Inktober Fall Fashion

Inktober happens every October, and it's all about challenging yourself to draw more regularly, and experiment with ink. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a bit stuck for inspiration when I'm doing monthly challenges, so I've put together this list of Fall fashion prompts. 

Why don't you join me! Do as many or as few as you like, no pressure. Tag your pics on Instagram and Twitter with #InktoberFF (Inktober Fall Fashion) so we can all play together!

If you're looking for some good Inktober drawing materials to try out, here are a few of my favorites.

• Dr. Ph Martin's Bombay India Ink (comes in a range of colors)
• Winsor and Newton Cotman watercolor brushes (to use with the India Ink)
• Fluid Watercolor Paper (works great with the India Ink)
• Liquitex Paint Markers - I know I know, they're paint, but they're in marker form so they count ;)
• Micron Fineliner Pens
• Marker Paper or Xerox Paper (nice and smooth for the Micron Pens)

I'll be posting my entries to @BrownPaperBunny on Instagram, and of course, right here on the blog too. Leave a comment with a link to your Instagram account or blog so we can all check out your work too

Day 31: Halloween

Day 29 / Day 30

Day 26 / Day 27 / Day 28

Day 25: Cardigan

Day 24: Coat

Day 22 / 23: Belt + Poncho

Day 21: Sneakers

Day 20: Jumpsuit

Day 19: Football Jersey

Day 18: Chambray

Day 17: Flats

Day 16: Long Sleeved Dress

Day 15: Sweater

Day 14: Boots

Day 13: Animal Print

Day 12: Hat

Day 11: Blouse

Day 10: Button-Down

Day 9: Jeans

Day 7: Pattern / Day 8: Sunglasses

Day 4: Jacket / Day 5: Gloves / Day 6: Purse

Day 3: Scarf

Day 2: Ankle Boots

Day 1: Flannel

Back to Pattern

This month my lovely friend @AIsForAnika is running a pattern challenge called 'Back to Pattern'. She is providing daily prompts, but it's super low pressure, you can do them as you please.  

Here are the first three days, which I did on my iPad Pro, using Adobe Draw. If you'd like to see my Top 5 iPad Pro Apps for Artists check out this blog post.  

Day 1: Feather

Day 2: Stripes

Day 3: Snails

I usually go through several iterations and color ways before I make a final decision, here are just a few of the snail options I played around with once I'd drawn the image and was happy with the repeat layout.

Do you like the one I picked in the end, or do you have a different favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Modern Day Mermaid

Recently I had my art studio open to the public so they could come and see how I paint, ask me questions, and generally take a look around. While people were visiting I painted a few different things, some abstracts, florals, and this Modern Day Mermaid which is a portrait of my friend Allison (yes her hair really is that color).​

If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know that I have a thing for rainbow-haired ladies, and painted a whole series of them, which you can check out here. ​

​Would you ever be brave enough to dye your hair a bright color? Leave me a comment below, and let me know!

I Forgot Your Birthday, Card

Hopefully you aren't easily offended by bad language. I'm Australian after all, and we tend to have rather salty language. 

I missed a friend's birthday at work, so I designed this card on my new iPad Pro (if you're interested in learning which apps I use, check out this blog post).

I wasn't entirely sure if she'd be offended or not, but she burst out laughing when she opened it, so that's a good sign. Right? 

Anyway, if you're as forgetful as me, you can now buy one for your own neglected friend. Visit my Society6 store. 

Leave me a comment and let me know if you have a potty mouth or you keep your language lady-like. ;)

Repeating Camera Pattern

Oh hi there! I wanted to show you the latest in my repeating pattern series. These vintage cameras were super fun to draw (using ink - pen and brush) and don't they look like eyes, or maybe washing machines when they're all together? Fun!

If you'd like to see how I turned it into a repeating pattern, check out my tutorial blog post here. 

I just added them to my Society6 store, and turned them into all sorts of cool products - throw pillows, leggings, mugs, prints and more!

