Week #52
Not sure who this fellow is either - but again, I liked the way he looked. This one looks like it would have been easy, but it actually took a bit more time than I thought it would.
Well, I guess this finishes off the year! Yippee! I won't be finishing
one drawing a week this coming year, but I will continue to draw and to post
on this site. I have in mind to do some larger compositional drawings.
Might even use some colour somewhere.
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| Week #52 |
Week #51
I don't personally know this woman. I just liked the way she looked.
Okay, looks like I'm stuck with some pretty lousy week #50s. I started on a new drawing yesterday, to replace those other two - - worked on it for about 10hrs straight and the crazy thing turned out incredibly crappy!!
Its kinda strange - I thought since I've been at this for a year already, it would be easier and easier and my drawings would be so much better by now. And its like I've never picked up a pencil in my life haha. Oh well - guess that's the way it goes sometime.
So I think I'll cut my losses and start my new drawing for week #52 later tonight or maybe tomorrow. Maybe I'll come up with a real masterpiece (although I doubt it!)
Its kinda strange - I thought since I've been at this for a year already, it would be easier and easier and my drawings would be so much better by now. And its like I've never picked up a pencil in my life haha. Oh well - guess that's the way it goes sometime.
So I think I'll cut my losses and start my new drawing for week #52 later tonight or maybe tomorrow. Maybe I'll come up with a real masterpiece (although I doubt it!)
Week #50 (maybe)
What a problem with my art this week sheesh! I just worked and worked on this crazy drawing and there's no way it is going to turn out for me! I don't know how many times I've done it over. Its not the style - the lights and darks turned out okay - but if memory serves me right, I recall not being very good with this style in general. (of course I only remembered that half way through the drawing).
I've spent about three times as long on this as I should have.....
but I just hate it so much.... I have to get it out of here. I will do another, but I can't bear to go back to that style right now.
So last night when I tried to work on this for the umpteenth time, I thought I'd do another different drawing. So I thought - maybe someone looking through a dirty window.... but that didn't turn out either!!
Its Sunday and the day is more than half over, and there's tons of things to do.... but I think maybe there's still time to do something for week #50 and then I can ditch these efforts???? Wish me luck!
Week #49
Again I'm busy and late with my entry. Sheesh - its such a crazy time of year. Anyhow.... I did this in a kind of an impromptu "snapshot" format - its Kelly again (and I'm not sure who the other person is). I wanted it to look very spontaneous - and just wanted them to be caught up in their own moment in time.
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| Week #49 |
Week #48
I just can't tell you how much I absolutely love drawing Kelly!
I can't say the drawing is completed, but this picture is the type of pic that you can work and work and work on endlessly. But alas, time goes on - its nearing a busy time of year, plus we are moving to a new place in town, which means everything is turned upside down..... so I decided its "finished enough" for my week #48. I fully intend to draw it again, because its one of my all time favorites. Perhaps I'll do it in color in the new year.
Anyhow.... here's Kelly - wearing a home-made hat. He loves to dress up and he loves colors. I wanted to initially do this drawing in black and white though, because I wanted to see if I could get the sparkle in there.
Kelly reminded me of Bacchus in this pose - Bacchus is the god of wine, and two of my favorite artists (Velazquez and Caravaggio) did paintings of Bacchus, so it must be a good subject.
I can't say the drawing is completed, but this picture is the type of pic that you can work and work and work on endlessly. But alas, time goes on - its nearing a busy time of year, plus we are moving to a new place in town, which means everything is turned upside down..... so I decided its "finished enough" for my week #48. I fully intend to draw it again, because its one of my all time favorites. Perhaps I'll do it in color in the new year.
Anyhow.... here's Kelly - wearing a home-made hat. He loves to dress up and he loves colors. I wanted to initially do this drawing in black and white though, because I wanted to see if I could get the sparkle in there.
Kelly reminded me of Bacchus in this pose - Bacchus is the god of wine, and two of my favorite artists (Velazquez and Caravaggio) did paintings of Bacchus, so it must be a good subject.
