Babe 'n Boots - WIP

I've been feeling somewhat guilty about the lack of postings even though I'm inundated with holiday projects that will have to wait until after the holidays to be revealed so here is a little something - the second in my Tots postcard series.  I haven't had the chance to finish coloring it yet.  Stay tuned and Happy Holidays!

Graphite on Paper, 5"x8"

Duckling - Weekly Sketch

Connor was a duckling for Halloween in tribute to his favorite toy...yellow rubber duckie. He was so cute that I had to sketch him.

Graphite on Paper, 5" x 8"

Graphite & Digital, 5" x 8"

Daisies - Weekly Sketch

I'm busy making preparations for Halloween this week - most notably for the Colossal pumpkin carving contest.  The competition is extremely stiff  but I think I have a pretty solid plan this year.  Pictures to come next week.

This week's theme is Fences and Flora.  I wanted to work on some different techniques and atypical subjects for me.  I also wanted to get back to participating in the WC Weekend Drawing Events regularly.  

Pen & Watercolor on Paper, 4.5" x 6"

Atilla - Weekly Sketch

Since the last weekly was late, this one is early.  Hopefully this will leave me with some time to finish up some of the WIPs that are still hanging.  So far I've drawn or painted all of the dogs currently in our household except for Atilla.  I picked her up as a puppy at the city shelter 10 yrs ago.  Poor girl is the oldest of the bunch and even in her prime, never won any beauty pageants with her problematic Shar-pei coat but she can be handsomely soulful at times. 

Watercolor on Paper, 4"x6"

Malaise - Weekly Sketch

Just a tad bit late getting this up for the week.  A quick burnt umber wash for a piece I'm considering in the future that started because I had too much paint left on my water brush.  Profound. 

Watercolor on Paper, 5.75"x4.5"

More Dogs - Weekly Sketch

I knocked out a couple more dog WC sketches for this week.  I'm slowing becoming more satisfied with the way some of these watercolors are coming out but there's still so much learning left that I'm seriously contemplating taking a painting course.  It's a tricky slope because as hard as I am on myself, I still find that most formal art classes do not meet my skill level.  The best way to grow artistically would be to participate in a professional creative group.  I think I may just be a little intimidated though.  

I'm now off to the Texas State Fair.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get a few good sketches and/or photos in.

Watercolor on Paper, 4"x6"

Pen & Watercolor on Paper, 4"x6"

Monkey Business - Weekly Sketch

This week's subjects are again from the WetCanvas forum - the theme was zoo critters with some flowers,  shrubbery and a domestic pet thrown in for good measure.  It's usually a dog or cat...always a dog or cat I've noticed.  People really like them.  This time it was a dog.  I didn't draw the dog.


The first piece is a quick pen and watercolor wash I did as a warm up.  Monkeys.  Three monkeys to be clear.  The second, a lemur.  Just one.  The third which is in the next post for reasons that will become apparent includes said zoo critters,  flowers, shrubbery...but no dog.  Have I mentioned yet that I didn't draw the dog?

Micron & Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

M. _ Water Garden & Cockerel - Weekly Sketch

This week's sketch is a 'two for the price of one'.  I frequent a pretty neat art forum that has some awesome artist (mostly traditional) and some not so awesome ones.  Some days I'm humbled while one other days I get a nice ego boost.  It's a learning opportunity either way.   They have daily, weekly, monthly events/challenges that I've begun to participate in.  It lets me hone my skills, paint subjects I usually wouldn't consider and lets me explore beyond my comfort zone.  I also like the help and suggestions available from other professionals.


This week's references were irresistible to me for their sheer potential.  I chose these two because well...I've never drawn either ever before and felt it would be a challenge to paint them in watercolor.  Boy, was it ever.  Watercolor is a beast that takes some planning.  While there is some measure for corrections, you can't simply paint over as you would acrylic or oils.  Still - I'm having a blast even if I'm not entirely pleased with the results.  Would like more contrast and I probably need to expand my color palette as it feels a little dull.  What do you expect for the bargain deal price of 2 weeklies for the price of one!


Almost forgot!  There is an easy challenge attached to this one.  First person to tell me the location (city) of the subjects in the paintings gets a print of my next piece (not going to say what it is just yet though).  Bonne chance!

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x 8"

Panda - Weekly Sketch

I broke out the Faber Castell brush pen for this week's sketch.  Many artists I know love this pen for its line quality.  I'm not an inker per say but I'm always impressed by the work that other artists do with this pen (Check out Michael Stovall's blog).   The brush tip has proved to be more durable than the Tombows thus far.  The ink is even and smooth but I've heard that they tend to run out fairly quickly.  I've been yearning to try the Pentel brush pens, which are refillable, in comparison.


