they look especially cool on darker paper.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
sparkly inks
I got some very cool new bottles of pearlescent ink that have a sparkly shine. unfortunately, the shine doesn't really come through in the scan, but I had a lot of fun playing with them with a pointed pen today.
they look especially cool on darker paper.
they look especially cool on darker paper.
Monday, February 20, 2012
back to the faces
I am obsessed... I just can't seem to stop drawing faces. Oh well, I guess I'll just keep going with it until I burn out or get better. Hopefully, the second will occur before the first! :-)
I'm going to give the creative every day challenge a try. The truth is that I am creating every day, but I'm not always doing it in a very organized way. I have sketchbooks in all shapes and sizes with different types of paper all over the house, my car, etc..And, of course, paper is useless without my rapidograph pens or at least a couple of good pencils. And then, well, maybe just a few different types of watercolors in different places. And where's my pointed pen? and on, and on, and on. As a result of the chaos, much of the sketches, doodles, illustrations-- the compilation of things that will one day serve to highlight my sheer genius (or sheer madness-- i hear there's a fine line) never manage to see the light of day.
Well, all this rambling to say, I'm linking up with so many inspirational artists at creative every day in an attempt get more organized and better catalogue what I do-- the good, the bad and the ugly-- to provide artistic snapshots into my creative life from one period of my life to the next. So, be sure to take a look at Creative Every Day to see the other artsies are doing this week!
I'm going to give the creative every day challenge a try. The truth is that I am creating every day, but I'm not always doing it in a very organized way. I have sketchbooks in all shapes and sizes with different types of paper all over the house, my car, etc..And, of course, paper is useless without my rapidograph pens or at least a couple of good pencils. And then, well, maybe just a few different types of watercolors in different places. And where's my pointed pen? and on, and on, and on. As a result of the chaos, much of the sketches, doodles, illustrations-- the compilation of things that will one day serve to highlight my sheer genius (or sheer madness-- i hear there's a fine line) never manage to see the light of day.
Well, all this rambling to say, I'm linking up with so many inspirational artists at creative every day in an attempt get more organized and better catalogue what I do-- the good, the bad and the ugly-- to provide artistic snapshots into my creative life from one period of my life to the next. So, be sure to take a look at Creative Every Day to see the other artsies are doing this week!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
crying wolf
taking a break from all the faces of the past week to do a quick illustration for my nephew...
Delighted to be linking to the anniversary post over at Sunday Sketches. Be sure to check out what everyone else has been up to...
Delighted to be linking to the anniversary post over at Sunday Sketches. Be sure to check out what everyone else has been up to...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Learning to love the pencil...
Okay, I have to admit that I'm starting to appreciate the pencil a bit more, if only for the fact that it allows me to do SOOOO much erasing and reworking (as can be seen from all the little erasure marks that I neglected to brush off the page before scanning).
Someone recently noted (I apologize for forgetting who) that the difference of a millimeter changes a face from beautiful to... not as beautiful in terms of proportion. Drawing these portraits has made me a true believer of that. Unbelievably, I have found that erasing from one side v. the other of a bold line makes all the difference in the world between making someone identifiable v. not. It's painstaking for someone who has not done this type of work before, but I love the fact that it's made me really tune into details. So, onward and upward, as the saying goes.
I can still see a lot of things I want to change... I'm going to walk away for a little while and come back to it with clearer eyes.
okay, okay, okay, okay, okay... my hubby is about ready to have me committed because I can't keep away... I keep tweaking and adjusting things that he says only I can see, which is probably true. But now I'm obsessed (as usual) and I can't stop fiddling with this.
Someone recently noted (I apologize for forgetting who) that the difference of a millimeter changes a face from beautiful to... not as beautiful in terms of proportion. Drawing these portraits has made me a true believer of that. Unbelievably, I have found that erasing from one side v. the other of a bold line makes all the difference in the world between making someone identifiable v. not. It's painstaking for someone who has not done this type of work before, but I love the fact that it's made me really tune into details. So, onward and upward, as the saying goes.
Oh, I also realized that I need to stick with floating heads for awhile. I tried filling in a neckine and jacket and it again just completely changed the look of it. I continue to be in awe of those people who can sit down and quickly sketch a completely recognizable character. Maybe one day...
Hmmm... I should upload things more often. It's amazing how seeing them on the screen allows me to see EVEN MORE of the imperfections. A slightly revised version below.
okay, okay, okay, okay, okay... my hubby is about ready to have me committed because I can't keep away... I keep tweaking and adjusting things that he says only I can see, which is probably true. But now I'm obsessed (as usual) and I can't stop fiddling with this.