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| Kelly dressed as Bacchus |
Week #47
Last week it was Roy doing the puzzle. This week its Mr. Brown doing the puzzle.
He's a very sweet and quiet man. Its fun watching people concentrating on the puzzle pieces.
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| Week #47 Mr. Brown doing the puzzle |
Week #46
This is my friend (and landlord) Roy concentrating on a puzzle.
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| Week #46 Roy doing a puzzle |
Week #45
This is my friend John at the Halloween party. This is one of the few times that I wish I could use color as the hat was bright blue and yellow and he had an orange shirt on.
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| Week #45 |
Chapel Gallery Members' Exhibition
Finally got around to getting a photo of my drawing of Howard up at the Chapel Gallery.
Week #44
This is my daughter, but don't ask about the veil - because I have no idea why I did that. I wanted to experiment with some transparent fabrics, plus I did just see a Giovanni Bellini painting, so I guess that's just the way the picture turned out. How about we call it "Heather wearing a wimple", seeing as there is no need for her to wear a veil - religious, wedding, or otherwise.
Week #43
Okay - wasn't home for a few days, but back now. Last week I did a stranger (because I liked the way the sun shone on his skin) but this week its someone in my life - if you call going to the local coffee shop my life! He was going home from his shift at the coffee place and I got him to sit down for a minute. You can also see Rick at the casino frequently. He's an interesting guy.
I had a lot of trouble with this drawing - only because the paper seemed rough and I couldn't get my darks in. Maybe I was using the wrong side of the paper?? I didn't know it had a wrong side though. Oh well... I'll have to do him again some day on a better sheet. I don't recall ever having such a rough sheet of mylar, as its usually very very smooth.
anyhow... here's Rick...
I had a lot of trouble with this drawing - only because the paper seemed rough and I couldn't get my darks in. Maybe I was using the wrong side of the paper?? I didn't know it had a wrong side though. Oh well... I'll have to do him again some day on a better sheet. I don't recall ever having such a rough sheet of mylar, as its usually very very smooth.
anyhow... here's Rick...
Week #42
Okay, back on track now, and I have been wanting to do this one for a while, because I liked the way the light made a lot of shadows on his face. Not a big "compositional" challenge but I like it nonetheless.
Week #41
Well, this drawing has been giving me nothing but trouble. I could have left him undone and started a new drawing for this week, but I really really wanted to finish him. I like this drawing a lot - and after my project is finished in January, I'll do this one again - and include the chair, etc. His hand looks a little small, but it is back quite far and maybe looks a little odd because its out of context a bit. At any rate, I LOVED doing this drawing! I think its my all time favorite.
Oh - and my computer got stubborn this morning when I turned it on, and it took 6hrs to fix. I now have to re-sign in all my accounts, and of course that isn't going well either!! Grrrr. Anyhow.... back to the late drawing....
So this is Kelly again, the fellow I met in BC when I was down there lately. He likes ghosts, and is wearing a ghost (or skeleton?) mask - not because its October - but because he likes to - just like he likes to wear a yoyo on his cap, and he likes to wear one glove etc. But that's a story for another day.
The only thing I added here, was the dandelion fluffy, because I wanted him to be holding something that curved around. Once I put it in - I realized it was such a good choice, because the ghost mask looks like its maybe either taking control of his puff ball (ie: controlling his wishes) or its blowing it out (ie: stealing his wishes). So I'm pretty smitten with the design and the story one can make out of it! I think that's why this is my favorite. I will have a lot of fun doing him again. But I've got to get busy on "this week's drawing" now... and also get this crazy computer in working order.
Oh - and my computer got stubborn this morning when I turned it on, and it took 6hrs to fix. I now have to re-sign in all my accounts, and of course that isn't going well either!! Grrrr. Anyhow.... back to the late drawing....
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| The man who liked ghosts |
So this is Kelly again, the fellow I met in BC when I was down there lately. He likes ghosts, and is wearing a ghost (or skeleton?) mask - not because its October - but because he likes to - just like he likes to wear a yoyo on his cap, and he likes to wear one glove etc. But that's a story for another day.
