This morning I caught my manikin doing the 'Single ladies' dance.

So this is one of the 'finished' sketchbook images I've been working on this week. 

I played around with mediums and while I love watercolours to death, I feel like I am not good with them. So went back to my Promarkers (what a surprise!)

One Monday evening, coming back from work, I started doodling these three characters you can see above. 

This is so subtle, so I feel the need to explain. Look at them: you can read the unhappiness on their face. The reindeer, the bear, bird and unicorn all represent annoying work stuff that you have to smile through, swallow and suffer. They can either be your boss forever complaining, a stupid neverending task that you share with a retarded colleague or the inedible canteen lunch. Or coffee spilled on your freshly finished project.

'There you go', they say, 'I'll just s(h)it here on your shoulder and you will shut up 'cause there's nothing you can do, hehe'.

BAM - some colour has been added to these and ta-daaah! I've just described all Mondays in the world.

Of course you are thankful.

Letrasets were the first promarkers I've ever eeever used and I sort of stuck with them ever since. 

Yes, they're awesome and annoying at the same time, glorious and down right pricks, but I will never be able to resist a Letraset Lime Green! E-VER!

I went for the Fashion Design set as my Tria 'trial pack' (arrived last week) and I am so damn excited! Their three nibs give me the perfect opportunity to colour and contour to my heart's content. The fine nib is god sent! I rarely to never use the thickest one ever anyway, so having the fine nib on top of that is awesome. 

Just look at these photos! I want to take these all out of their wallet and hug them so hard until their lids pop out! [which I may have done already] 

For all you curious people out there, here are some pros and cons:

PROs

• Amazing colour range, as always. Depending on your project, you've got various hues in a set. I plan on collecting them all, even if this means living under a bridge at some point!
• The 3 nibs! Thin, medium and thick.
• The wallet - stuuuurdy! And looks quite cool as well.
• The usual Letraset quality.

CONs

• Price. Depending on where you buy them from, you can pay anything from £45 to £150 for a 24 set. Mine was £45, but I waited 2 weeks for delivery and the cardboard box was heavily battered :( Dodgy.
• Wallet - while it looks cool, because of the way it's made, you need to make sure you've closed their lids properly when you pop them in.

I've only had these markers for a week now, so obviously can't talk about how long lasting they are, but stick with me and I'll come back with details.

You Tria fans (or not) out there - you need to tell me what to expect from these! Should I abandon myself in my love for them or start things slowly? :D

You know at work when the shit is so deep, but people are just too polite to yell at each other?! 

When everyone is absolutely fuming, but the only thing that keeps them from smashing windows is the thought of drowning sorrows in a bottle of wine in the evening?

Yip, this was just one of those days. Actually, this week has been one of THOSE weeks.

So it inspired me to draw this.

Whenever I feel down, I think of spring.

Social interaction at work is so!freakin'!awkward!

Because I am a skillful master of day-to-day corporate encounters, I felt it was necessary to put together this thorough step by step guide on how to survive these situations.

You are welcome.

Step 1
Morning. Pick up your cup and go to the coffee/ water machine.
Step 2
Fill said cup.
Step 3
[There is now at least one person behind you. Do not panic] Turn around. Person will look at you. 
Step 4
It is time for your performance. While keeping a blank stare, turn the corners of your lips upwards. Do not break into a smile! You need to keep things professional, so continue to purse your lips extremely tight. Raise your eyebrows in surprise while keeping the blank stare and your lips tight.
Step 5
[internal scream]
Step 6
Relax facial muscles. Leave the place. 

Rinse and repeat.

It took me a really long time to find the perfect varnish for my crafts. I tried so many so far and am pleased to say that I have finally found the one for me.

I use the Liquitex high gloss varnish on wood and clay, but I suspect it's suitable for other types of surfaces as well. It is transparent and doesn't have a toxic smell (like some other do)- it actually barely smells at all. I usually use it with a painting brush (you need to wash the brush before the gloss dries though) and find that two coats are enough (although the bottle says you should use three).

I've always loved gloss varnishes because they make the colours of my crafts pop. If you look at the photo above, the figurine on the left is varnished and the other one isn't. Their faces have been painted using the same acrylic colours (not the hair though) - I think the difference is noticeable.

This one dries in about an hour (or even quicker, depending on how thick your layer is), but I always let it dry for a bit longer just to be sure that I don't get any fingerprints on my stuff.

You can find this one in most craft stores around the UK. I paid around £7 for a small bottle a few years ago.

PS: This post is not sponsored.