Friday, June 1, 2007

Here's Another Couple


I just started reading The Creative License, by Danny Gregory. The initial instructions resemble those in Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. The first assignment was to draw a chair, a mug, a table and a person -- in ink, no do-overs. I jumped in and started.
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As with the previous day's EDM challenge (see previous post), I was pleased with the outcome. Done with "good ole ballpoint pen" (black ink, though one looks blue) in my sketchbook. I'm taking photos of these to upload, because my scanner isn't installed properly and I don't know how to fix it. Again, they had to be adjusted for brightness, contrast and saturation to show up well -- hence the varying color.
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I ran out of energy before I got the desk chair on its legs (HAH!). The mug and table are still so dark, I think I'll try shooring them again before posting. Well, maybe I won't post them at all, especially the table, which wound up with too many legs (darn that ink!). The person is Katie Armiger, up-and-coming young singer with her first album coming out soon, from a photo in the Houston Chronicle (also posted). In the few faces I've drawn, I seem to have a knack for getting them too wide. But this one's better in that regard than the last, and some of the distortion is from the hand-held camera.
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Anyhooo, I feel like I'm off and running. I've taken a couple of art/drawing classes over the years, but now that I'm picking it up again on my own, I'm actually having fun with the process. Yeah!

Everyday Matters #103 - My First Challenge


OK, now I'm going to figure out how to upload some of my recent creations. Ta-Dah!
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This is my response to Everyday Matters* challenge #103 -- draw some exercise equipment you use. Well, I wouldn't exactly say I use it, except in this case as a "model." Done in my sketchbook with "plain ole" pencil, and not a very sharp one at that, so I had to enhance the brightness, contrast and saturation. I'm sure proud of the way it came out (she said modestly!).
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* In case you're wondering, everydaymatters is a very friendly and supportive Yahoo group -- mostly into drawing and watercolor. Artists, check it out.

Finally... Starting Again

After more than 6 months, including 1 broken ankle, 1 fabulous Year-End Cruise and lots of overtime work... I'm back in blogging mode. My incentive is the urge to move forward with my artwork.


I started reading The Creative License, did the first exercise and was quite pleased with the results. Now I'm feeling like an artist again (or even moreso) and ready to keep creating. I love the way I can get caught up in drawing and lose track of the time and effort involved -- there is no effort when I'm really into it.

I'm also following the thread on the Everydaymatters Yahoo group -- some very talented artists there, and they're inspiring me (though they don't know it yet!) to do what it takes to improve my skills. I've got a whole new appreciation for seeing what I'm trying to draw and for composing the drawing. The range of styles and subject matter represented in the group is amazing, but all are "food" for my creativity right now. YUM!

I also have a whole new commitment to taking the next step. I just have to decide what that step is... What possibilities!