Dea Lenihan's Blog, page 5

Follow Your Dreams!

As a job I write and illustrate.

I love to see my ideas come to life in stories and in pictures.


The Good Samaritan movie posterWhen we are young everything is new and interesting--everything is a first. As we grow, we become familiar with things in our lives. As we get older many of these things become more commonplace, and to keep things interesting and exciting we need to create our own firsts.

My latest first is to produce a short film.

This film is a mature thriller called The Good Samaritan, written and directed by Brooklyn Hudson. I supplied the art for this project, including the photography for the posters and campaign.

I am thrilled to be part of this project and can't wait to see it on the big screen. 

Life is short and precious. If you have something you want to do, do not hesitate. Create a first that you will never forget.

I hope some of you take advantage of the perks of this project which range from an advanced screening of the film, to an IMDb credit and personal thank you from the writer and director. There is even a Hollywood makeover and a chance to have your child in the film!

Click here to support women in film and to read about The Good Samaritan.

Then get out there and start following your dreams.

Drawing and Coloring Realistic Water Drops in Line and Greyscale

Here is a video that shows how to draw realistic water droplets.




You can add them anywhere on your coloring page as a fun and whimsical addition.

I used a BIC Xtra Sparkle Mechanical Pencil 15 ct[image error] (there is no sparkle in the .7mm lead--just the barrel of the pencil. Even the eraser if good!)



I also used a Tombow MONO Zero Eraser Value Pack, Round 2.3 mm[image error] (I LOVE this mechanical eraser! Buy it now :)



The image is from my book COLORING DREAMS. It has 14 painterly one sided images and no repeat patterns.



To just purchase the greyscale image shown in the video click HERE.

So as you can see the materials you need are super basic. The video is straightforward and I think you will find it simple and easy enough to recreate the images.

Have fun and happy drawing!

Here is the final product, drawn by me, colored by the wonderfully talented colorist Ronda Francis. Thanks Ronda!

What Coloring With One Graphite Pencil Taught Me

I was tired after Christmas, but not tired enough to fall asleep.

Watching TV is never enough for me on its own, so I either doodle, draw, write, or...you get the idea.

But I was determined to take the day off, so as I was watching The Sopranos then The OA, I picked up one of my own coloring books and a pencil.

At first it was a bit like doodling on a newspaper or magazine, and I had no predetermined outcome on my mind. I just wanted to relax.

Then I got into it.


Picture as seen in coloring book.
Colored with one Pentel GrapGear500 0.3 2B lead
The pencil is a mechanical is a GraphGear Pentel 500 with 2B 0.3 lead. You can buy it here: Pentel GraphGear 500 Automatic Drafting Pencil Brown (PG523E)[image error] 

The book is Coloring Dreams. It is printed by CreateSpace and has 14 one sided images. You can buy here:  Coloring Dreams: 8 x 10 Version with Borders[image error]

 I learned that using just one pencil is not only enough to color, it is super relaxing. (I found it to be even more relaxing than using colors, and can be just as striking.)

I learned to appreciate the images in a coloring book as art, and how to use shadows and light to make the image stand out, and even look beautiful.

I learned that 2B lead has a huge variation in depth of color, and that I love to use softer lead.

I also learned that if the lead is thin enough you can use a softer lead in a mechanical pencil and get a big variety of results.

I am not saying to get rid of your colored pencils, but maybe to give this a chance.

I loved it.

Accidental Coloring Discovery with Tombow Pens and Faber Castell Pencils

I love happy accidents.

Today I discovered that working with Tombow watercolor markers and colored pencils, Faber-Castell Poychromos pencils to be specific, is a match made in heaven.

If you put down a layer of color with the Tombow pens and wait about a minute for it to dry, you can color over the top with colored pencils. This allows for subtle shading and detailing which can be a problem when using markers alone.

I also went over the top of the whole thing with a Uni-ball Signo white pen. This also worked well.

Here is a quick video with a demo. Stay tuned--I'll be doing a whole picture soon.

