Back to Basics



Lately I've felt I needed a little jolt in the creativity department and these drawings may be it. I dusted off my sketchbook and am really excited to share my latest sketches. These are not the usual fashion illustrations I share here on Fabulous Doodles but they're a well needed breath of fresh air for me and my Etsy shop, Brooklit. I haven't drawn like this years and its such a nice thing to revisit.
It started about a few weeks ago when I decided to dig out my watercolors and paint some little mermaids for my bathroom (shown below). Then continuing my obsession with Pinterest, I found some fantastic photos, like this beautiful ballerina (above,) that inspired me to start drawing again. I used to be so opposed to drawing from a picture, that it wasn't really drawing if you were working off a 2D image. (I guess I've gotten over that one since building my custom bridal illustration business!)
Drawing, shading, and texturizing my subject with only pencil and using brushes and paints again has been like visiting an old friend I haven't seen in a decade. (I feel like I sound crazy, I realize this, but its true!)
So for the summer I've decided to keep this sketching momentum going by adding these sketches, starting with Brooklyn Ballerina to my etsy shop available as $6 mini prints. I think this will be a nice little summer project to reinvigorate me and the shop. Are you trying anything new for summer?

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claire lynette said...

Oh I'm so jealous of your ability. I wish my sketches came out so cleanly the first time around. I'd love to see more of your work like this; I prefer them over the bridal illustrations.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Your drawings are amazing! I really love the mermaids! Never thought of drawing them before. The hair on the ballerina!

Brooke Hagel said...

Thanks girls! I like these too, the brides are my core clients, but these are great to come back to and have fun with.

Joanna Baker said...

Brooke, your mermaids are beautiful! I've been meaning to try water colors but find them a little intimidating. Maybe I should just go for it and try it out. I love your pencil sketches too. Sometimes it feels good to just go back to how you started out. Happy drawing!

Anonymous said...

Brooke, Your drawings are wonderful. In teaching myself figure drawing Im having a hard time with shoulders what is the measurements from neck to shoulder with in general? Having a hard time with getting this right.
Thank you for helping and for this blog,
Linda

l said...

This reminds me of Arial, when she started transforming out of the ocean!
-Rua

Brooke Hagel said...

Rua, Ariel has always been my favorite princess!!!