So here we are. It’s February and this is my first post of 2026.

Only last week it started to feel like the light was returning- and with the light my energy levels.
December was the darkest month since the 1930s, and January followed up by staying dark but also adding cold.

Now, the cold isn’t too bad as long as the heating is working and you have decent clothes. I’ve had so much fun with building an ice castle and making a big troll out of snow. The ice on the laks is growing thicker and thicker so once one of my projects is done, I can go ice skating.

I get often asked how I scan or edit my sketchbooks- and I actually just take pictures. I use a camera with manual settings, an old shelf, and prefer shooting during overcast days (=soft light).
That means I sometimes have to be patient and wait for decent light.

In November, it was hands-month on Emma’s Patreon. I drew these in my bed in a motel room halfway between Belgium and Sweden. Hands are challenging, but I actually really love drawing them.

Also in November, I met Tara, who I kew from Patreon, and we went sketching at the zoo in Antwerp.
I went by bike and I remember being so soaked to the point I couldn’t even care anymore- but also very happy. Just a hot shower and a hot chocolate and all was good again. I was just so glad that we made it happen, and  that I finally met her in real life. I adore her drawings and illustrations.
It also made me think… I love meeting people, but I’m not a bar + drinks kinda person. I’m useless at parties. But I love a good conversation, a campfire, drawing, enjoying nature, exploring new (or familiar places).

From 2025, I have so many joyful sketchbook memories. Of Portugal, of Antwerp, and even in Sweden. It’s as if the voices and stories have woven themself into the pages. When I flip through my Portugal sketchbook, I can almost feel the sunshine, I see Kiki’s hair in the morning light, I hear TJ’s laugh, I see Gosha’s eyes when she speaks thoughtfully. My bright green pencil reminds me of Katie’s brightness. One of my Holbein paints is now “Jackie green” :-). And tiles remind me of Flossie.

With limited energy also came the need to limit my palette further. At the studio, I have a trolley with all my most-used art materials. My pencils are usually arranged in light-midtone-dark pots.
But for winter, I picked a few of my favourites and have them separated.

I did the same for the Neocolors which I drag around in the small tin- bu I haven’t used them much recently.
Because I’m often drawing in artificial light, sometimes at home at the kitchen table, I’ve been using Tombows the most. It’s easy to keep a few in my bag and I know the colours even when the light is off. Also, they don’t need sharpening and have both a brush and and a tip.

Shortly after this sketch I had a block candle with a flopping edge, dripping all over the window sill, the table, and my floor like a very dramatic red seal stamp. Not the effect I was hoping for, but not minding it too much either (we have a very old plastic floor that needs an update so it’s not precious).

Nice and calming in a dark world was the ‘animals in the snow’ session with Emma.
I’ve been using Tombows, Luminanc pencils, and even kuretake paints. The bunny doesn’t really feel like me, but I had such a nice time painting it.

The winter skies sessions with Frances Ives were also super nice. Very relaxing, some fun chatting, lovely images,… yeah, that’s just perfectly matching everything I needed 🙂

In the last few months, I joined less Patreons as you can see.
Here is why:
– autumn and winter are my time to slow down. I prefer sessions that feel calmer.
– with very little light, I lack the energy to keep up with everything so I prioritize my own practice and commissions.
– it’s also important to be out enough to catch some light, walk the dogs, get enough movement.
– I scale back evening sessions as I don’t like to drive home in the evening in winter.

Since last week, I’ve been feeling the change in light and energy and I joined 2 completely new (to me) Patreons. One that is all about Procreate techniques, the other one is for life drawing (both models as well as portraits). I’m feeling super excited!

If you’re reading this, thanks for stopping by!

See ya!