The Octopus

A few months ago I decided to try out some new mediums in my sketchbook,(because what are sketchbooks for if you can’t use them to play with different art styles and techniques??) and I ran across a box or old Crayola markers and thought; “Why not?” So I sketched out some quick framework and got scribbling! My favorite medium at the moment are Prismacolor Soft Core colored pencils, so after I laid in the base colors, I tried adding in some pops of unexpected colors and textures with the pencils. And I was so happy with the result! The octopus is my favorite piece i’ve made thus far. I love drawing animals and nature, and bringing elements of the natural world into my art for all to enjoy. I think the octopus really brings my two loves together, through the lens of my favorite creature!

This piece was also a breakthrough for me material-wise. I had pretty much abandoned Crayola in my early tweens, because I had this bias that they were “too low quality to make good art with” or that they were “for kids.” (and yes, I see the irony) I was convinced that the quality of my art depended on the quality of my materials. And while this can be true for some, I haven’t found this to be the case for me! So, I sent my inner materials snob on a one way to trip to “not today, satan“-ville. And It’s been great! Now that I’m using cheaper, more easily accessible materials, I don’t “baby” my tools anymore. I don’t feel limited by the fear that i’ll use up the last of the ink and then need it later. Because you can always get more Crayolas.

So for all you material snobs out there, this is your invitation to break out the Cra-Z art crayons and Mondo Llama fingerpaints. Who knows what you could create!

(P.S. and don’t worry if what you created is a mess of disgusting colors and shapes formed out of hours of frustration at your tools. If you don’t like the materials, try something else! Another perk of cheap tools is that if it doesn’t live up to your expectations, you’re not obligated to get the most out of them because they were expensive. Ditch ‘em!)