Have a great weekend!

xo

The Top FIVE Coloring Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

From COLORING DREAMS Coloring BookWe are still riding the adult coloring wave, and it does not look like it will crash anytime soon.
From cute fairies to exotic fantasies and explicit curse books, we can't get enough of our favorite new past time.
But there are a few things to avoid in the relaxing coloring world.
*DISCLAIMER* Coloring is just plain old fun. If you are doing it, having a ball, and do not want to change a thing--maybe this article isn't for you. But, if you want a few tips, read on!
Do you:
1.  Use the same pressure on every area when using colored pencils? Some color with a light touch and some are heavy handed. If you want an artistic look to your pictures, vary the pressure you use. Pressing very hard gives a very bright, opaque finish to the area you are coloring. If you press very hard you will burnish the area which means there will be a shine or gloss to the area you are coloring, and any tooth on the paper will be flattened. Great for some areas, not for others. Don't be afraid to experiment. Pressing lightly gives the area a more translucent feel.
2.  Color in every single space on every single picture?Occasionally you will be stuck to figure what color to use. This might mean that you don't need any color at all, and the space should be left white. Some pictures look gorgeous with every area filled in with bright and vibrant colors--but some do not. Sometimes the negative space around the subject of the picture helps the focus to remain on the subject. Other times the negative space may be an interesting design itself.
3.  Only color what you already like?When we are kids, we are fearless and we learn what we like from trying practically everything at       least once. As we get older, we fall into patterns and feel we already know what we like, and do not like. I spoke to some colorists recently, and many said they didn't think they would like to draw people, or houses, or any number of things, and when they tried, they loved it! So give it a whirl. Throw yourself at some new coloring themes and see where you stick.
4.  Have the feeling that more is better?
How would it feel to have an endless supply of colored pencils or markers? Or enough gel pens to cover an entire wall? Sounds divine. Sure having a choice is nice, but having a smaller amount can be wonderful too. When I illustrated a children's book many years ago, the only thing I used to color was a set of 24 Conte charcoal pencils. It got published, and spent one lovely weekend featured at The Eric Carle Museum of Storybook Art. Practice blending colors. Using a blending stick or turpenoid helps too. You may surprise yourself. Also, having less pencils is a great study in color theory. You are forced to make new shades out of necessity, and the skill translates when you have even more pencils. Oh, the colors you will create! (Now that being said--I think almost everyone agrees the seemingly endless choices we have in coloring books styles is GOOD.)
5.  Try to make every image perfect?
Yes, there is beauty in photorealism--to have that wonderful ability to recreate what already exists. But there is another kind of awe in creating something that has never existed before. Use your imagination--no one is stopping you. If you color, you are an artists, and you can use your creativity in any way you like. Unlike a job or a duty, coloring is YOUR thing, and you can create any world you like. If it makes YOU happy, DO IT. No one gets hurt here, and in my humble opinion, putting a smile on your own face helps you spread the joy. Even if you are not the best colorist on the earth,(there is only one and no one knows who that is) do what thrills you. Everything has cracks--that is how the sun gets in. (Leonard Cohen)
Even though I named this article The Top Five Coloring Mistakes, in reality, I truly do not think we can make mistakes when we color. We may learn what we like to color, or what pencils are our favorites, and even new techniques, but one of the truly beautiful things about coloring is that there aren't really any terrible mistakes, just things we might learn.
Now go grab your pencils, I have wasted enough of your coloring time.
xo
You can buy COLORING DREAMS HERE.

18 Holiday Coloring and Craft Gifts!

It's the most wonderful time of the year and I have a nice list of terrific gifts for your favorite coloring Vixen (or Dasher)!

From frugal to fabulous, you'll find 18 gifts you will love to give or get for the holidays.

1.  Craft and Coloring Supplies Organizers -- we love to color and we have a LOT of stuff! Here are a few ways to organize and carry your supplies conveniently. 



                       13 Compartment Craft and Coloring Organizer and Tote $9.99 A wonderful tote to store all your coloring supplies.
         Everything Mary Deluxe Papercraft Organizer $18.95 Big and beautiful and ready to travel, whether from the kitchen to the dining room or to a friend's, this bag has room for it all

                   Blick Art Tote $24.19 A bit more space and a few more compartments, this white canvas bag will hold everything from markers to brushes, and everything in between.
2.  Nice Big Pen Sets -- Pens glorious pens! We can't enough enough. Here are some gels, watercolors, and fine tip markers for details.