The only thing I added here, was the dandelion fluffy, because I wanted him to be holding something that curved around. Once I put it in - I realized it was such a good choice, because the ghost mask looks like its maybe either taking control of his puff ball (ie: controlling his wishes) or its blowing it out (ie: stealing his wishes). So I'm pretty smitten with the design and the story one can make out of it! I think that's why this is my favorite. I will have a lot of fun doing him again. But I've got to get busy on "this week's drawing" now... and also get this crazy computer in working order.
Week #41
Well, go figure - the long weekend snuck up on me, and here I am without a finished drawing for week 41. Still seem to be catching up from holidays, and we had company every day this long weekend... so I'll post what I've got so far. I'm doing Kelly again - but I haven't got the left arm done. I'm not even sure what he will be holding yet - haven't decided. Might need to do some more shadows in the forehead too.... will have to see.
So I'll hopefully be able to finish this up maybe today, and get another one started for week #42. Sheesh... and I see a busy week ahead. Oh well - a person has to have a life other than drawing haha.
So I'll hopefully be able to finish this up maybe today, and get another one started for week #42. Sheesh... and I see a busy week ahead. Oh well - a person has to have a life other than drawing haha.
Week #40
Did a smaller easier drawing because I've been trying to catch up with everything now that I'm back. So did Steve....
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| Week #40 Steve 17"x 22" |
Week #39
Okay, back from a great holiday and I found this fellow to pose for me right off the bat. I love drawing him! Who says I don't do young people?? Anyhow.... this is Kelly.
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| Week #38 Kelly 17"x 22" |
I'll be going away for a few weeks, so I'm not sure if my posts will be late.... guess it depends on what kind of mood my other computer will be in! I'm thinking I'll be able to fit some of my papers and art supplies into my suitcase, so I should be able to keep on track with the drawings anyhow. May have to post when I return.
Week #38
I always enjoy drawing Howard. I don't usually do drawings of someone smiling, but it seems to suit him, and I think it worked out well. I will be submitting this to the Chapel Gallery.
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| Week #38 |
Week #36
Here's a guy who works at the local gallery (and has a Harley as well). He wasn't as easy to draw as I thought he'd be - but it was fun nonetheless. Maybe this next week I'll do him as a full profile. I think a large picture would suit him better than this smaller piece.
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| Week #36 |
Week #35
A neighbor of my mom's. Nice lady.
I didn't want to complete it to the bitter end, because I just felt it would go flat if I did... so I left a lot of it unfinished. I like it this way.
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| Week #35 |
Week #34
I was wanting to do Darryl's hands this week, but the photo I had was very fuzzy and I already started late, so I did this fellow with his hands visible instead. He's just a guy who was looking off the ship while we were on holidays.
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| Week #34 Whale watching |
Week #33
Okay - finally done. A bit late, but I just couldn't do this one on time. Now I'm a bit behind for this week, so I'd better get cracking. Maybe for week #34 I'll do his hands??
I sure like drawing Darryl - I like to make him scruffy, plus I like the way he sits. So many people stiffen up when they're getting their picture taken - especially if posing for a drawing - but he has a really nice sitting pose as far as I'm concerned. He's a lot of fun to draw.
I sure like drawing Darryl - I like to make him scruffy, plus I like the way he sits. So many people stiffen up when they're getting their picture taken - especially if posing for a drawing - but he has a really nice sitting pose as far as I'm concerned. He's a lot of fun to draw.
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| Week #33 About 2 feet by 3 feet |
Week #33 part one
Not quite done this one yet - but I thought I'd post it for this week anyways. I will try to get back to it tomorrow. It's so darn big - its taking me a while, however, I do actually prefer this size.
Week #32
Sheesh - I had such trouble with this one, and I'm not sure why. At any rate - I wanted to draw this lady at the pool in the hot tub, because of the way the light reflected on her wet skin. Not too pleased with it not turning out. I'll have to try her again sometime.
Week #31
I'm going to post my pic a little early this week, as we are getting company. I thought this would take longer than it did - seeing as its about 3 feet x 4 feet.
