fall leaves

I collected some pretty leaves and decided to try out different media with them. I'm counting this as challenge 62: draw a previous challenge in a different medium than you normally use.


I drew this sweet gum leaf in colored pencil.











Then I painted it in watercolor.




















I used watercolor, Caran D'Ache water soluble crayons and colored pencil with this leaf.


















Watercolor with this leaf.


These were done in my Raffine sketchbook, which has nice stiff paper for most things, but I really don't care for how I can't rework watercolor well on it. Seems like the first wash has to be the only wash. I suppose that would be good training for making the first wash count, though.

challenge 151

Challenge 151 is to draw anything we want but with a holiday twist. There's no "twist" here, just some ornaments from the tree. This year most of our ornaments are in the upper half of the tree, having been knocked down by the kittens and rehung higher.

challenge 149--draw a broom

This is Gilbert the kitten's favorite. He loves to come and watch me sweep the floor. It's cute except when he lays down in the dirt pile.

challenge 145

Wow, it's been a while since I posted to this blog. I guess I have been busy with other stuff. Here is challenge 145, draw or paint a tree in autumn. I went out to the Shaw Nature Reserve when colors were at a glorious peak, and this tree, although truly lopsided, was so colorful, I had to try and capture the color. It was just amazing.

challenge 141--something with bristles

challenge 140--an envelope

We didn't receive much written mail from our son when he was deployed because email was easier, but I did save this envelope from one of the letters because of the humorous return address. I deleted our address for privacy's sake.

challenge 138--something soft

Here is our other new kitten, Snickers, who has the softest fur. Today she rested on the swing with me, perhaps feeling resigned to having to wear a harness outside so we can catch her when she runs off. This is on a pre-painted page, and it does not capture her true colors. The proportions are off a bit, too. I also sketched her as she stalked various fierce insects in the yard.

challenge 136--something living

Here is Gilbert, one of our new kittens, lounging on the deck.

challenge 133--a peach

I did 3 different versions of a peach in my Raffine sketchbook. I don't like the way watercolor behaves on that paper. Too hard to rework things.

challenge 34--a fall leaf

Part of an ash tree leaf. They turn a wonderful yellow. Too bad some tree virus is threatening all the ash trees.

Boston Sketchcrawl part 3, and challenges 119 and 124

More people from sketching in Boston, some on the day of my sketchcrawl and some from another day. Challenge 119 is draw people doing something, so here are people hanging out in a park, and challenge 124 is draw something yellow, so here is the guilded dome of the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

Boston Sketchcrawl, part 2

I also sketched the Park Street church steeple. After lunch I headed for the Public Gardens and the Swan Pond, where I did a little painting. I hiked over to the Charles River and made a little sketch there. I also sketched people here and there. Then it was time for Starbucks.

The chain in the one picture is going to count for challenge 132--draw a chain.

Boston Sketchcrawl

While in Boston with DH, I did a lot of sketching, and had my own little sketchcrawl. It was so invigorating to be out and drawing. I had such fun.

I started off in Boston Commons, ventured over to the Frog Pond, then the Granary Burial Ground. I used my Lamy Safari pen with black ink, some pocket watercolors and waterbrush. For the frogs I used a water soluble sketching pencil, 4B, and also the waterbrush.

Fish after Klee

More doodles, this time of fish, inspired by artist Paul Klee. He liked to "take a line for a walk." Me too. I started coloring them but haven't finished.

Challenge 119--Rocks

I painted these a few summers ago on the shores of Lake Champlain, Vermont. We have spent many summers there, and the colors of the rocks never cease to amaze me. Some people think the beaches there are too hard on the feet, being all rocks for the most part, but that's why we have water shoes!!

Challenge 125--Draw a bird

I saw a couple of these birds, tufted titmice, the week of the challenge. I used a bird book to identify and draw it.

Doodles

I got the books Key to Drawing with Imagination by Bert Dodson and did some doodles. How could I NOT buy a book on doodling???

challenge 121--draw some coins

This was fun, but eye-opening about my lack of ability to draw a perfect circle.

I have had major problems posting, but today things seem to be working.

