Today is the first day of October and the start of InkTober 2017!
Every year in October since 2009, artists all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge created by Illustrator Jake Parker by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. (read my previous post) Other amazing artists have created their own challenges during October. This Year I will Join two amazing challenges InkTober and Drawlloween is a little more spoocky Halloween themed created by Pop Surrealist artist Mab Graves! I will create my daily drawings inspired by the combination of the two Challenges daily prompt words and I have combined the names creating my challenge “DrawllooweenTober” yes this is my plan to be able to join and drawing daily for both amazing challenges at the same time, if you like to join my way, use also hashtag #drawlloweentober
Details about my paintings: My Ink drawing is outlined with ink pens. Pentel Pocket Brush black ink. Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. A dash of watercolor I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
I have a second Instagram account dedicated to my Art please follow me there! @carolinarussoart
October Challenge!
Visit my DrawlloweenTober GALLERYand follow my daily drawings!
I loved to create Ylia, she is a futuristic kind of superhero- warrior with a nod to the past, she is also a Messenger of “Love and Peace” most of my drawings were accompanied by quotes or Haiku that I wrote. Maybe one day I will publish an illustrated book of @Ylia Adventures! We will see what the future brings! For now I just got the InkTober 2017 “Official Prompt list” I don’t know yet what I would be creating, I need to brainstorm! This challenge is open to anyone that love sketching with ink pens but for the #worldwatercolorgroup we are free to add a dash of watercolor, I hope that someone of you will join me this year, you don’t have to be drawing every day if you can’t, you can do a drawing every other day, or every few days, or one entry a week! Doesn’t has to be a complicate drawing, it will help you to develop a habit and skills.
Here is the Story of this event: Illustrator Jake Parker is the creator of this great challenge and initiative started in October 2009. Jake created InkTober as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year. Here are the 2017 Official Rules:
Jake Parker Official Rules
I am very excited this year to join Jake once again and participate to this great challenge with artists all over the world! Sharing on the Blog and on Instagram @carolinarussoart I really would love to create all the 31 ink drawings but I think I wont have much time this year, because I would be participating also to another challenge event (I will tell you about this later on!) So I will pick all the prompts that inspire me to produce great drawings.
Visit Jake Parker website for more details, videos, inspiration and lots to learn. I exported here the Official prompt list for the month.
The Official 2017 InkTober Prompt List:
InkTober 2017 Official Prompt List
If you like to join the challenge don’t forget when you post to always add the hashtags #INKTOBER2017 #INKTOBER and if you add watercolor hashtag #worldwatercolorgroup post your ink drawing online on your Blog and/or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter…add all the tags to any place you share your drawings online!
I hope that my friends artists here on WordPress will join this challenge with me, that’s why I made this post early in advance so that you all can get prepared!
Now let’s get paper, inks, watercolor and have fun in October! ❤
Today I am happy to post about one of my latest collaboration and commission done during the month of August.
I have collaborated with British Author Marjorie J Mallon, she is a novel’s writer and a friend in our community here on WordPress.
I always love to write the story behind the scene of my paintings. A while back I was contacted by MJ, she is one of my lovely long time followers from overseas. She loves my Art and followed my World Watercolor Month Collection, created in July, a challenge featuring 31 paintings in 31 days. MJ was touched by one of my paintings, inspiring the coming idea. Explained in her message to me indicating that her new book Kindle Edition “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone was close to be launched on August 26, (yes it is already happened!) and that she would’ve loved to collaborate with me, asking if I could create a painting for her. A portrait to illustrate her fiction character “Esme” and a digital image to be able to share it online! The idea was very exciting to me, I love book illustrations and of course, I wanted to create this special portrait. MJ gave me some interesting details about Esme, and enough was said that I let soon my creativity fly. I prepared a pencil sketch with my vision, MJ approved and I was ready to paint and bring the character alive. What a beautiful opportunity for both of us to collaborate while we are in two different countries, she is in UK and I am in US this is one side of the beauty of Blogging! Great connections can be made opening the doors of possibilities. I Blog from three years now and I had amazing connections and experiences. During this year is happened to me several times to collaborate and I love it.
While having our communications MJ gave me some interesting information and detail about what was important for her to showcase in my painting. Esme has long blond hair, the mirror, a face reflection, tears, a pink quartz crystal, a clock, and sunflowers + few more detail that I wont reveal to do not spoil her book! Not much I needed, to let my creativity and vision of Esme taking shape. I had my vision and MJ loved it! As you can see on my painting I added all the elements she gave me ” Esme, the crystal and the sunflowers are in foreground painted in a light delicate watercolor color palette that is in contrast with the images in the dark background, the clock and the mirror that are representing the unknown and the darkness.
I loved to create this intriguing painting which I gave the title “Esme And The Mirror” Esme is the name of one of the main characters in the book. MJ mentioned in one of her Blog posts this quote: “The tears in her eyes convey her sadness but the golden hair of the mysterious girl facing her (no spoilers!) is bright and vibrant, suggesting hope.” What a great message isn’t it? Well my painting represent Light and Darkness, Sadness and Hope.
