Draw your Stress Away

November 9, 2025

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Share your drawing and leave a kind word

Come back soon to read the thoughtful replies 

157 Comments
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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
1 month ago

Pumpkins!

Screenshot-2025-11-09-at-11.00.58-AM
Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

Loving the vines and leaves!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Stacia
1 month ago

Thanks, Stacia! I wasn’t quite sure how to shape the leaf so I just went with it!

Kathryn Forsyth
Kathryn Forsyth
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

Lovely pumpkin and quote!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Kathryn Forsyth
1 month ago

Thank you, Kathryn! It’s interesting to me because the darker spots looked more natural to my eyes, but when I uploaded the picture, they seemed a bit odd. However, I’m happier with my shading this time around, which is something I have been working on!

Sam
Sam
1 month ago

Thank you

image
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Sam
1 month ago

Nice work, Sam! I love the texture on your pumpkin!

Megh
Megh
1 month ago

First time giving this a go. Shading and I are doing the best we can do become friends.

8505
Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  Megh
1 month ago

Feel it 😀

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Megh
1 month ago

Me too! We’ll all get there together.

Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Reply to  Megh
1 month ago

Same here! 🤣

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Megh
1 month ago

Megh-you and I are on the same page! I have always struggled with shading as I have such a heavy hand, but I’m getting there! Have patience and grace with yourself-I, for one, think you did an amazing job for your first time giving this a go!

Hilary
Hilary
1 month ago

Always relaxing

Pumpkin
Laura
Laura
Reply to  Hilary
1 month ago

Lovely colours and shadows 🙂

Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Hilary
1 month ago

Love the colours!

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Hilary
1 month ago

Love the color!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Hilary
1 month ago

Hilary-I’m so glad you found this so relaxing today! Your pumpkin looks incredibly realistic! Great work!

BETH
BETH
1 month ago

Fun and relaxing.

image
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  BETH
1 month ago

Beth-I agree-today was such fun and also relaxing! I find myself especially drawn to the top portion of your pumpkin! You mastered the 3D aspect and texture so well!

Sarah
Sarah
1 month ago

Loved it ❤️🖤

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Sarah
1 month ago

Hi, Sarah! Wow! Not only did you do amazing with your shading, but you captured what I was hoping to create with the stem (if you saw my picture above, you may have noticed that I did not master it LOL). You created a beautiful pumpkin today!

Last edited 1 month ago by Shay
Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Reply to  Sarah
1 month ago

Gorgeous!!

Anuja
Anuja
1 month ago

Had fun!!

image
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Anuja
1 month ago

Hi Anuja! Am I correct that the top is your doodle and the bottom is your final sketch? If so, I have to tell you that I love seeing the two together-I particularly love the way you captured the lighting and shadowing on your pumpkin! Nice work!

ALMA
ALMA
1 month ago

LOVED IT

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Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  ALMA
1 month ago

Oh, I really like the shape of your pumpkin, and the organically curved lines 🙂

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  ALMA
1 month ago

Alma-so happy you enjoyed the sessions today! You know what is so cool about your pumpkin? It looks real in the sense that it appears it was sitting on the ground on that top right side and it would never have occurred to me to have the ribs/curves mirror that shape. It’s so creative that you thought of that! Incredible!

Alexandra ADi
Alexandra ADi
1 month ago

Loved the session – like always 😉🤗

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Alexandra ADi
1 month ago

Alexandra ADi thank you so much for joining us today and I’m so glad you enjoyed the session! Your pumpkin looks fabulous! I love the texture on the stem and how you tapered it off towards the end. I also think that you did beautiful work with the shading at the top-it adds such depth!

Mari
Mari
1 month ago

Thank you!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Mari
1 month ago

Thank YOU, Mari! I’m so happy you shared with us 🙂 I like the texture in your shading-I always tend to smooth mine out but your work makes me want to explore more texturing in mind. Thank you for the inspiration!

Sally Lee
Sally Lee
1 month ago

Hello

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Sally Lee
1 month ago

Hello, Sally Lee! Thank you for joining us and for sharing your pumpkin sketch today! The ribs on your pumpkin add such a sense of dimension and the way you captured the lighting is perfect! Way to go!

