sketchbookpages

[sketchbookpages]

New website, here no more

Hey everyone!

Big update—my most up-to-date illustration portfolio is now online here. If you want to see my latest work in one place, that’s where to go!

For behind-the-scenes looks, sketches, and constant updates on my art process, be sure to follow me on Instagram. That’s where I’ll be sharing the most frequent updates from now on.

I won’t be posting on Tumblr anymore, so if you’ve been following me there, make sure to check out the new links. Thanks for all your support—I’m excited to keep creating and sharing with you!

See you over there! 🎨✨

[sketchbookpages]

12 watercolor techniques in one page

Explore 12 Essential Watercolor Techniques in One Page

Exercise to explore different expressions and see what watercolor can do. It's an opportunity to test new paper and watercolor paint, creating a valuable go-to glossary for future illustrations.

Remember, this is an exercise, a practice - embrace the process, without focusing on final artwork results.

Tips:

Note down the paper and watercolor type for reference. Different paper textures provide different results. Understanding the materials is key.

Use an easy-to-peel washi tape to create a 4x3 grid. Use a hairdryer to remove the tape glue for easy peeling when done.

Enjoy.

1. Solid colour

Apply a generous amount of solid watercolor paint, keeping the surface wet.

Use for: Creating solid backgrounds

2. Layers

Begin with a light, watered-down paint. Allow it to dry completely. The first layer is always lighter, in the background, far away.

Apply the second layer darker, adding depth and perspective. Let it dry fully.

Add a third layer.

Use for: Mountains and enhancing landscape perspective.

3. Spots on colour

Create a shape with watered-down paint. Let it dry.

With a different color, add spots (small, concentrated areas of paint). Depending on the amount of water and drying time, these spots will create a smooth overlapping effect.

Use for: Mimicking animal skins

4. Wet color spots

Create a shape with very wet watered-down paint, with sharp details.

With a different color, add spots, and let it freely blend. Watch the paints blend and create a feathery effect. The first layer will define the space where the second paint can go.

Be mindful of water quantity, as it can crumble the paper.

Use for: Silhouettes.

5. Soft blend of two solid colors

Apply two different watercolor paints, each one starting on the opposite side. Let them touch.

Blend with an empty dry brush (no water, no paint).

Use for: Foggy or smooth sky transition effects.

6. Wiping away

Apply very wet watercolor paint.

Use dry paper tissue to soak areas, revealing the paper underneath and creating create fantastic random shapes.

Use for: Clouds.

7. Texture

Apply very wet watercolor paint and allow it to partially dry. Soak areas with newspaper to create a sharp crack effect.

Use for: Clothes and movement.

8. Spots with brush

Cut a piece of paper to mask the area that will not receive paint.

Splash paint with a brush. Use your finger horizontally to tap your brush.

Use for: Creating textured spotted backgrounds.

9. Dry paint brush

Use paint on a dry brush. Do not use too much water, use solid paint.

Dry the brush slightly on a separate napkin, then open the brush fibers before applying.

Use for: Grass and fur

10. Wet paper

Wet the paper with clear water. Let it dry, but not 100%. (It will take some time to dry.)

With a different color add spots to create blurry non detailed shapes. Do not use too much water with the new color. It will blend very smoothly.

Use for: Background elements like distant trees.

11. Water on paint

Watercolor solid wet paint (prefer a dark shade). Wait a few seconds… when the paint is still wet, drop clean water drops.

Tip: For a more dramatic effect, add grains of salt to the water drops that will absorb and distort the cleared-up areas.

For: Underwater effect.

12. Wet colours meet

Two different very wet watercolor paints, each one starting on the opposite side.

Allow them to blend naturally.

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Enjoy the unpredictable and be surprised by the effects. This exercise is a learning opportunity

An exercise in letting go.

[sketchbookpages]

Inktober 2020

An international art challenge during the whole month of October. 31 prompts, 31 drawings in ink.

This year I am taking a different approach to it: 31 drawing into 1 single illustration! A daily improvised graphic storytelling piece. No plan, a full month of creativity and drawing!

Follow along my daily drawings of an adventurous traveller on Instagram.

I do it to grow my drawing habits, discover artists around the world participating in this initiative and have fun!

I am following Inktober 2020 official prompt list.

Here’s the story:

1/31 - Fish

2/31 - Wisp

A smoking light won't guide you.

Will-o'-the-wisp, a ghost light seen by travellers at night that draws them from the safe paths as it goes back when approached.

3/31 - Bulky

Traveller's bulky bag pack.

He stared at the fish in the pond. Started to walk with his feet on the water, following a wisp ghost light into the night.

4/31 - Radio

Our traveller got lost in the long dark night. S.O.S. sounds on the radio. He signals. It's getting cold with his feet in the water.

5/31 - Blade

Something tickled his feet. What was that?! Our traveller quickly takes out a blade out of his pocket to defend himself from that feeling he cannot see. It was so fast!

As a real camper, he only carries an Opinel.

6/31 - Rodent

Our traveller got a glimpse of his surroundings. No need for harm, it is a friendly beaver! A large rodent that likes to hang out around fresh waters. Maybe it's time to get out of the pond and find some dry shelter. Relief.

7&8/31 - Fancy and Teeth

Heating a can of ravioli on the portable gas stove. Not his favorite... he can only dream back to the time when he took her to that fancy chef restaurant to eat a fresh lobster. Huum, so delicate... *crunch* he felt an odd hard chunk in his mouth. "How is that possible?!" He said. Our traveler pulled out on his hand a piece of his teeth. "Oh well, maybe a tooth fairy will come to bright up my trip tomorrow."

