Holiday/Winter Sketches

Here are some images from my sketchbooks. First a wreath, done with Neocolor II. 

Next is a quick sketch of one of my Uggs. Well really, I call them Fuggs or Fake Uggs. I would rather spend the money on art supplies than the name brand.

 Last is another attempt at digital art on my Ipod touch. This on is done in Zen Brush. I look forward to working more on this medium.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of my friends on EDM. I enjoy you so much, and I am very thankful for your friendship and encouragement.

Some sketches!

I have not posted in a long time, but I have been sketching quite a bit. Here is what I have been up to.

I hope this doesn't look like a Rorschach test! It is actually from a photograph of a man in a boat on an island off the coast of Honduras. 

Above is a preliminary sketch for my first ever "real" watercolor. I was inspired by a catalog cover from last winter. I am not going to be able to start the painting before the New Year. You know how it is. But I am working on a second sketch to plan which steps to take first. I have lots of questions, so I will be turning to the EDM list. Get ready!

Lastly, this is a piece of iPod art. It was done on Zen Brush. I am working on learning both Zen Brush and Sketchbook. I hope to have more digital art to share soon.

But it's hard to live by the rules,

I never could and still never do. This is a line from a song that was popular in the early 1980's. The band was the Pretenders. It spoke to me then and still does now.

I did the following exercise from a book called The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing People Illustrated. The exercise called for using pencils in a variety of hardnesses to achieve the desired look. But anyone can do it but following the directions. I need to be different. And, I have the perfect color of Micron Pen for denim. So, here is my take the hem of a pair of jeans:

It looks like the picture, trust me ;-). 

EDM # 91--Draw an Apple

When you give an artist an apple, she has to paint it! I put housework aside yesterday to capture this apple. The scanner did some funny things to it, but I think it looks pretty good!

Some More Sketches

Here is a pen and ink of one of my favorite plants. It would be easy for me to point out the glaring errors I see, but I will just say practice makes perfect instead.

This is a cement temple in our garden with a pair of daylilies. You can often find our cat, Poe, hanging out in the shadows. But not the day I sketched this. Isn't that always the way with cats? I took several reference photos and hope to paint this scene later.

Some Sketches

I haven't posted in forever, but that doesn't mean I haven't been sketching. 

Here is my take on a Sunflower. This was done with my Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and Neocolor II crayons. 

Here is a Mother-in-law's tongue. This one is done with Microns and Watercolor. 

EDM # 58--Draw a Hat

Well, it has certainly been awhile, too long really since my last post. Here is a sketch I did at the end of May. It is a Pittsburgh Pirates hat. Oh, those Pirates! Last year was the 17th losing season in a row. Ah, well.

Mom--Post-It Note Fiction #1

A few weeks ago, I posted a link about something called Post-It Note Fiction. This is my first attempt. Its theme is a Mother, in honor of the holiday this weekend. Actually, that was just a happy accident! 

I typing the "short" story out in case you can't read my less-than-stellar handwriting.

MOM 

My mother believed there was nothing as vulgar as a tattoo. She passed away last year. I was sick with grief. I was so angry, I decided to get my own tattoo. I got a heart on my right hip. Now my mom visits my dreams to tell me how much she hates it. I don't mind, I am happy to see her.

EDM # 76--Draw Some Flowers

This is not my favorite sketch. It did not turn out like the picture in my head. I understand this happens, but it is frustrating. Especially since I really enjoyed painting it. 

I finally got a scanner. I am not sure I can recreate the steps to get another image onto blogger ;-) Please email me if the image is too large. I will try to fix it.

This is also my first attempt with Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Artists' Crayons. I think I will love them, after more practice.

Playing with the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen

The above sketch is my dog, Kasey with a Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. Roz at Roz Wound Up from uses one all the time, I think. I became intrigued. So, I included one in my last art supply splurge.

The other sketches are of the cats, Poe and Tigerlily, and two more of Kasey. 

I have found the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen to be a fascinating and frustrating new tool. The line variation is just amazing. I am not sure this is reflected in my sketches. 

My first mark was a thick black line. I quickly learned that a very light touch is needed to get a thin line. More pressure results in thicker lines. I have spent a lot of time just making marks with this pen. Thin lines, thick lines and lines which go from thick to thin to thick again. 

It has taken a lot of practice to get sketches that even resemble the subject. I usually have to sketch in pencil first. I read this hint from Shirley at Paper and Threads . I drew the dog sketches without pencil on a good day. I think maybe the stars were in alignment. ;-)

But, there is something about this pen that makes me want to practice with it everyday. I believe that taming it will make me a better artist. Even if I have to fill up several sketchbooks with lines and simple shapes. I hadn't done any other drawings for a few days. When I went back to my Micron, I felt I was looser and that my drawing skills had improved. This may just be because the Micron responds the way I expect, every time! LOL

I highly recommend this pen. Just be aware that it takes lots of practice. I bought mine from JetPens . Don't forget to load up on cartridge refills!

My Great Recession

Things have been very challenging here. I had a flare, or increased activity, of my Sjogren's Syndrome. As most of you know, the East Coast had record amounts of snowfall. I made a note on the page opposite the Baltimore Oriole that says 49 inches of snow in 11 days. That is a lot of snow! I am sure this didn't help my flare. I also experienced intermittent computer problems and a cat bite.

I am thrilled to say that I am finally feeling more like myself! I really missed all of you and your amazing art.  I am glad to be back. Please think happy thoughts that it stays this way.

EDM # 125--Draw a Bird

This Baltimore Oriole was done using Inktense Pencils. A few details were added with Micron Pens. 

We have had Orioles nest in our yard, and they are so beautiful. Please enjoy my rendition!

Emotions Series, Part One

I am starting to work on a series based on emotions. I am sure you will be able to identify the first two easily.

EDM # 2--Draw a Lamp

I present Sunday's post on Tuesday, again. Maybe Tuesday works better for me.

Here's a surprise. I am (mostly) happy with this week's effort. Mark this on your calendar, it almost never happens. The symmetry was definitely challenging. I even drew most of it upside down.

I am not as happy with the photo. I really need to get that scanner!

I really enjoyed building up the values. It was relaxing.

I appreciate all who take the time to visit and post. Thank you!

EDM # 14--Draw what you see in the morning when you get up

John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." So, I present my Sunday post on Tuesday. This is the first thing I see in the morning, when I get up. As for the sketch, I remain a humble student of pen and ink, and watercolor.

EDM # 40--Draw Some Folds

I struggled with folds in an earlier post, EDM #185--Draw a Cat. So, I sat down with my sketchbook and a very soft (8B) graphic pencil and really looked at some curtains. The top sketch is more life-like and the bottom sketch was more play, but I see some real improvement. I am still struggling to translate this into pen and ink. But, I see progress and that's what is important to me right now.

EDM # 254--Draw Something That Represents Joy

These are some of the things that bring joy into my life. Cats, drawing and painting, new watercolor sets (artist grade totally rock!) and drawing and painting cats. Oh, and I almost forgot, the EDM list.

New Year's Goals for 2010

I am trying something new this year. I am setting the following goals:

• I will Make Marks everyday in 2010--sketching, drawing, painting, or just practice shading or crosshatching.
• I will take Life Drawing courses at my local Community College.
• I will take watercolor lessons with a local artist.
• I will complete at least one EDM challenge a week. I will post it to my blog every Sunday. 
• I will get a scanner.
• I will stop my search for the perfect sketchbook and pick one to use for Every Day Matters.
• I will do my Morning Pages everyday.