Anyone still up? We got this Sketch Fest party started about 10 and a half hours ago – have you already thought up and left prompts for our participants? Thinking about creating some art this weekend yourself? We hope so! Come and join us!
“Fairy Flight Magic” by Carina Menaker
Our very first piece of art in the #EMGSketchFest 97 gallery is “Fairy Flight Magic” by first-time participant Carina Menaker! Here’s what Carina said about this piece: “The daisy fairy in her petal and pollen gown makes impossible bumblebee flight possible.” She does, at that.
Join us tomorrow for more Sketch Fest highlights – and feel free to head on over to the full gallery now to enjoy more illustrations. And remember, when you post to social media, use our official hashtag: #EMGSketchFest.
Did you attend #EMGSketchFest 96? Our 96th Sketch Fest took place over this past weekend, starting at noon AKT on Friday and concluding at noon on Sunday – and it was an exciting, vital weekend of creativity! 27 participating artists contributed nearly 100 sketches of swamp mermaids, hairy unicorns, dragons with flowers and riders, and so much more!
“The Witch of Rose Quartz” by Sachiko Mili
We also had several new members join us for the first time – including Sachiko Mili, the artist of this elegant, esoteric witch. “The Witch of Rose Quartz” creates love potions and is famous for helping lovers – she always uses rose quartz since its energy is pure. Her loyal crow Edward is always at her side. Sachiko used ink, watercolors, and colored pencils.
“Hairy Unicorn” by Mary Rose Magpily
This handsomely ridiculous and ridiculously handsome “Hairy Unicorn” is one of our favorite illustrated responses to Becca “Boo” Moore’s prompt, “very hairy unicorn.”
“My Favourite Highlander” by Francis Bax
Anyone recognize this hunk of Highlander? I’m sure a few of you do! Francis Bax drew this breathtaking graphite sketch (2B and 4B) over the course of a Sketch Fest hour.
“Spring Has Sprung” by Katerina Koukiotis
About “Spring Has Sprung,” artist Katerina Koukiotis said “we can only hope because in NY [it] still feels like winter but crossing fingers soon enough. This illustration is colored pencils and pastels on 5 x 7 toned paper. (Model reference from FantasyStock.) You can grab an LE ACEO print for only $6!
“Swamp Flower” by Maria J. William
Maria J. William created this beautifully atmospheric illustration of a swamp mermaid from Edward Cammarota’s popular and provocative “the swamp mermaid” prompt. “Swamp Flower” is colored pencils and white charcoal on 6 x 8 toned paper. You can purchase prints at $7 or $10.
#EMGSketchFest looks like fun, right? It is! If you missed participating in Sketch Fest 96, we hope you’ll join us for next month’s Sketch Fest – #EMGSketchFest 97 will take place from April 13 through April 15.
To participate, you need to register at the Sketch Fest site. You can just leave prompts to inspire others, or you can also participate by creating art yourself – and remember! We welcome artists of all skills levels and all sorts – you can create jewelry, knit or crochet, or even write something inspired by the prompts. The only rule is that you work for only 1 hour!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for Sketch Fest 96! We look forward to seeing you next month as well.
There’s only about 15 minutes left in #EMGSketchFest 96! There is so much fantastic art in our gallery of hairy unicorns, swamp mermaids, flower dreams and more – you must check it out! Let’s take a peek at some of these amazing illustrations.
“Or A Love Spell?…” by Janna Prosvirina
Inspired by Julie Rabischung’s prompt “witch’s potion,” Janna Prosvirina dreamed up this lovestruck witch. “Or A Love Spell?” is ink on paper and you can purchase the original sketch for only $12.
“Diamond Queen” by Mayumi Ogihara
This gorgeous in-progress sketch by Mayumi Ogihara is called “Diamond Queen.” Col-Erase brown and white charcoal on 5×7 toned paper.
“Raven New Moon” by Kathy Nutt
Kathy Nutt took Tara N. Colna’s prompt of “Raven Moon” and gave us “Raven New Moon,” a complete Micron pen line drawing on bristol.
“Shamrock” by Jenny Heidewald
Jenny Heidewald celebrated St. Patrick’s Day through “Shamrock,” a clover-bedecked redheaded elf in Micron pen on 2.5 x 3.5 inch Bristol paper. She’s also offering a limited time special price of $6 instead of $10 on the original drawing!
“very hairy unicorn” by Heather Kilgore
Our last featured illustration for now is a “very hairy unicorn” by Heather Kilgore. This has been one of our favorite prompts this Sketch Fest! (Thanks, Becca!) Heather’s offering original drawing, graphite on 4×6 cream drawing paper, for just $25.
The #EMGSketchFest 96 gallery is thriving! Thanks to everyone who’s gotten creative with us this weeked – 18 of you have uploaded over 50 illustrations to the gallery so far! We can’t wait to see what Sunday brings. For now, we’re sharing a few more featured sketches:
“Necklaces” by Elisa Ferguson
Elisa Ferguson drew and inked this playful mermaid bedecked with “Necklaces.”
