Tag: Copic markers

Cola: A Good Drawing Day

Japan is very high on my list of places I’d love to visit, though for a whole host of practical and health reasons I’m not sure I’ll ever get there. So I loved every minute of drawing Sktchy muse Cola’s Portrait, drawn from a photo taken in Yukata. I was very nearly transported away from lockdown Britain to a tearoom in Japan for the couple of hours I spent drawing this – it was possibly my favourite drawing session ever.

I’m so glad I learned to draw, especially now. Anything that can give me an escape from the anxiety of lockdown is precious indeed.

I drew Cola in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers and Posca pens.

Nande: is anger better for my mental health than anxiety?

This is Sktchy muse Nande, wearing hospital scrubs and basic PPE, or personal protective equipment, which is now the subject of so much political debate here in the UK because hospitals are running out and Public Health England has been suggesting staff should reuse some of it.

My husband is a resuscitation practitioner in our local hospital, so he’s currently training other staff to resuscitate & intubate, as well as working in A&E, ITU, in operating theatres and on COVID wards. When he comes home my daily questions are “Did you have enough PPE today?” and “Was anyone you work with diagnosed with COVID-19?” I’m trying to stay angry at the incompetence of the government because I think anger is better for my mental health than anxiety, which just consumes me… and it’s not hard to be angry at this pathetic excuse for a government right now.

I drew Nande in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers.

Mussu in a Mask

To mask or not to mask is becoming more of a conversation every day in the UK, but they are still very difficult to get hold of. But you can make your own now, so long as you don’t need them to be medical quality – YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are bursting with instructional videos for sewing your own and even hacks for making stitch-free versions using scarves and elastic bands. I ordered a couple of washable ones from Amazon a month ago and they finally arrived this week so I have some if I need to go to the shops or chemists. But official policy at the moment is that they don’t need to be worn in public.

This is Sktchy muse Mussu. I drew her in a Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers and Prismacolor coloured pencils.

Avril Needs a Hug

This portrait of Sktchy member Avril captures very well how I’ve been feeling these past few days.

I drew it in a Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers and Prismacolor coloured pencils.

Alicja In a Mask

This is Sktchy muse Alicja wearing a very intimidating mask. I’ve had masks very much on my mind the past few days. I read a newspaper article a few days ago which said that wearing masks seems to be far more effective than societal distancing at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Those countries where mask wearing in public has been made mandatory have apparently seen a hugely reduced rate of infection.

It’s not that it protects you from being infected, it’s more that it helps to stop you from infecting others by reducing the spread of the virus in your saliva and sneezes. So this is why you should cover your face and mouth if you’re going outside, with a bandanna or scarf if you don’t have a mask. In the UK it’s nigh on impossible to get hold of a mask anyway…

I drew this portrait in a Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers and Prismacolor coloured pencils.

Cecile – Memories of Agoraphobia in a Lockdown

I had a mental breakdown many years ago and for a long time afterwards I had a mild form of agoraphobia and found it hard to leave the house. This period of quarantine reminds me very much of that time. I think that perhaps that is partly why I’m feeling so much anxiety – I’m reminded of a time in my life that I’d rather forget.

The inspiration photo for this portrait from Sktchy artist and muse Cecile captures that feeling of wanting to go out but not being able to very well indeed. The world outside looked so bright and colourful while my indoor world felt so washed out and sad in comparison. I have to keep reminding myself that this is not the same for me – I’m not experiencing agoraphobia, its not my mind that’s keeping me inside, it’s a pandemic. And this time I’m not alone in this situation like I was last time, it is the same for everyone who is not a key worker. Everything is different this time, but it still feels frighteningly familiar.

I drew this portrait in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers and coloured pencils.

Scout/WonderWoman

This is Scout Penelope, everyone’s favourite child model on Sktchy. I drew this portrait for this weeks Old School Sktchy “childhood “ challenge because in my house childhood was all about dressing up. I made so many costumes for my daughter, who was constantly challenging me to turn her into a mermaid, a dinosaur hunter or Nancy Drew. And she grew up to be her own version of Wonder Woman, as I’ve no doubt Scout will do too.

I drew the portrait in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers, Prismacolor coloured pencils and Posca pens.

Lykke

I’ve drawn Lykke before and I’m sure I’ll draw her again – she’s one of maybe two dozen Sktchy muses who have everything I want in a model and who post new inspiration photos regularly. I love the contrast between the blue hair and the light and shadows in the inspiration photo and worked on reflecting that in my portrait.

I drew this portrait in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic markers and Prismacolor coloured pencils.

Mal

So lovely to be able to get lost in a portrait right now. I enjoyed drawing the beautiful Mal from Sktchy hugely.

I drew Mal’s portrait in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with Copic. markers and Prismacolor coloured pencils.

Alexandra

I’m remote working from home due to the Covid-19 crisis but, rather having lots of time on my hands, I’ve been insanely busy. It’s been a real struggle to find just an hour to draw a portrait these past few days. But I eventually managed to draw Sktchy muse Alexandra in instalments.

I drew this portrait in my Midori Cotton sketchbook with a Unipin fineliner, Copic markers and Prismacolor coloured pencils.