Denver
Denver
1 month ago

Pumpkin!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Denver
1 month ago

Hi Denver! Thanks for sharing your sketch today! I am impressed that you were able to capture the shading so well with colored pencil-did you use different shades of orange?

Mica
Mica
1 month ago

Thanks for the session!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Mica
1 month ago

So glad you were able to join us Mica!

Lorraine
Lorraine
1 month ago

Thank you for a great session. I love the calming instruction and encouragement

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Lorraine
1 month ago

Thank you for joining us today, Lorraine! We hope to see you again in December!

karina
karina
1 month ago

Thankyou again for a wonderful relaxing session Shivani, I loved it!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  karina
1 month ago

What a great pumpkin, Karina! The asymmetry and shading make it look so real! You did an amazing job!

Mica
Mica
1 month ago

Thanks for the session. Hope you are well!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Mica
1 month ago

Ooooo, Mica! I love the use of different colors to add depth to your pumpkin! I would’ve just stuck with different shades of orange but I can see your even brought in some brown. How creative!

Katy
Katy
1 month ago

Just what I needed. Thank you 🙂

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Katy
1 month ago

Katy, isn’t it a great way to spend an hour of our day? I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I’m glad you shared your sketch with us! You did a great job overall and I feel like the stem and top of your pumpkin look so 3-dimensional. You did amazing!

Dawn S.
Dawn S.
1 month ago

My pumpkin!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Dawn S.
1 month ago

Your pumpkin is great, Dawn! Thank you for joining us and for sharing today. The individual darker spots that you have scattered here and there look so natural! Way to go!

valerie Graniou-Cook
valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

Thank you for a fun class! 🥰

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

Thank you for joining us! We are glad you had fun today! Hope to see you again in December!

Aaliya Khoda
Aaliya Khoda
1 month ago

It was my first time attending this event. It was very relaxing, and easy to follow the guided drawing. Moreover, Shivani’s voice is very soothing, which makes the experience even more stress-relieving. The only bad thing I have to say is that the time went by too quickly. I would definitely join the next events.

Pumpkin-drawing
Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Aaliya Khoda
1 month ago

Love that you added that line! Really good drawing

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Aaliya Khoda
1 month ago

I have to agree with you on all counts, Aaliya! When I first started attending Brushtime sessions, I was always sad when the hour was over! I’m so excited that you enjoyed your time today-we definitely look forward to having you join us again in the future! Your two pumpkins are incredible! I’m impressed that you had time to get both of them completed with such detail, and the addition of the line behind them adds a sense of depth and dimension to the drawing itself. Thank you for sharing your amazing work!

Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  Aaliya Khoda
1 month ago

This is a cute combo! Nice proportions 🙂 Also I agree on the soothing qualities of Shivani voice and way of guiding through the drawing!

Tara
Tara
1 month ago

Thanks to Shay and Shivani!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Tara
1 month ago

We are so happy you joined us today, Tara! Great work with your pumpkin. I have a question for you-your shading is incredible (this is something I struggle with) and I notice you have a few lighter areas on the left sides of a few of the pumpkin ribs…did you create these through shading for did you use an eraser to add highlights? This is me trying to learn new strategies 😃

LauraLee
LauraLee
1 month ago

my First session

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Laura
Laura
Reply to  LauraLee
1 month ago

So nice colours

And impressive for a first session 😊

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  LauraLee
1 month ago

Thank you for joining us today, LauraLee! Beautiful work for your first session and excellent use of color to create a sense of lighting and depth on your pumpkin! Did you use just one shade of orange or multiple shades?

LauraLee
LauraLee
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

I only had one orange pencil crayon, so I worked just that. It turned out pretty good. The instructions to do the colouring in l layers and holding the pencil towards the bottom to keep things even helped a lot!

Betsy
Betsy
1 month ago

Thanks for the fun time!

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Laura
Laura
Reply to  Betsy
1 month ago

Looks so real!
Great job with colours and shadows 🤩

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Betsy
1 month ago

Thank you for joining Betsy, we are so glad you had fun today! I’m also so grateful that you shared your sketch with us. I love the use of color! Am I correct that you used multiple shades in your sketch? Did you start with the lighter shade as a base coat and then use darker shades of orange on top?

