Category: Drawings

Better Late Than Never

10/10/2016

Every time I go on vacation I have a terrible time returning to my old routines when I come back. This year is no exception. I had a wonderful long vacation and now I'm doing my best to readjust to my old days. I've slept more than my share, mighty piles of dishes stacking up, a garden knee deep in weeds, and gutters over flowing with leaves. And as you can see - late blog posts.

My drawings have been a bit all over the place, as I try to find my feet again. Maybe next week I'll have something productive and on time.

Shih Tzus

Fall Oak Leaves

Horse Chestnuts

Vacation Time Again

10/2/2016

It was vacation time again. This time I took a new toy with me. An iPad. I've never worked on any Apple devices before and there's a real learning curve, but I've been having a lot of fun exploring the art apps. One really nice aspect is that I can successfully use watercolor on the computer. My actual watercolor skills aren't very good. It allows me to capture things quickly with minimal tools.

Landscape I

Landscape II

Sunset sketches

Wind Blown

Kisa - sketch

Kisa - color

From the Train

Coat Rack

Hands

Gus

Gus Laying Down

Madie

A Change in Subject

9/11/2016

When I was a kid, I had a book called "Pants with Nobody Inside Them". To be honest that book freaked me out a little. So it's a little odd that when I was looking for a change of subject matter that I should come up with "Sweaters with Nobody Inside Them". Still the change was fun.

Raspberries are Coming

8/14/2016

I've gotten my computer issues straightened out and am back with a post about my raspberry patch. I've been fascinated with the constant motion around them. Bumble bees, wasps, mud daubers, flies, and more that I just don't what they are. Unfortunately there are Japanese beetles too, but let's stick to the more beneficial insects.

The fruit is still forming. I wanted a closer look at just how they form, so I took my camera out to the patch and then got out the sketch pad. Here are the results.

The Week That Was

7/31/2016

There were no big projects, no special drawings, just practice. Not every week can be special. My cat is getting old and it's nice to spend a little time hanging out and drawing her.

We also watched a few movies. Hayao Miyazaki movies to be exact. I'd seen Spirited Away, but caught up with Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Tortoro, and Howl's Moving Castle. They're so much fun and the animation can be amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing some more.

Kisa

Kodama (Tree Spirits) - Princess Mononoke

Satsuki and Mei - My Neighbor Tortoro

Dog Rose

Translating Mucha

7/18/2016

So I tried my hand at translating one of my flower drawings through the inspiration of Alphonse Mucha. It was an fun exercise and it isn't until I was into my interpretation that I realized just how difficult a task I'd set myself. Still I think it's a good start. I can't wait for the next one.

Oh, I've added a few other drawings I've done. Just mine, no translation.

Mucha Inspired Roses

Poppies

Clematis

Fading Magnolia

Roses and More to Come...

6/26/2016

I've continued working on my flower drawings this week. Roses and mock orange. Nothing smells as sweet as the mock orange! Not from my garden but just as wonderful.

I've been wanting to add more design to my flower drawings. My sister suggested looking at Mucha and Sullivan for inspiration. I think that is a wonderful excuse to visit the University arts library. I'm not sure how quickly I can get there, but the idea is compelling. I'll let you know how it goes.

More to come...

Roses

Mock Orange

From my Garden

6/12/2016

Summer is here and my garden is in full swing, giving me plenty of drawing material. All I need now is more time!

I think the practice is starting to pay off. I'm very pleased with these. The nasturium could use a little something. I'll have to play with it to discover just what it is they want.

In the meantime, get outside and find some flowers to enjoy.

Peonies

Roses

Nasturtium

Blossoms

5/30/2016

I've just been loving playing with the lines of these flowers. Curving forms with a few fine details. I added a little color on a few. I'm looking forward to playing some more.

Branching Out

4/24/2016

Spring is progressing at a leisurely pace this year. Temperatures staying mild with the occasional 70s. My yard is magnificent with the hyacinths, daffodils, grape hyacinth, and serviceberry all opening together. Tulips are just starting and the apples and crabapples won't be far behind.

The mild weather is giving blossoms plenty of time to unfold and giving me time to capture them.