Draw Doodle and Decorate

sassy Zany Birds

2012-02-16T06:00:00.003-05:00

These birds were inspired due to the fact that it’s tax season.

Somehow I have become the tax accountant at my house, and it’s a job that I abhor.

All of a sudden I started singing this song in my head (possibly to cope with my frustration). I used to sing it a lot when I was growing up! Haha

I thought making these birds part of the Zany family would fit since I don’t really think like this. Unless I think of the blue guy as the government! Haha

Swimmer Sketch…Basic

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yea! I’m done with this….it’s like the Kenny Rogers song the Gambler…."You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run”

The cap and letters turned out better than I anticipated. Which was good.

It looks halfway decent here.

Now that water….Ugh!! I just couldn’t see it! This is where I folded ‘em and walked away. I need massive instruction on water drawing.

Creative license was used for the lane lines. Otherwise, I’d still be drawing and I’d never get this picture done.

I think it’s time for color!! Haha

Swimmer Sketch…3

2012-02-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

I’m getting better at seeing what the mouth/lips should look like. Had to erase a few times.

I would’ve preferred that this cap had no letters on it, really!

Just trying to make that Bobcat look like an animal….all fierce et al. Ha!

My first time drawing water. Not much movement in the waves/splashes yet. Looks like a big cotton ball. Going out of my comfort zone with this. Can’t learn anything if I don’t try, I hear. I don’t expect to get it exact, just want to make it look like water eventually.

Does anyone know any good tips for drawing water movement? Anyone? Anyone?

Teen Lingo…redefined

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile then you may remember my Teen Lingo post from November 2010.

I loved that post!! Since it was such a popular drawing and so many people can relate to the sentiment I was asked to make the teen a boy.

Boys are simple…. all I had to do was put him in a soccer or football jersey and give him a ball cap.

Oh yes….and make sure he displays that “bored” look that is so popular amongst this age group.

The fun part was placing him in the car with his mom. Gotta love photoshop! What does this program not do?

For those of you new here, let me give you a little background on this drawing. I had to drive my daughter to a college visit last year. Since she could hardly tolerate my presence at the time….and I was trying to make the best of it. Every question or comment I made was answered by a ONE WORD response. All and all her vocabulary consisted of 10 words that weekend. It really was quite funny and I believe one day she’ll realize how funny she was.

Teen-Lingo Definitions:

Touché- When I’ve figured out the right answer to why he does something.
Whatever- When he really doesn’t want to do what I ask him to do. Or is stalling.
What- If I look at him at any time.
Stop- If I don’t avert my eyes after he’s said “What”.
Fine- If I tell him not to do something he is wanting to do.
Random- If I communicate with him about my day, or make a statement about life in general.
Sure- If I ask him a Yes or No question
Obviously- If I agree with what he is doing
Congratulations- If I figure out something that I didn’t know before….usually pertaining to his school life, his social life or his sports life.
MOM !!- If #3 and #4 hasn’t diverted my attention and now he really means it!

Please tell me…..can anybody relate?

Sketching a Swimmer Still

2012-02-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

I am always amazed at the perception I have of a picture when I go to draw it. Or I should say the “lack there of” of my perception. Had to bring the line in on the lower arm…….very….very….much.

She looks like a “he” here. Not good! Not only was the chin drawn too perpendicular to the water, the nose was all wrong too…..oh yeah….and the googles….and the ear. Must I continue?

I think I have snatched a bit of the expression here, finally. I have not captured all of the intensity in the face yet…but at least it’s better than it was. Granted….I did like that first face in the previous post….but….it was someone else’s face. Haha

Sketching a Swimmer

2012-02-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Sketching a Swimmer on SuperBowl Sunday….now that’s a tongue-twister….almost as bad as “Sally selled seashells by the seashore”.

What I’d really like to do when I grow up is to be a sports sketcher…..Yep. Hard to compete with all those awesome sports photographers out there and all there really nice toys. So, since I like sketching and I like sports….this is like the next best thing! Dontchathink?

I was having the worst time getting my little point-and-shoot camera to focus on this drawing since there’s not much there to focus on. I thought I’d bring in a pencil to help the camera focus. It barely helped.

Unfortunately I can already tell, that my head angle is off a-gain!! Ahhh, learning as I go….isn’t it great? May or may not adjust it! It always depends on my patience level! Haha!

Maybe I better leave it alone for awhile and go watch some of the superbowl! Hope the commercials are good

WaterDoodle Winner

2012-02-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

Thank You Everyone for liking my Facebook page! It’ll be an interesting side-kick to this blog.

The winner of the WaterDoodle4 drawing is………
Kate R

Please contact me with your snail mail address and I’ll get the print out to you ASAP!
elg921[@]yahoo[dot]com

Ground Hog Day….Giveaway!

2012-02-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

In a bit of an idle creative mode this week. I’ve found that I can’t keep going and going!

Note: You’ve got to go over to Jenna’s Blog and read her post about Creativity & Time at The Word Cellar Writing Blog. Her writing is like listening to a really intuitive and intelligent friend. It just flows!! Jenna writes: “Idling is a good and necessary part of the creative process. Let your mind wander. Daydream. Doodle. Give yourself -- and your work -- time and space to breathe”.

I have ideas….but they need time to be re-considered, re-arranged, re-cycled. I like to make things that mean something to me. That I can stamp with a bit of my personality! Oh…boy!

I’m getting a hang of the whole social media ~~buzz~~ biz. I’ve created a Draw, Doodle and Decorate Facebook page because apparently there are some of you out there that read your facebook status updates more than your google reader updates!! I can just imagine! Haha! Seriously though….those updates can be almost as real time as twitter and we really can keep up-to-date with all kinds of News, Celebrities, Sports, and Causes. Some of the comments posted just crack me up….and I can really get a feel for the overall pulse of an issue.

The above drawing was drawn to 5 x 7 inches. It can be cut down and framed if you’d like, cut into squares for your next art journal project or even mailed to a friend as a postcard.

I will draw a name on Feb. 4th for the above WaterDoodle print. But there’s a catch…..

You have to go to my Draw, Doodle and Decorate Facebook page. Click HERE
Hit LIKE
Then you will be entered.
Simple as that!

Good Luck and Thank YOU!

A Runner…At the Finish Line

2012-01-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

I bet you guys thought I forgot about this runner, huh? It’s been almost a week since I last showed you anything from this sketch. Well, to tell you the truth….I was at a place in the drawing that I would rather avoid- Yep the shoes! Ugh!! Didn’t think I could do those shoes justice.

But with everything else that I’m learning about sketching/drawing….Compartmentalize! Meaning, I should break the image down. (As best I can)

When my sketch is done with the graphite portion, I like to outline the darker edges with my Copic 0.05 multi-liner in gray. I like the look that it leaves. It just makes things POP! The trick is…to know what you want to pop.

Here’s our Fitness runner (99% complete). I may have shaded in a bit more around the upper thighs and knee after taking this picture.

And here she is at the point of completion with the outline applied. Just a little more 3D, don’t you think?

I can see my errors:

Back too broad
Back leg…knee-to-foot too long.
Possibly left arm could’ve been a wee-bit longer.
Winged the hair….haha
Winged a lot of those darn shoe contours….haha

Well, thanks AGAIN for following along as I sketch a figure. If you visit this blog because you like color, I promise you that the next post will have some! Or Else!! Haha

Kate…the Kid Again Bird

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Another bird was begging to be drawn, so I did what I do and drew her.

Brought in some fun elements here, like the IKEA furniture in the background and the pink/green patterned pillows.

Kate really isn’t a kid anymore, she just thinks she is. As an adult she has to stay connected to the real world, hence the cell phone.

My absolute favorite part of the picture! This Peace Bird! I opted against white.

Kate-the-Kid-Again-Bird….She’s rediscovered a gift, and it is this. Seeing herself as she did when she was 10 years old. When she was excited by life and wanted to make something of herself, do something, create something. It’s nice to have uncovered this eager attitude! It is a gift and she’s not sure who to thank.

I bet a lot of people can relate to this feeling that Kate has. When she’s done the work, been responsible, cared for others. Now she’s finally letting herself play again…..cuz it is allowed, you know. No matter what your age!

I’ve been asked a few times where I get my bird personalities. Every now and then I'm lucky enough to snag it from my journal. Love it when that happens.

Have a good Day you guys! Go out and play….no matter what your age! Haha

A Runner…Taking Form

2012-01-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Ahh, to pay attention to detail. Cause it’s all in the details.

