There doesn't seem to be a host lined up for January so I will take the lead. We need to get some signups for hosting.

I have chosen the theme of "Dogs". I love dogs. I love seeing dogs in art. I hope that no one minds another animal theme. If you want something else, you will have to host and pick your subject next time. lol

We will have a week to sign up. Next Friday I will compile the address list and send it out. Please pm me with your mailing address when you sign up. All cards should be original artwork 2.5 x 3.5 size on paper that isn't too thin. Cardstock or Bristol are good examples. All cards should be mailed out by the 1st of Feb.

Come join the fun.



Participants:

Jeanne "Jangra"
texas lady
Frithy
Mumwond
Bigs
Jonathan87
Chomaee
Monikam
JacquiP
Roxy
DeboraM

Thanks Jeanne for jumping in .. I love dogs too.. Sign me up !!!

frithy is in for the first one of the year and rareing to go, sign me up jeanne!!

Me too, please. My favourite theme, but not sure how I'll get on with small format!

Yep you dont really get a choice in this one soon as i saw the theme you came into my head

I'm in! My favourite subject too.

I just have to plan how to do something just a little different to my usual.

I'm signing up this will be my first time

sign me up pls

I am thinking about it love dogs

Hmm.. never drew on a format as small as this.. It almost feels like a challenge..

Welcome to your first swap Jonathon! You'll love it - be careful though .....its addictive!

Monika, take up the challenge! Its worth it!

It Seems fun except when you think you have laid out enough cards for everyone then someone else joins

I think i'll probably end up joining too. Never missed one yet. since I started that is.

Jonathon, you just make an extra card - no big deal except to come up with that one extra idea .

I have just made my first 4 cards - and I am having so much fun playing with doing them in ink.

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Sue I am so anxious to get one of these from you .. I don't think I have but a handful of cards done in INK.. I love your pups !!

Thats the problem this is my absolute first time of drawing dogs

Oh these are so nice!!

I guess I'll sign up too.

It's ok if it's your first time with dogs Jonothan. That's one of the good things about these trades. To get everyone to try new things. After you do a few, you'll be a pro. I have been doing trades for about 2 years now and participate in another forum and some private trades. I have done so many themes and some were not things I had ever done before.

Here is the first one I have done. Not too happy with it as I had trouble with the blacks. I put waxy cp under it and don't like the way it makes the black look too gray.

That looks WAY better then my looks, noboy is gonna like mine

Jeanne, just wanted to say you're wonderful for hosting this month! I wish I could join but my college classes are about to begin again, and they take all my drawing time away. But I'll be watching from the sidelines, have fun!

Jonathon, please don't stress, nobody will be disappointed if your cards are not expertly drawn; the point is to have fun and maybe experiment a little with different mediums. Forgive yourself the mistakes and have faith that you will only get better with time.

Nice job, gosh I know mine won't look this good

That's really nice Jangra!!

Hi all, I am new to this site and love the idea of doing trades. As its a new year seems like a good time to try something new. I would love to join in. I have to admit I have done cats but not dogs. Hope they are good enough

Jacqui

Jonothan we are going to love whatever you share with us. Don't stress. Everybody starts at different points in their drawing . I have probably 200 cards I have collected from all over the world. I love each one as each is a piece of some new friend who shared their art with me. Some are more expertly done than others but I get to watch as these same friends work and improve their art.

I am in no way doing the work that I strive to do. When I first started posting my art, I was scared to death and thought it was no way good enough. Now that is 3 years ago. I have improved over the 3 years and part of the process was to join in trades like these and learn as I do them. I am still learning. I have only been doing colored pencil a little over a year ago and you saw that I still have doubts about what I do sometimes.

Just enjoy doing them and learn something as you do and we will enjoy them and enjoy watching you get better and better.

Mindy sorry you can't join. Life has a way of stepping into first place. Next month is Frithy and March is Bigs hosting. So we have at least 2 more to look forward to.

I need mailing addresses to be pm'd to me please:

Chomaee
Monikam
JacquiP

Thank you.