Esthelle
Esthelle
1 month ago

Pumpkin 🙂

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Esthelle
1 month ago

Hi Esthelle-I don’t see your pumpkin image but I’m sure it is beautiful! Hopefully you will be able to attach it soon ♥️

Kim Muse-Holliday
Kim Muse-Holliday
1 month ago

Thanks for another great class.

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Kim Muse-Holliday
1 month ago

Thank you for joining us today, Kim! And thank you for sharing your sketch! I have to say your pumpkin itself is fabulous, and the use of different colors is amazing, but what I really notice was the angle of the shadow…instead of going out only to the right, you almost brought it out to the front, which makes it appear that the light is coming from behind the pumpkin (instead of from the left). It looks great, and that will be a strategy I think I will try at some point!

flo
flo
1 month ago

Thanks for this. I really enjoy this

Screenshot-2025-11-09-121122
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  flo
1 month ago

We are so glad you enjoyed today, Flo! And thank you for sharing your pumpkin sketch with us! I can see your patience shining through in your work because all of your shading flows in the same direction. It looks beautiful.

Janice Tolbert
Janice Tolbert
1 month ago

Thank you

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Janice Tolbert
1 month ago

Thank you for sharing Janice! What a great addition to put your pumpkin on a fence! I love it!

Janice Tolbert
Janice Tolbert
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

Thank you Shay always a pleasure to work with you creating art.

Esthelle
Esthelle
1 month ago

Pumpkin 🙂

Last edited 1 month ago by Shay
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Esthelle
1 month ago

Hi Esthelle-I deleted the long data file from your commented but I think I was able to see the problem. I looks like you were trying to upload an image in an HEIC format. Try taking a screenshot of your image and uploading that or converting the image to a png or jpeg file. I would love to see your pumpkin 🙂

Amelie
Amelie
1 month ago

Thank you so much for this relaxing session on the autumn theme! 🎃

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Amelie
1 month ago

Hi Amelie! We are so happy you found the session relaxing-I did too! I find the asymmetry of your pumpkin so realistic! it looks amazing-thank you for sharing with us!

Lorraine
Lorraine
1 month ago

My attemp

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Lorraine
1 month ago

Hi Lorraine! I don’t see your picture attached but I’m sure it is amazing! Maybe you can try again in another comment-we would love to see it!

Vonda
Vonda
1 month ago

Thank you for this session.

I’m a disabled autistic former art teacher and have been drawing since I was a kid as a form of self care. Nowadays I struggle with getting outside of the house and I miss being among other creatives.

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LauraLee
LauraLee
Reply to  Vonda
1 month ago

This is super neat! It looks awesome!

Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Vonda
1 month ago

Love this!!!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Vonda
1 month ago

Vonda, we are so happy your joined us today and we hope to see you again in December! What medium did you use to create your pumpkin today? It looks incredible and I love the addition of the extra layers off to the right!

Marina
Marina
1 month ago

thank you for making time for online drawing sessions, it’s hard for myself to take some time, but it’s easier with a “appointement” and a community. I always look forward to them.

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Marina
1 month ago

I have to agree with you, Marina! I always say I’m going to carve some time out for myself…and then I never do. But, when I have an “appointment” and I can say, “Sorry I have my drawing class at 10.” it’s a commitment and I always look forward to it! Thank you for joining us and for sharing your incredible pumpkin! You captured the imperfections of an actual pumpkin so perfectly-way to go!

valerie Graniou-Cook
valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

thank you for this wonderful class!🥰

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

Thank you for joining us, Valerie!

