January was a busy month, but not for the reasons you might think. So let’s get right to the news.
Studio News for January 2026
CP Magic! News
The February issue of CP Magic! is a very special issue. For the fourth consecutive year, I invited artists from all over the world to send in their best work from the previous year. Many of them responded and the resulting collection fills this issue of the magazine.
In fact, so many responded, that the magazine is 68 pages long!
Artwork spans all skill levels from beginner through advanced to professional artists. Many artists featured in past issues of the magazine participated, as did many artists who have never participated in a showcase issue before.
I have no fear of contradiction when I say the artwork is stunning, and covers a wide range of subjects and styles. No matter what your skill level, you will find something to like and to motivate you.
The January issue is available in digital and print formats.
One note on the print version. Due to the size of this issue (68 pages), the print version is perfect bound rather than stapled. It’s more like a book than a magazine!
And it can serve as a reference source as well as eye candy, because many of the artists shared comments about their work. Comments included why they chose the subject they chose, how they achieved certain effects, and more.
Artwork
I finished only four pieces in January; all ACEOs. Three of them were the remains of an inked piece that I wasn’t happy with, and the fourth, shown below, was just a matter of shading a new brand of pencil on Stonehenge paper.
What were the pencils? Derwent Lightfast. I’ve had them for years and not done much with them, so I did this shading exercise during a break from magazine production. It was a good way to put in some low-pressure drawing time and test these pencils.
I had been thinking about giving them to someone who could put them to good use because I didn’t do much with them. After this test, I’m rethinking that plan.
So why didn’t I finish more art?
The magazine is the biggest reason. It takes a lot of time to put together a normal issue. Compiling a showcase seems like it should take less time because the participating artists provide all the material. But it actually takes more time; something even I find amazing.
But there was also the usual first-of-the-year bookkeeping and collecting of tax paperwork to do. It took less time this year than in the past, but it was still time consuming.
There’s also the matter of laziness. I spent enough time reading to have finished four or five more ACEOs. I could also have put that time to use on larger pieces. So I can’t blame only the magazine and taxes for lack of drawing time.
Looking to the Future
The main thing in my future as I write this post is the magazine. To my amazement, the March issue is nearly finished and the April issue is well underway. Hopefully, that means I can give more time to drawing soon.
But I am pondering other activities, too. Yes, including new art projects. I can’t share specifics right now because I don’t have any specifics. I’ll share them as they become available.
That’s the Studio News for January 2026
In looking back on January, I can say it was a good month, even though I didn’t get much drawing time. There are seasons in every artist’s life when drawing time takes a back seat. That describes my January pretty well!
I hope you had a good January, and that you’re making good progress on February!
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