A sketch…. En pointe

The blank page…..we all have ‘em and we all have to deal with ‘em.  But I think of it more as a “clean slate”, a chance to try again, to mend my ways, to re-do, to learn from my mistakes.  It's also like a free pass, a bonus, benny, a do-over, those kinds of things.



Since I can always use some sketch practice, I went off to find something interesting to sketch.  I stumbled upon this ballet picture on line.  Simple enough, 2 legs, a couple knees and two toe shoes. 



But the real challenge is making them look real, bringing this two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional image.  I’m trying to see the shading in blocks or sections and work from there.



Back in my “flash dance” days, I had a huge crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov.  Wow!!  This guy could DANCE!  I appreciate the grace in which he performed, but I’m not a huge fan of men in tights.  If I were, I’d be drawing that instead!  LOL!



I’m growing quite attached to these little Stumps (or Tortillions).  If you sketch at all, I highly recommend them, you will not believe how much control these give you as you shade in your areas.



I would’ve preferred to have this all completed by now and not do a two part post…but I think these pointe shoes are gonna take me a week to complete!!  But then again, maybe not.  I’ll need to revisit my Tutu post to remember the tricks I used there.

It’s show time….

It’s show time…..for a bird that is.   I really like to outline my bird pages first, prior to coloring them in.  However, I didn’t do the hair because I didn’t want it all black.  I also, didn’t outline the spotlight- light in the background because that would’ve made the light an entity and the light isn’t an object, it’s more of an observation.



Picture from my phone and it’s a bit blurry, sorry.  If I were to color this gal in again, I would have put her in a Flashy Red Dress, and doodled the heck out of it inside…..(why do i forget that I can embellish the material?)  Ugh…next time!



This little bird is really quite flexible….can you imagine having your feet go in one direction then twist your torso around to hold and play a guitar?  Wow, very impressive!



Patsy- the Performing Bird…..She’s always been the confident sort of kid growing up.  She had all kinds of friends, who were just drawn to her.  One day, out of the blue she told her parents she wanted a guitar.  For months she quietly taught herself how to play and to sing.  She even organized a band with her more musical friends.  She doesn’t even get nervous when she plays in front of people, she just enjoys it.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again….I think our talents find us!  As long as we have an open mind, a willingness to try new things (even when we’re scared) it’s best to follow the bend of our preferences.  I guess I’m lucky, because I was allowed to explore lots of different things growing up….the only expectations were to “do my best”.  But kids don’t always have access to the extra-curricular classes they may have wanted to pursue when younger.  Sometimes what we enjoy later in life is something that we didn’t have time for earlier in life.  Or we weren’t in the right mind-set.  So, what are you waiting for?  Go out learn what you’ve been dying to try for years or decades.  We get to explore whatever we want now.

Thank God we are not all on stage (or American Idol) as we learn new things!  

Are you Excited about your Art?

  * Image from Keri Smith; go http://www.kerismith.com/blog/how-to-feel-miserable-as-an-artist/

It was time that I actually did an Art Journal page.  I really enjoyed doing my Psychodelic and Notes and a Doodle pages and these pages give me a chance to use my doodle directory!

I thought I’d write out the above statements about How to be Miserable as an Artist, which has been seen around the blogosphere for awhile.  I think that these statements apply to more people than just those who make Art, it applies to everyone.  However,  I really don’t like the negative tone of these statements, so I thought I’d turn it around.



I limited myself to 6 little flower petals.



Just playing with color combinations and pattern here.



So, I changed the whole concept from “How to be Miserable as an Artist” to “How to feel Excited about your Art”.



Just a pic of my 5x8 watercolor moleskine with the completed page.  The pic below is scanned.



How to feel excited about your Art:

1. Never compare your work with others.
2. Keep quiet about your Art, don’t expect others to see your vision, your way.
3. Your entire career is never based on a single piece.
4. Go out on a limb and try new things.
5. Value your experiences.
6. Push your boundaries even societal ones.
7. Don’t just follow the money, you’ll burn out.
8. Work on what you love, never mind if others like it.
9. Work on something besides what your Boss wants.  (Boss used here as Customer, Client, Gallery Owner)
10. Realize it’s all just Baby Steps, Baby Steps, Baby Steps.

I’m sure you guys have a few other things that help you to create.  Or you’ve found yourself too concerned with things or people outside of your control.  Eeek!  I’d love to hear some of your insights.

