Brown Paper Bunny

French Follies

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:28:00 +0000

We've just returned back from a trip through France, and this is the first watercolor I've done in weeks! Every time I visit France I fall more in love and yearn to go back the second I arrive home!

I don't want to overload you, but I wanted to share a few pictures from our trip, because France is just such a ridiculously beautiful place.

If you'd like to see more, head over to my travel blog: www.sweetdivergence.com or check out all my foreign adventures on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweetdivergence

You can click on any of the photos to go to their detailed blog posts and see more.

Looking out over the rooftops of Carcassonne, the walled city in the south of France.

Walking the streets of Carcassonne.

From outside the walls of Carcassonne.

Incredible eclairs in Paris.

The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Watching the sunset from the Eiffel Tower.

View of the River Seine from the Eiffel Tower.

I see you hiding there Mr Eiffel Tower!

View of the Eiffel Tower from the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.

It was 300 stairs to the top, but the view made it all worthwhile! Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, Paris.

The Palace of the Louvre.

Outside the Louvre in Paris.

Is there anything better than the wind in you hair as your ride along the Seine in Paris? I think not.

We left a little piece of our hearts on this beautiful bridge in Paris.

The beautiful clocks in the Musee d'Orsay.

You can also check out all the video snippets on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/SweetDivergence

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Travel Kit

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:27:00 +0000

Well, I leave for Paris tomorrow and I'm trying to pack a travel kit of art supplies. I want to take everything, but I know I shouldn't. What essentials would you pack?

To follow along with my Paris adventures, be sure to check out both of my instagram accounts:

@BrownPaperBunny and @SweetDivergence

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School's Out for Summer!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:44:00 +0000

I've just handed in my last assignment for the semester, a little early, because I'm heading to France and Spain in two days!

It's bittersweet to be finishing up school until the Fall. I can't wait to have a little bit of free time back again, but I've learnt so much and had so much fun with this last class that it is a little hard to say good-bye. On the plus side I get to put aside the charcoal and play around more with watercolor and lots and lots of bright colors, which always puts a smile on my face!

What are you most looking forward to this summer (if you're in the northern hemisphere – winter if you're in the south)?

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Coconut Cocktails in Charcoal

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:55:00 +0000

Here's a quick sketch I did for class last week, which I'm calling 'Coconut Cocktails in Charcoal' just because it's fun to say really fast.

You can watch me draw it in time-lapse:

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Open for Business!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:05:00 +0000

Recently I've had quite a few people ask me if they can buy prints of my work. Now I used to have an Etsy store, and painstakingly print each one myself on high-quality cotton rag paper, package it up all pretty, and make a lot of trips to the post office.

Since moving to the USA I no longer have my printer or printing supplies, so I've opted for a Society6 online store instead. In addition to printing and sending prints on my behalf, they'll also print onto laptop skins, phone cases, tote bags, t-shirts, and even cushions! I don't really make much money on them, but at least it is a way to get them to people who want them.

If you'd like to check out my little store, head over to www.society6.com/BrownPaperBunny

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Sweet Divergence

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:22:00 +0000

I've been doing so much traveling lately that I thought I'd try my hand at travel blogging. I've started up Sweet Divergence as a way to document my adventures, but also with the hopes of inspiring others to get out there and try something new.

Naturally I'm tying my arty pursuits into the new blog as well, and last night I painted myself a new twitter background (above).

I'd love it if you checked out my new blog, and also my new Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter if you felt inclined!

Here's a little time-lapse of me painting the background:

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Light and Shadow

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:21:00 +0000

This week in Clothed Figure Drawing class we're doing some studies in light and shadow, so I made the boy model for me and pose for a bunch of photos. Despite my constant instruction of 'move your head an inch lower', 'now look down with your face but up with your eyes', and 'stop fidgeting' he was a good sport about it.

Here's a 30-second time lapse video of this portrait:

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Low angles and foreshortening

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:24:00 +0000

This week in our Clothed Figure Drawing class we're studying low angles and foreshortening, two of the things I (and lots of others I'm sure) struggle with the most. But at least the boy enjoyed it because he got to dress up, play with guns, and lie around on the floor pulling faces and pretending to be wounded.

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Dreaming of Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Brown Paper Bunny) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 02:38:00 +0000

In a little under a month we'll be in France, traveling with my sister and her boyfriend. I can't wait and so I'm counting the days!

I painted this while listening to French music and daydreaming about Paris. It isn't quite finished yet, but I thought I'd show you what I've got so far. You can watch the 30-second time-lapse below.

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Coachella

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Like a lot of Californians this past week I've been a little obsessed with Coachella. If you haven't heard of it before it is a big music festival, held in Palm Springs every year. It has a very laid-back feel and showcases some amazing bands and art as well.

For my homework this week for my Academy of Art Clothed Figure Drawing Class I drew a series of Coachella girls. They were so much fun I think I'll have to draw a few more just for good measure!

I used charcoal and watercolor...although a warning, charcoal will run everywhere when wet and muddy up your colors! Here's a 30-second time-lapse of me painting.

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Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:56:00 +0000

This Easter is a bit sad for me. Unlike Australia, San Diego doesn't really do very much to celebrate. There is no four-day weekend, no hot cross buns, no egg decorating, Red Tulip bunnies, or pretty window displays. I have seen the odd pastel-colored basket on the shelf, but it really isn't the same.