Challenges 107 and 120 and Every Day in May

I have to admit that I am glad it's June, because the Every Day in May project started to get wearisome. However, I, like many others who did the every day in May project, learned something about my art-making and how I spend my time. I think I will definitely be spending more time drawing and painting, especially since it is now summer and since I learned that I can always find some time in the day to do something creative.

On May 24 I sketched my daughters and was forbidden to post what I did. haha I skipped May 25 and 26, drew my daughters again on the 27 and was once again forbidden to post it. On May 28 I drew 2 challenges, 107 and 120. Challenge 107 was to draw how/where I get my news. Challenge 120 was to draw a flashlight. I did 2. One is the sturdy, always working flashlight I keep in the kitchen, but the other is a very cute one with a swivel head and a clip for attaching to clothing, etc. It is only about 3-4 inches tall. I think DH got it at Home Depot for a stocking stuffer at Christmas for me. I love it. It's great for traveling, camping, etc.

I drew on the 29th and 30th, and went to a life drawing session on the 31st, none of which I will post. And that ends the Every Day in May adventure.

May 21-23

I painted in class on the 21st, at home on the 22nd, and on the 23rd I sketched some kids taking finals at school. Maybe I'll post the painting sometime.

May 20 and challenge 24--draw some fruit

It is strawberry season and we are enjoying this year's harvest.

Colored pencil on prepainted page.

May 18, 19, and challenge 35

I did not draw on the 18th. I did challenge 35 on the 19th--draw a bike or part of one. This is one of many that hang upside down in the garage.

May 17

I drew faces from a publication for practice.

May 16 and challenge 91--an apple

Challenge 60--a car

Just some doodles of vehicles. Thought it could count as the 60th challenge. All are imaginary. It reminds me of that Richard Scarry book, Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.

More Every Day in May--May 15

I made a grid and did some sketches from a few photos we took in Italy. I want to do this again, but with better photos. Still, it was fun. Once I draw from a photo, I have a better idea of whether a painting could come of the photo--or not!!

May 11-13

On May 11 I sketched E and his friend C. On May 12 and 13 I tried doing some upside down portaits from magazine photos. They sometimes look a bit skewed, so I did a portrait right side up for one of them and I think I like that better.

May 10 and challenge 118

At a school concert, I sketched the back row of trumpet players, focusing on their hair for challenge 118--draw hair. The photo is blurry but our scanner is STILL not working.

Challenges 109 and 113

Challenge 109--draw a clock. This is my cow clock that some students gave me. I love cows.

Challenge 113--draw a fence. I see this fence when I look out my bedroom window. It is the line between the farm and the neighborhood. The "farm" only keeps a few horses and several peacocks. I think the goats are gone. They used to come through the fence and nibble the grass in yards. And the peacocks sometimes walk through the yards and fly up to our roofs. It is a funny thing to see.

These challenges were done in April and just now posted. I'm not good about posting...

May 6-8, and 9

I didn't paint or draw on the 6th, but I did attend the opening reception of the St. Louis Watercolor Society's spring juried show, and 2 of my pictures were accepted. Yay!!

On May 7 I painted in class. Not posted.

May 8--I missed. And that's ok.

On May 9 I finished a grid I started on May 3. It is glimpses of my art space.

May 4 and challenge 116

Challenge 116 was to draw something green. This plumeria plant is one of those sticks tourists can buy and bring home and grow. Ours has yet to bloom, and I thought it was dead until a tiny new leaf emerged, so maybe there is hope for this plant.

May 3 and 5

A few sketches done before the musical started each day. I know, pathetic, but I should also count playing my horn each night as something artistic.

May 2--challenge 61

Challenge 61 is to draw a grouping of 2 or more similar objects. This is a pile of shoes by the door. Can you tell we have kids?

May 1

I've been participating in the Every Day in May group, http://www.frenchtoastgirl.com/weblog/blogger.shtml, sponsored by this blogger, so I've been drawing or painting or doing something artistic every day--well, almost--this month. On May 1 I sketched A. It was a rushed week, too, b/c I was playing in the pit orchestra for a school musical, and the first week in May was filled with dress rehearsals and 3 performances.

challenge 104--salt and pepper shakers