More than once I have been asked about the creative process I use to create my Wonderful Wacky Women. As the daughter of an artist who is the daughter of an artist, I take it for granted that most of the process comes without fore thought or planning. But everything has a beginning. Since a lot of you are artist or crafty with all sorts of mediums, I thought I’d share my process with you.
It all starts with an inspiration from family and friends who plant the seeds of my creation. Once the idea is in my wacky head, I start with a watercolor paper by Strathmore called Aquarius. I lightly sketch out my characters shape, careful not to press too hard as the paper is horrendously unforgiving. Then dive right in with either a black fine tip Sharpie marker or a Micron Pen. Once inked in, I paint it with a variety of watercolors sticking only with the transparent ones that include a lot of a brand called Holbien. I really love their paint yet I really can’t pinpoint why. Just great quality, pigment rich color. (I’m addicted to a color called “Opera Pink”)
I make lots of mistakes and start over three or four times… Yes, this is part of the process. Because sometimes it takes seeing what I don’t want to realize exactly what I do want!
I allow my creation to dry a good 24 hours before I then digitally scan my piece and import it into Photoshop. It is there I add the words to the stories I write and the whole piece takes on a life of its own.
As Paul Harvey says, “And now you know the rest of the story!”