Sisters Sketching

Jumpstart!

Stephanie — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 05:33:27 +0000

How embarrassing, the last entry is from SIX MONTHS AGO, bragging about my new sketchbook… so let’s get back at it! I have drawn a tiny bit in the interim (she wrote defensively).

Uniball on *new* sketchbook... finally...

A few days ago I was out of work early enough to head to my favorite walking spot, which actually often means my favorite sitting spot. I don’t usual go off-trail there, but this lovely tree has been beckoning for a portrait. That evening I obliged. I love oaks. Not sure how long I sat there, but what I wanted to capture was that solid, elephant-like quality of these trunks and branches.

Yesterday my city plans changed last minute, and I wished I had brought my sketchbook with me AT ALL TIMES like I so emphatically promised in May. So can I renew my promise? What will it take to make this happen? Oh so many excuses: one more thing to carry, the chance of public ridicule, no time will actually be available to draw… sheesh. Just start!

So, assignment… This is the time of year to draw tree silhouettes – their fallen leaves reveal their shapes. My goal will be to draw 3-5 more this week – maybe comparing them to the trees in Texas!

Travel Goals

Stephanie — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:05:10 +0000

I bought a new sketchbook yesterday! It’s the 8.25″ x 5.5″ Large Portrait sketchbook in the Travelogue series from Handbook Journal Co. My Moleskine sketchbook of a similar size is almost full, so I decided to buy this new one to bring with me to France! I had been eyeing it for some time… though of course immediately after purchasing this one I saw a 100% recycled, made in the USA sketchbook at the next store that I visited.

I have big drawing goals for myself while traveling. I WILL carry my sketchbook AT ALL TIMES, and I WILL draw in public. In fact I practiced on Saturday at the Berkeley Rose Garden, and it was not at all traumatic! I also plan to bring my water color postcards and note cards (if I can find them!), so watch a mailbox near you!

I will post some sketches when I return! So… à deux semaines!

Irises and Roses

Stephanie — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:23:54 +0000

I sketched this iris last week in pencil. Later, I was taking a droopy cut iris back outside from a bouquet when it dyed my fingers purple! I decided to try to paint with the iris pigment. Its color was bright purple when wet, but it dried this blue. I used my watercolors to add other accent colors. I’d like to experiment with other plant pigments.

pencil, watercolor, iris pigment on sketch

Last week I sketched a bouquet of roses. This week I focused on the details – individual petals’ coloration. My challenge was to know when to stop painting. I could just hear the professor’s voice who taught my class about watercolors, warning us not to let it become too “opaque.” By painting several small petals, I was able to practice mixing the colors to achieve as close of a match as possible.

pencil, watercolor on Strathmore cold press watercolor paper

I find myself subconsciously writing in the 4-H project format: what was your goal, what did you do to work towards your goal, what did you learn, and what do you plan to do in the future. Ah, life lesssons!

Lilacs!

elsybet — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:42:22 +0000

Lilacs are one of my absolutely favorite scents. They never seem to last long enough for me to sniff up as much of that fragrance as I want.

Watercolor, pen on sketchpaper

I’m not super pleased with the sketch. It ended up raining or at least drizzling everytime I wanted to draw outside this afternoon so I ended up sitting on the backporch bench with all my supplies balanced on my knees. I drew the outline of a few tree branches in pen and then just filled in with the watercolor. I hardly even mixed colors (first time I used my travel set!). It was kinda fun just to color in, like in a coloring book, but I don’t think it gives a very true impression of the tree or the blossoms or the leaves.

I want to start practising more with color. I see so many gorgeous colors outside, it would be nice to be able to put some down to keep!

Color!

elsybet — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:16:47 +0000

For Sunday, let’s try a drawing with color! With spring bursting out everywhere, there are so many gorgeous colors. The rain just finally beat down all the old brown prairie grass and I could see the new shockingly green grass coming up. Use whatever medium you want.

biweeklies

Stephanie — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:35:36 +0000

…My personal drawing challenge was successful in one aspect: I spent less time on email! Unfortunately, the drawing part of the drawing challenge did not come through.

fine uni-ball on sketch

I started off pretty well with one drawing the day after I made the assignment, so I was feeling confident. Moving to my new house did throw off my plans since it took a lot of time, and my stuff was all disorganized. I also had a busy, social weekend, though it begs the question, why didn’t I take my sketchbook to the ballet to sketch the Opera House? Again, I just need to get over the fear of drawing in public!! Otherwise I’ll continue these disappointing mediocre attempts at drawing the night of our due date (or a few days late).

Dailies

elsybet — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:14:52 +0000

Or is it dailys? Daily’s? Dailys’? Anyway:

sharpie ultra fine point on sketch paper

Today, I drew the truck while sitting outside, enjoying some glorious weather. I love the way ferns start, uncoiling from the ground. (Also I had to share because they always remind me of you and that 4-H project). I loved drawing the wood grain in both the bed and the chair. So calming to follow all those swoops and curves. Those were both before bed drawings.

I have really enjoyed drawing this week and I drew everyday but two. With so much going on outside and all the plants coming up, I find myself really noticing and seeing small things. I haven’t been able to put them on paper the way I want (I didn’t post bluebells, peony starts, rhubarb starts or seedum) but I have been trying more and that’s half the battle. I feel these past two weeks I have been serious about making drawing a priority and I’m proud of myself for that.

Assignment: Daily Sketches

Stephanie — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:56:10 +0000

Since we both have goals to draw each evening, let’s post a few of those sketches! I’m thinking I’ll just draw during the week, and then post 3-5 on Sunday, all in one big post… Since I am earning email time, I plan to draw outside, maybe focusing on plant sketches since my post today was a stretch for the Spring theme!

First CA Houseplant

Stephanie — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:48:30 +0000

I intended to draw yesterday but it rained all day… so here I am drawing a houseplant the day after the drawing is due because I didn’t think to draw before the sun went down!

I felt very rusty trying to find the lines I needed. I used the pen to force myself to make decisions but ultimately I found it frustrating. I think I finally found the proportions of the planter – the top middle sketch. I need to practice so I can find the proportions on the first or second try!

UniBall pen on sketchbook

Earlier in the week, one of my excuses for not drawing for this assignment was that I had been on the computer so much that I didn’t want to think about posting the drawing once I finished it! So my goal for this week is to draw INSTEAD of being on the computer. My challenge will be this: earn evening computer time by drawing (draw for 15 minutes, get 30 minutes of email time).

Scillas

elsybet — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:04:20 +0000

It’s coming to the end for our fields of blue scillas. I stood over a clump to draw:

Permanet ink pen on drawing paper

Using just the outlines, it was hard to give the feel of the scillas and the straight down perspective didn’t help. I think I did better with the composition than I have sometimes.

This past week, I discovered a way to help myself draw everyday. BBC radio was doing Anne of Green Gables starting last Monday, so every night I listened to half an hour of the story and drew before bed. Having a time period like that, I could just draw without watching a clock but also with a deadline. The story made me look forward to sitting down to draw. I drew every day last week except one. Last night I started an eight part mystery on BBC so I’m set to keep drawing this week! (I just need to work on my posting times!)