I don't know what it is about tiny things... But I love them. Take something, just about anything, and shrink it down to tiny proportions, and you've captured my heart. You might have figured this out about me after seeing all the tiny book necklaces I make (like this tutorial, or these micro journal necklaces) , and of course the fairy-sized sketches I've shared on Instagram for the Tiny Pages Project.
I first introduced you to the Tiny Pages Project and shared its purpose in my previous post about the project, and as I've now finished ten more entries, it's time to share again! This time, I'm sharing a few confessions about the project, the tools I'm using, and a little bit of the story behind each teeny illustration.
Tiny Pages Project no. 11. "Adventurous Spirit"
Tiny Pages Project no. 12. "Feather"
First up, I have three confessions about the Tiny Pages Project.
1. I practice the drawings before permanently inking them into my tiny sketchbook necklace. Because I'm not some genius artist. But I'm pretty sure that even the true geniuses practice their masterpieces before starting on the real things. (Crazy, right? My mind was blown when I first learned that the Renaissance Masters sketched out their ideas over and over before ever dipping their paintbrushes for the real deal. I had always assumed they were just so good at their art that every creation was a masterpiece the first time around.)
2. These tiny drawings don't always work out. I don't share every single drawing that's in my tiny sketchbook, because some have turned out horribly. And it's usually the drawings that I didn't practice first which end up looking terrible. Go figure.
3. I don't draw anywhere near as often as I want to and should. It took me over 3 months to finish these last ten entries for the Tiny Pages Project. That's not even one tiny sketch a week. Yet each one probably takes only a few minutes to finish. *Facepalm*
Tiny Pages Project no. 13 "Tiny Castle" and no. 14 "Little Lizard"
Second, I've started using a few new tools for my tiny sketching, and I'd love to share them with you:
I've been using the Faber-Castell black PITT artist pen, XS size. I love it; it's a reliable pen and the ink is great quality - waterproof India ink, permanent, and lightfast (it won't fade). Its tip is very fine (0.5 mm), and has served me well for many a tiny sketch.
But, I wanted to try sketching with even more micro detail, so I needed a pen with an even tinier tip. My search let me to the Micron 005 Archival Ink pen. Its tip is even tinier, at 0.2 mm, and it is also waterproof and fade proof. I'm hooked! This pen has been lots of fun to play around with and get even more detail in my tiny illustrations.
The third tool is also a new one for me: the Faber-Castell soft brush (SB) PITT artist pen. I've used it a bit for illustrations, but I also bought it to try my hand at brush lettering. The pen is great, but unfortunately my brush lettering is not. Just like all skills, though, it will just take some practice. In the mean time, I do like this pen a lot for sketches, too.
Tiny Pages Project no. 15 "Accidental Apocalypse"
Tiny Pages Project no. 16 "Cougar Paw Print"
Third, the (tiny) story behind each tiny illustration:
No. 11 - The phrase "Adventurous Spirit" is an important part of Badon Hill's mission, to provide "Hand Made Leather Goods for the Adventurous Spirit."
No. 12 - I found a gorgeous little feather on the trail while hiking, so I decided to draw it. This was one un-practiced sketch that actually turned out okay.
No. 13 - I am a medievalist, and castles will forever fascinate me, so I can't go very long without drawing one.
No. 14 - While my mom was in town for a visit, she and Val and I explored Garvan Woodland Gardens and encountered this adorable, tiny little lizard. So, of course he had to make an appearance in my tiny sketchbook!
Tiny Paged Project no. 17 "Mountain Musings" no. 18 "Tiny Pine"
No. 15 - This little sketch didn't start out as a landscape. I had planned a different picture, but botched the first line, so I had to re-think the design to salvage the page. It ended up as an almost apocalyptic, rolling landscape.
No. 16 - I spotted a single paw print on the shores of an Arkansas lake, but it was in rough shape, so I couldn't determine for sure if it was from a large dog or a cougar. I decided on cougar. And I drew it.
No. 17 - I like mountains, and they were on my mind as I was walking a lovely trail in the woods.
No. 18 - I never realized how much I love pine trees before moving to Arkansas, and I've been experimenting lately with a minimalist way of drawing them.
Tiny Pages Project no. 19 "Desert"
No. 19 - This tiny sketch represents a big change. My husband and I are moving to California! San Diego, to be exact. I figured a desert drawing was appropriate, since that's roughly the sort of landscape we're headed to.
No. 20 - This one represents something important for Badon Hill. Since the beginning of 2015, part of every purchase from Badon Hill has gone to support the efforts of Compassion International. This is a wonderful organization which works to bring over 1.7 million children around the world out of poverty. Compassion mainly works through child sponsorships, but also has several other programs such as disaster relief, leadership development, and malaria intervention. Learn more about Compassion at Compassion.com.
Tiny Pages Project no. 20 "Compassion"
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That's it for now, friends! I'm excited to see where my Tiny Pages Project entries 21-30 will take me, and I'd love to see the tiny creations you have to share, too! Tag your tiny illustrations, poems, or whatever you fill your tiny sketchbook with, using hashtag #TinyPagesProject so we can encourage and support each other in our creative journeys! (Don't have one? Get your own tiny sketchbook or journal necklace here!)