One more time...
Yet another pencil portrait... I spent a litle more time with this one but I am struggling with making them feel alive. I know I need to work on the mechanics of proportion and features, etc... but I also wish that I could better capture the life behind the face. Ah well, back to the drawing board...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Portrait in pencil
This time I attempted a portrait in pencil. I'm not sure I had any better luck but it definitely felt like a very different process. For whatever reason, I think I feel freer with a pen than with a pencil... which makes no sense since the pencil obviously allows a lot more room for corrections and working and reworking a sketch. Despite that, it feels confining to me. Maybe I just need to get more used to it.
The good news is that my hubby and daughter both recognized who I was trying to capture right away. Despite that, it still looks very cock-eyed and amateurish to me. I need to keep reminding myself that all those who make it look so effortlessly brilliant probably spent some time early on learning how to get past the pin it to the refrigerator/kindergarten look. :-)
The good news is that my hubby and daughter both recognized who I was trying to capture right away. Despite that, it still looks very cock-eyed and amateurish to me. I need to keep reminding myself that all those who make it look so effortlessly brilliant probably spent some time early on learning how to get past the pin it to the refrigerator/kindergarten look. :-)
portraits
I've always wanted to be able to draw portraits that actually look like people rather than just oddly pulled together sock puppets. This is my first attempt and I must admit, I find it very challenging but I'm going to keep plugging and see if it's possible to improve at all.
I did this in pen and I think I may try with pencil next time. Perhaps it will be more forgiving. :-)
Slide on over to Sophia's Sunday Sketches... You will surely find much inspiration there!
I did this in pen and I think I may try with pencil next time. Perhaps it will be more forgiving. :-)
Slide on over to Sophia's Sunday Sketches... You will surely find much inspiration there!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Another church
I'm not sure what my obsession is with sketching churches lately. Sometimes, they just remind me of a pretty community that feels like home (in this case, this one is in my hometown and I didn't do it justice). In other instances, they provide the most beautiful architecture around. Sometimes, it's the fact that people will build a church anywhere to capture that sense of community, in the most unlikely of places. I must admit, I don't often go inside, but I am intrigued by the edifaces.
Don't forget to check out Sunday Sketches. They will surely brighten up your Sunday!
Don't forget to check out Sunday Sketches. They will surely brighten up your Sunday!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
travel sketches
We had an amazing time traveling over the winter holiday.
This sketch was of a very old church on St. Simon's Island, Christ Church. The church is surrounded by beautiful landscaping and a church graveyard. We were there on a very rainy day and were lucky enough to run into the groundskeeper who knew the church history inside and out. He opened the church for us and gave us a very detailed tour, with the entire history of the church. It was fascinating.
Linking up to Sunday Sketches! Be sure to check out everyone's masterpieces there!
This sketch was of a very old church on St. Simon's Island, Christ Church. The church is surrounded by beautiful landscaping and a church graveyard. We were there on a very rainy day and were lucky enough to run into the groundskeeper who knew the church history inside and out. He opened the church for us and gave us a very detailed tour, with the entire history of the church. It was fascinating.
Linking up to Sunday Sketches! Be sure to check out everyone's masterpieces there!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Happy (belated) New Year!
It has been a while since I've popped over this way. I've been busy traveling, caring for family and just enjoying ringing out the old year and ringing in the new. I'm looking forward to a fabulous 2012 and it's already off to a great start.
While I haven't done much in terms of posting to this blog over the last month, I have managed to do quite a bit of doodling and sketching during my travels. As soon as I have time to catch my breath and catch up, I will upload some of it.
In the meantime, I wish everyone a happy and peaceful 2012!!
While I haven't done much in terms of posting to this blog over the last month, I have managed to do quite a bit of doodling and sketching during my travels. As soon as I have time to catch my breath and catch up, I will upload some of it.
In the meantime, I wish everyone a happy and peaceful 2012!!
And don't forget to check out Paint Party Friday this week!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Fruits
I have not been very good about scanning my doodles and drawings and getting them posted lately. In the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holidays, dealing with some family health issues, readying a property for rental and finishing out the school year with my daughter and the work year for my sweetie and I~ I have completely let my bloggy world go. Fortunately, I have continued to doodle and draw into the evenings as a way to keep my sanity in the midst of the craziness.