Thank you so much MJ for supporting my art with our collaboration and commission! I had the opportunity to create this beautiful inspiring Portrait for you bringing alive your intriguing character Esme and have my Art connected with you and your new book! “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone to know more about it give MJ a visit on her Blog this is the link to her Book Launch Party Post
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Painting Release: The image of my painting isn’t included inside the book, but I am having a “New Release” here now!
First run of Limited Edition Fine Art Prints only #1/20 Prints are available for fans and collectors, fine art prints are numbered and hand signed by me!
If you like one for yourself or for a wonderful gift, the Print is beautiful, you can fully support my Art and preorder – purchase your Print here on my Blog, read all the info about price and shipping on my page Shop Art Prints
* Artist Details about the Original Painting: My watercolor is outlined with black, white and brown ink pens. Gold pen Gelly Roll by Sakura. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic Pencil #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves. Pentel Aqua Brushes – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
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If you like my Art and would like to have a Custom Painting or Illustration from me, I am open to commission work if you have an idea
just Contact me and we can talk about it! 🙂
You can see more of my Paintings visiting my GALLERYthere are several Galleries find them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.
All my watercolor paintings are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints!
This is my latest watercolor painting just finished yesterday and launched on Instagram @carolinarussoart, it is my artistic version of character Miss “Wednesday Addams” created in my signature style of watercolor and inks!
My painting is inspired by Wednesday Friday Addams a fictional character created by American cartoonist Charles Addams in his comic strip The Addams Family, first appeared in 1938 on The New Yorker cartoon. The character has also appeared in television and film, in both the live action and animated formats.
Artists around the world like to portray this intriguing character creating beautiful Fan-Art artworks in their own style! So here is mine!
I enjoyed to paint her in a delicate color palette portrait!
My Miss Wednesday Addams is now available in a Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of 20 numbered and hand signed prints! I will print her in two sizes 8×10 and 5×7 inches price is different for each size select the option that you prefer! And don’t forget to add the discount code I am offering!
I am having a great SALE on ETSY plus I am offering an Extra 10% Off on any order! My Coupon Code is LABDAY2017 to apply at check out! The coupon is valid from the day 8/31/17 until day 9/4/17 I have just Reduced Prices pretty much on everything left in the Shop, plus you can add this extra 10% discount, remember the coupon is valid only for 4 days!!!! If you use the link above the coupon is already applied! 😉
Details about my watercolor paintings: My watercolors is outlined with black, white and dark red ink pens. Silver pen Gelly Roll by Sakura. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted the Original on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
Hello everyone this is the week #3 of the Coffee Painting Challenge! I am loving it to paint with coffee it is so inspiring! The theme for this week is “Alice In Wonderland” and well a “Tea Party” for Alice and friends is a must to paint and so I did! This is painting #3 for this month I am creating a mini series of four collectible paintings, they would be available in Limited Edition Art Prints as single prints and at the end of the month a set of four mini-prints would be available more details next week! Keep following!
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Details about my Coffee – Watercolor paintings: My coffee to paint is prepared in 3 shades Light – Medium – Dark. I developed my own recipe and technique.
My watercolors is lightly outlined with brown and dark red ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used Pigma Micron Brown #01 and dark Red ink #05. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
All my paintings are available for preorder in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints numbered and hand signed. I you love these paintings you can already preorder your print. For details visit the page Shop Art Prints
Today is time again for the themed weekly Coffee Painting Challenge, this is the painting for Week #2 the theme is “Your Favorite Coffee/Tea Mug” I love coffee and Tea mugs which I collect vintage ones. I love to drink coffee as much I love to drink Tea! I am enjoying to create this mini series of four collectible coffee paintings, they would be available in Limited Edition Art Prints in size 8×10 or at the end of the month I will create a set of four mini prints!
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Details about my Coffee – Watercolor paintings: My coffee to paint is prepared in 3 shades Light – Medium – Dark. I developed my own recipe and technique.
My watercolors is lightly outlined with brown and dark red ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used Pigma Micron Brown #01 and dark Red ink #05. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
This month I am participating to a themed weekly Coffee Painting Challenge, this is the painting for Week #1 the theme is “Cherry Blossom Tree” (Use Pinks and Blues to make it pop!) I loved to create this portrait. Painting with coffee is beautiful and opens all a new way to create! I haven’t painted with it in a while and I loved to go back to it! This month I will create a mini series of four collectible paintings, they would be available in Limited Edition Art Prints.
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Details about my Coffee – Watercolor paintings: My coffee to paint is prepared in 3 shades Light – Medium – Dark. I developed my own recipe and technique.
