Debbie Waldorf Johnson

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Happy Fathers Day Speed Drawing

June 19, 2016

Speed Drawing of my fatherHappy Father’s Day!

Click here and you can watch a speedy version of my drawing process. This is a sketch of my dad who passed away when he was 94. Anyone who knew him would know the twinkle in his eyes and that little smirk!

Sketching from old photos help me to miss him just a bit less. He was a wonderful father and very active in his small town. Love that smile, love that man!

I created this piece on my ipad using ProCreate. It shows the work MUCH FASTER than it actually takes. I hope you enjoy it.

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Filed Under: Illustration, painting in progress Tagged With: artwork, dad, digital artwork, father, Father's Day, illustration of dad, Procreate, speed drawing

Thankful for America! Happy 4th of July!

July 4, 2013

FlagMakerThis is a pen and ink drawing I created this week from a photo reference that I took during a re-enactment event. Originally this woman was working on a quilt, but for the 4th of July I decided to change it to a flag.

I am proud to be an American. I am proud of this country’s heritage. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful 4th of July holiday.

Filed Under: 4th of July, American Flag Tagged With: 4th of July, artwork, Flag, holiday, illustration, pen and ink

Rooster in Black and White

May 14, 2013

05RoosterThis plucky fellow is the illustration for another chapter of Jaimie Engle’s book, Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light. You will have to read the book to understand how this all fits in (I smile).

To create these little drawings I always do some homework, and pencil sketches first. As I draw I imagine what the character sounds like and feels like. Have you ever held a chicken? Their feathers are soft, and they feel both fragile and strong at the same time.

When I was in junior high and high school my parents raised ducks and rabbits (to my dismay) for food. I, of course, made pets out of them (that may be why I was a vegetarian for 17 years of my old life). The ducks would follow me around everywhere. We had a small, spring-fed pond behind our house and I swam there in the summer. Sometimes I would float on a small air mattress and the ducks would paddle with me around the pond as I basked in the sun. If I sat on the ground with my legs crossed they would crawl up into my lap. I will never forget the softness of their feathers and how they each had their own personality. These are they types of things that float into my head when I am working on a drawing.

Yes, if I am drawing a human character, I have other thoughts that relate to that character. I may think about why he/she has a certain attitude, or what might be his/her favorite t-shirt. It seems that these silly things help me to understand my characters, and somehow, miraculously, unintentionally, those wonderful little characteristics appear in my drawings.

When you read about Clifton, you will genuinely grow to like him! You can find out more about Jaimie’s book by visiting her website. Stay tuned for more…

I love to hear from you. Enjoy.

Filed Under: Illustration, watercolor Tagged With: artwork, book illustration, Jaimie Engle, pen and ink, rooster

New Book Cover Project

March 26, 2013

I am starting a new project with Jaimie Engle and Wayman Publishers. I will be working on the cover illustration and chapter head illustrations for Jaimie’s upcoming book titled, “Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light”. CliftonSketch02

This is a sketch of the main character. I will post more soon as we progress on this project. Please visit Jaimie’s website to learn more about this and her other projects.

I have to add that creating a character who lives within the pages of a book is truly a delight. I am looking forward to sharing more bits and pieces of the illustration process with you as we plug along.

Let me know what you think…and please visit Jaimie’s website to hear her side of the story!

Filed Under: watercolor Tagged With: art process, artwork, book illustration, book project, graphite drawing

Debbie Johnson

Hi, I'm Debbie! I love bringing stories to life through illustration and sharing my inspiration and painting techniques through workshops and posts. Learn more about me or say hello!

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  • Another Illustration Project Complete
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