Missing My Dad

As I come across old photos, I'm enjoying sketching my Dad and remembering what we were doing at that time and place. This one is from a trip in TN. Next week I fly home with him to Jersey for his memorial and put him in his final resting place by my Mom.  It's going to be good to be with my brothers and their families and since I'm staying for a week, expect to see some sketches soon from my home town.

Drawing Class - week 2

After a delayed start because the room with the mirrors was not going to be available then a podium was needed by the instructor as well as the overhead, we finally got to do some sketching. I should just get into the habit of sketching the teacher while she's in her flustered state. :D Anyhow, I did pick up a super sized sketching book (11" X 14") at a new for me local craft store. And at 5 bucks off I thought it was a good deal. This week's homework assignment is sketching your face on a mirror using the washable markers then tracing the results. One at the beginning of the week with practices in-between and one at the end of the week.
Here's some of last week's assignments as well as a in class exercise on two point perspective. I have to say I'm finding myself sketching a lot more and on every piece of paper that lands in front of me.  It's all good for me.

 

gesture drawings from a TV show....very difficult to comprehend and get the flow started but after loosening up, I actually began enjoying them.

two point perspective done in class without the help of a ruler too...this is good practice for me because I've had some perspective issues in the past.

Gdansk, Poland

Google maps can take you to very unusual places. I felt very lucky to find this spot that got hit with some interesting graffiti in Gdansk, Poland for April's Virtual Paintout.

Drawing Class - 1

The first night of drawing class was this Monday. There was a great turnout with twelve people, mostly women but there were two guys there too which was nice to see. The teacher is a local artist and definitely an artsy fartsy type (all in a good way too). 

We started out going over the required supplies and did two contour drawing which always makes people very nervous to do. The last one was what she called a partial contour drawing where when you stop the pencil, you can take a peek at your paper.

I basically killed the lady from across the room from me in the 1st and 3rd drawing, she really doesn't look like that but I have to say, my hand came out pretty good for not seeing what I was drawing.

The teacher let us out 10 minutes early from class. I never thought early dismissal would bother me. Homework is doing more contour as well as some gesture drawings and she's asked us to draw at least for 10 minutes a day. I'm going to enjoy this class.

Back to Basics

I checked my calendar to see when the drawing class begins and I have one more week of waiting. I'm excited to again be with a group of people interested in sketching. My required supplies list is complete with the exception of "tape". I'm not really sure what kind so I'll carry a roll of masking tape with me for the first class. Yesterday I did some practicing with the very basic supplies, a sketch book (actually two) and a papermate silhouette 0.7mm lead pencil (with eraser). Between some unsuspecting souls, a picture of a man, the cat that wouldn't stay still and good old stand by plant I was able to exercise the right side of my brain.

 

St Petersburg, Russia

It's been awhile since I've added some water to my paints and it felt pretty good too. Here's March's Virtual Paintout. Somehow when I was taking the google map trip through St Pete I was able to find a small amusement park.

Days of Ink

I haven't done a watercolor in a long while, in fact, since my Dad passed away but I'm still getting some ink on paper time. Here's some of the past daily doodles done in my mini moleskine. Some days show the weather, my pens - one which was a very leaky fountain pen!, a busy weekend, another state for marriage equality and other important matters like a good margarita. I hope to get back into the swing of water coloring but for now the mindless doodling is doing it's job. Cheers!