Sometimes I get the urge to draw something ridiculously cute just because I can.  There are very few things that I can think of which fits the bill better than a Panda.  Perhaps a baby panda...Awwwwwww!

Pen on Paper, 5"x8"

Connor - Weekly Sketch

I'm playing catchup this week since spending the extended memorial weekend in Austin.  I brought down my sketch kit with the intention of getting some work done but alas, utilized the better part of my trip shopping, eating and sleeping.  It was nice but back to work now.  I haven't been completely unproductive though...just haven't had a chance to scan anything until now.  


Here's the first - some quick sketches of the little guy.  Back in high school and college I would doodle in ballpoint pen next to my lecture notes.   These days it has replaced a pencil as my tool of choice for sketches.  I find that my penciling style is often too rigid and contrived.  The loose pen lines appear more organic and interesting.

Ballpoint Pen on Paper, 5"x8"

Parallel 001

I recently came across some sketches by an artist, L Filipe dos Santos, that's reminiscent of the Rorshachs in my psychology days.   The idea is to create an illustration from the shapes of random inkblots.  I decided it would be a neat exercise to stretch my imagination and found that I really enjoyed the exploration. 


I first used acrylic to create the image below in my Moleskine sketch.

Acrylic on Paper, 10'x8'

I then illustrated my interpretation using pen over the inkblots.  I will upload my drawing at the end of the week but I'm extremely interested in what everyone else perceives.  Post your interpretations or better yet,  download the the image above and create your own vision using whatever medium you'd like.  

Il lettore - Weekly Sketch

A little over a year ago in a rare act of sibling solidarity, my brother and I agreed to get matching themed tattoos if I design them.  We decided on Roaring 20's sparrows.  Maybe it's my aversion to pain or my knack for procrastination but to this day no birds yet.  I think it's some deep seated psychological issue because really...surely even the most tardy offender must be able to knock something out in 18 months.


In an effort to get inked sometime this decade, Chris went solo instead and asked for an image of a fox reading a book; I suppose because he lives for books and fancies himself clever.  I envisioned something dark, gothic.  Mr. Fox in a heavy velvet robe sitting in the armchair of Poe's library.


This is what came out.

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

It's probably because of my recent submersion into watercolors yet somehow, this actually reminds me more of my brother - light, whimsical, skinny legs?  I'm still working on the tattoo but this nevertheless is dedicated to you Brother.

More Dancers - Weekly Sketch

Some flirty dancers. Practicing a variety of styles and techniques for each of my weeklies.

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

I CanCan Weekly Sketch

Who's up for a pinup?  I used a micron and Tombow brush pens again, although watercolor markers are not ideal on the non-absorbant Moleskine sketch paper.  Made my life a little more difficult but what can I say - that's what I had handy and what's a little challenge.  It also gives me a reason to try out my new Moleskine watercolor book next time. 


I have to credit the ever effervescent Jason Chalker and his sexy women (albeit the blue and green extraterrestrial variety) as the inspiration for this piece. 

Micron & Brush Pen on Paper, 5"x8"

Ribbons

I took this past weekend off to visit Austin.  It's been more than a year since I've been back and didn't realize how much the city has changed although some things remained as good as ever - El Chili, Polvo's, Jerry's Artorama...I-35 traffic.  We also hit up Eeyore's Birthday and the Buda wiener dog races in addition to catching up with some dear relatives; overall a great break and I look forward to returning more often to reconnect with some dreadfully neglected friends.  For now though, I'm happy to get back to work.


This is a study for a large watercolor that I'm planning.  The sketch was completed using a combination of micron, brush pen and Prisma marker.

Mix Media on Paper, 10"x 9"

Famous Dogs in History

I dusted off a 5 year old moleskin recently and started greasing the rusty gears so to speak.  I have a tendency towards precision - a mechanical pencil sort of anal-ness - and in the past, would have trembled in fear without my trusty eraser to correct any errant lines.  My main goal now is to attain a much looser and free style.  Alright...some of you may think that I haven't given up much control by the initial sketches but...baby steps - no eraser right! I bought some Tombow ABT duel brush pens a while back that I decided to finally try out.


The subject choice?  People love dogs but people love dogs dressed up as humans even more. Easy! I've posted the progression of the first four and will update as I finish.  

Leica the Dictator (not really)