           120 LOLLIZ Gel Pens No Duplicates $21.99 So many pens for so little money! Gels pens are all the rage for coloring, shading, and just jotting down notes. This set lets you color in EVERY shade.

                       97 Set Tombow Watercolor Markers $145.07 A lovely set of watercolor markers for coloring or calligraphy.
                             36 Staedtler Fine Tip Markers $23.89 36 fine liner shades, including six neon, for details and corners. For the coloring perfectionist.
3.  Colored Pencils--for the dedicated beginner to the elegantly advanced. 


                                   48 Set of Marco Raffine $17.99 Creamy and bright, these pencils are a lovely way to start coloring.
                              72 Set Prismacolor $35.00 Everyone has heard of Prismas! Buttery and smooth and super pigmented, a favorite of many.
         120 Faber-Castell Polychromos $186.75 Oh to have a full set of Polychromos pencils! On the wish list of many indeed!
4. Fancy Extras -- a few things you may not have thought of, but actually need, for expert coloring.
Weber's Turpenoid $4.59 to $51 Use this to blend your colored pencils. Makes colores brighter and images seem smoother.

                    Pretty Flower Clipboard $9.99 Such a pretty clipboard for those of us that either cut out the images from our books, or buy individual images from Etsy.


                          Pilot Frixion Erasable Markers 12 Set $14.60 Oh look! Markers you can erase!
Fakus Pencil Holders $30.00 Are your eyes deceiving you? These pencil holders are actually flat!

Vintage Sharp O Matic Panasonic Sharpener $30.00 In my humble opinion, the best colored pencil sharpener around! You might have to search on Ebay or Etsy--worth the search!
Mono Eraser $4.87 A fine point mechanical eraser--gets those hard to reach places, and looks pretty slick too.

Fold Away Coloring and Craft Corner Table $199.99 Even if you don't have too much room, now you can have a coloring corner of your own. Folds away to a cabinet with a chalkboard front when not in use.


                     Gorgeous Garland Coloring Book by Me Color, cut, and create your own garland. Perfect family fun for the holidays.
ALSO! Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a chance to win one Gorgeous Garland Coloring Book and a set of 70 Lolliz Gel Pens. Good luck and Merry Merry to you! Hope you found something wonderful here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gorgeous Garland Coloring Book and Gel Pen Giveaway!

Hi everybody!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I am celebrating by giving away my Gorgeous Garland Coloring book. It has 56 pages to color (14 image with three copies each), enough garland for a six foot Christmas tree.




Just color, cut, and create your own garland.

Watch the video and sign up below! Follow guidelines to qualify.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!

Learn to Draw and Color a Realistic Water Droplet

I'd like to invite you to the YouTube event, How to Draw and Color a Realistic Water Droplet.



If you would like to download the actual image we will be using on Sunday it is available ($.99) on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/48781956...


The entire book, COLORING DREAMS is also downloadable on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/47432598...

If you would like to join us on Sunday at 3pm click HERE.

Bring colored pencils, a fine line marker or pen, and and eraser.

Hope to see you there.

An Invitation to Color Along and Mini Pumpkin Drawing Tutorial

Please join us tomorrow for a coloring tutorial and a mini fall tutorial. 

The demo will show how to draw and color a realistic pumpkin. If you have Penelope's Garden coloring book--great! We will be using a page from the book. But never fear--if you don't, just grab a black marker or pen and your favorite colored pencils because the first five minutes will show you how to draw a realistic pumpkin.

If you would like to download a page from the coloring book please click HERE and pop over to my Etsy shop.




If you would like to use the free color along page click HERE.




If you would like to buy the coloring book click HERE.




And if you would like to learn to draw the pumpkin at the start of the hour and use it to color just bring a black pen or marker, Sharpies are great, and get ready to draw!

CLICK HERE to join!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Color on!

xo

A Colored Pic from PENELOPE'S GARDEN

Here is an imaged from my book PENELOPE'S GARDEN that was colored by Ronda Francis. I just love it.

Looking forward to more images colored by YOU.

xo


Drawn by me, colored by Ronda--LOVE. xo

Buy PENELOPE'S GARDEN HERE