Leave me a comment below and tell me what your first camera was! Mine was a super old SLR inherited from my grandfather!

Free Coloring Pages

I re-created my watercolor 'rainbow ladies' paintings digitally so I could make them available to you as a free download. 

You've got three to choose from, just right click on the one you want and open in a new tab, then right click to save the image. Print, and color to your heart's desire.

Right click. Open image in new tab. Right click to save image.

Right click. Open image in new tab. Right click to save image.

Right click. Open image in new tab. Right click to save image.

If you want some tips on the best pencils, markers, paint etc to color in with, check out my blog post here. 

Upload your finished coloring page, or progress photos and tag @BrownPaperBunny and #ColorWIthBPB on Instagram or Twitter and we can all color together. A big coloring party, if you will. (Maybe there can even be wine). ;)

Sign up to my awesome email list to get more free goodies that I only share with subscribers!

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Fine print: These downloads are for your own personal enjoyment only, they are not to be used as part of a product for sale or for promotional purposes of any kind. If you would like something commissioned, or to partner on a project, please contact me here. 

Repeating Palm Tree Pattern

I'm still learning how to do this repeating pattern stuff, but man it's pretty fun! Here's my latest creation - hot pink palm trees, painted in watercolor. Because, why not?

Maybe I'm subliminally dreaming of warmer weather and wishing all this snow would melt!

I started out by painting the individual trees in my sketchbook.

Then I scanned them into photoshop and started playing around with them until I had them in the layout I wanted. Check out my post on the different ways to create a repeating pattern here. 

Next I wanted to see how they would look on actual items, homewares, clothing, and other fun things, so I added the pattern to my Society6 store. What do you think? 

Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think I should paint as a pattern next! 

Random Acts of Kindness Day

This whole week is Random Acts of Kindness Week (#RAKweek2016 on the social medias) but today is the actual Random Acts of Kindness Day!

So why not print out the image above and slip it onto someone's desk at work, or into someone's mailbox. Just right click and choose 'open image in a new window' then right click on that and choose save image. Print, and voila, you've put a smile on someone's face today. 

Leave me a comment and let me know what other ways you've been participating in RAK week!

Random Acts of Kindness Week

This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week so I'm trying to do as many little acts of kindness as I can. Paying for the order of the car behind me in the Starbucks drive through lane, leaving happy little notes on peoples desks at work when they aren't looking, and anything else I can think of along the way. 

I definitely encourage you to do the same. You'll put a smile on your face, and the person who receives your kindness. 

Leave me a comment and let me know what little kindnesses you plan on doing this week. 

Repeating Watercolor Patterns: Trees

So, this is my first ever attempt at making a repeating pattern! I definitely recommend Jenn Coyle's Skillshare class on turning watercolor paintings into repeating patterns, or you could follow the tutorial I found over at The Jungalow which was easy enough to follow, but took a lot more messing around in Photoshop than I expected. 

I'm also participating in Anika Starmer's Pattern Challenge. She's creating a pattern every single day in 2016, whereas I've only committed myself to a pattern a week. But I am enjoying her monthly prompts. You can find them here if you'd like to join in, or you can voyeuristically check out everyone else's work here. 

This is my original watercolor painting. If you look closely you'll see I had to resize a few pesky trees that just didn't want to fit into my pattern. 

I've already painted three more of Anika's January prompts, so stay tuned to see how they look as repeating (or 'conversational') patterns. 

If you're interested, I also found this super cute pattern tutorial by Julia Rothman, using nothing more than a sheet of paper, markers, scissors and tape. Check it out on the Design Sponge Blog.

Leave a comment below and let me know if you've ever made any patterns, either digitally, or the old-school way!

WIN! heART Journal: Coloring Edition

This month the heART Journal is stuffed full of adult coloring pages (including one of mine). 25 different artists collaborating to make 40 beautiful colorbook pages for you, and I'm happy to announce that they're letting me give three issues away! 

