Yanina Wickmayer….part 5

Spotted this picture of a tennis player when I did a google search looking for something to draw.
It passed a few checkpoints:

1. Not a lot of Hair
2. Body drawing (not a lot of clothes….LOL)
3. Interesting

Personally I think sketch drawings lead themselves more toward the body, the face, the un-adorned.  Possibly because we I can’t bring in color.  If I can’t bring in color then it’s all about dimension and texture.



As you can see from the eraser marks.  I was able to bring the bill of the hat higher and even the top of the hat itself.  I played around some with the nose.

I added the other earring.  BUT I wasn’t inspired to draw that necklace today.  Possibly I’ll try it on another day, but since I couldn’t stand wearing such bulk when I played I drew her my way.  Hahaha!



I must say…..she was a very good model!!  She held her pose for the entire week that it took to get the drawing this far and she never once complained!



Ok…this is where I need your help.  Should I continue outlining the sketch drawings with my Black XS Faber-Castell Pitt pen…..or not?  Sometimes it bugs me that the lighter portions when outlined make such a rigid line!  I’m talking about the top of the right shoulder.  May go buy a gray XS pen (if I can find one).  That may help.

Another Backhand Sketch…part 4

Yes, I’m sketch-saturated so here I am….posting away.  This is much easier!  LOL!



Would you believe that when I initially drew the contour lines for her head, the line that represents the top of her hat is where I thought the bill of her hat would be…..really!



A picture is worth a thousand words, as is a picture of a picture.  After I drew this I brought her mouth up some, closer to her nose. 



I’m finding it challenging to match that determined expression on her mouth.  But I’m not ready to quit yet.

What I see I need to do is:

1. Elongate the top of the hat
2. Shorten the nose
3. Tilt the head
4. And if I’m feeling real motivated…..slenderize her torso.

Or I can just make do….and work on the other earring, and the necklace.  See what I mean about faces??

Backhand Sketch….part 3

I needed a sketch break, so I thought I’d do another post…..who said I had to limit sketch post series to 3 anyway?  Just one of my internal rules I’ve been following!  Boy, have I got a lot of little internal guidelines….don’t we all?  I guess it’s the only way I know how to function, haha.

I ended up bringing her neck in more on both sides.  And adjusting her right sleeve narrower.  Yep, I’m getting real good at erasing. 



What surprises me about this drawing, is how easy it is to shade in the folds on her top.  It just doesn’t require a lot of thought.



Of the items that I really wanted to exclude (you know, the necklace, earrings, and emblem), I attempted the easiest one first.  That’s all you have to do….just draw something easy….then move on to the stuff you avoid.  I think that builds confidence.  At least it’s a trick that’s working with me.

And guess what?  I moved that left shoulder in MORE.  I guess when I think of muscles, I think HUGE!

Backhand Sketch….part 2

It looks like the arm is done….but trust me….it’s not!



Shaded in the opposite arm and the neck area!  That neck is going to be tricky!



I’ve moved the top V-neck about three times so far.



It’s during times like this, when I can see the original and my drawing side by side as a jpg, that I can really see the problems.



Again, it was the shoulder that still needed to be brought in more.  I’m beginning to like erasing as much as sketching. LOL!



I’m debating with myself about the writing and the emblem on the shirt….do I try or don’t I?  That is the Question!

The debate is on with the necklace and earrings as well!!  Oh….if you could listen to the chatter!!

A backhanded Sketch….part 1

We’ve been watching a lot of tennis with the French Open tournament going on.  Love tennis!!  Love it!!   I’ve never drawn a tennis player before so I thought I’d take up the challenge.



I’m a bit out of sketch practice since I haven’t sketched since my Diver girl in April.  Dimensions are all out of proportion here.  She looks a bit like a HE here. 



She still isn’t as lady-like as I’d like her to be.  Had to bring in a bunch of lines as seen here by the red arrows.  I was getting a bit frustrated with myself, and almost stashed this attempt.  But, I have to confess, if I get a sketch right….those are my proudest moments.  So….I….continued.



I’ve got my work cut out for me here, not only is there a face (Yikes!!) which I have to make resemble the player, but the body is closer up than I’m used to.  Not as much room for error…..and I prefer lots of room when I error!



Now, she’s showing more composure and the sketch is coming together a bit better.  I still need to work on that front arm, the contour is off at the elbow.   I’m happier with the shoulder shape finally.

More to follow.

I think I’m a Birdie-junkie…..

I’m having so much fun drawing these little guys!!  They just crack me up!!  This one is Terri the Tennis-Chic, in honor of my Ten years playing ladies tennis!  I so enjoyed this sport!  I always thought I’d get back into it when the kids didn’t need me so much.  But beginning it as an adult, it consumed a lot of my time.  Time which now has found other outlets!  Thank God, cuz I was pretty uni-dimensional then!! But Oh, did I have fun!


I did a couple new things here!  I put more elements in the background than I usually do, I think it helps keep the interest on the subject.  I also, was too lazy to go grab my watercolor pencils, which forced me to make the hair out of markers, which turned out o.k., i guess.  I had to put the “P” (for Prince) on the racquet since these were the only racquets I played with.  I probably would never have been caught dead wearing a little cutesy-dress like this but lots of ladies who played were “oh-so” fashionable.  They always looked adorable, too!


Terri- the Tennis Chic………..She is a young mom who has finally found some fun adult company while learning a new skill and getting plenty of exercise.  You’d think that playing 2 hours of tennis that day would wear her out, but not Teri….when she goes to get the kids in the nursery she has more energy and is more engaging!  She’s a better mom for having her own outlets        other than being kid-focused 24/7.  

…………….Trust me I know!!!……………..

Terri goes along with the bird friend series from this post.  I forgot to do an editorial like this on Sheila,  Bunny, and Patty.  I hate that their stories are going un-sung!  Ahhhh well, such is life!!