Kathryn Forsyth
Kathryn Forsyth
1 month ago

Thank you, Shivani for another lovely drawing session!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Kathryn Forsyth
1 month ago

Thank you for sharing your sketch with us, Kathryn! What a great sketch you created today! I love the circular imperfections you added, almost as if something (or someone) had taken up residence in your pumpkin 😉

Esthelle
Esthelle
1 month ago

Pumpkin 🙂 Thank you for this session

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Esthelle
1 month ago

There we go Esthelle! I’m so glad you were able to upload your sketch-I was hoping I’d be able to see it – it was definitely worth the wait! Wow-the shape your pumpkin’s stem and the dimension you added at the top are incredible. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Judi Stier
Judi Stier
1 month ago

Such a lovely host. A truly relaxing experience. Thank you

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Judi Stier
1 month ago

I agree on both counts, Judi! thank you for sharing your pumpkin sketch with us today. I love the texture you added-not only to your stem but also to the pumpkin itself. The darker squiggly lines here and there add such a realistic look to it!

valerie Graniou-Cook
valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

Sorry for multiple text as I am trying to upload lyrics pumpkin. Thank you for that wonderful class!🥰

pumpkin
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

No need to apologize, Valerie! We are so happy you enjoyed the class today! Tell me, what medium did you use for this fabulous piece? It almost looks like watercolor? It’s incredible, and I love the addition of the leaves and vine! Beautiful work!

Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Reply to  valerie Graniou-Cook
1 month ago

This is beautiful! Watercolours? You must be a fast painter!

Janice
Janice
1 month ago

Wonderful time!

image
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Janice
1 month ago

Yes, indeed, Janice! Today’s class was wonderful! Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your sketch. I simply love the layers of color in your pumpkin! Am I correct that I am seeing a bit of red in there along with the orange? It looks great!

Emily
Emily
1 month ago

This was my first session and I really enjoyed it! Thank you so much 😀

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Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Emily
1 month ago

Love the texture and colours!!!!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Emily
1 month ago

We are so glad you joined us, today, Emily! We hope to see you again in December! Your sketch is simply beautiful! How did you manage the white-speckled look all over the surface of your pumpkin? It’s beautiful!

Andrea
Andrea
1 month ago

Always so wonderful! Thank you for theses classes- 😀

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Andrea
1 month ago

We are always so happy to have you join us, Andrea! Hope to see you in December!

Ulrike
Ulrike
1 month ago

Was a pleasure to join this session! 🙂

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Ulrike
1 month ago

Oh Ulrike! What a unique approach to add texture this way! I love it! The cross-hatches for the shading, especially along the ribs, adds such incredible detail to your piece. I love it!

Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

Hey Shay 🙂 Thx! Glad to hear. It was a great first session and hopefully not the last I’ll join ::)

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Ulrike
1 month ago

Lovely detail! That pumpkin has a lot of personality.

Lorraine
Lorraine
1 month ago

unable to post drawing attachment

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Lorraine
1 month ago

Hi Lorraine! I’m so glad you were able to post your picture! It looks amazing and was worth the wait 😀 The shape and shading of your pumpkin look so natural-and the stem adds such a touch of character! Way to go!

Dana Annab
Dana Annab
1 month ago

Thank you for a lovely session. For the person asking about colour shading: I used the colours goldenrod, yellowed orange and Spanish orange for the pumpkin and dark Brown for the stem from Prismcolor premier

image
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Dana Annab
1 month ago

Hi, Dana! This looks incredible! I love the use of color (something which I am not confident with yet) and appreciate you sharing the colors you used. How do you select the color combo? That’s where I struggle…I never seem to select the correct combo and somehow they always look off…but yours looks perfect here-so natural!

Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Reply to  Dana Annab
1 month ago

Thanks Dana, that was me! I’m not confident enough with regular shading, not brave enough to try colour yet but maybe next time!

Marcus
Marcus
1 month ago

Darn! I can never seem to find my colored pencils in time for a Draw Your Stress Away session, but here’s a gray scale pumpkin with a rough nightjar perched on the stem. These birds that kind of look like frogs are a minor obsession of mine. Thanks for another great session, Shivani and Shay!

Draw-Your-Stress-Away-11-09-2025
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

Hi, Marcus! Your grayscale pumpkin looks great, and I love the addition of the rough nightjar perched on the stem. I have never heard of that bird, so I’m going to have to go look them up now. Where are they found? And why are you obsessed with them (there is usually a story behind these animal obsessions…similar to why I love elephants…). We are so glad you enjoyed today’s session, and we always appreciate you sharing your work!