Plus I usually spend Easter with family, and we partake in all of the traditions we've been doing since I was a kid....in fact, even though I'm in my 30s now the 'Easter Bunny' still leaves a basket of goodies for me to find! But this year I'm alone in San Diego, everyone else is with their families, and even my boyfriend is in Australia visiting his family. So I'm spending my weekend working, and painting, and hoping for a better Easter next year.

I'd love to hear about some of your Easter traditions!

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Blues and Yellows

noreply@blogger.com (Brown Paper Bunny) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:08:00 +0000

Sadly the PaperFashion class has come to an end, but I'm so inspired that I'm sure I won't be able to put my paintbrush down for months! So stay tuned for a lot more fashion illustration.

I liked the pose and dress I posted up a few days ago, so I've been experimenting with some different skin tones, dress colors, and glitter combinations. I'd love to know what you think!

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Time lapse fashion illustration

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:43:00 +0000

The PaperFashion class is almost at an end, but it has certainly inspired me to keep painting and illustrating. I'm running a little giveaway over on Viddy. Watch me paint (30-second time lapse) and repost the video for your chance to win an original watercolor fashion illustration.

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Tutorial Series

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:35:00 +0000

Hey guys! I've been getting a lot of requests for tutorials from Twitter and Instagram friends, so I thought I would put together a series. What would you like to see first?

And if you have ideas for something else you'd like to see, please leave me a comment!

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PaperFashion Class

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:45:00 +0000

Recently Katie from PaperFashion started her first online course in illustrating runway looks. Naturally I jumped at the chance to learn a thing or two from her, and one week into the class here are a couple of my little creations. We're using watercolor and glitter / sequins to embellish our pencil sketches.

I'll be doing a bunch more this week so stay tuned! In the mean time, here are some little time-lapse videos of the first two paintings:

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Dancing across the page

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:40:00 +0000

This is my assignment for school this week, as part of Clothed Figure Drawing at the Academy of Art University.

I'm not completely happy with her, but for 20 minutes I guess it is ok. Drawn using compressed charcoal.

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PaperFashion: Illustrating your favorite runway looks

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 01:05:00 +0000

I've been a fan of Katie Rodgers (aka PaperFashion) for a while now, so when I found out she was running an online course in fashion illustration I signed up with lightening speed.

The course starts tomorrow, and the first step is gathering inspiration in our chosen style. Having studied ballet for almost 19 years I'm a little in love with tea-length skirts, tulle, and '50s dresses. The images above are just a little taste of what I've been putting together, you can see more on my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/BrownPaperBunny/paper-fashion-class-inspiration/

I'll post my progress as I go through the course, here and on Instagram. Wish me luck!

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Sketchbook Project 2013 Online

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 03:33:00 +0000

My 2013 Sketchbook Project book has been digitized, so if you can't make it to the Brooklyn Art Library you can still view mine and thousands of other wonderful books online!

Check them out here: www.sketchbookproject.com/library/11825

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Diagonals in figure drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:16:00 +0000

Here is this week's little assignment for clothed figure drawing at the Academy of Art University. We're learning more about relationships and diagonals. The boy was kind enough to pose for me to draw him in charcoal.

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More from Dr Sketchy's

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 18:10:00 +0000

Last night I added some ink and watercolor to another little sketch I did at Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School the other weekend. I can't wait for the next event to get some more figure drawing practice in!

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Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 17:56:00 +0000

Yesterday would have been Dr. Seuss' birthday. Growing up, his books were some of my favorites, and I think they've really stood the test of time with kids being just as in love with them today as I was when I was little.

In honor of his birthday, here's a little ode to Cat in the hat, done in watercolor and ink.

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Flour Sack Men

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:34:00 +0000

For Clothed Figure Drawing class at the Academy of Art University this week we were tasked with drawing a bunch of little flour sack characters to show stretch and compression folds and try to give volume to the shapes. Here are a few of my little charcoal sketches.

I admit it was harder than I thought it would be, but certainly a lot more whimsical and fun than all the charcoal still-life drawings I was doing for chiaroscuro class last semester!

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Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:17:00 +0000

On Saturday I went to Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School at the Ruby Room in San Diego. If you haven't heard of Dr Sketchy's, they are a figure drawing group that gets together for informal, and fun drawing. There are usually competitions and prizes, drinks, and gorgeous models dressed in a variety of outlandish outfits for you to draw.

This time around we had a rockabilly contortionist, in appropriate costume and poses, and we had competitions where we had to draw her behind our backs without looking, along with regular one, two, five, ten and twenty minute poses.

If you happen to be in San Diego or near by, they hold them once a month at the Ruby Room and are loads of fun: http://drsketchysandiego.com

Here's one of my 20-minute sketches that I added ink to once I got home.

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Australian Vogue

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:53:00 +0000

The February edition of Australian Vogue Magazine features Naomi Watts, in some stunning gowns too pretty not to paint! Here's my little watercolor homage (and you can watch me paint it in 15 seconds below if you like).

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PaperFashion Prizes

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mack) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 08:13:00 +0000

Recently I was lucky enough to win this great competition put on by Katie Rodgers over at PaperFashion. She has long been an inspiration for me, and is the reason I picked up a paintbrush and tried my hand at watercolor in the first place. If you haven't seen her work before then you are really missing out. Head over to www.PaperFashion.net

I'm beyond thrilled to have won and when this package came in the mail yesterday I was like a kid on Christmas morning, opening everything up. I received a watercolor set, a block of hot-pressed watercolor paper, and a tube of the most deliciously bright pink Mijello Mission Gold Watercolor. (The print I already had, and is the first PaperFashion piece I ever purchased).

Thanks again Katie!

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