I’ve mentioned this before, but it doesn’t hurt to say again: I am, by no means, a professionally trained artist.  All my paintings, sketches, drawings, digital pieces have not been taught in a university setting.  I just do what I do the only way I know how.  It’s a huge bonus if and when people like my work. 

Work. 

I can’t even call it that!  I get lost for hours in my art – it’s soooo not work.

Now, for an artist on a budget, I think my iPad has been the best investment I have made in a long time!  When I run out of supplies for my normal media (watercolors, canvases, acrylic paint, etc.), I can still sketch out ideas on my handy-dandy piece of technology. 

Buying good apps is key.  I settled for the free kind for months, but never used them.  They just didn’t work the way I wanted them to.  I tried out the apps iDraw (the only apps I use for the AWTD banners), Brushes, Sketchbook Ink, amongst others, but I seem to have been loyal to Sketchbook Pro.  So here is a quick example of what my work looks like for start to finish.  I give you Lady and the Tramp’s Portraits.

I was always facinated by the shape and movement of the Siamese cats in Lady and the Tramp. They practically slithered all over the place. With watercolor and ink, I've painted one of my favorites scenes from the film. Though in present times, they are considered a bit racist, this song remains a part of my nostalgia. In fact, aside from the spaghetti scene, it is the most memorable part of the whole movie.