sketching Paris

I attempted to sketch another Paris building - hubby took this photo of the Paris Opera House.  My first dome attempt :)

source photo

There's a lot going on in this photo so I did some editing - also wanted to begin to use shadows and introduce some of the darkest darks.

And then, for something different, I tried a quicker sketch and simpler subject (except for the cars).

source photo

We walked home to our rental apartment many days on this street - the beginning of fall in Paris. Again added color with my Inktense watercolor pencils and a water brush.

Thanks for checking in - Bobi, thanks again for reminding and including me - it's a great way to start the new year!

another sketch attempt

Sketching an elevation view (ala Stephanie Bower) using info from her Craftsy perspective drawing video course (on sale right now). I added color with my inktense pencils & a water brush.

Here's the source photo I took on a neighborhood street

Wish I'd have thought to take a photo before color - it sure helped a lot, especially since I think much of the interest in this photo derives from the red door.  About to attempt 1 point perspective......

First Days of 2015

So far in January I've been doing a lot of writing, reading, journaling, note taking, sketching ideas and making lists. 

I've kinda been stuck in my head and spending a lot of time in the car. We just returned from an impromptu trip to Missoula, Montana to see 6 of our best friend's who all ended up moving there from Wyoming and South Dakota for various reasons. And the 10 days before Montanan, we were in South Dakota and Wyoming visiting family.

All this to say I'm just going to share one of my recently matted mini paintings, as I'm not quite ready to share my journals.

If you like my mini painting, be sure to check out ETSY as I will be posting several over the next few days.

Enjoy your Art-a-Day!!

Mini Flower Henna Design Painting

Busy week, computer issues, minor injuries

I have been busy this last week but computer issues and a minor injury to my left hand have kept me from posting. The injury occurred at the storage unit where I was trying to get to some art supplies that got buried on the bottom and at the back of the storage space. I managed to cut myself across the top of my knuckle and so needed a brace to keep my finger from bending and opening the wound, hence the emery board brace.

However, I was able to create 2 more bowls, both smaller than the first, and attempt a drawing of my cell phone before hurting myself. I also had time to fill a page of fun doodles and, last night, while feeling no pain I drew the source of my painlessness. :)

"Mo' Sketchin'"

This group of ladies came in, sat down, got organized, got their coffee, pulled out their Kindles, or whatever, and started discussing the latest read.  I thought about eavesdropping on the conversation for no other reason that to catch the title of the book; but I was groovin' on my ear pods and decided it didn't really matter. 



Book Club/Koffee Klatchers



 Found this exquisite ballet dancer in "Art of the West" magazine, jan/feb 2011/2012, issue, page 54.  She was created by Andre Kohn and I couldn't resist transferring her over into my sketchbook.  Had quite a bit of trouble with that right foot, but I swear on a stack of art mags that's the way ol' Andre had it positioned.  I should of changed it. Next time.     




"la Petite Danseuse" oil 19"x9"

 

Hotel art

Used a tombow pen to draw this task chair from my hotel room. Then took a water brush to the drawing.
Now I'm headed to downtown Nashville to see the sights.

sketching: miro

Working from my Drawing Lab book again, lesson #20 is to doodle/sketch in imitation of Miro.  This was totally fun and freeing.  I went online to refresh my memory of his style and the elements he used most frequently so here's my take w/ pen and watercolor pencils:

On the road

I've been in Tennessee since Sunday and just getting around to posting. However I have been making art most of those days.

These images are from the road trip on the way. Beautiful sunset and ice on the rocks along the way. The trip made me realize how much I miss seeing mountains. It's also been an interesting couple of days with cold weather, then warm weather, tornado warnings and thunderstorms, and now back to freezing temps. Of course those of you in Washington are dealing with your own weather extremes right now.

These two sketches are of the same tree outside the hotel window that I did on consecutive days. You'll have to trust me that it's the same tree. :)

And,finally, today's snack

sketching: dogs

Today I returned to my attempts at sketching though now I'm taking a less intimidating direction following some of the exercises in 52 Drawing Labs for Mixed Media Artists by Carla Sonheim.  Exercise #6 is draw an image repetitively, loosely, keeping hand and wrist soft and loose.  Her example was using a dog, so I imitated her.

The idea was to use a marker (yikes no erasing!) on an index card.  I didn't have any but have skads of postcard paper so that's what I used.  Except for the couple that look more sheep like than dog like, I'm pleased with the results - and it was fun.  I feel successful, which is the point I think.

sketching: trees

Now here's a topic I'm a little more comfortable with - trees.  I jumped ahead on the Everyday Matters list to #15: trees because a couple of other challenges I participate in had that for their prompts this week.  Plus, I feel like I can kinda draw trees and I was ready for a more successful sketching effort! :)

The blob on the bottom is an attempt at bark but couldn't really get it to show any dimension.....will have to try again.

Last year I painted a few trees with watercolor:

I also played with new techniques of showing leaves (much harder than branches!) and the last one was a new fan brush and trying a silhouette look - painted this one 4 or 5 times with varying results of the shadows and sunset/sunrise sky.  Trees are fun!