Say Cheese…again

Well, I got the other two smiles done.  I think this was a good exercise in imitating the picture dimensions.  I like that I only worked with half the face.  I can see so many things now that I’m through that aren’t quite right.  Why do I only see them at the “completion” phase?  Sure would be better if I could see it earlier, when I am still working the picture.  Possibly, because I’m concentrating on other things; such as getting the shading right (you know making it 3D).

 

This one was more difficult than I thought it was going to be….after all I didn’t have to draw teeth!  But that chin just perplexed me time and time again.  It’s another picture of a head with a slight turn.  Which I can’t seem to see correctly.  This was the first time I have done a mustache and I pretty much just winged it!



The pictures resemble who they are but, I can see so many little tweaks that would make the drawing more accurate.



I had to go back to the colored version for the male drawing.  I just couldn’t see where to shade if I didn’t.



I think I’ll do the eyes and foreheads of these same images next…….then I’ll cut them up and tape them together!  Just Kidding!!

I’m ready for some color now!!  I need a no-brainer activity.

Doodle Directory Set 4

 

I just finished Set 4 of my Doodle Directory.  I’ve got them all printed out and ready to go!  I made up a couple little IDEA prints to go out with anyone that orders a set.  Hopefully this will be just what is needed to kick start your doodling!  Because we all know what it feels like to sit there….finally have some time to play….and stare at an empty page.  Yep, been there before! 



These are so addictive to make and use…. really!  I can’t help myself but to color them in.  I’m growing quite used to these 4x6 index prints.  They are great for you “Grab-n-Go” types.  I’ve spent many an hour (or 2,3,4) at a sporting event or in a car pool line, and sometimes my brain is done reading!  You see….I’m not the best person at dealing with boredom!  I can’t stand it and it can’t stand me!!  Feelings are mutual!  The best thing about these prints are, I don’t have to be plugged in, powered up, or pilfering thru a design book to find inspiration!  They fit right inside the pocket of my 5x8 moleskine.  So, I always have them with me.  Bliss!

Oh, before I forget…..I’m running a sale….25% off the prints….So that breaks down to:

Pricing List:

• 1 Set-   $8.99  (10 prints)    SALE $6.74
• 2 Sets- $14.99  (20 prints)  SALE $11.24
• 3 Sets- $18.99  (30 prints)  SALE $14.24
• 4 Sets- $21.99  (40 prints)  SALE $16.49

*price does not include shipping

Just remember to use code DOODLE25.  Code will expire March 1.

My SHOP link is… Here
The SET 4 link is…Here

Say “Cheese”

First, grab your favorite Graphite Pencils (for me they are F, HB, 8B, 6H), Erasers, Ruler and Brush…..Take some pics of your family…Yes…make them smile!

Then start drawing…..



I removed the color from the pictures and printed them out…(just fast draft).  By removing the color it helps to see the slight variations in the grays.



It was pretty tough to get the shading on the back teeth here….but I did my best!



Pulled in another toothy smile to sketch here.



This kid never needed braces, which made me happy!



Little overview here….The teeth could be toned down a bit.  These remind me of those little Dental Pamphlets you see at the Dentist’s office, when they want you to try some new product.  Which will make your teeth THIS WHITE!! …..Oh-evie!

I have two more smiles to do.  I like breaking down the face in this way….not so darn overwhelming! 

This is fun, you should try it sometime.  I think all my doodling and birdie drawings have helped me to learn to draw better.  It’s gotten me to use my tools.  Which has helped me to get familiar with my hand mechanics and the limits of the pencils/pens…..Obviously, still have a long way to go.  Have to work on what I'm seeing, all those little dimensions!

Sometimes I forget how easy it is to just put on a smile….I am more drawn to the smiley types, aren’t you?

Smile and the world smiles with you!

Child Prodigy

Wow!!  Two sketches in one month…..I guess I enjoy sketching.



I found this picture on Flickr (taken by NessieNoodle) the other day, and it reminded me of my Mural drawing that I did a few months ago (because of the chalk board and the view from behind).  I thought this little guy was pretty cute. Since I knew I needed to draw more clothes, practice drawing folds and material better,  I thought I’d give this a shot.



Lots of folds to practice with on his jacket.



Probably the folds are a little “too dramatic” here…..ah well….that’s why I’m doing this.  Yep, still training my eye and my hand.



If you look closely, you can see where I outlined the figure with my .005 Sakura Micron pen. 