Hmmm... his hair isn't actually like that, but I'm not going to change it. I had fun doing the face, but at this size, the jacket was grueling (just too much of it!) - especially when you are under time constraints.
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| Week #31 Keith - about 3 feet x 4 feet |
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| detail |
Week #30
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| Week #30 17x22" |
Week #28
Here's more drawing from my vernacular photos. Just a guy who walked by me while I was sitting - likely while I was having my coffee.
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| Week #28 17x22 |
Week #27
Okay - I passed the half way point. So far, so good! This week I've finished a drawing of a local fellow who makes balloon animals for the kids. I was at the Aboriginal Days festivities and he was there entertaining.
I see I'm going to have to darken his right upper arm a bit, because its not going back far enough. I'll have to do that before I spray it.
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| Week #27 Balloon man |
I put some of the ship's menus behind the drawing and I like it much better now. Again - hard to get a decent photo of at the moment, but I like the two layers. If I wanted it that way permanently, I might rearrange the menus a little differently so the white lines would be in different places. At any rate, its interesting.
Week #26
Kinda difficult to get a good photo of this week's drawing, as its so darn big. (so the uneven surfaces come in as ripples of shadow) I'm trying out the sheets of vellum now so I can go big, but its difficult to handle. Anyhow... this is a drawing of two of the fellas that worked in the food services on the cruise ship. They were handing out plates at a salmon bake. I have no idea what size it is - close to 2 feet by 3 feet I think. I'll have to measure it later when I get the chance.
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| two cruise ship stewards approx 2 feet x 3 feet |
Week #25
Here's a fellow sitting outside a ship in Alaska. I initially wanted to draw his entire body, as he was sitting in an interesting way - but I ended up just doing the portrait. He looks like a fisherman that was washed up from the Pacific haha - but I think he's a tourist because he looks like he's trying to dress up. He's cute at any rate.
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| Week #25 17x22 |
WEEK #24
Still loving this paper! Its funny how it works for very smooth drawings as well as very textured drawings. Here's a lady I saw on a city bus way up by Anchorage Alaska. She had on a hat with a big brim and she was carrying her fishing rod and equipment.
I'm not exactly satisfied with where I put the brim for her hat, but all in all, it was a good exercise in using a lot of texture. Its a pretty big drawing and I basically used a thick charcoal. I have brown paper underneath the vellum, so it doesn't look quite so harsh.
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| Week #24 Lady with fishing hat 17x22 |
I'm not exactly satisfied with where I put the brim for her hat, but all in all, it was a good exercise in using a lot of texture. Its a pretty big drawing and I basically used a thick charcoal. I have brown paper underneath the vellum, so it doesn't look quite so harsh.
Week #23
Okay - still absolutely loving the mylar! I found a few pieces of "vellum" to work with - which to me seems to be the same type of thing. At least it gives the same effects.
This is a wonderful little lady I met on the cruise ship. Her name is Liz, and she's a retired nurse as well. Here we are sitting in a lounge - she's sipping on her vodka and we're listening to Sinatra music played by the Neptunes.
I think this paper will work well for me. This is the right size, and I'm getting the right feel for it. Now just to search out where the heck I can get a good supply! I think it has a lot of potential for my style of work.
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| Week #23 17" x 22" |
I think this paper will work well for me. This is the right size, and I'm getting the right feel for it. Now just to search out where the heck I can get a good supply! I think it has a lot of potential for my style of work.
Week #22
I was away for week 22, although I did send myself a little unfinished drawing on a postcard, but I haven't received it yet. So I'll put this drawing into the week #22 even though technically I did it about a week later...
This is a fellow I noticed on a dock in Alaska, sitting by the cruise ships. I don't know if he was a passenger, or it almost looks like he was a local fisherman, although he had a camera around his neck like tourists do. As I got drawing him, I made him gruffer and gruffer - so now - I'm not sure what he looks like - maybe a Russian KGB with that fur hat haha.