The details showed me that my shoulders were too long, they needed to be shortened. I could not get that back arm to look right and it’s because my base (body) was incorrect. So, after much erasing and re-drawing the right arm, I’d had enough and went to bed.

Proceeded this morning by neglecting the right arm completely. Moving on to the left arm. The paper isn’t as distressed and hopefully I won’t abuse it as much.

As fun as this is….I know that it’s not exact, and yet….I continue sketching. I guess with time and practice my “detail drawing” will get better. Wouldn’t this be so much more interesting if this was done in colored pencils! THAT is what I really want to learn! If anyone has any good advice or links along that line, do share

She’s not finished yet:

Needs shoes
More front leg shadows
Arm band details
?? right arm SOMETHING
Hair shadows

A Runner….Toward the top

2012-01-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Drawing in the back straps here. Needs lots of adjusting.

The shadows that the straps make are fun to place in the sketch! The bad part is erasing said shadows as I tweak those straps.

She finally got a head! I’m not sure if I should sketch in the top or leave it white-ish!

Curly hair, my nemesis!! Totally winged it here! I’ll be back!

The arm angle is all off and the back is too broad so I’m getting to use my eraser plenty! Joy!! Haha

A Runner…in the middle

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Runners have it so easy! They can just step out their front door and get their work out in. All they need are their running shoes and loose fitting clothes.

The thing about sketching is…..just like “air-brushing”, I can chose to ignore things. Not that this lady has anything that should be ignored. But still….a sketch is just a picture tweaked.

Started sketching the back. Most likely I’ll have to move some lines around. Interesting picture, huh?

Those creases in the shorts….make-believe! Well…I tried to replicate then I gave up. I’ll need to spend time with that front leg, looks a little spastic here.

Nothing like “objectifying women”….well, I’d draw a man but their not as pretty! Haha

A runner…in the beginning

2012-01-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

While putzing around the house this weekend, I asked my runner husband “What should I sketch next?”. He said, “I told you to try a runner”. But you see…every time I find a runner, (well….a female runner), they’re just so skinny. I can hardly see their legs from the distance of the shot. I found nothing the least bit inspiring when I did a google search. Bummer!

It seems I forgot that I had Fitness magazine from last August. Good thing, too. Cuz the man spotted a decent runner shot inside.

I like this shot on a lot of levels:

There will be NO FACE to sketch- makes me happy
Good Photography- decent lighting and not too many shadows
Interesting angle- well, I’ll let you be the judge of that! Haha

Alphabet Doodles…upper Case

2012-01-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

This makes me happy! Really! I love it when I complete a project or a task! Love it!

Now on to the lower case. Wouldn’t these be fun to color in each individual letter with your own color scheme then hang them where you want them? Spell out a child’s name. Or a place… “studio”…. “kitchen”…. “bathroom”…??

Where else would these appeal to you? Ideas? Suggestions? Comments? Criticisms?

I am finding this post quite boring….since it lacks color! Haha

Alphabet Doodles…half way

2012-01-01T06:00:00.003-05:00

When you work in a profession that never closes….and it’s your turn to work the Holiday….and you have to be there at 5 in the morning. You learn to delay gratification and celebrate on your own time-line. Just more fun that way!

So, this is the way I spent the last night of the year. Works for me…for us! And it’s a good thing I can sleep thru the hooting and hollering that will occur at midnight! I’ve been known to sleep thru hurricanes as well!

I’ve completed more than half of the alphabet. If you look closely, you’ll spot the two “H’s”. I guess I forgot my alphabet song when I got to the K. So typical!

Hope you all had a nice New Year’s transition, however you chose to spend it.

2011 Creative Accomplishments

2011-12-31T06:00:00.002-05:00

I can’t think of a better time to review what I’ve done this year than on the last
day of the year. I did a blog-review last year and was quite surprised with what it revealed.

I. Drawing:

1. 10 Sketches

Dancer , Mime, Smiles, En Pointe, Sep 11, Diver, Tennis, Paddleboard, Prodigy, Swimmer.

I have no inclination to sketch animals!! Don’t know why, possibly I’m turned off by all that hair. Haha!

2.   19 Birds…plus personalities!!

Zander, Zelda, Zach, Zamora, Louis, Alan, Fred, Henry, Donna, TV Tots, Keira, Judy, Rodgers, Goldie, Libby, Jen, Paris, Vicki, Patsy

3. Two Gnomes

Gnoah and Gnick. Fun ones that started as a gift for a friend. At least they aren’t birds! Haha

II. Art Journal:

4.   Art Journal Pages

Excited Art, Angel, Vegas, Shaped, Journal Jots, Who Says, Prep Page One, Prep Two, Marilyn Monroe, Prep Three

5.   Watercolor Marker Doodles

Waterdoodle One , Two, Three, Fabulous Flowers, Flower Power

Doodles:

6.   Doodle Directory

Set 4 (60 doodle squares)

Set 5 (60 doodle squares)

7.   Doodle Letters

I’ve done few more letters, but it would’ve made this Composition lop-sided.

Photography:

8.   17 Diptych Posts-

Partnered up with Chel at http://www.gingerblue.com/ and we completed 17 weeks of dual dyptych posts. Loved it and Thank You Chel!

I’ve realized you’ve got to have guts to be a photographer….especially if you want some decent shots….You have to put yourself out there…excuse the intrusion, smile, and pretend you know what you are doing!

9.   “He Who Must Not Be Named” travel shots

To get these shots….you really have to be in the mood!! I try to totally ignore the strange looks and have some fun.

10.   Colorful Shots

These are my favorite type of shots…..Color….And Lots Of It!!

*pretty proud of the glass bottles pic, made the EXPLORE list on Flickr for Jan 5, 2011.

BLOG:

11.   123 Posts (last year I did the Sketchbook project and I think that made me post more)

12.   12 Blog Banners (changed the banner each month)

13.   3 Blog Give-aways (Jan, May, Sept)

14.   Etsy Shop Opened late January

15.   New Blog at squarespace

http://www.drawdoodle.squarespace.com/

DECORATING:

16.   Guest Room Prints from Blog Friend Rachel @ allididwaslisten.blogspot.com

17.   Camera Bag Decorating

18.   Deck

19.   Study

I bet you guys would find that you’ve done a lot of creative stuff too. I think documenting it helps keep me on track with my progress. It also helps me remember something I haven’t yet done but would like to do in the future.

Here’s to 2011 and I hope everyone has a Wonderful 2012!!

Alan…The Aries

2011-12-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

I think you’ll like this bird. I’m a bit fond on him myself!…Please click over to my new blog to read more.

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Alphabet Doodles

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

It has been requested that I draw some coloring book style doodles……Please click over to my new blog to read more.

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Dancer Pose…Complete

2011-12-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Well…she’s done…flaws and all!! Let me tell you what I learned! ….Please click over to my new blog to read more.

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

dancers Head…A Sketch

2011-12-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

Ok….I’ve tried…I’ve really tried! But faces are HARD!! ….Please click over to my new blog to read more.

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Dancers Left Arm…A Sketch

2011-12-14T06:00:00.003-05:00

I’m liking that this arm was pretty easy to sketch. But what will I say about the hand?….Please click over to my new blog to read more.

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Dancers Torso…A Sketch

2011-12-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

Since I took this picture, I’ve made the thigh a little thicker….Please click over to my new blog to read the…rest…of…the…story.

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Dancers Legs….A sketch

2011-12-11T06:00:00.002-05:00

There are times when I wished I was a dancer!

I don’t want to lose any of you readers!! You’re just too darn good to me!! I love all your comments and encouragement. I’ve found “blogger” a little lacking in some areas…so I’ve moved my blog to SQUARESPACE, please jump over there to read the rest of this post!!

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Journal Entry

2011-12-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

I thought it would be fun to “Art Journal” a journal entry. Haven’t done that in awhile.

I don’t want to lose any of you readers!! You’re just too darn good to me!! I love all your comments and encouragement. I’ve found “blogger” a little lacking in some areas…so I’ve moved my blog to SQUARESPACE, please jump over there to read the rest of this post!!

New Blog:
http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Vicki….the Virgo Bird

2011-12-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

I don’t want to lose any of you readers!! You’re just too darn good to me!! I love all your comments and encouragement. I’ve found “blogger” a little lacking in some areas…so I’ve moved my blog to SQUARESPACE, please jump over there to read the rest of this post!!

http://drawdoodle.squarespace.com

Fabulous Flowers

2011-12-04T15:45:00.001-05:00

Fred….the Farmer

2011-11-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

I was asked about a year ago to draw a bird on a John Deere tractor. I hesitated and I was stumped each time it was mentioned.