And to make this sketch interesting I thought I’d make this little guy a Mathematical Genius.  Here he is solving complex Calculus and Differential Equation problems!!  And to think he’s still in diapers!  My, oh my, he’s way ahead of his peers! 

Don’t we all look at our kids this way, especially when they are young like this?  Don’t we wonder who they will become and secretly hope they are the Brightest?  Fastest?  Best?  But they are who they are (just like us parents)…..not so perfect, but probably a little better grounded than if they really were some Child Prodigy.

Just my humble opinion….since I’ve never even met a Child Prodigy!  LOL!!…..I’d be really curious though…

If I may….

If I may:

• Make a prediction
• Cast my ballot
• Cheer on my team
• Whistle while I work

Since the Chicago Bears aren’t going to the Super Bowl, I had to pick another team and it wasn’t going to be Pittsburgh (sorry, Steeler fans). 



To honor the Big Day, I thought I’d draw another bird.



There was a lot of white space in this drawing.  I thought it would be fun to put a bunch of people in there to watch the game…..after all it is the Super Bowl, you know.



Doing some “mixed media” here, by adding watercolor pencils to the marker drawing.



Rodgers the no-longer Relief Quarterback…….his DREAM is coming true, he’s playing in the Super Bowl AND he’s the starting quarterback.  He’s finally able to show what he’s made of, and it’s been developing over years and years of hard work and unbelievable determination!  He’s not just here on looks, or raw talent….this guy is smart.  It’ll be one heck of a memorable day, no matter what the outcome!

Should be interesting to see how this plays out….but I really must confess, I think I’ll be more entertained by the commercials!  LOL!

Sketch Parade

I have been “itchin-to-sketch” since I haven’t sketched anything since I sketched my daughter’s Senior
portrait in early December.  Imagine that….me wanting to sketch!

I found a picture of a swimmer in flight on the internet.  Since I’ve been in or around pools almost my entire life, I thought I could pull this off (swimmers are what I’m comfortable with).  Plus…..faces are H.A.R.D !

I had to show you how I always want to make the people I draw a little skinnier….the lower picture is more accurate because it’s been thickened up.



Check out this little white-stubby-pencil like thing.  It’s just wrapped paper, and it’s super good for blending, much better than kleenex (which has a tendency to leave little white specks behind…joy!)



I think I figured it out…..blending is the name of the game!!  Put your graphite down in areas where it’s suppose to be dark….then just start blending.   This isn’t a good example of blending because the above pic hasn’t been blended too much.



Oh, No!! Hands…..two of them…..this is not going to be fun!!



I used 111 lb. Heavyweight Medium texture drawing paper for this…..and it still shows that darn stippling.  My DH thinks it makes it more interesting…..but it bugs me!



I enjoyed sketching the cap and goggles, the crease lines aren’t exact but I like it like this.



I think I’ll attempt the pool in the background, but not as a sketch.  I’d really like to use watercolor pencils for this portion, but this paper could not handle it…..Ugh!!  I’m showing this to you now, before I’ve finished it because if I totally mess up the background at least I’ve got this documented. LOL!!

Thanks for watching the parade-of-pictures here!!  How would you draw the background?

Still at it….

I’m about half-way thru with set 4 of the Doodle Directory….it’s getting a little complicated, because I don’t want to repeat any previous patterns…..it is amazing how just one or two different line additions can change the whole look of a pattern. 



When doodle directory inspiration is asleep.  I'll work on my alphabet.



My absolute favorite part of doodling is when it’s in this stage…..roughed in….not colored in all the way.  It’s here that I have to force myself to not just grab my favorite colors to work with…and try to work with other color combos…and sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised!  



Since the Sharpies and the Bic’s are all waterproof and permanent….I thought it would be fun to actually draw on cotton…..Have to use my widest nib markers here because that cotton is real thirsty. 



This is very s.l.o.w……going…..That cotton likes to wiggle as I apply the ink…Ugh!!  Possibly I just need to actually use “fabric-friendly” markers…..but I don’t want that pudgy stuff or shiny ink.  I do like the way this looks once dried.

For some further encouragement to “try this at home”, you’ve got to check out this lady- Alisa Burke and see what she does with fabric design.  I think I found who I want to be when I grow up! LOL!

Have you tried decorating clothes?  What’s your experience?  Is there a good brand of fabric markers that I should consider?  …..do tell…… :)