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

Hi, Shay! Nightjar species are found all over the world, except in extremely cold or extremely arid places. Here in Sacramento, we have the lesser nighthawk and common poorwill species, but I’ve never seen one in person. I’m not sure what accounts for my fixation on nightjars. I first heard the name a few years ago, and out of curiosity, I googled it expecting to find pictures of something frightening and sinister. Instead, I got a gallery of toad-like dorks, and they’ve held a place in my heart ever since.

Is there a story behind your love of elephants?

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

I looked up the picture of the Nightjar and I’ve never seen one either! What an interesting bird!

I’m not sure exactly WHY I love elephants but it goes back to when I was a little girl and decided I had imaginary pet elephants living under my house in Pasadena. I even nicknamed our family dog “Baby Elephant.” So, when we drew elephants for our Brushtime session a few months ago I was incredibly happy!

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Shay
1 month ago

I love that story. How is there not a children’s picture book about a girl who keeps her pet elephants under the house?

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

Maybe there needs to be! You may have given me a creative idea!

Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

I literally came to find this drawing! Loving that bird perched right on top!

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Stacia
1 month ago

Thanks, Stacia! I’m pleased you like it 😁

Stacia
Stacia
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

Def! 😉

Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

That’s cool! Have to look up the bird.

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Ulrike
1 month ago

Here’s a fine specimen!

Nightjar
Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  Marcus
1 month ago

Wow 😀 Thx!

Rhiannon
Rhiannon
1 month ago

Great session, thank you!
My shading/blending still needs work 🙃

IMG_0111
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Rhiannon
1 month ago

Hi, Riannon-mine too…but I’m getting there. I am finding that if use a tissue to blend/smooth between layers then I am much happier with the final result. Though I must say, I think your shading/blending looks great! I love the little flip on the left edge of your stem…it’s a detail I didn’t think about but it adds character to your pumpkin! Beautiful work!

kate
kate
1 month ago

I really benefitted from a calm focus time thank you

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  kate
1 month ago

I love that for you, Kate! Benefiting from the calm focus time is one of the biggest goals of these sessions; the art is just an added benefit! 🥰 Speaking of art, I love your sketch. Am I seeing a bit of metallic reflection in your shading? It looks really cool-what type of pencil did you use today?

Annie
Annie
1 month ago

Thank you! It felt great to draw again.

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LauraLee
LauraLee
Reply to  Annie
1 month ago

You’ve a great eye for colouring. It looks great!

Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Annie
1 month ago

Hi Annie! Thank you for sharing! Wow-what rich, vibrant colors and realism you have brought to your sketch! It’s simply stunning!

Marcus
Marcus
Reply to  Annie
1 month ago

Love the color and shadowing!

Aidyn
Aidyn
1 month ago

Thank you so much for this wonderful class and community!

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Aidyn
1 month ago

Beautiful job, Aidyn! Thank you so much for sharing. Question for you – did you use mixed mediums on this project? it looks like you used both marker and colored pencil which adds such an incredible contrast and depth to your work!

Eliseo Ramirez-Roman
Eliseo Ramirez-Roman
1 month ago

My drawing

Imagen-de-WhatsApp-2025-11-09-a-las-18.16.05_a0c78602
Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Eliseo Ramirez-Roman
1 month ago

Oh, wow, Eliseo! The shadowing on this is incredible! It’s not just shading, but true shadowing…I wish I could accomplish something like this!

Ulrike
Ulrike
Reply to  Eliseo Ramirez-Roman
1 month ago

That turned out so lovely! Especially the lights and shadows 🙂

Shauwleen
Shauwleen
1 month ago

Thank you so much for today’s drawing session. It was my first time joining and I love all things pumpkin, so it was really great for me 🎃

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Shay
Shay
Brushtime
Reply to  Shauwleen
1 month ago

We are so glad you joined today, Shauwleen and we hope to see you again in December! Thank you for sharing your sketch with us. I love your final product!
Your shading has such a light touch (a challenge of mine) with just enough variance on the right side to add depth.

Last edited 1 month ago by Shay