Once I started drawing him on the mylar, I realized although the paper fits my style well - for people, it's almost impossible for me to do dark backgrounds. Maybe I have to try something different... I don't know yet, as I'm at the beginner stage here.
So.... nice technique for scragginess, but no good for backgrounds I learned.
This is a fellow I noticed on a dock in Alaska, sitting by the cruise ships. I don't know if he was a passenger, or it almost looks like he was a local fisherman, although he had a camera around his neck like tourists do. As I got drawing him, I made him gruffer and gruffer - so now - I'm not sure what he looks like - maybe a Russian KGB with that fur hat haha.
Once I started drawing him on the mylar, I realized although the paper fits my style well - for people, it's almost impossible for me to do dark backgrounds. Maybe I have to try something different... I don't know yet, as I'm at the beginner stage here.
So.... nice technique for scragginess, but no good for backgrounds I learned.
Week #21
Just before going on vacation, I met a guy at the local "Spring Into Art" show and he asked me if I've ever tried drawing on mylar. He gave me a piece to try out and I absolutely love it. It's a little obscure around these parts though, and to make matters worse, the size I'd like is very hard to find.
At any rate, I managed to scout out a few appropriate sized pages and I'm off to the races now..... trying to figure out how on earth to use this stuff. I love the product, I love the feel of it and the way the pencil and charcoal sticks to the paper... and I love the way the light glows through the finished drawing. But it is a pretty big learning curve - just like all new types of papers are.
I started a drawing of George (a fellow I know from Yorkton). I was trying to figure out how hard to press the pencil, how to work with the eraser, etc. Maybe I'll do another drawing of George on the mylar some day, but for this week - my unfinished drawing is my contribution.
At any rate, I managed to scout out a few appropriate sized pages and I'm off to the races now..... trying to figure out how on earth to use this stuff. I love the product, I love the feel of it and the way the pencil and charcoal sticks to the paper... and I love the way the light glows through the finished drawing. But it is a pretty big learning curve - just like all new types of papers are.
I started a drawing of George (a fellow I know from Yorkton). I was trying to figure out how hard to press the pencil, how to work with the eraser, etc. Maybe I'll do another drawing of George on the mylar some day, but for this week - my unfinished drawing is my contribution.
Back to the blog
Okay - I'm back now and its time to get back to real life. We had a great time last month - my daughters were getting cold and rained on in Europe, and my husband and I were soaking up the heat wave in Alaska. I took a lot of photos of people when I was there - that's the good news. The bad news is - they are almost all out of focus! That'll teach me to buy a new camera before going away. Anyhow... that's maybe not bad news though, because I don't want my drawings to look like those people anyways, so I can "fill in the blanks" a lot and make the people the way I want. It just takes a little less time when you copy from a picture though - because it cuts out the research (ie: where does this shadow go.... which way does the wrinkle go... etc)
Anyways.... lets see what I can post to catch up....
Anyways.... lets see what I can post to catch up....
Week #21 and #22 - posting will be delayed
I won't have access to my computer for a couple of weeks, so I'll have to delay posting anything for a bit. I will still work on drawings - and maybe even come up with something quite different.... I'll have to see.
WEEK #20
I bought a new type of paper while I was in Regina, and I'm trying it out. Sheesh.... its nice and gives a good effect actually (which might be hard to see in a photo), but good grief - this took me about 12 hrs! It is way too slow going! That's about 3 times as long as I usually would take.
I'll try more drawings on that paper, but I'm going to either have to set aside more time, or else try a different technique.
WEEK #19
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| Toots - 24x30 |
SPRING INTO ART: Battlefords Art Show and Sale
I haven't been able to get to ask about the stats yet, but the Battleford's Art Show and Sale appeared to be very successful. There were always people around when I was there - they were looking at the wide variety of art, and snacking and having a good time.
There were paintings, drawings, sewing, quilts, jewelry, etc.
I think Mary and Howard were happy with their portraits.
I cropped and framed Fred's picture in a bit of an unusual way - as I wanted to call attention to the wheelchair. Its an important part of Fred's life.
So hopefully the cropping didn't make the picture look too unusual.
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