My watercolors is lightly outlined with brown and dark red ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used Pigma Micron Brown #01 and dark Red ink #05. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
August weekly Coffe Challenge by @UNIVERSI_IMAGINARIA
Hello everyone Happy August! ❤
The month of July has been fantastic with the participation to The World Watercolor Month! I am pleased that I’ve created a beautiful series of paintings now available in Limited Edition Prints! This month of August is going to be very interesting, because I am participating to another great Challenge hosted on Instagram by my friend from Norway artist Natali K Haugane aka @UNIVERSI_IMAGINARIA this Challenge is about painting with “Coffee” interesting isn’t it?
This Challenge has weekly themes Natali said that she chose that because there is more time to get used to paint with your coffee or tea if you would like to try that out. And I personally like that because there is also more time during the week for other type of paintings. I will create one coffee painting at week following the 4 weeks themes, you can see them listed on the challenge flyer. I will post my painting during the weekends here on the Blog and on Instagram @carolinarussoart. I find it really cool and I always had fun to paint with “Nature Colors” I did paint with coffee in the past and I have experimented with fruit and pigmented spices. If you are on Instagram and you like to participate to the challenge post your coffee painting at the end of each week using the hashtag #natscoffeechallenge it would be fun!
If you paint with watercolors #worldwatercolorgroup isn’t much different to paint with coffee, if you never tried and would like to learn how and give it a try, my friend artist Magny Tjelta made a post on her Blog and a lovely video tutorial! I will link it here: Learn Basic Coffee Painting I suggest you to watch it! 😉
You can paint beautiful things with coffee! I will try to adapt it to my signature style! If you don’t have an Instagram account and you don’t want one, you can still join me here on my Blog, link your weekly post with your coffee painting to me so that I can see it!
Plumeria Flowers from my photo to a watercolor painting challenge!
A couple of weeks ago I made a post with my photo of this beautiful Plumeria Flower and I decided to use it for a watercolor painting challenge open to anyone that paint watercolors and especially to my friends Artists Bloggers from our #worldwatercolorgroup well yesterday June 30 this challenge ended! I had a nice response from two lovely ladies Miriam and Carol inspired by my photo and challenge they painted their version of my Plumeria photo. I previously posted my painting and today I am going to post all the paintings, to honor Miriam and Carol beautiful work!
My friend Miriam from the Blog The Shower Of Blessings has been the first one to made her painting and shared with me earlier in the week, here there is her lovely painting.
And yesterday I was so happy to receive via Instagram the paintings of dear friend Carol from the Blog Carol’s Creative Papers sheDM mecause had no time to make a blog post. Carol made two renditions of this painting she prefer more the colors in the first one. I like both!
Thank you so much Miriam and Carol for participating to this challenge with me. You both did great job on these paintings and I am humbled that you were inspired and motivated by my photo. I am planning to made more Art Challenges in the near future but after the busy World Watercolor Month that is taking place now!
❤ If I missed anyone that participated to this challenge, please let me know and I will add your painting in this post!
Have a wonderful rest of the week! I will post again later on today my Day #1 of the World Watercolor Month stay connected! ❤
Today post feature the release of my new watercolor-graphite painting having the title of “Mystical Multitude”. This is the finished piece of the work in progress that who is following me on Instagram @carolinarussoart already has seen this painting progressing through my latest posts. I am happy how it turned out and If you missed the stages, you can see here the pencil sketch where my inspiration and work begin, actually my starting sketch was the face in the center. This time I wanted to do something different and combine two mediums together and the use of different skills in one painting. I love graphite for the soft tone and shades of grey with the possibility to build up the color with more depth as needed. I felt that would’ve been beautiful combined with the transparency of watercolor using a delicate color palette.
This is the beginning of the watercolor layering stage. I truly enjoyed to create this painting for the variety of expressions in the beautiful faces and for the mixed media technique. I did work for several days on it, there are lots of details and the layering in between watercolors and graphite. The paper I used it is a large size pad it is 9 x 12 inches, approx. 22.9 x 30.5 centimeters.
“For this portrait I gave the title“Mystical Multitude” the meaning behind the painting is inspired by how our emotions are flowing together in our reality, how feelings can transport us in many directions and how much we emotionally change. This portrait shows three different faces of women, but in a mystical and dreamy way it represents one person, the same woman in different moments and emotional state of her life, going through, transformation and changes”.
I love the softness and transparency of the watercolors and I left it as pure watercolor without the ink outline that usually distinguish most of my paintings but using graphite and colored pencils for more definition.
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Release of Limited Edition Fine Art Prints only #25 prints of this painting in size 8×10 inches are available for preorder purchase here on my Blog shop Limited Edition Prints
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Details about my sketch and watercolor painting: I Sketched on a mixed media large sketchbook size 9 x 12 inches and I used Draft/Matic Pencils #0.3mm, #o.5mm and #0.7mm “Mab Graves Limited Edition” by ALVIN, a Carmine Red Pencil THINEX 425T (Vintage) – I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle and Jane Davenport Magic Wand colored pencils.
You can see more of my Paintings visiting my GALLERYthere are several Galleries you find them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.
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Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart
Carolina Russo Art 
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