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:

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?

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.

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?

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.....

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:

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.

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.

Dance, Dance, Wherever You May Be

Out-of-Control

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!

I Will Rise

Events in Paris Shock Us

Gelli Print Artist Trading Cards

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

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!

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.

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!

Palm Beach

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

Gelli Print, Pencil Crayon, White Paint Pen

Over There!

Trying out some "intuitive" mixed media ATC's.

Over There

Flight

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.