Still Happy Sketching

Still happy sketching in the evenings and exploring other mediums, this one is ink pens and watercolour. The sketch was inspired by one I saw by Tamara LaPorte from Willowing on her blog.

My next one was fancing a spot of doodling, there are a lot of my arty contacts doing this at the moment its very relaxing. This one is watercolour and ink pen in my A5 sketchbook.



Here is yet another of my faces practice (I do a lot of this) used my new coloured ballpoints and some watercolour, yes I would like hair like that - would certainly be differerent LOL.



Lastly I had on the go a 20" x 16" canvas, takes sometime to do all the colours and then a different tone glaze a day to finish off. Had fun with it, but its my third one in that style now, so time for something new. I have the same size canvas board on my easil primed ready to start, be another week no doubt but hope to start tomorrow, on a new style.



Lastly I must thank Tanya from http://cardswithadifference.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/award.html for awarding me the versatile blogger award. I have actually been awarded this three times (I think) sadly I am not smart enough to carry out all the instructions, I cant even manage to put the picture on display - so please do not think I am not grateful for these awards I am, but just all too technical for me.. some might just be relieved this means I now dont have to bore them to bits with 7 facts about me?? if I could manage to think of any, dont think 7 lots of I like Art and Dogs would do it.....

Sketchbook

Sometimes there is not the time or inclination to get out the paints, so I have learnt from the wonderful artists I chat too how important a sketchbook and/or Journal can be. I do have an Art Journal, which contains some events, thoughts and practice work. But have decided to get a bit more serious in the sketchbook, I have even joined a Flickr group of others who draw each day to encourage me. I am also using a variety of mediums, the cover above is paints, crayons and charcoal.



This one is ballpoint pen, I have seen some fantastic works done in ballpoint pen, who would have thought of this as a medium? I know I wouldnt, you can also add coloured ballpoints and they are quite a decent price too.



This is promarkers and some ballpoint doodling.




..and finally all coloured pencil. A tribute to one of my all time favourite artists, which was actually copied from another tribute to him by Rolf Harris, so probably nothing like the original now, but still it was fun to do first time I have done anything like that before, this one was in my A4 sketchbook.

I dont think we are doing anything exciting this weekend, the weather is totally appauling and we dont have a boat. I am hoping to get to the Tate in Liverpool soon though, they have a spectacular exhibition on the way.

On the drawing board

You may remember some time ago I tried 'Duncan the Donkey' not a huge success so gave up on him. Having sorted out some interesting quotes I wanted something to go with the idea of old age, my old people were not so good so I had a go at tortoise last night, the idea is there.... earlier today I painted them too.




Maybe a bit more work on character, but I think they are coming on ok - OH said they do actually look like tortoise so thats a start.

I did manage to put my very first ACEO in my Etsy shop and even sold it on the same day, so have added a few more and when I get around to the photo's might even add some Altered Art ones for something different.
Yesterday I visited the charity shop and came out armed with frames and art blocks, have done some priming of them, but got a bit impatient with one of the frames so now sporting a rather large couple of plasters on my cut to bits thumb when I broke the glass on one, not helpful for sketching and painting.. not that I have had a lot of time today with OH at home under my feet.

So many idea's floating around my head and not enough hours in the day.

Sad Sketching

One of those days today with very little time to do much, so I decided to just try out some sketching. Its called sad sketching as I am sad today, dont worry nothing drastic or earth shattering, just yet another occasion of people I thought were friends and could trust turning out to be not what they seemed - I can never understand how people can be so nasty to others, does it make them happy? What irritates me more is why I am always so suprised by this.

Anyway, as it turned out this lack of quality time and miseries turned out to be quiet good, well I think so (for me). Remember not so long ago I couldnt manage a matchstick man/woman. So, before I totally distroy these works with paint (not quite got to grips with that yet) I thought I had better take their picture of how they started, in order of my days practice. The first one was mainly 'eyes practice' and just to be sure I didnt ruin her with paint I coloured her in with coloured pencil for a change.






The next one is a real features practice, not happy with the noses I do, so been trying to improve them. Couldnt decide what to dress her in so she matches me today, going to try painting her in the next day or so.



The last one I was quite pleased with, this is the look I am trying to achieve - now whether or not I can do it again remains to be seen, and what happens to the poor girl once I attack her with paint is another point - but still I like her so far.




So that was my arty day today, still not finished the orange peril - my supplies didnt turn up till today and not enough time on Thurs/Fri/Sat to do much - also now wondering whether to add one of my ladies to it... decisions, decisions...

Think I might do some more sketching this evening. Sorry I havent been on any forums today, will try catch up in a day or so when feeling brighter.

Hope everyone is having a great and productive time.

~SimJaTa~

This years Christmas Cards, handmade of course!

Now be gentle, remember I have only been learning to draw for a few weeks now, previously it has been over 30 years since I held a pencil, and I have only just learnt there is actually more than an HB! I have spent all my free time drawing and I love it! I had no idea you could actually 'learn' to draw. Therefore, like it or not this year everyone will be receiving a hand drawn Christmas card (or at least I hope so, as I have only done 12 so far and time is ticking on). Before you look I must point out these are NOT my own design, but the design of Shoo Rayner
a very talented illustrator, if you follow the link it will take you to his website for further information, and were you can purchase his books. He is also a fantastic teacher, and by following his direction these are what I have done so far, along with some other basic sketches I am learning. Thank you very much Shoo.

First are my angels, this one I did today - my very first attempt.





I confess I have done about six of these, this was the first thing I learnt and they are now in all kinds of colour schemes, OH says this one is his favourite.



This was last nights, and my very first reindeer - plenty to improve yet, but not bad for a first attempt I thought.



This was my second robin, the first one had a bit of a hump back problem. A bit more research needed on the colour scheme yet, but plenty of fun learning.




My third lot of snowmen, I like these - if Shoo is reading, sorry about the hat - I did this one at my desk without direction, so improvement needed on the hat and perhaps a few more brush bristles wouldnt have gone a miss.



If you like these (and are not just being polite LOL) dont forget they are NOT my desings but that of Shoo Rayner
childrens book illustrator, and great teacher!

You may well get to see some of my own art soon, one of my best friends is a retired art teacher, and now she is convinced I 'am' serious she is givng me my first art lesson this week, I think it might be shells. I have been told to bring my pencils, easel and paper. Hope to show you that later in the week.

Dont forget, life is too short not to try what you want to do - and its never too late. Everyone can draw, just takes a bit of guidence and plenty of PRACTICE!!!!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~