In order to continue my mission to draw all the time and fill up more sketchbooks in 2016, I’ve been busy working on a new theme of drawings each week. At the end of the week, it’s nice to have lots of new drawings and a full page illustration. And I’m learning how to draw so many new things this year, which is really exciting!

My theme for July is wildflowers and pollinators, so week 28 in my animal art series features butterflies and bees and all the wildflowers I’m seeing on the roadside these dog days of summer.

I thought it might be fun to share my process with you this week. The first step for me is to lightly pencil in the composition. I’m still a tentative drawer so I like to be able to erase and change my mind. I tend to leave the pencil marks and let them show through the watercolors later, using them to subtly show details and shading.

My next step is to start laying down watercolors. I usually start with all over background colors, and then go back in later and add the details and highlights. This time I got caught up in the little details so it took me longer to finish this page.

I challenged myself again to do the illustrations with just watercolors and my tiny paintbrushes, no Micron black pens. I love doing illustrations this way but I do love and miss working with my black pens.

Can’t wait to turn this playful sketchbook page into fun new digital art! Happy drawing!

Terri

Click here to see my Weeks 1-16 illustrations, ranging from bears to owls to whales to saltwater fish

Click here to see Weeks 17-20: Backyard Birds, Flamingos, Peacock and Macaws

Click here to see Weeks 21-25: Bugs: Neon Insects, Monarch Butterflies, Butterflies, Neon Spiders, and Moths

Click here to see Week 26: Nature is new every morning.

Click here to see Week 27: Wildflowers and Pollinators: Butterflies