Bella Dia

Mandala Tote

Do you like my little mandala tote? I was totally inspired by a
hand-drawn tote bag created by Yasmine in the latest issue of
Parasol Craft. I used a black fine pointTee Juice fabric marker
and it went on beautifully. I already had the totebag but
I got it at Michael's.


The tote is small but it's the only one I had on hand when
inspiration struck. I'd like to do a bigger one like Yasmine's too.

More Mandalas

Some of my mandalas are a little wonky but I'm okay with that.
I use three different sizes (F, S, XS) of Faber-Castell Pitt Artist
Pens and they are wonderful to work with. So relaxing,
and portable too.

*This post includes an affiliate link. If you make a purchase
through this link I will receive a small commission. I only
recommend products that I like and think that you
will like too. Thank you for your support!

Mandala Experiments

 
I've been having so much fun doodling mandalas with the
inspiration I've gotten from Daisy Yellow. These are the first
ones I've done experimenting with different lines
and designs. More to come!

Watercolor #9

A new watercolor and pen illustration in lots of shades of
pink. I'd like to make some prints - does anyone have
any paper suggestions for printing at home? 

Early Fall Watercolor

My head has been spinning with all that I have to do but
these watercolors have a way of calming me down and
relaxing me enough to go to sleep. This one is much
smaller, about 4" x 6".  I hope everyone has
a happy and safe Halloween.

New Watercolor Drawing

late summer garden

I took a little break this evening and made a new
watercolor. I had a fall scene in mind but couldn't leave
the summer behind so soon, thus a late summer garden.

Another Drawing

Thank you everyone for all the nice things you said about
my tree drawing.  It's hard when I do something that I like
and then I hesitate to do it again because I'm afraid it won't
come out as well the next time and then I'll feel like I just
got lucky the first time around rather than having any real
skill. I felt like I had to just dig in and try again. Sounds so
wimpy but there it is. Does anyone else ever feel that way?

This is a drawing of a piece of branch from our firewood box.
I'm using a mechanical pencil (my beloved Quicker Clicker)
and a kneaded eraser. The kneaded eraser is really fun and
so helpful with the shading and highlights, plus you
can play with it like playdough.

 

To Draw A Tree

I've always wanted to be able to draw.  I mostly wanted to be able to put down on paper the ideas I can see in my mind but I also wanted to be able to draw a tree.  I always thought that if someone could draw a tree then they were a pretty good artist because I think trees seem hard to draw.  Inspired by Lori's drawing lessons that I have featured on The Crafty Crow, I've been practicing a lot lately.  I finished this tree drawing this evening and I have to say I am pretty darn pleased with it.  I see places for improvement but for my first real effort I'm satisfied. 

The kids and I have begun keeping nature journals so consequently we're spending more time looking at the shapes and lines of trees and rocks and water movement at the river.  I pulled out Keeping A Nature Journal that's been sitting on my shelf forever and it has been a practical help as well as an inspirational one.  Besides suggestions on observing nature and how to get started journaling, it has basic drawing lessons and exercises that I have found extremely helpful.