Sign me up too please

I would just like to forewarn those of you that will receive the beagle, It ain't my best work I just could not draw a beagle right, but the huskie looks really nice

Sounds like you are having a good time with them. I have finished two also. Mine are the one I showed and a Whippet. We may just have a whole bunch of breeds to look at when all the cards start coming.

Yea its pretty fun but kinda frustrating when you can't get a dog just right or you don't know what breed to do next I've done 5/9 so far

Google "dog breeds".

Jeanne what a great theme - i so wish i could join... but my sister is getting married and i'm planning her bridal shower.

Sue, your cards look stunning - i love the work you've done with the ink.
Jeanne, your card looks great as well!! you know i love getting cards from you

i'll pop in to see all the cards as the month progresses.

Enjoy

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

Mindy, sorry you can't play this time........but there are always more swaps ahead!

Tania, I hope the shower turns out to be everything you could wish for your sister and that the wedding is wonderful!

Jonathon, none of us were born with a pencil or brush in our hands and it is only through practice that we get better. I usually do my work in a large format [about 22" x 18"] so you can see that it is a challenge to get down to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" . My first efforts were not great either. It is only through lts of practice that I have improved in the miniature works. And shhhh but I still put a graphite drawing down first - I'm not ready to lead-free with my inkwork just yet.

Jeanne, I was thinking about the waxy coloured pencil, and just wondering if you have any oil pastels would a black one add the colour depth that you want? But not seeing the reference I wouldn't have known it wasn't the right colour! He looks good!

Yea that was my biggest challenge was going from a whole sheet of paper to 2 1/2 by 3 1/2. Luckily I followed the advice of another member of drawing the cards out and doing them all together and cut them out after they are all drawn out.

Tania sorry you can't play this time but your sister's wedding is more important. Take time and enjoy it.

Thanks Sue. I added a little more black cp and it looks better but the waxiness won't let me get a good photo. Looks better in person.

This is such a small size. I like the idea of ruling them up on a page first and cutting them out later. Now I just have to find a ruler with inches. I am really looking forward to getting started on this.

Jacqui

[quote name='JacquiP' date='Jan 5 2010, 04:51 PM' post='142853']
This is such a small size. I like the idea of ruling them up on a page first and cutting them out later. Now I just have to find a ruler with inches. I am really looking forward to getting started on this.

Jacqui
[/quote

I don't know metric but you could probably get it "translated" from inches to ? I do know that they are just slightly bigger than a playing card

Please check here for a template.

[quote name='Jangra' date='Jan 5 2010, 07:28 PM' post='142869']
[quote name='JacquiP' date='Jan 5 2010, 04:51 PM' post='142853']
This is such a small size. I like the idea of ruling them up on a page first and cutting them out later. Now I just have to find a ruler with inches. I am really looking forward to getting started on this.

Jacqui
[/quote

I don't know metric but you could probably get it "translated" from inches to ? I do know that they are just slightly bigger than a playing card


Here is a template.

Thanks for that Jeanne. I just did a conversion on a website and it comes to 6.35 x 8.89, I think it will be easier to find an old ruler. I'm sure there is one in the garage somewhere.

I did a search and found a heap of dog images to practice with and make a start. Fingers crossed....

Jacqui

Did you check out the template at the bottom of my post?

I'm working on a boxer now.

Yes I did Jeanne, thanks for that. I found a ruler with inches and drew up a few boxes and did some trial sketches. Didn't come out too bad, even if I do say so myself I'll get some proper paper out tomorrow and start on the "real" ones.

Can't wait to see everyone's work.

Jacqui

Depending on which one of mine you get you will like mine

I am ready to join in and love the topic. Please sign me up too.

I have 4 cards so far. I have to say I love the idea of curling up on the couch with my doggie book and a card sketching out different breeds.

that's an interesting one

I have a question since I'm doing this for the very first time. Where do we sign these cards? I'm confused because I browsed some info and some cards have the siggie on the front and some say you write your name, date etc on the back.. lol I'm such an ATC noob

I'm glad you asked Monikam as I was wondering the same thing.

Jacqui

I sign mine on the front. Some people put a certificate of authenticity on the back and sign that. I used to do that but figure you can tell pretty much that my work is original when you get it.

Here is the boxer so you can see the signature. It is on the left edge of the card next to the muzzle.