You see….I don’t know anything about Farmers and I don’t see a whole lot of tractors where I live.

Then…..it came to me…..the bird personality. I really didn’t have to know how much land the farmer had, what he grew and when he planted his crops. I didn’t have to know where he bought his fertilizer and what season he harvested…..I could describe a farmer without all the specifics!! Whew!! I was off the hook!

The easy part is the drawing….the hard part is the describing.

Fred-the-Farmer….He likes to do everything himself because he learned a long time ago, that if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. He usually knows the best way to do the job, too. Good thing he doesn’t need much sleep.

My hats are off to this hard-working breed!! I’m a big fan of your corn, wheat, oranges, grapes and the like!

Libby….the Libra

2011-11-23T07:30:00.002-05:00

It was time for another bird, so I thought I’d add to the birds I’ve drawn in the Zodiac Series. Louis and Jen.

Since I was drawing a Libra, and they are all about truth, justice, fairness and balance. The obvious choice would have been to draw a judge. But….have you noticed how boring all the judges look? Unless I drew an American Idol judge, but I’m not sure if they are all that fair….haha…just kidding!

Libby the Libra…..she didn’t foresee that a lot of her Law School training would come in so handy while raising her kids. She has to stop what she’s doing, hear both sides to their story and then help those little guys negotiate the best solution to their problems. Every now and then, it’s best to separate them. Amazing how clear they can think after a brief time-out.

Siblings, I think it’s our first taste in how to get along in the real world. It may seem like it’s just a battle over a toy or the remote control, but so much else is being learned under the surface! God Bless our families!! Happy Thanksgiving you guys!

My Favorite Blog Posts

2011-11-19T06:00:00.005-05:00

Looking thru my external hard drive the other day, I realized I’ve done quite a bit of drawing these past couple of years. If a fortune teller told me I’d like sketching some day, I would think she had me mistaken. Here’s a collage of my favorite blog posts and art pieces that I’ve done over the last 2 years. Some pieces were chosen because “at the time” it was a break through for me.

For those of you new to my blog, you may not have seen all of these images so I thought I’d share.

1. Senior Sketch- portrait sketch done of my daughter’s senior picture. If only I could replicate wavy hair.

2. Gnome with No Gname- he has since been named.

3. Who Says- Fun with color and script in a peacock sort of way.

4. Teen Lingo- My AbSoLuTe favorite post of all

5. Dancing in Pointe Shoes- I was surprised that I could sketch these
shoes……really!

6. Zelda Zany- just a fun zentangled bird to go with Zack, Zander and Zamora

7. Foot Fetish- one of my first contour drawings

8. Mural Drawing- done for the Sketchbook Project

9. Hippie Chick- I adore this birds outfit and really dig her purse.

10. Dance Line- lots of practice with contour drawing

11. Prep Pages- just a fun art journal page

12. Body-Mind-Spirit- done in 2009 for NaNoJouMo , where we were given a word prompt then we could draw anything we wanted from the prompt.

13. Artist’s Bird- here I talk about right brain vs. left brain thinking

14. Angel- recent Art Journal page

15. Rajasthani Dancer- a super fun figure to draw

16. Kokopelli Dancers- used stencils for these guys and slow-journaled between the figures

17. WaterDoodle Series- really fun to do if you like to zentangle and be exact with your work.

18. Jen the Gemini- trying to make my teen birds a little more appealing

19. Vogue- a word prompt for NaNoJouMo, one of my first drawn faces.

20. Celtic Knot- pretty cool video in the post teaches you how to make this…..(not my youtube).

21. Diver Girl- body sketch….need I say more.

22. College Bird- love her backpack

23. Purity- another NaNoJouMo word prompt

24. Matryoshka series- 5 dolls in all, loved creating these stacking dolls.

25. Sketch Parade- body sketch….need I say more.

Flower Power

2011-11-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

I started this drawing last summer when someone suggested that I submit a jpg for a fabric contest. I drew this out with the intent to copy my Floral Paisley drawing (see below). Then I went on vacation and promptly forgot about it.

With the deadline to the contest way behind me, I thought I’d just have some fun with my watercolor pencils and markers for these flowers. Plus, it’s just a great way to play!

As you can see I have some all-time favorite stencils that I’ve used many times for these flowers.

I added some words behind the flowers to add interest.

The words read “Just Do What Makes You Happy”….simple as that.

This is my Floral Paisley that I referred to in the opening paragraph. Markers are pretty cool for this because the colors are so darn vibrant. The watercolor pencils just don’t have this much punch.

Above is the second Floral drawing I’ve drawn with my stencils….just doesn’t appeal to me like that first one….Maybe it’s just too busy or just my personal opinion.

Art Journal….we are shaped

2011-11-14T06:00:00.003-05:00

I was putzing around pinterest the other day and I spotted this picture. It was in a post for 4th grade art ideas. Yep, that’s where I am, 4th grade, 6th grade and pre-school art! Haha.

I adapted things a bit and used watercolor pencils instead of markers. I wanted to journal on this page. I was a little bummed that I made the lines so narrow. Writing in these narrow spaces would’ve driven me crazy and it would’ve required actually writing something of interest….not of the innane that seems to fill my journals.

Limited my color palette to the oranges/reds/yellows.

Possibly I should’ve stated that “I am shaped”, instead of we are shaped….oh well!

Camaraderie, Purpose and Structure are what Dennis Prager talked about in his Happiness Hour on Friday. Thought I’d include them in this page.

Did you know that camaraderie is spelled 2 different ways? Comradery and camaraderie…..and YIKES!!...I just realized I spelled it wrong here.

My Mellow Mime….part 7

2011-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

Wow! This has been a long series, I’m at picture post 27 for my mimes. I think the only sketch to top that was the Remembering 9/11 sketch.

If you’ve followed along, you’ll remember that I made the female head too small. So, erasing had to be done. I thought I could get away with erasing the lower side of the head. Then expand down and out from there.

I was able to enlarge the head a bit. But then I couldn’t get that mouth right. I was disappointed that I liked it in the previous version. So, instead of drawing from the picture for the smile, I drew from the earlier sketch. Hey, whatever works, right?

The other thing I have trouble duplicating is…..any head tilt or turn. Again, I’ve drawn the face looking straight on. Maybe someday, I’ll figure head angles out….but today was not the day. I also needed to bring some of that hair puffiness down.

Looking at this now….right here…..I think I should’ve shaded much more around the eyes and mouth. But I think some of the issue in the picture above may have to do with the camera not picking up all the minor shading details.

What fun!!….I just love sketching and I have no idea why (why must I always have a reason to like something?) It’ll be nice to do something in color next. I appreciate you guys stopping by and commenting when you can. It really helps!!

Mime Work….part 6

2011-11-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

I’m starting to think I’ll never get this finished!! Well, it didn’t help that I hadn’t touched it for 3 days. I must’ve thought it would draw itself….wouldn’t that be interesting?

Concentrated on the mime today. The turban was fun to sketch. It’s not exact at all, but I liked replicating the roll.

My proudest moment so far is here….in the eyes. I was able to show a bit of pupil in all that dark area. Sharp pencils and 3B lead get the credit.

My mime….part 5

2011-11-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

Lions and Tigers and Bears…oh My!! Heads and Faces and Proportion…oh My!!

This drawing stuff sure keeps me on my toes…..just when I think I’ve got a somewhat accurate portrayal, with the shading and the features.

I step back and go….”EEEK!”. There’s always another unforeseen element I forgot to consider. At this point I really don’t know if I made the head too small for the body or the shoulders too big for the head. I don’t know if I can contour up that left side and erase away some of that bulk. I guess if I’ve had a good night’s sleep and a strong cup of coffee….maybe…just maybe.

Judy….the Gym-Rat

2011-11-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

I’m thinking this is an appropriate post for the day after Halloween when so many Judy’s will be hitting the gym.

I was in need of color (or I’m just procrastinating). Because I’m on the hard part of the sketch I started last week.

She looks a little Zombie-like, right now. Would’ve been a good costume last night! Haha

What gym-rat shows up without their tunes? Makes it so much more fun!