9/31 -

Yesterday's dinner was so sad. "I am in the middle of nature, surrounded by trees, breathing the purest of air", his mind wonders. Our traveller rapidly throws his fishing pole at the pond, hoping for a fresh catch lunch. He saw fish in there 8 days ago!

🎣

More to come, until reaching the 31 drawings! Stay tuned and follow the story on Instagram.

[sketchbookpages]

Ladies and coils

Black is beautiful

💛

Digital sketch on iPad

25th September 

Nadia Nadienka

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This art print and many more are available on my shop 

[sketchbookpages]

Eyes, a study

Sketching expressions. A lot can be said just with the eyes.

✏️Digital sketch from reference.

September 2020

Nadia Nadienka

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Prints available on my shop

Keep updated with new creations on my Instagram.

[sketchbookpages]

The Chocolate Cake, an easy recipe

🍫 I have perfected my fondant chocolate cake recipe into easy and tasteful steps. What better idea than to draw it? Delicious sketch noted recipes are back!

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Recipe

150 grams of chocolate

100 grams of butter

80 grams of flour

80 grams of sugar

3 eggs

A drop of coffee and a pinch of baking soda.

Melt and mix the chocolate + butter + coffee, and reserve.

Tip: you can melt in the microwave at a low temperature.

Tip: If you have no coffee, a drop of milk works too.

      2. In another bowl, mix the flour + sugar + eggs + baking soda.

      3. Mix and which the two bowls together and into a cake mold

Tip: Pour wet into dry.

      Oven: 175 to 180 degrees Celsius for 20 to 25 minutes.

Advanced level: Add pears into the mix, let yourself get surprised 🍐.

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🖌️Pen and watercolor on natural brown A5 paper.

August 2020

 by Nadia Nadienka

Tasting the chocolate already?

[sketchbookpages]

Portraits on repeat

Digital sketch, women portraits. Shadow training on iPad.

July 2020

by Nadia Nadienka

Prints available on my shop

[sketchbookpages]

Sense

It only starts to make sense, when you remove the darkness.

That’s the process of scratch board etching. Remove the Indian ink layered on the board with cutters. 

by Nadia Nadienka

July 2020

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Check the process for this piece on Instagram.

And like always, prints are available on my shop.

[sketchbookpages]

At home, during a pandemic, trying to work

My personal and professional point of view during the Corona crisis, in a sketchnote format. Part of the CoDoodle initiative.

Started on 13th March 2020, the initiative counts with 60 participants from 17 countries, up to today. View daily sketches on #codoodle Art Blog

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Nadia Nadienka

14th April 2020

[sketchbookpages]

Animals and Flowers - Coloring book My coloring book is taking shape and now counts with animals and flowers. It includes a set of my black and white drawings for you to print and color, or directly color digitally! Download my Animals and Flowers coloring book for Free (PDF format) Great Tit (Parus Major) Panda Amarillis Cherry Blossom Orchid I am happy to see how you have been coloring along. I got to see your work coming from the USA, Canada, Belgium, and France! Making connections tighter with art. Week 3 of confinement, Covid-19 sanitary world crisis Stay home, stay creative

[sketchbookpages]

Don’t forget, it’s Spring Spring 2020, undergoing a global pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Our minds don’t seem to focus and wonder around the news, thoughts for our friends and family. To be protected and reduce the overload of hospitals we stay home. 
I can’t be all that dark. I invite you to color spring and it’s flowers to remind us that there is beauty in this world. I made drawings for us to color and paint together, as friends where ever you are. Print in white or colored paper, try pencils or watercolors, Paint on the iPad or digitally on your computer. I would love to see what your mind comes up with! Download for free the pdf with all 3 flowers. Download the Amaryllis in jpg. Download the Cherry blossom in jpg. Download the Orchid in jpg. 🌼 Stay creative, stay safe.

[sketchbookpages]

[Another] Lady crow 🖤

Black pen and white pencil on Natural brown paper.

February 2020

Artwork by Nadia Nadienka

Get this art print and other goodies on my shop society6.com/nadienka Check out more of my art on Instagram and Facebook.

Keep this world weird

[sketchbookpages]

Blue touch of your hand

Digital drawing, pencil sketch, hand drawing illustration style.

January 2020

By NadiaNadienka

Buy this print: https://society6.com/product/blue-touch-of-your-hand_print

More artwork: http://sketchbookpages.tumblr.com/

Get updated on Instagram and Facebook.

[sketchbookpages]

(Under a burned sky) We shall arise

An anthropomorphic woman turned into a religious goat. Pierce look of a woman on the rise.

Ink pen, watercolor, and gold ink

August 2019

by Nádia Nadienka

Buy this print and other goodies on https://society6.com/nadienka

More on Instagram and Facebook.

[sketchbookpages]

And there will be light

Lady crow, the sea and the moon 🌚

Scratching is an engraving technique in which I remove the ink to reveal the layer underneath. Drawing and scratching in negative

5th July 2019 by Nádia Nadienka

More artwork: http://sketchbookpages.tumblr.com/



Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadianadienka/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NadienkaArt/

Shop: https://society6.com/nadienka


[sketchbookpages]

n°66 Prussian blue eyes

Watercolor, single color

Inspired by B. Cumberbatch look.

March 3, 2019

by Nádia Nadienka

More artwork: http://sketchbookpages.tumblr.com/

Buy this print: https://society6.com/product/n066-prussian-blue-eyes_print

Get latest updates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadianadienka/

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NadienkaArt/

[sketchbookpages]

Look up, and see nothing

Payne Grey watercolor and Gold ink

10 Feb 2019

Nádia Nadienka

More artwork: http://sketchbookpages.tumblr.com/

Buy this print: https://society6.com/product/look-up-and-see-nothing_print

Get latest updates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadianadienka/

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NadienkaArt/