“Spring Flower Crown” by Milkycat
Milkycat’s impatient elf in “Spring Flower Crown” looks like she’s really over whatever she’s listening to.
“Emerald Eyes” by Tricia Danby
Inspired by Tara N. Colna’s prompt, Tricia Danby created these captivating “Emerald Eyes.”
“Flower and Dragon” by Jools62
Jools62, joining us for their first Sketch Fest, drew this fierce dragon taking time to smell the flowers in “Flower and Dragon.”
“Spring Dress” by Eimiel
Who doesn’t feel the spring breeze invoked by Eimiel’s “Spring Dress” illustration?
That’s it for our Saturday featured illustrations! Join us again tomorrow for the last day of our Sketch Fest – and don’t forget to visit the full gallery.
Welcome to Sketch Fest Saturday afternoon, everyone! We hope you’ve enjoyed a leisurely morning and found some time for creativity. To entice you to join our creative weekend, I’ve got some sketches from the gallery to feature for you! Let’s get to it.
“Highlander” by Ellen Million
We start with this piece by the founder of the Sketch Fest feast, Ellen Million! Ellen created “Highlander,” a cheeky hunk of the shapeshifter persuasion. She’s selling the final inked version of this sketch as well!
“Mangrovians” by Kir Talmage
Kir Talmage, inspired by “the swamp mermaid” gave us this fantastic mermaid in her mangrove grotto, joined by nanatee. “Mangrovians” is pencil on ACEO-sized sketchpaper.
“Steampunk Mermaid” by MrsFriSco
This is MrsFriSco’s first Sketch Fest, and she’s given us a finely behatted mermaid! “Just a coral reef mermaid finding steampunk flotsam and jetsam – she is trying her best to mimic the fascinating air-breathers’ fashion with her ocean finds, some of them even genuine articles!” This sketch is titled “Steampunk Mermaid” is 12×24 pencil on 140lb cold press paper.
“Garden of the City” by Willow
Shell’s very keen daughter Willow took Amy Sue Stirland’s prompt of “garden landscape” and drew this pretty landscape of flowers and fish! “Garden of the City.”
“Tonight We Ride” by Becca “Boo” Moore
“Tonight We Ride” is a fantastic dragonrider inked sketch shared by Becca “Boo” Moore! Look at that armor, and those faces – this pair means business. I wouldn’t get in their way!
“Fantasy Violinist” by Amy Sue Stirland
Our last featured illustration this afternoon is “Fantasy Violinist” by Amy Sue Stirland! Inspired by Julie Rabischung’s prompt, Amy comments that she thinks her fantasy violinist is reminiscent of Lindsey Stirling! We have to agree. This illustration is gouache on 5×7 toned tan paper.
We hope you enjoyed this set of featured illustrations! Don’t forget to click through to the full gallery for even more mermaids and dragons along with hummingbirds and fairies and more. We hope you’ll stay a while, submit a prompt, and maybe even create a little with us. See you there!
Welcome to #EMGSketchFest 96, everyone – the first SketchFest of 2018! This is your Friday night sneak peek at the gallery to get you excited and lure you on in: spend some time with us this weekend. Admire the art, submit a prompt, and maybe even join in and create something yourself! It doesn’t have to be a drawing – any kind of creation from textiles to jewelry to photographs and more qualify for SketchFest.
On to the peek!
“Among the Flower” by Sally Gilroy
The very first work submitted to #EMGSketchFest 96 is from Sally Gilroy, with this expressive deer “Among the flowers.”
There are over a dozen sketches in the gallery already, featuring fairies riding hummingbirds, dragonriders, mermaids, a fantasy fiddler and more! We’ll have another round of featured illustrations tomorrow so check back then – or go explore on your own now.
#EMGSketchFest was incredible fun, with 16 participating artists and 68 sketches uploaded – so far! We honestly had more than 16 artists join in this weekend, with several family members of our artists joining in: daughter, husband, niece! You should check out the full gallery, after enjoying our featured illustrations below.
Butterfly Words by Amanda Baker
Amanda Baker took Afke’s prompt “words like butterflies” and created this fluttering and delicate beauty – “Butterfly Words.” And this was Amanda’s first Sketch Fest! (Welcome, Amanda!) Pen and pencil sketch on archival paper.
Polar Bear and the Fairy by Sarah Alden
Then we have Sarah Alden’s “Polar Bear and the Fairy,” an utterly adorable confection of roly-poly polar bear cub and sweet fairy in the snow. She’s eager to draw more polar bears now!
My Pet Dragon by Julie Rabischung
Inspired by Cindy Hill’s prompt, “my pet dragon,” Julie Rabischung created this precious pair – though the dragon is less than pleased! Here’s what Julie said: “Little girl has a new pet and it’s a dragon!!! But the little dragon is not happy at all to be wearing a bow and to be called ‘Squee’…” Graphite and markers on 4×6 Bristol.