I love fruit-- almost all kinds of fruit. I love the sweet, natural, juiciness of it. I love how it can be used as a snack on the go or as part of a meal. I love that different kinds of fruit are evocative of the different seasons. What kind of July 4th would it be without watermelon? What would a springtime field trip be without the first cherries of the season? Peaches, one of my favorites, although sadly they often signify the end of my beloved summer. Crisp apples-- in all their wonderful varieties-- are delicious in so many ways and, while I eat them year round, they always seem particular apt during that first crisp, coolness of fall. The cloying sweet mushiness of bananas makes them impossible for me to eat on their own, but 1/2 of one cut up is the perfect addition to a bowl of cereal. Strawberries, ahh strawberies-- whether covered in chocolate, as part of a shortcake or dipped in champagne-- they are a truly decadent delight.
But there's something to be said for the pear. It's not a pretty fruit. Kind of lopsided and lumpy. If you want to really put a dagger through the heart of woman, tell her she's pear-shaped! They tend to be most popular in the cold months (not my favorite time of year). All in all, not all that appealing sounding. This week, we bought our first pears of the season. They were rock hard and I worried that they would end up sitting in the fruit bowl, ripening without our taking notice until, finally brown and mushy, we'd end up tossing them.
Yesterday, I took one out and brought it to my drawing area. I started sketching it and noticed it wasn't just green or just yellow. It was both, in different places and depending on how it caught the light. Along the bottom, there was a beautiful tinge of pinkish red. The brown stem and a few small brown imperfections gave it some character. Despite it lopsided wonkiness, it stood on its own. When placed on its side, its bumpiness and imperfect planes helped it to stay in place. After some very quick and rudimentary sketching, I pulled out my watercolors to try to capture some of its color. When all was said and done, I'm not sure that I captured that pear very well at all.
What I do know is that after drawing and painting for about ten minutes, I took a bite. The pear's sweet graininess was more delicious than I'd remembered. With each bite, it seemed to get juicier. It was a filling snack and provided me with the energy I needed to get through the rest of the afternoon. I'm not sure I'll draw the rest of those pears before eating them, but I am appreciative of how much I noticed about them when I really took the time to look at and taste them!
Linking up with Sophia's Sunday Sketches. If you have a few moments, take some time and look at what the other linkers have created this week. It will be worth your while!
Hope everyone has a great week!
I love fruit-- almost all kinds of fruit. I love the sweet, natural, juiciness of it. I love how it can be used as a snack on the go or as part of a meal. I love that different kinds of fruit are evocative of the different seasons. What kind of July 4th would it be without watermelon? What would a springtime field trip be without the first cherries of the season? Peaches, one of my favorites, although sadly they often signify the end of my beloved summer. Crisp apples-- in all their wonderful varieties-- are delicious in so many ways and, while I eat them year round, they always seem particular apt during that first crisp, coolness of fall. The cloying sweet mushiness of bananas makes them impossible for me to eat on their own, but 1/2 of one cut up is the perfect addition to a bowl of cereal. Strawberries, ahh strawberies-- whether covered in chocolate, as part of a shortcake or dipped in champagne-- they are a truly decadent delight.
But there's something to be said for the pear. It's not a pretty fruit. Kind of lopsided and lumpy. If you want to really put a dagger through the heart of woman, tell her she's pear-shaped! They tend to be most popular in the cold months (not my favorite time of year). All in all, not all that appealing sounding. This week, we bought our first pears of the season. They were rock hard and I worried that they would end up sitting in the fruit bowl, ripening without our taking notice until, finally brown and mushy, we'd end up tossing them.
Yesterday, I took one out and brought it to my drawing area. I started sketching it and noticed it wasn't just green or just yellow. It was both, in different places and depending on how it caught the light. Along the bottom, there was a beautiful tinge of pinkish red. The brown stem and a few small brown imperfections gave it some character. Despite it lopsided wonkiness, it stood on its own. When placed on its side, its bumpiness and imperfect planes helped it to stay in place. After some very quick and rudimentary sketching, I pulled out my watercolors to try to capture some of its color. When all was said and done, I'm not sure that I captured that pear very well at all.
What I do know is that after drawing and painting for about ten minutes, I took a bite. The pear's sweet graininess was more delicious than I'd remembered. With each bite, it seemed to get juicier. It was a filling snack and provided me with the energy I needed to get through the rest of the afternoon. I'm not sure I'll draw the rest of those pears before eating them, but I am appreciative of how much I noticed about them when I really took the time to look at and taste them!
Linking up with Sophia's Sunday Sketches. If you have a few moments, take some time and look at what the other linkers have created this week. It will be worth your while!
Hope everyone has a great week!
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