Llamas

Here are my llama drawings so far, including a doodle and yes, even the last picture was meant to be one:

Soapbox Press

GUYS, LOOK! I'M FAMOUS!

Ok, maybe not that big, however, this was and still is so exciting for me! I promise this is the last time I will mention it (not!). It was published online a couple of weeks ago and I can't thank Soapbox Press enough for contacting me to do this; it really does look great!

I was sent a preview of what it was going to look like the week before and I hate to admit it, but I completely forgot about the whole thing until I was notified on Instagram! A lot had happened that week with one of my day jobs and my head was all over the place.

Of course I had to share the link on my Facebook page as soon as I could and according to their statistics the post reached 560 people because of the likes/comments it recieved. My page only had 56 likes at the time, so I would definitely call that an achievement of some sort!

All of this would never happened if I had never replied to their first initial message to me! I thought it was fake because good things like this never happen to me and I even asked them is this for real haha!

I ended up sending them an email with a few images of my recent sketchbook work and a rambling piece about me. I always find writing about myself difficult, probably always will and it's typical, but I've thought of more I should have said!

To read the full feature click on the link below:

www.soapboxpress.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/jade-probitts-visualisation/

Kangaroos

Below are a few illustrations of Kangaroos that I have drawn in my sketchbook:

Zombie Giraffe

I thought I should post this drawing from my sketchbook up while I remembered! Somehow I managed to draw a zombie giraffe last week. Well, I think it was last week...

I like how it ended up though; it's much, much better than my first attempt that's for sure! Don't believe me? You can check that out here. Also, because I had space left on the page this time, I drew a few features a little larger. I used to do this in Life Drawing when I liked a body part or to have a little extra practise if I couldn't quite get it right on the paper.

Hopefully I'll get round to drawing another animal from the zoo as soon as I can (be bothered - let's be honest now).

Giraffe

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis

Least Concern

Native to: Africa
Size: Height 4.3 - 5.5 metres
Diet: Herbivore
Young: 1 calf

The second drawing in my set of zoo zine idea!

When I first drew it I felt the only positive about it was that you could tell it was supposed to be a giraffe. I always hate it when I take a drawing too far, I suppose I can sometimes learn from the bad points and hope that I don't do it again (but I usually do - haha). Fails like this make me miss being at university and having my own desk in my own studio space to work at!

A few people have said they liked this drawing, in fact more than my previous one of a siberian tiger, which I prefer so much more. I know I can do better! I may have to re-draw this one because I'm not too happy with it. So, if you like giraffes then keep an eye out for another attempt!

Ah well, at least I got some drawing practice, right?

Siberian Tiger

Siberian Tiger
Panthera tigris altaica

Endangered

Native to: East Asia
Size: Head-body length 1.2 - 2.3 metres
Diet: Carnivore
Young: Around 2 - 4 cubs in a litter

The information above is from Banham Zoo's Official Guide Book. I did this drawing in my sketchbook yesterday; I created it from a photo I took during a visit to the zoo about 5 years ago.

It has just occurred to me that my zine could be some sort of unofficial guide book for the zoo; featuring drawings of animals that are in their Official one, possibly with information or possibly not. Would I need to get their permission to do that? Hmm, we'll see how it goes.

I have fallen in love with the pens I used, Derwent Graphik Line Makers from Cass Art. They are so lovely to draw with! I was unsure if I wanted to add whiskers to it in case I ruined the piece, then a smart cookie named Jenny suggested I put some tracing paper over the top and try drawing it on there first, which I will definitely give a go.

Not bad for the start of my project though! What do you think?

Banham Zoo

In my previous post I mentioned that I have been volunteering at Banham Zoo's Charity Shop!

It's almost been 3 months since I started there and I go one day a week; at the moment it's for a couple of hours on a Monday afternoon. Me and the other volunteers help raise funds for the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA). To find out more about the zoo and the charity visit here.

For a few weeks now, when I get the chance, I have a doodle from the images in the Official Guide Book on pieces of note paper with a biro. I didn't get a chance to have a go this week as it was much more busy compared to normal; probably because it's half term.

I have a plan. I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but the plan is to create a zine full of animals from Banham Zoo, sell them and donate an amount to the zoo's charity. That's what I hope to do anyway; it doesn't mean it will happen... (I know what I'm like - hmm). I think I need to have a proper visit to the zoo and take photos of my own to work from. I haven't had a trip there for a few years, seems like a lifetime ago! Who's with me?

Below are what I have drawn so far. Sorry about the image quality; they were taken on my mobile. I may have to scan them in and see what they look like then. They would definitely need to be adapted if they were to make it into the zine - let me know if you think this plan is something I should do!

Last week...

The week before that...

2 weeks before that...

And the week before that!

What I would like to do...

Sketches from when I used to go Life Drawing.

I've been thinking a lot recently about what I would like to be able to do.

Since finishing university, returning back to living with my parents and not earning much at all, I've noticed more that everything revolves around money and it saddens me. I need a job, any job that will enable me to be able to start saving up. However, getting one is not as easy as it sounds. I'm still stuck in the vicious cycle of needing experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience.

I would love to be able to volunteer in a gallery; preferably at The Freudian Sheep because I adore the place, although they don't know about this wish. I already volunteer at the Banham Zoo Charity Shop and I really enjoy it. Volunteering can be good experience and at the moment that's the only way I can get any.

A big hope is that I want to have my own studio so I can paint and be creative without having to worry about making a mess or having cats get in the way. I'm finding it quite difficult without a space to go to like I had at university. If I could move out that would be a step towards having a place to work; I just can't afford to.

Now I'm also toying with the idea of creating my own zine, or maybe even a colouring book! What about a zine that you can colour in? Hmm... I'm going to need to look into this. I think that I would create an animal themed one; maybe animals that are at Banham Zoo and maybe donate some of the money made from it to them? To have any chance of this plan working, I have to get back into drawing!

Possibly would like to make small pots or something creature based as well (however, would a kiln be needed for this?). Just making something with my hands, that I could easily make and sell would be good... I don't know.

In short:

1. Get a 'proper' job to enable me to afford to do these things.
2. Volunteer in a gallery.
3. Have my own studio.
4. Create a zine.
5. Make little sellable items.

Right now I can only keep applying to jobs, keep hopeful and attempt to keep creative.