Forest by Jenny Heidewald
Jenny Heidewald jumped in with several illustrations, including this lovely portrait: “Forest.” Jenny commented, “I really like how this one turned out in pencil, the soft effect works well.” They did! You can have this sketch for $8 (specially marked down from $10 in celebration of the New Year). Pencil on 2.5″x3.5″ Bristol.
The Witch and Her Cat by Afke van Herpt
We saved another one of our favorites for last! This is a collaboration between Afke van Herpt and her niece Ronja! Ronja drew the witch’s sweet kitty and then Afke added the troll witch herself.
That’s it for #EMGSketchFest 95, but don’t forget to click through to the full gallery!
Sketch Fest will return in March. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to be the first to hear about #EMGSketchFest 96!
We’ve had a great Saturday with #EMGSketchFest 95, chatting a bit on the Facebook event page, leaving prompts (“porg” was requested!), and sharing art in the gallery. Let’s take a peek!
Little Feeder by Cindy Hill
Everyone’s been having so much fun with Cindy’s prompt “bird dragon,” including Cindy herself! She drew this colorful cardinal dragon with its striking coloration.
Dancing On Air by Caitlin Woods
Caitlin Woods drew this dynamic illustration of a lithe figure fan-dancing among clouds. She used a SensiStock photo for reference.
Stone Sour by Tallulah Cunningham
Stone Sour is one evocative illustration! As artist Tallulah Cunningham put it, “I don’t know if it is cold or if it has a headache but this critter is not in the sunniest of moods. It’s just how it wanted to be drawn… Edited to include blackberry canes.” This is one we’d be both thrilled and terrified to meet!
The Little Polar Bear by Peter van Herpt
Who can resist adorable baby bears? Not us! Peter van Herpt has given us one adorable, cuddly cub with “The Little Polar Bear.” Drawn in pen and ink and Derwent Coloursoft.
Don’t Eat the Porg by Anya Chui
One of our absolute favorite illustrations today is by newcomer Anya Chui – she drew this completely cute porg with its liquid eyes imploring us to “just say no… to eating porg.” Like Chewbacca, we’ve been convinced! Porg is off the menu! Thank you, Anya. Now can we cuddle one?
That’s it for today! And remember – use our official hashtag on social media: #EMGSketchFest.
Welcome to #EMGSketchFest, and this December’s bonus Sketch Fest before EMG goes on hiatus through February. It’s live at the Sketch Fest site right now, so head on over to submit prompts or share your art!
Early Riser by Laura Siadak
Our opening illustration goes to Laura Siadak, who sketched this enigmatic and fascinating creature inspired by Cindy Hill’s prompt “Bird dragon.”
Laura wrote about her illustration, Early Riser: “Wake up nice and early in the morning, and as the sun comes up… crows out a nice belch of fire?” That’d be one heck of a wake-up call!
We’ll be back tomorrow with more featured illustrations, but make sure you periodically check out the full gallery for more work! And, when you talk about Sketch Fest #95 on social media, make sure you use our official hashtag: #EMGSketchFest.
That’s it, folks! Another #EMGSketchFest weekend has passed in 48 hours of creativity and sharing. Archers and dancers, sea unicorns and Christmas mermaids all turned up in the gallery during this Sketch Fest. And there are tons of goodies for sale, as well – snatch an original or a print to give to a friend this holiday season!
How about some final featured illustrations?
“Winter” by Lorna Cowie
Lorna Cowie created this delightful piece, which she later finished with an outline of Mystic Hare. “I’m always surprised at how blue winter is,” Lorna wrote. “There is a certain time of night, when it snows, that everything turns blue, with violet shadows. Windsor and Newton watercolours with salt detailing. Once dry, the salt is brushed free to reveal the textured pattern.”
“Faerie Light” by Caitlin Woods
Caitlin Woods, meanwhile, spent some time playing with crayons and drew this “Faerie Light.”
Christmas Fairy in Candy Cane Stockings
Edward Cammarota left the prompt “Christmas fairy in candy cane stockings” and that’s exactly what Heather Kilgore created! You can get the original drawing, 4″ x 6″, on cream drawing paper for $35.
“Winter Fae” by Tricia Danby
Tricia Danby’s participation this Sketch Fest is manifesting as a beautiful “Winter Fae” – we can’t wait to see the finished creation!
“Icy Blue” by Maria J. William
Maria J. William snuck in at the end of the weekend, sharing several amazing illustrations – including this snow leopard with it’s stunning “Icy Blue” eyes. Snag a print for a cat-loving friend: get a semi-gloss print for $10 or an ACEO print for $5.
We may be done featuring illustrations from this Sketch Fest, but artists may still upload a drawing or two as they finish up their latest pieces – be sure to check back and don’t forget to shop!
We’d also love to announce #EMGSketchFest 95 – SURPRISE, it’s December 29-31! We’re getting in one last event before the end of 2017! Please join us, and create something warm and wonderful in the heart of the cold. We can’t wait to see you there!
