When I contemplate my navel for subjects to draw for my alphabet series, I always try to include some foods and musical instruments as well. Unfortunately, in my N is for Nachos and New Illustrations spread, I couldn’t think of any “n” musical instruments. Needless to say, Ndingidi, Naqus and Nai weren’t in my wheelhouse. Instead, I turned to drawing Nefertiti and Napoleon.
N is for Nachos and New Illustrations
Curious to see the coloring process?
Then you’re in luck because I recorded this watercolor demo video last night:
My Process…
These days involves adding the shading to my illustrations first. (That’s why the bottom 4 figures in the video teaser image above look like they are rendered in “greyscale.”) The reason I shade first is so that I can keep the actual watercolor washes transparent and simple – in other words, not overworked. Of course, sometimes I forget and add color before the shading. But rules are supposed to be broken, right?
What’s Next?
Why the letter “O,” of course! Thankfully, I have just enough pages left in my current Moleskine notebook for the rest of the alphabet, plus a few more whimsical illustrations along the way. Once I have filled the whole sketchbook, I’ll be posting another Sketchbook “Tour.” I hope you’ll stick around to see the Big Reveal!
As a fellow fruit-lover, I can assure you that the nectarines look juicy and delicious!
Hi Helen,
I’ve been on the lookout for the apples you mentioned, but haven’t seen any of those varieties yet. Soon it will be strawberry and raspberry season…I can’t wait! And cherries – my favorites! Yummy!
xox – Joana
Oh, you probably won’t see those till August at the earliest, at your local farmers market.
August? But by then I’ll have forgotten all of those apples names! (In fact, I think I may have already…) But I know that you won’t mind reminding me come August. 😉
xoxo – Joana
Ooh ooh, I like the nekked lady! And your editor looks like he might be sleeping on the job….
No, he was trying to smell the cheese. Hee-hee! I’m glad you like the nekked lady. (I always have fun drawing naked people.) 😉
xox – J