For your chance to win one all you have to do is comment below, telling me why you think adult coloring books and coloring sheets are so great, and why you need more of them in your life! (Bonus points for telling me what you use to color - a particular type of marker, colored pencils, glitter pen perhaps?).

Good luck and happy coloring!!

And of course, if you haven't already signed up for the BrownPaperBunny Newsletter you should probably get on that. Otherwise you're missing out on more great giveaways, freebies, and cool stuff!

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WINNERS!

Thanks to Random.org the three winners of heART Journal editions are:

• April Lopez
• Diane Baker-Williams
• Jackie Rickard

Ladies, please email me here with your contact details and I'll get your issue sent out!

Free Adult Coloring Download: Peonies

I LOVE that grown-ups are taking back coloring from the kids! I've long believed that I get the same benefits from painting and coloring in, as I would from meditation...if I was able to sit still and think about nothing...which I'm not. So I think it's great that the world seems to be embracing coloring in as a form of relaxation. 

Here is my first free, downloadable coloring printable for adults. You can use markers, colored pencils, glitter paint, or do what I did and print it out on thick watercolor paper and color it in with paints! I also added some metallic pens and glitter at the end, for that extra sparkle.

Watch the time-lapse video below:

If you enjoy this printable I'd love if you shared your end result on social media, tagging me (@BrownPaperBunny) and #BPBcoloring so I can see! If you'd like me to make printables on a regular basis, let me know in the comments!

While you're here, why not sign up to my newsletter, where I share special things I don't give out anywhere else!

Jess
xx

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The Fine Print: These free downloads are for your personal fun and enjoyment (and to make the kids jealous) but please do not use them for commercial purposes. If you are interested in using some of my designs, drop me a line here.

4th of July Weekend

We were in Alabama for 4th of July weekend. It was like traveling to a whole different world! Our adventures included a watermelon-eating contest, patriotic golf-cart parade, a family wedding, and visiting the historic house where my great grandfather and grandmother were born and grew up! (If you'd like to see photos, visit instagram.com/SweetDivergence).

Now it's your turn, what did you do to celebrate America's Independence? And did you get in any creative time?

In My Sketchbook

I haven't had a lot of time for painting this week because, well, life has been getting in the way. Plus the weather has been completely gorgeous so it's hard not to spend every second out of doors!

But on the unbearably hot days I did manage to find a few minutes here and there to spend some time sketching in watercolor and ink. 

Here's a little peek inside my sketchbook this week. 

This is a reimagined version of an origami crane sketch I did a couple of years ago. As a kid I was really into origami. In fact, who am I kidding, I still love it!

This second sketch was to commemorate Bike to Work Day here in Colorado. I'd never participated before, and even though we've just moved quite far from the office, I'm really glad I did. Our town had bike stops with free food and drinks, and bike maintenance set up all over town. There were so many people our riding and the whole atmosphere was really fun! 

And yes, that's my bike...the pale pink cruiser with a mint basket, which happens to have cup holders built in! 

Leave a comment and tell me if you ever ride to work (or what you've been making, painting, crafting this week)!

Top Watercolor Artists on Instagram

I was super excited to find that Olivia Adams had featured me as number 1 on her top watercolor artists to follow on Instagram, in her blog post on Brit + Co. I couldn't be more honored, especially because the rest of the list is filled with such amazing artists and Brit + Co has long been one of my favorite blogs!

I wanted to share the list with you, so if you aren't already following everyone, get to it! 