Judy-the-Gym-Rat……she hates to run!! Hates it! Once she realized all she had to do was add jumping rope to her work out and that would help keep her in shape. She was so relieved….. Now, she could get out of signing up for any more marathons.

My description is a bit skewed….don’t we wish that only 5 minutes of jumping rope would keep us as healthy as those big-time runners? You gotta give her points for trying

The Making of a Mime….part 4

2011-10-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

Added more to the Mime. All those folds….you’d think it would be pretty easy, but apparently sometimes the shadows come off of the fold in opposing directions! I guess it depends on the loose-ness of the crease. Also, how tightly the creases are stacked together.

Challenge Ex-tror-din-aire!! And I didn’t care….just wanted the embroidery of the top to be noticeable and somewhat believable.

The stitching along the edge of the robe….simple!! It was time for simple!

Just wanted to show you a close-up of the tassels! Probably best to do them before the fact….not after. Not much detail applied.

I can’t avoid this next step any longer…..the Heads! The Faces! Can’t wing it here either, you guys are hard to fool!

Messing up a Mime….part 3

2011-10-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

I shaded in a little bit more. Then went back to the mime-folds. I took this picture outdoors since I prefer natural light when I can get it.

I’m learning to see the “backlight” on objects. Where the light has reflected back on a fold for instance and amongst the shadows you can see just a wee bit of light along a line. Nothing's better than the gummy eraser for taking away a very narrow stripe of graphite.

The flaws are getting more obvious as I progress. The contour drawing (outline) was a bit off in the arm. I’ve made it too short. May use my creative license and ignore it.

Messing with a Mime….part 2

2011-10-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

I always think things will be easier UNTIL…..I sit down and do it. That white and those folds in my Mime’s costume were making me miserable! So….I switched off and started on the second figure.

Just tuning out drawing this, listening to a recent download here. I’m someone who can listen to the same song over and over…..ad nauseum!! Works for me, but not for anyone else….so….wireless headphones are a must in my house.

Just a close-up of the sketch so far. Man…I like sketching! Man….it’s so un-charismatic! No flash, flair or favor with this. But that’s ok.

A Mime in the Making

2011-10-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned before in a previous post……I’ve been ~~needing~~ wanting to sketch. But haven’t come across anything of interest…..until….I….went….to….vegas!

We were walking through the mall at the Venetian hotel (i think). And we spotted this mime all dressed in white from head-to-toe. He wore white make-up, had white gloves on and stood perfectly still until we came along and messed with him. No, No…. actually he handled our harassment with class and all we got out of him was a grin or two.

I thought since he had on white and I needed sketch practice, he would be a good figure to draw. It’s always fun to learn form and dimension with something that interests me and is a step up from what I’ve done before but not too…over…my….head. Otherwise I’d get discouraged and walk away. Then I’d never learn how to draw!! Haha

Vegas Style and Marker Critique

2011-10-21T06:00:00.003-04:00

What an adventure!! I don’t think I slowed down once during the entire trip! I usually run at about half-vegas-speed. But how else could we see everything?

Above are a few of the more colorful sights I witnessed in Vegas!! The ceiling of the Bellagio is adorned with colorful glass flowers…..(they resemble anemones' to me)

Lots and lots of sculptures around town.

An architectural feast!

Pictures above are of Red Rock Canyon, a steamboat on the Colorado River (at Hoover Dam) and the most beautiful, healthy Palm trees I’ve ever seen.

Doodled a bit during the 3 hour leg of my flight.

Turned out colorful, but I’m not happy with the marker streaky-ness seen in the blue blobs on the right.

As cute as these markers are in the package, they are probably much better for just plain ‘ole writing. I’d give them a “B-” in the art-marker department. Bummer!!

Sin City

2011-10-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

I think….I’m liking this empty nest!! Heading out west tomorrow, never been to Vegas before in my life. It’s never really appealed to me. But since me and a few friends from work are all having major birthdays this year, the talk turned into action.

Prepped a page in my small moleskine to doodle in on the plane. Purchased that little set of markers in a CD carrying case a few months ago. Hope I like them because this will be their maiden voyage too.

See you on the other side, and if you have any tips on how to win BIG in Vegas, I’m all ears

I believe in Angels….

2011-10-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

I spent an hour today searching for the “perfect” journal entry to go with my new drawing. I love going back thru my old journals. It’s amazing how the same themes seem to keep re-occurring. What surprised me the most was how shy I was just 5 short years ago. I wasn’t shy in a “too scared to speak” way, more like private. I just didn’t bother saying much about myself to others (you know acquaintances, co-workers). Yea, I was probably a big bore too! It can get tiresome if someone else has to do all the talking (tiresome for the speaker). LOL!

After that hour, I still hadn’t come up with any journaling blog-worthy enough for the drawing.

I really want to sketch right now…cuz I’m due….but I haven’t found anything that’s inspired me in that way. So, instead I pulled out my stencils and watercolor pencils and played.

I’m such a sucker for color!! Gotta have my whole spectrum!

Since the black/white doodling has worked with other watercolor drawings, I went back to that technique.

If you’ve been following my blog then you’ll probably remember the above journaling. It’s from The War of Art and it reads:

I believe in Angels. They work for God- it’s their job to help us. Wake us up. Bump us along. They shout “Evolve! Evolve!”….Angels are like muses. They know stuff we don’t. They want to help us. They’re on the other side of a pane of glass shouting to get our attention. But we can’t hear them. We’re too distracted by our own nonsense. Ahh, but when we begin. When we make a start, when we commit and face our fears- a crack appears in the membrane.

However, I ran out of room up there and couldn’t journal the entire paragraph. Shoot!

Louis the Leo

2011-10-10T06:00:00.002-04:00

Coloring Book page to start with. I always start these birds in coloring book style, but I really have to struggle if I want to doodle this way. Much more fun to doodle as I go, if you ask me!

I had a lot of food-for-fodder when I looked at my photo stash from my Downtown Chicago visit last year. Amazing how each skyscrapper has it’s own personality.

Watercolor pencils for the yellow shirt, the desk and the window sill.

I photoshoped the #1 Sales onto the coffee mug. Photoshoped the clouds peeking out from behind the buildings. And photoshoped the frosted glass to make the buildings appear behind glass. Totally messed this up when I drew this because I should’ve made a frame. But this is a big display type window, much more pleasant to look out of…haha

Louis-the-Lion…..He does everything with flair and charisma, that’s how he got to be the number one salesman in his company. He has a big heart and is very organized. He’s always been good with names which helps when he asks his associates how Johnny’s baseball team is doing, or if Sarah got the leading part in the upcoming play. When he walks in the door at home after being away on a trip nothing makes him feel more like a king than the attention and pampering he receives from his family. They just missed him.

Jen….the Gemini

2011-10-07T06:00:00.005-04:00

I think I may start a new series….Zodiac Birds, haha. Since my daughter is a Gemini and I’ve got many Gemini friends and relatives I thought I’d start off with this giddy type.

Markers can be so limiting! Even though I prefer them….but the jeans needed some white-wash to them so out came the watercolor pencils.

Since Gemini’s are the sign of the twin, that lady in red up there is suppose to be Jen’s reflection in the mirror when she’s in split-personality mode. Haha

This was a fun one to draw. Haven’t drawn a cute little dog in a while and I love her purse. Apparently, boots are going to be really big this year, so I thought I’d make her all vogue. The hat was a risk, but I’ve seen a few of those out at some retail shops. Love the iphone case!! I don’t have a personalized case but then again, my parents have stopped buying me things a….long….time…ago!

I thought I could find a wooden paneled background for the wall in photoshop. My version must not have one….so I had some fun with some other tools in there. Now, I like this wall!

Jen-the-Gemini…..this one is On-The-Go….All-The-Time. She has friends that she shops with, friends that she studies with, friends that she exercises with, friends that she walks her dog with and friends that she figures out the meaning of life with. She can’t sit still. Unfortunately, she sometimes forgets who she made plans with and when. But because she’s so fun to have around her friends forgive her this little flaw. Talk about adapting, no one can adapt better, cuz she..is..smart! She’s just a bunch of different people all rolled up into one energetic package.

Who Says?

2011-10-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

I got the inspired to draw a peacock from this post.

Then I thought it would be cool to write in the different feathers.

They say it takes intelligence to hold two opposing views in your head at the same time…well, I don’t know if that’s true but it is something I do a lot.

After I drew this little guy, I thought he resembled the little gecko from those geiko commercials.

I thought this view was pretty cool.

I think I like the way these art journal pages look with the watercolor as the base.

