignment where you have to depict a villain from children's literature. I had a hard time choosing what to do. In the end I decided to stick with my strengths, and illustrate a story that has animals.

This is kind of a funny version of the Billy Goats Gruff. Poor troll!

I posted a bunch of in progress shots on Instagram:

🐐🐐🐐Super rough beginnings. I've been working on one of the assignments for the #scbwi conference next month. It's to depict a classic children's book villain. I have to much left to do!! . . . . #ny18scbwi #billygoatsgruff #goats #ogre #kidlitart #illustration #illustrator #art #sketchbook #sketch #drawing #portfolio

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 6, 2018 at 2:07pm PST

🐐🐐🐐 This has become the drawing that never ends 😭. I should have been done ages ago. At least I'm ready to transfer to good paper and do the color version now. . . . . . #sketchbook #sketch #ny18scbwi #scbwi #kidlitart #childrensillustration #billygoatsgruff #goats #pencil #drawing #art #illustration #illustrator

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 12, 2018 at 2:20pm PST

What are the weirdest colors I could use?? K, I'm doing that. . . . . . #wip #gouache #illustration #illustrator #art #drawing #watercolor #gouache #scbwi #process #kidlitart #childrensillustration

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 13, 2018 at 5:57pm PST

Pet Portrait: Anya

I had a great time with Anya's portrait! 

See the preliminary drawing below:

Winter Events

This post is an ENORMOUS thank you to everyone who came out and bought artwork, cards, or ornaments from me this past holiday season. I left my wonderful day job in September to work as an artist full time. This can be a super unpredictable career, but I feel so supported by all of you!

Here's a look at just a few of the events from November and December:

This one could be it's own post... it was a big one! I set up a shop with 4 other members of the Independent Makers of Philadelphia at Philadelphia's Christmas Village. We were in a special "Handmade in Philadelphia section". The market lasted from the week before Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.

Here's the beautiful setting:

Here are a few more photos from December events. There were a ton more, but how many pictures of my table do you need to see? Sometime I'll have to post a tour of what my set up looks like for indoor and outdoor events, and what fixtures/ display items I use.

Last Call Holiday Haul at Philadelphia Brewing Co.

Punk Rock Flea Market at Bok

Go West Craft Fest at the beautiful Rotunda

New on Etsy: Beer Squirrel Card

You can find there squirrels on Etsy here.

They were originally used for the Last Call Holiday Haul flyer:

 This was a great event organized by a group I've been a member of for the past year, The Independent Makers of Philadelphia.

Here's a look at the original painting and preliminary sketches:

Pet Portrait: Finbar

I had a great time drawing Finbar, and now that Christmas I can share this portrait.

This was a memorial portrait, and the request was for something green or Irish to go with the portrait. So, I added some celtic knots, and I researched some green and white butterflies that can be found in Ireland.

Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

Here's a shot from my Instagram stories with a look at it in progress (on a Monday, haha):

New on Etsy: Raccoon Pretzel Brooch

This has been a request from quite a few people!

The raccoon pretzel illustration from my notecard is now a brooch. You can find it on Etsy here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/571141187/raccoon-pretzel-brooch

Inktober: The End

Whew! Catching up with this blog!

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of your support in 2017! I was so busy, I haven't posted in a while.

I know I never posted all of my Inktober drawings, so here's an Instagram post that shows them all:

Hey guys! I'm going to bail out of the rest of Inktober. I feel a lot of pressure with the holiday season coming up, and even the half hour I give to this exercise feels like a lot. I will be posting lots of drawings! There will be new prints and cards and a few puppies too. So stay tuned for that. This was a fun exercise... I don't usually have time to just draw without it being "for something". It was hard to share drawings that I thought weren't as strong as my pencil work. It's something I can definitely improve upon. I did like a few of these drawings though... Especially the roadrunner and walrus. Thanks for checking all of my posts out!! #inktober #sketchbook #pen #micron #sketch #inktober2017 #illustration

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Oct 20, 2017 at 7:32am PDT

Pet Portrait: Holly

Earlier this month I got to draw sweet Holly.

I wanted to include a holly plant without seeming too Christmasy, so I chose summer holly.

Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

You can order your own pet portrait here.

New on Etsy: Bat Card

I liked my Inktober bat drawing, so I redrew it in gouache and pencil.

It's now available on Etsy as a card

 Here's a look at part of the original drawing:

Inktober Week Two

Here are my drawings for the second week of #Inktober:
you can see week one and a list of the prompts here.

8. Crooked

9: Screech

10. Gigantic

11. Run

12. Shattered

13. Teeming

14. Fierce

Inktober Week One

I have been participating in this year's #Inktober

Drawing with ink isn't my strength, so it's good practice. I'm keeping each drawing only 3-4" and using it as a warm up or end of day exercise.

Here are the official rules and prompt list:

Here are my drawings for the first week:

1. Swift

2. Divided

3. Poison

4. Underwater

5. Long

6. Sword

7. Shy