@BrownPaperBunny

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jessica 🎨 Seattle Artist (@brownpaperbunny) on Sep 4, 2018 at 8:54am PDT

@emiliysanforddesign

A photo posted by Emily Sanford Design (@emilysanforddesign) on May 13, 2015 at 6:51am PDT

@hellolovelypeople_

A photo posted by Kristin Van Leuven (@hellolovelypeople_) on Jun 7, 2015 at 6:06pm PDT

@muchloveilly

A photo posted by m u c h l o v e i l l y (@muchloveilly) on May 12, 2015 at 10:22am PDT

@anna_pole

A photo posted by • A N Y A K• (@anna_pole) on Jun 18, 2015 at 7:06am PDT

@tracyhetzel

A photo posted by Tracy Hetzel (@tracyhetzel) on Jun 1, 2015 at 8:10am PDT

@arakelova

A photo posted by Мария, Happy mommy ;) 🎨 (@arakelova) on Jun 14, 2015 at 5:17am PDT

@vicky_od

A photo posted by Illustrations&art🌷 (@vicky_od) on Jun 17, 2015 at 2:00am PDT

@little_canoe

A photo posted by Brooke Weeber (@little_canoe) on May 30, 2015 at 7:30am PDT

@nataliestudio

A photo posted by @nataliestudio on Jun 17, 2015 at 2:28am PDT

@pinkpuddlestudio

A photo posted by Rachel E (@pinkpuddlestudio) on Jun 17, 2015 at 12:55pm PDT

I also follow a lot of amazing artists on Instagram, so stay tuned for an additional list of lovelies! And if you have someone you think I should check out, leave me a link in the comments!

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If you’re new here, I’m Jessica — a watercolor artist and fashion illustrator from Australia (but now living in Seattle, Washington). I’d love to connect on social media, come say hi on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter @BrownPaperBunny! 

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It's a Watercolor World

I painted this watercolor world map a while ago, and had it framed. It now hangs on the wall of my new studio! Last week I started printing the painting onto fine Italian card stock and making my own change-of-address cards. That's when I began getting requests to make the cards available in my store. 

You ask, I shall deliver! Ok, don't go crazy with the weird requests, but if it's art-related I'll see what I can do. ;)

I've made the cards available individually or in packs of two. Each card comes with its own cream-colored, Fabriano envelope as well. 

Now it's your turn. I want to know what your favorite holiday destination is. Leave me a comment below!

Collaboration: Essie's New Silk Watercolor Collection

I'm super excited to let you know that I recently worked with Essie Nail Polish on a launch kit for their new Silk Watercolor 2015 Collection. I painted 25 custom illustrations to go out with the Media kits, announcing the new line. 

I had so much fun painting these little guys, and I'm completely in love with all the new colors. If you haven't already, you should check them out!

Here's a great video on how to apply some watercolor effects to your own nails!

I'd love to know, do you use your own nails as mini canvases to express yourself, and if so, how? Leave me a comment below!

National Donut Day!

June 5 is National Donut Day! I have a real sweet tooth, so my solution (to avoid eating 500 of them) is to paint them instead!

To celebrate Donut Day, here's a little download you can print and give to your coworkers, friends, or family - with a fresh donut of course! Just click on the image below to open up the full size, then press print. Easy peasy.

Leave me a comment and tell me what your absolute favorite type of donut is. I'm partial to Krispy Kreme original glazed myself. 

And if you haven't subscribed to my email newsletter yet, get cracking. It's where I share special goodies I don't give out anywhere else!

Sketching Donut Day thumbnails in my Sketchbook.

Break Bad News with Calligraphy

I stumbled across Seb Lester's Instagram account, and his brilliant idea to #BreakBadNewsGentlyWithCalligraphy. How could I resist!

So I painted this note to my husband, using watercolors and ink. If you do your own, tag @BrownPaperBunny, I'd love to see!

Sparkly Mermaid Princess

It was a friend's birthday this week, so I illustrated her a mini poster. After all, she is the sparkliest mermaid princess I know. 

View fullsize

I got to thinking, sometimes we all need a little reminder to let our inner mermaid princess sparkle, so I thought I'd make this print available in my store. 

You can also watch a little time-lapse video of me painting it below...

A video posted by Jessica Mack (@brownpaperbunny) on Feb 10, 2015 at 7:57pm PST

And here is the finished, framed illustration. I'd love to hear what you think!

View fullsize