And this is what all that ramblin’ reading says. A fun collection of little quips people say.

Artsy-Fartsy Foto Day

2011-09-28T06:00:00.008-04:00

There’s just something about looking at art supplies that revs-up my creative side. And there are so many people out there that take such wonderful pictures of their supplies in use and/or a beautiful mess of color.

Well, since I don’t really paint, it’s a little hard for me to take a picture of my paint brushes and palette. But I’m not gonna let that stop me from taking fun, artsy, pictures when I come across them.

Above, is a picture of my liquid acrylics ink. I haven’t used them much lately….but now that they are out…I’m seriously considering it!! I love the white one which is Dr. Ph Martin’s Bombay White India ink. It’s basically white-out for artists!! LOL!

And below I’ll show you some of my other favorite artsy-fartsy photos that I’ve taken over the last year or so.

You’ve probably seen this a time or two, since I’ve put it on my blog header before.

This one just makes me want to learn how to draw with colored pencils. The pic above is of my watercolor pencils which I’m just starting to figure out.

Took this picture in January on my deck, around 4-5 pm. The sky was gorgeous and the sun was bright. I’m pretty proud of this shot. It even made it on Flickr Explore/Interesting list (top 500 uploads) for January 5, 2011. It made page 41…..so it’s ranked around 410-420 that day! Woo-who!

I would love to see shots you guys have taken (or been inspired by). Please post a link in the comment section and I know I’ll go take a look

Prep Page Three

2011-09-27T06:00:00.001-04:00

I prepped this page a couple weeks ago for a trip. I finally got around to the journaling part since I ran out of time while away.

I think this is a fun way to think thru stuff and to just have fun with color, shape and text.

I used the waterbased Sharpie poster paints for the green in the words above WORK. But I forgot to wait for them to dry and smudged a bunch of letters! Ugh!

Just some other random thoughts.

I DO drive myself crazy sometimes!!

I almost gave up on this page, until I colored in w.o.r.k. Then I liked it! Go figure.

Ok….to try this at home

2011-09-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

I was a little bummed that when I flew to Newport I didn’t bring my good DSLR camera. But when your camera bag is falling apart and 20 years old, it’s best to leave the whole kit and kaboodle at home, don’t you think?

Armed with a $100 gift card to Best Buy, rewarded to me for some purchases a couple months ago. I knew what I would spend it on…..IF I could find a camera bag that appealed to me. You see, I’m all about color and patterned material on my accessories!! I hesitated purchasing a colorful camera bag on line because I couldn’t feel it….test it out. See if it was made of durable material, you know…stuff like that.

Well, I was out of luck in the fun-color-patterned camera bag selection. The bags were mostly black, but durable. And I found one not too oversized and a back-pack type too.

Then I got an idea. I’ve seen alisa burke decorate her stuff all the time with fabric paint. So, off I went to Michaels to get some paints in different colors.

I grabbed a couple of stencils and my WHITE gel marker. (I couldn’t see black sharpie lines on this very well).

I really liked the look of the white only designs. And I almost kept it this way.

But the other colors felt a little left out.

So for now, this is all I’m going to do. I’ll have to see how these paints hold up. The straps are made out of a nylon material so unfortunately I’m not going to decorate them. Not sure how they’d take the paint! Darn it!

The inside of the bag even has a place for my ipad! How cool is that?

Lots of adjustable protection in here.

I used the Tulip Slick fabric paint line. Now, it’s a little less boring. Have you decorated anything with fabric paint before?

Prep Page Two…..complete

2011-09-22T06:00:00.005-04:00

On my flight out to Newport I would overhear snippets of conversation, so I started a list of what I’d heard.

Well, the word got out that I was keeping a list and before I knew it, I had lots of help in the comment-list-keeping department. The quote above was spoken by someone very dear to me and it even had the shop owner cracking up!

What can I say, sometimes I gotta be reminded!

I adore Chicago, always have and always will…..the accents, the winter hats, the toll ways (don’t adore these, but they are very Chicago), the shopping! But mostly the family!

Very poor picture quality. Too lazy to re-take!

This one probably has a lot to do with growing up with 3 older brothers! What can I say?

Another quote from last weekend. I believe….it’ pretty universally true (I think).

Having some word-play-fun with Cheese!

If you refer to anything and everything as “the thing”….then you’re right there with me when I say, “Sometimes I can’t think of the nouns”. Or really….I don’t want to stop and think of the nouns! Just easier to say “thing”.

The Giveaway Winner….

2011-09-21T16:30:00.001-04:00

On 9/11 when I finished my tribute sketch I hosted a giveaway. As you can see the person that won my full Doodle Directory is Janet!!

Thanks everyone for playing along, it was fun. Janet please contact me (see sidebar) with your snail mail address and I'll get those prints out to you.

Newport NonSense…..

2011-09-20T06:00:00.009-04:00

My flight was un-event-ful!! Which is the way I like it!! LOL!!
I did not Art Journal as much as I thought I would! Darn-it!!

The non-sense all started when “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” was allowed to come out and sightsee. There is so much to see in Newport, RI….. how could I not let him see it all too? They have the mansions (The Breakers, Marble House, RoseCliff) directly off of the cliff walk. We didn’t do the tour this trip, but if you’re ever in the area I would encourage you to take it.

If you’ve got a wet-suit then you can have a lot of fun in the water at this time of year (well…actually you may need that wet suit year-round to enjoy this water). Little too cold for my tastes. The surf wasn’t very big, but I was impressed that there were surfers catching waves. The pic in the upper left corner is showing 5 surfers actually staying on their boards. Wow!! Probably about 20 surfers out there that day. The bays are very beautiful. Lots of people enjoy this part of the country with their water toys.

As usual….our non-sense turned into a competition!! Who could carry the biggest rock?

As much as we wanted to play all day, there was much work to be done by the newly licensed “Newport Maids”. Even "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” had to pull his weight.

And for your viewing pleasure….Prep Page #1…..finished! This is the only one completed. What fun, I should do more of them!

My favorite little quote from above is “If you do not let me express myself, I will go crazy and I will take all of you with me!” Can anybody guess which movie this is from? Anyone? Anyone?……yep….Beetlejuice! This is so me….it just makes me laugh!

Prep pages

2011-09-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Prepping pages….this is a new one for me! Since I will be traveling and you know how boring airports can be….lots of waiting, lots of people, no space, uncomfortable chairs, travel luggage, delays, deadlines, drudgery! I’ll try to make the best of it!

Sometimes I find it hard to read a book at airports, too much going on. I get too distracted to follow any decent story. I like to “do” something besides just people watch, but I get a kick out of that too!

I drew a bunch of random circles and colored them in with watercolor pencils! I thought the watercolor pencils will work well with these art journal pages, since I can write over them. Unlike markers where the ink is too dense.

Prep Page 2.

No real direction here. And that thing in the middle looks like the loch-nest monster. Maybe I’ll give him some eyes.

Chose to work with more white space here.

Just a little pep talk here.

This page isn’t done….hopefully far from it. I think the best pages are those that have been enhanced, colored in, marked up and where you can glimpse a small train of thought. The pages where you can hardly recognize the finished product from the base layer.

With these pages all ready to journal on, all I’ll need is a few pens and markers. I won’t have to lug around my usual stash. What a relief!! Now, to get over the shyness of journaling in public. Can you?

September 11 Done.…and a Giveaway!

2011-09-11T06:00:00.001-04:00

Photo credit by Thomas Franklin

Well, as you remember from my last post….I had to get rid of the head. This is now my 3rd attempt at drawing this fireman’s face. What bugs me is, my first sketch captured the expression the best. Ahh well, what can you do?

Other than that face…..I enjoyed sketching this guy.

I can’t remember how many attempts I made at the stripes for this flag. Finally, someone much smarter than me suggested that I use a ruler and evenly disperse the lines. Now….why didn’t I think of that?

And speaking of the flag….if you go to the link above about Thomas Franklin they talk about the flag there. That it was taken from a yacht docked on the Hudson River. There was a flag signed by Giuliani and Pataki which has been displayed at Yankee Stadium and NY City Hall. However, when the owner of the yacht saw the dimensions of the flag, she realized it is NOT the same flag that was hung by these fireman and she (Shirley Dreifus) has started a website in an effort to get the flag back. Wow, interesting!

Here’s the finished sketch without the aid of my gray 0.05 Copic multiliner.

