Friday, January 30, 2015

A Week in My Sketchbook

In case you think I haven't done anything creative this week, here are a few sketches from my sketchbook.  I started out sketching birds:




Then the book I ordered from the library arrived:




Monday, January 26, 2015

This Was Fun!


It was partially inspired by Flora Bowley's book "Brave Intuitive Painting".  The book is all about acrylic painting on large canvases, though, something I don't have the physical space to try.  I also wanted to see whether I could layer gelatos.  I haven't seen or heard about anyone else trying it, so I did this small sample piece. 

I'm not sure if it is finished, though.  I'd like to add some small details but I'm afraid to ruin it LOL  Until I decide, it is taking up valuable space on my very small desk.

Any thoughts?

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Planner


On Saturdays I usually paint a two-page spread to use as a planner.  Today it is simply about organic shapes and colour.  Probably a reaction to the grey day outside my window.

I work two weeks in advance, and each week I move two tabs that say "this week" and "next week" so I can find the pages quickly in my sketchbook.  This one is done with gouache.  I chose light colours so that the black pen would contrast well.

Friday, January 23, 2015

More Moccasins


I love to draw chairs and shoes.  I'm not sure why, but at least I'm in good company.  Vincent Van Gogh drew many pairs of shoes and a few chairs.  It is any wonder that he is one of my favorite artists?

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Rosh Hanrika at Sunset


This one came to  me in a dream.  It must be all of the Matisse art I've been looking at lately.....

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Twilight

My friend Vicki has nominated me for a Facebook art challenge.  I'm to post art for 5 consecutive days and nominate other friends to post their art too.  Here's the Artist Trading Card I posted today:



Friday, January 16, 2015

Too Bad


You must be 4 years old or younger to play at the Oakridge Mall play area.  Too bad.  LOL

I was at the mall sketching yesterday because it was too rainy and cold to sketch outside.  I learned  that mannequins are a good way to practice sketching people because they don't move like people do.


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Date Palm


This one is for Janice, who has been adding palm trees to a picture of Palm Springs she is painting.  I can't wait to see it!  Maybe she'll publish some "in progress" pictures.

This is a date palm, the only palm that is native to Israel.  The other varieties you see there were originally imported from elsewhere.

I'm using this sketch as one half of a planner page.  Saturday and Sunday will fit nicely on each side of the trunk.

Monday, January 12, 2015

France on Edge


I have been thinking about sketching an "underside" view of the  Eiffel Tower for some time.  (I wish I had done it under better circumstances).  When I saw this fabulous photo by Bertrand Guay in the National Post I new I had to give it a shot!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Gelli Print Artist Trading Cards


I spent another couple of hours making ATC's for the upcoming swap.  Here's a couple of samples.


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Really Bad Drawings


These drawings are really bad (to say nothing of a really bad photo), but the page kind of works in total, partly because it is so colourful.  It also shows you how important composition is!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The Documented Life Project 2015


I'm not sure that I'll do all of the challenges for The Documented Life Project, but I'm following along.  I'm using my acrylic paints a little more and enjoying the multi-media experience.  I'm able to do this in the same Opus sketchbook I've been using for my watercolour sketching and my planner pages, so that makes me happy too.  I like to have everything in sequential order.  Although now that I think of it I have an acrylic journal to finish.  Sigh.

Peace is my word for 2015.

Monday, January 5, 2015

More Watercolour Sketches



Both of these are from The Drawing Handbook by Frank J. Lohan, but I prefer to watercolour than to add all that hatching and cross-hatching with a pen.  Quicker and more colourful!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Palm Beach

Sometimes you just never know what will happen.....


Gelli Print, Pencil Crayon, White Paint Pen

Friday, January 2, 2015

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Draw Your Awesome Year - 2014


Draw Your Awesome Year is now complete - this is my December page of ornaments, one for each day.  It was a fun way to document the year.