Much better once outlined. I think I’m getting used to that tool too. If my hand is soft then the ink doesn’t go down so strong. Does that make sense? And yeah, to state the obvious that troublesome Fireman #1 looks like he’s leaning back too far….yeah…yeah….

OKAY…..NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!

Hard to make something good come out of this but I’ll try. All you have to do is leave a comment that tells us what you were doing on 9/11/01. Simple as that. I’ll draw one name and the winner will receive my latest Doodle Directory Complete Set. That’s 50 prints of 6 designs per print. Only open to US residents.

Leave your comment by September 20 midnight. I’ll pick the winner on the 21st.

Remembering 9/11….part 5

2011-09-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

Most of Fireman #2 is shaded. I just need to go in and soften some of those creases.

Started the shading on Fireman #1. Lots of little things are attached to his waist. I have no clue what they are. Just tried to imitate.

The shading came a bit easier here for Fireman #1. But that head angle is all WRONG, on so many levels!!

My-oh-my isn’t there some other things that could be adjusted? Side by side is the best tool to seeing my flaws. However, at this point I don’t think I’ll be fixing all of them! LOL!

I’m sorry if this picture disturbs you….but that head had to GO….it was disturbing me every time I looked at him.

Remembering 9/11….part 4

2011-09-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

I still have a long ways to go…..shading, erasing, applying, adjusting.

Lots of gray-gradients here. I am amazed at the amount of gear these fireman pack. I’d have to say going into a burning building probably isn’t much different than going into a war-zone. You just have to be real quick about it.

Sketches always look better from a distance. Just something about letting the eye do it’s work.

Remembering 9/11….part 3

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

This guy off to the side was tough!! I had no sense of dimension, the first time I drew him he was much shorter….then I erased and lifted his hat up, re-drew, and he was still too short!! Joy!

What a valuable tool this is…..seeing the picture next to the drawing on my monitor. I have drawn this guy too barrel-chested…. will have to adjust.

If this picture was taken with some natural light, you would be able to see the drawing better.

It’s slowly starting to come together….and I can’t wait to get started on more shading. This contour drawing stuff drives me crazy!!

Remembering 9/11….part 2

2011-09-06T06:00:00.004-04:00

I was able to un-tilt the fireman’s head on the far right. But haven’t been able to capture the expression of the first drawing….ugh!

These fireman look like cowboys in the hats I’ve drawn here. Will be tweaking some more.

Dimensions are falling into place, but the rope used to hoist the flag could be moved over to the right some….but I’m calling in my “creative license” and will make do with it as is.

Just a better view of the previous picture. A better shot since this one isn’t showing the graphite shine on the fireman’s hat like before.

Remembering 9/11…..in a sketch part 1

2011-09-05T06:00:00.001-04:00

And the race is on……I may have bit off more than I can chew. But WOW, if there’s any picture more meaningful out there than this one, please show me. I’d like to have this done by September Eleventh, but who knows?

I brought the image into Photoshop and created a 8 x 11 blank page and placed the colored version next to the black/white version. Then printed it out. I thought this would help me to see the details easier as I’m sketching.

As soon as I saw this on my monitor I saw what needs to be done next.

Yep……ERASE. That head tilt is way too exaggerated. Something didn’t look right. Funny, I couldn’t see it before.

Now…..if I can just keep drawing without crying.

I feel like a grown-up

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

I’m not a dining-room girl, nor am I a living-room girl……I’m a Home-Office girl. I feel so grown up in here. I’ve waited a long time for this and now I have it. It’s nice cuz it’s right in the hub of everything. I can even watch a slight sliver of TV from the next room too. It works while I’m cooking (or pretending to) cuz I can jump up to the sound of the kitchen timer and take care of business there. I just feel so darn lucky.

I love this IKEA chair. It matches my teak wood and it was really easy to cover the chair bottom and make the white apron on the top portion. I really should do the other 5 chairs this way. The plan is, to do each chair with a different animal. I like the red and green look, so I’ll keep that color scheme.

Oh….and to keep me grounded my DH (dear husband), displays this for me to see each day! Too funny!

I’m a container person too! And I have a thing for shelves. Haha

You always have to have a chair in the study, afterall…..where will the guests sit?

I’m a ~~slacker~~, I mean stacker! I really should call an organizational coach in, and she could straighten me out.

This printer has got to be 8 years old. It’s the best! An Hp product that scans, prints and copies. I’ve thought about getting a bigger scanner, but geez…..how can I justify it if this one has been so darn loyal?

You can never have too many drawers!! Gotta love those plastic 6 drawer carts!! I sure do!

Since I have to reference images on the computer a lot while drawing, this extension to the side of the monitor works great.

What really makes it feel like home is, I’m surrounded not only by my favorite people (in pictures), but I have a place to display my sketches. Just these little things that mean so much.

They say all good things come to those that wait.

Donna n.e.e.d.s. to Draw

2011-08-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

My favorite way to start a drawing…..yep, the good ‘ole coloring book stage.

It’s so nice that our personal music library can go everywhere with us!! And….we can get just about any new song we want without much effort! Just a click away!

Absolutely had to have her wearing a colorful outfit!

The less I say about the shoes, the better….I’m not quite sure where I was going with these!

Markers for the girl, the trees and the boat…..watercolor pencils for the rest.

Donna the Drawer……growing up in a big family, she often got irritated with all the demands and distractions created by her brothers and sisters. She really didn’t mean to be so snippy with them, but she couldn’t help it. She just forgot how easy it is just to remove herself from the commotion. She doesn’t need to be away long, just long enough to hear herself again. She then rejoins everyone and they are very happy she took that little break!
I don’t know about you, but I sure can relate to Donna. Why do we feel so selfish when we take time for ourselves? It’s always best if I can figure out what my triggers are……it’s a bit of a relief, cuz then I can do something about them …..or not.

Back to school Bird

2011-08-23T06:00:00.005-04:00

Had to make a college bird because I’m overwhelmed with the get-my-child-to-college-and-not-forget-anything preparations. Oh my, lots goes into getting these young people set up especially if they are going away to school.

It is fun when I get to pick the color of her tee.

I’d like to find a backpack with this design! Haha

Keira……the college freshman. It’s her first day of classes and she thought she’d get lost on campus, but she surprised herself and made it to each class on time. She even met some other nice students. She is loving this new freedom. She has to fight the urge to facebook friend request everyone she meets. Otherwise, she won’t get any studying done…..we can only hope!

So much is going on with this age group isn’t there? They’re learning how to be independent, manage money, and listening to lectures in some classrooms with over a 100 students. Easy to feel invisible. But they’ll probably learn more about themselves and people in these 4 years than ever before.

I approached my daughter last week and asked her to take that Myers-Briggs personality test so that I can figure her out better (yeah….right!). But she couldn’t be bothered. If you’re interested here’s the free on-line test, it’s only about 70 questions, took me less than 5 minutes to take. I came out as an INTJ. I think this stuff is fun. Have you taken this type of test and what are your thoughts?

I <3 Moleskines!

2011-08-20T12:00:00.003-04:00

Yes, It’s true….love these little books! So uniform, so predictable, many paper choices and that little black band secures the contents so well. Perfect! Excellent! Wonderful!

This post is going to have lots-of-pictures, be forewarned. I thought I’d show the scratch-pages, the drawings that I either gave up on, or tried something new with, the practice pages if you will. Some are kind of funny, some boring, some sloppy. But they’re practice pages and they worked for me at the time.

*trying an alphabet stencil out.

*colored pencils at work here, I found I like the markers or the watercolor pencils much better.

*trying to see if those watercolor pencils can make a tye-dye look.

*this is my kind of VIBRANT

*just a quote I came across while trolling some blogs.

*practicing stencil writing and watercolors on same page. Markers used here too.

*Another quote I like.

*just a bunch of stencil play

*playing with color

*This was a fun one.

*Used those dip inks here. The paint used for the flowers is iridescent, but hard to tell in this shot.

*I think my goal was to fill the entire page with color

*the word prompt was Endeavor and I didn’t like how this turned out, so I never posted it to the NaNoJouMo group.

*I’m working on a logo. You may see more on this.

Are you still here? My goodness, Thank You for sticking around so long. Hope you found this entertaining to look thru my old moleskines and see the things I was testing out. We all have to have our play pages! Funny how I wouldn’t dare post the pics right when I drew them, but now that I have a little distance from them I don’t cringe so much. Hahaha

A sketch of a Person on a Paddleboard….fini

2011-08-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Since we were a day without power, and I’m a person without much sleep, please excuse the run-on sentences that are bound to occur.

I used my new copic gray multiliners to outline just about everything. But not the folds in the suit. That would’ve been too much!

Didn’t have the patience for the effort it would take to get those toes right. But at least they’re not as bad as they were from this post.

Public Criticism:

Didn’t bend the upper body over enough. (and to think I brought it in from the first post)
Right hand drawn higher than original
Left arm should’ve been longer in the forearm and less long in the bicep
Entire sketched body (legs, torso and head) thicker than needed
Arms longer and leaner than they should be

Public Credits:

Was able to draw a look-alike (to some degree) of the entire body + a bit of the face
Shading was not so dark as diver girl (using the tortillon worked well)
Hair passable
2 legs, 2 arms, 10 fingers, 10 toes….
Not discouraged yet

These type of sketches are just plain fun to draw. They don’t take F.O.R.E.V.E.R and I get good sketch practice in. Thanks for your kind comments about the process these last few days.

A sketch showing some potential….part 4

2011-08-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

The shading is done mainly with my lighter H pencils and my tortillon. I think that’s the key, use that little stump for the light areas. It already has a lot of graphite on it from previous shading jobs.

See how dark that tortillon gets at the tip.

Gotta give credit to Sande for her knowledge about gray fine-line markers and directing me toward these. Thank you!!

I purchased the .05 and the 0.1 of the Copic multiliner in gray. This is the first chance I’ve gotten to use them. I think I’m going to like them

I may have gotten ahead of myself, cuz I outlined the suit and the top of the thighs with the Copic marker already. Highly unusual, I usually do it at the end. Can’t go back and fix any line problems in the suit now! Hopefully, I’ll be ok with that.

I still need to:

Fix the nose
Thicken the visor and shorten the sunglasses
Shade more on the upper arm
And much more….

A sketch beginning to take shape….part 3

2011-08-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

Had to pull up the image in the computer and ENLARGE to see the details in the face.

At the top of the arm you’ll see two lines….yep…tweaking going on!

These are my favorite shots…..feels like I’m looking over someone’s shoulder. Keeping those pencils real sharp helps immensely.

I am trying REALLY HARD to not overdo my graphite gradients. Have to do a lot more dabbing this way.

More to come

A sketch with SOME proportional sense….part 2

2011-08-11T06:00:00.001-04:00

Slowly, the figure is gaining her identity. S.l.o.w.l.y. I used to be irritated when my drawings came out so misshapen….now, it’s “par for the course” and I’m not as afraid of the early graphite marks.

Had to play around a lot with the shoulder(s), the head, and the front forearm. It’s apply small line….erase…apply tiny curve here…erase…. apply curve there then.

Yes, I’ve fed my drawing Growth Hormone, isn’t the disparity obnoxious? I use more paper than necessary.

I will see more imbalances tomorrow. Just the way I work. Distance helps…..oh yeah, and patience. My favorite part is not too far away……shading! Goody-Goody!

A sketch with No SeNsE of PrOpOrTiOn….part 1

2011-08-10T06:00:00.004-04:00

There is no Fan-fare with sketching…..none….at least for me. Sketching doesn’t appeal to the masses like true art does….IMHO (in my humble opinion). UNLESS, you sketch something for someone. You know, draw a picture of a family (or member) for them to display; at the top of the stairs, along the staircase, in the foyer, above the fireplace. This is when the real profiteers can hone their talent with the task.

But for me…..

I just like sketching. Don’t know why, possibly it’s cuz I get to copy. And tweak toward perfection.

With my birthday next month, I think I know what I want. Look at my pencil stash, there’s 7 light green pencils, 4 dark green pencils, 2 blue and 1 black. Different brands that I picked up over time, shopping at various art stores. THIS DRIVES ME CRAZY. What would work better for me when I sketch would be to have all my H pencils (2H, 4H, 6H, 8H) in one color, my B pencils ( 2B, 4B, 6B….) in a different exterior color and my blends (HB, F, H, B ) in a third color. This would help my poor little brain …..do you see how tiny the identifying lead numbers are on these pencils?

I must be due for a new sketch, it’s been almost 2 months since I completed Yanina.

Since I gotta start somewhere, I chose to start at the bottom of the figure on the paddleboard.

As I continued, it was all about erasing….you see…I have no sense of proportion, especially early on. The foot-to-knee took up more than half of the leg. Anyone know any tricks to help in the beginner stages to keep things in line better?

Time flies

2011-08-09T06:00:00.003-04:00

7 Days….8 Nights…..v.a.c.a.t.i.o.n……I don’t really count the first day as a day because when you get to your destination after 10 hours car bound and after 6pm….then it’s not a day at play in my opinion.

Relaxed and Recharged with:

My Marker Stash (above)

My Journal

My walks beach-side, dock-side and for something chocolate-sided.

My water-time

My swing-time

My flickr buddy Sheila (Bostinstuff) does aMaZiNg doodles, and what’s so interesting about her work is that she will draw everything out first….and….then….color…it…in. Not the way I do it, I’m not that good! But since I had the time I thought I’d give it a shot. Lots of benefits to working this way, because I can color it in any way I want digitally once I have the black & white jpg.

It was very slow going with my doodling, I must confess.

3 days later and I’d only gotten this far!

Once home I felt compelled to complete this. Just something endearing about taking a break from routine, seriously! It was somewhat of a digital-break too. No wifi, only my phone! Maybe that was the best thing about recharging! However, I did watch a lot of shark-week. Wouldn’t recommend doing THAT before your salt water swims though.

He Who Must Not Be Named…..travels to Florida

2011-08-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

I don’t know of a better way to learn my camera, get out and enjoy the beach/water and look at things from a renewed perspective than to take my little Artsy Dummy out and about. He has come to be referred to as “He Who Must Not Be Named” because well…. we didn’t want to insult him and call him a Dummy his whole life. However, I haven’t heard an intelligent comment from him yet, he's a quiet little guy!

Glad to be back and thanks for stopping by during my break. It’s always good to be home!

Some linky-love

2011-07-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

It’s seems like I’ve waited all year for this month. It defines my life more so than New Years! I guess cuz it comes at a time when I feel I’ve earned it. If I’ve worked hard for something, then I can allow myself to relax. It’s also the start of a new season in our lives. I’ve been out of school for a l.o.n.g. time, but I relate to that new-school-year feeling, which is just around the corner.

I have a few links for you of some blogs that have been kind enough to link back to me. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

See you soon

Drawing on Paper vs. Electronically

2011-07-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

I think I’m on my 7th moleskine! There’s just something extremely predictable about those books with that watercolor paper. I’m hooked!

It’s been suggested that I start doodling/drawing in Photoshop….you know, open up the blank page, grab my wacom tablet pen and start doodling away. I however, do not find that relaxing one bit. I like the feel of the pens on the paper. Photoshop is mighty crisp and extremely detailed. But not as convenient as my moleskine….How can you beat ”grab and go”? No need to remember a second battery, very light-weight compared to the 16 pounds that a laptop can pack.

However, I do think I should do some “creating” in photoshop. It is the way of the future. And I did hear that there is a photoshop app for ipads. I’d be interested in that. But please, don’t make me carry a laptop around. Sorry, I know a lot of people love them. But I’ll take my desktop over a laptop any day. More bang for the buck, too.

I wonder if drawing in photoshop is a mental hurdle that I need to get over? Do any of you draw in photoshop? What are your thoughts on this photoshop issue?

Glad Goldie

2011-07-16T06:00:00.001-04:00

It was time for another bird….not one quite so Zany! One, a little more normal (if there is such a thing).

I wanted to show the festive spirit of this bird, hence the balloons!

Lots of color was needed in her dress, and I didn’t think the markers could give me the look I wanted this time! So, out came those wonderful watercolor pencils! Love the way they show individual color variations.

Goldie, the Gift-Giver…..she really can’t help herself, she just does what comes naturally. She GIVES! She listens to what her friends say, she sees what her family needs. Then she spots the perfect gift months ahead of time. She’ll buy it and hide it away until the Big Day! She enjoys the whole presentation; the paper, the ribbons, the cards and the Surprise! It just makes her day to see others smile!

The only problem I've found when I get too ahead of myself in the gift-giving department is…..I’ll forget I bought something or I lose the present! Not Good! Hahaha!

Here’s Gnick, the other Gnome

2011-07-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

Gnick only resembles Gnoah because they both have beards.

He got the red hat!! Lucky guy!

Just a simple little gnome.

Had to hold back and not make his little hat all girly-like!

Gnick the Gnome…..He really doesn’t mind living underground, and he doesn’t mind being stationed on garden-patrol. But what really bugs him, is when people try to catch him just so he’ll grant their wish! He’s not a leprechaun you know :)

As fun as these little gnomes were to draw, what I really missed was just plain doodling!!

Gnoah Gnadinger I’d like you to meet….

2011-07-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

When I asked you guys what to name my gnome, Baronessnz immediately
chimed in with Noah! What a perfect name for my first little gnome. And like JP said, we gotta keep up the tradition of Gn (with a silent G) dontchathink? So Noah became Gnoah!

Gnoah the Gnome…..he has been told he resembles Doc of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. He is pleased with the comparison.

A blue hat was requested, so that’s what Gnoah got. I felt a little constricted in my doodling space. Not a whole lotta space to doodle in, and I didn’t want to make him dorky! I’m kinda fond of his Adidas sneakers!

I put my friend’s name on the gnome photo print. Name done in photoshop. Just clipped some of my art over the top of a standard font.

Here’s my moleskine next to the 4x6 photo print. He shrank a bit.

Gnoah will have to wait another day to meet his brother Gnick. They do things a little backwards in this family!

Diptych….Refresh

2011-07-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

Ahh Refresh…..what would’ve been an obvious picture for me to take would have been an Ice Cold glass of water. It’s been hot here!

So, the very un-obvious picture I chose was this one. Yep, a picture of our 4th of July fireworks. I don’t spend a cent on them, but my son and his friend have taken up the tradition of buying a few hundred dollars worth. I’m just not that into blowing things up. Yes, boys will be boys.

I think what’s most refreshing is:

spending time with family/friends without an agenda
being outside
being entertained
witnessing the dog’s relief AFTER the fireworks are over

Now, we have to head over to Wild and Precious Life to hear why Chel chose her picture (the top one).

A Gnome With No Gname

2011-07-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

This title is a total play on the song “A Horse With No Name” from the late 70’s. And since I like alliteration statements I cheated and added the G to “name”!! How in the world did our language develop to having a G in front of an N and have that pronounced as an N-sound?? Why even fool with the G?? Beats me!

A few weeks ago a friend at work asked me if I could draw her a gnome. I said I’d try, and off I went to research and see what exactly they look like. Lots of different ones out there and all quite cute. I liked this guy the most.

I stood up to snap a picture of the Gnome at this stage and the next thing I knew…. I was still standing there organizing my markers. First, I had to grab all my available sharpie fine-point markers, then my Faber Castell pens…..and of course…. the colors had to be lined up “just so”. Can anyone say O.C.D.?? Ah well, even so, it sure helps to make a prettier picture. LOL!!

So….if any of you Smart People out there have a suggestion for a Gnaming my Gnome, I’d love to hear it!

Deck Project…..DONE

2011-07-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

We rebuilt the deck last summer, then waited a year (cuz that’s what it said to do) before staining it. Once stained, I had no idea what deck furniture to buy because I didn’t want to overload the space since I’m not out there much.

I had this old wrought iron table and chairs, that I was ready to cast away. Then it was brought to my attention that it could be repainted. I like the size of this table because it will work with any deck furniture I purchase.

So, off I went to find a good primer and black spray paint.

This was SUPER EASY, and it looks pretty decent. Now, all it needs are chair backs and seat cushions.

Off to the fabric store. Here is the selection of Indoor/Outdoor Upholstery fabric.

I picked a two-tone bird and leaf design.

Made a pattern from the back of the chair, cut and sewed.

Purchased a couple big blocks of 2 inch foam for the cushions. This stuff is more expensive than it looks.

Needed some grommets for the ties.

Done! Love the simplicity of this. I won’t be leaving these on all the time, because even though they state they’re for outdoor use, trust me….that sun and rain makes things look shabby fast!

Now, we’re ready to watch some fireworks from the Deck.

Hope you guys have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!!

Zelda Zany on Duty

2011-06-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

Every now and then a Bird Drawing just screams to be brought to life. That’s what happened here.

Armed with my handy-dandy moleskine, my black pen and a ruler…..I straightened things up a bit. I would’ve drawn more birds, if I had the room. For the coloring book print of this. Click here and download.

Here’s Zelda in all her zentangle glory.

Good thing she uses an umbrella, didn’t know where else I’d bring in those rainbow colors.

This was a fun one to color in.

Macro detail. That black line was bugging me, cuz I couldn’t pull off the black-stripe-on-the-bottom-of-the-lane-look. Photoshoped it out in the final version.

Zelda Zany…..she was so excited when she landed her first job. There was a certain status to being a lifeguard. Some of the younger birds liked to get her wet which broke up the monotony. What surprised her most was how utterly bored she was while working. To help keep the boredom at bay she would imagine “worst-case” scenarios as she watched the kids. In them she’d be needed to help or save a life. As she clocked out, she had to smile because she saved 3-4 lives that day (even though they were all in her head).

Have a safe and fun summer! Hopefully there’s a Zelda watching you at the pool! LOL!

Diptych….Magic

2011-06-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

As you can see, our word this week is MAGIC. I thought I’d pull in some of my alphabet doodles when I do these diptychs. Hopefully it’ll make the post a little more interesting because I am not the best photographer!

My photo representation for Magic this week is my potted flowers! It’s pretty magical that they are still alive, all the rain this month has helped. I plant petunia’s every year and this year I added the orange flowers which I’ve never used. And silly me….I forgot their name….I’d know if I heard it and I’d be able to pick it out of a multiple choice test, but for now the name escapes me.

Chel’s picture on top is FANTASTIC!! Night pictures are very hard to capture. Head over to Wild and Precious life to find out it’s story.

Zander I. Zany

2011-06-27T06:00:00.001-04:00

I think you’ll like Zander I. Zany. What does the “I” stand for you ask??? Intellectual, intelligent, inquisitive, incoming……

I think it’s fitting that this guy is in a wing-back chair, reading in his library.

I don’t think he even noticed that his favorite chair is covered in a floral print.

Personally, I really like that chair.

I wanted to avoid drawing in All.Those.Books, but I couldn’t figure out a way around it.

Zander I. Zany……being the Patriarch of the family, he has earned his right to his own room and his own time. He’s always been one to keep to himself, he is a very curious sort. He remembers everything he reads (and almost everything he hears). He’s won many bets and would do very well at Jeopardy. But game shows don’t interest him much.

A dancing Zany Bird

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

These Zany birds are addictive, what can I say? I just had to draw another one.

I seem to like to draw ballerinas. I get to add another one to my collection.

This is a better look at her pose. Decided against drawing ballet slippers, after all those little bird feet need to breathe.

It starts to get busy fast once I start coloring in the background. In the picture below, I wanted to show the birds reflection in the mirror behind her. Would’ve been easier in photoshop.

I’d like to introduce Zamora Zany……She’s had butterflies all day due to anticipating the Try-Outs. But once the music starts the butterfiles leave her alone. It’s just her, the music and the dance. She loves losing herself this way. It’s just plain fun to move!

Diptych….Awake

2011-06-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Yep, that’s 5:02 a.m., my wake-up time. Good morning ~~Viet-nam~~ America!! Unfortunately I don’t get to hear Robin Williams greet me when I wake up, but it would be fun! The problem would be, then everyone else in the house would be awake too and they would not think it’s so fun! LOL! Gotta love alarms!

Chel at Wild and Precious life took the top picture. Please stop by to hear her story.

A bird named Zack Zany

2011-06-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

I’ve been uninspired to draw any birds lately, which made me sad. Cuz I like these little guys. As I was looking thru my Sketchbook project drawings, I spotted this picture, which I am extremely fond of. Then it hit me!! I’ll draw a bird sketching a person.

Anytime I draw a Zen bird, it is rewarding!! Seriously…..look at all the doodling possibilities. Endless!

This guy is very similar to Leo, seen in this post.

Having found my subject, I got to play with the background. What better way to play than with all that color?

Zack-the-Zany Bird……. He seems to draw attention to himself just by going out! He’s gotten used to it by now, but he would prefer it if birds got to know him a little better before they judged him (either good or bad).

Kind of hard for this guy to blend in, don’t ya think? But then again, we weren’t made to blend in we were made to Stand Out. Zack was just plain F.U.N. to draw! Love him! Possibly a whole Zany family is in the making, who knows?