Mixing Pencil Sketch with Canvas; Face Study

Face Study

 

 

As an artist, I think it is important to try new techniques and ideas.  I made a large canvas and painted it with a tan acrylic paint.  It hung on my wall for weeks as I tried to decided what to paint.  I love sketching and pencil work and even like the illustrations on how to draw a face, etc.  I actually like the lines left in and think it adds an interesting element to the sketch.  I got out my pencil the other day, after about my third cup of coffee and started sketching.  I wanted to convey raw art and really liked the tones and simplicity of the piece.  Once I finished my sketch I sprayed it with an acrylic matt finish to protect the pencil lines and prevent smudging.  Two of my daughters pointed out to me that the painting looked like an older version of my grand daughter.  I will let you be the judge. 

My sweet grand daughter

  Perhaps I have her sweet face in my sub-conscience and her likeness ended up on my painting.  Her sweet outfit was made by my youngest daughter and my middle daughter is the photographer.  I am so proud of my kids and the creativity they have. 

Sepia Brown Only

The Wait

Like using only one color to see what you can do with shading.  This is a classic look and something I had a lot of fun with.

Pencil Sketch "Perrrrfect"

Perrrrfect

I am trying to draw daily, sometimes I do well and others......life just has other ideas!  I usually take some time each morning, when my household is still quite, grab my cup of coffee and get out my pencils.  I am working on people, they are the most intimidating to me, so that is the area I want to practice the most.  This image was done with pencils and a few lines of charcoal.  I had fun with the hair and her pose made me think of a cat, thus the name Perrrrfect.  

Artful Alphabet

A to F

G to L

Came up with a new idea (for those of you that know me that is really NO surprise), I found a hardcover book and decided to create art directly on the pages (knowing I may have to remove a few here and there as I add in bulk).  The more I thought about it, the more I realized I wanted some type of order so came up with the idea of using the alphabet as a starting place.  I took my note book and on each page put a letter of the alphabet.  Under each letter I listed things that mean something to me that start with that particular letter.  Example: Letter A; art, airplane, acrylics,  and so on.  I then realized that I needed to draw out each letter in a way that set that section apart.  I divided each paper into six, three inch blocks and then the fun began.  I have just finished the whole alphabet and made it available to others in a digital download format for their own craft projects.  As I move along and finish a page at I time I will share them with you.  Once again, one idea leads to another then to another.  I already want to try different styles or perhaps whole words.  The wheels are turning. :)

M to R

S to X

  

Y to Z 

Cleopatra



Cleopatra

 Could I make something interesting with just a fine black marker?  That was the challenge I set for myself.  I had picked up a few technical drawing books at a used book store and was amazed at some of the detailed drawings.  Got out my smooth drawing pad, began a rough sketch in pencil then went over my main lines in ink and thats when the fun began.  My favorite was the outside border of just scribbles.  No thinking is involved in this and it was really relaxing.  I stressed a bit about trying an ink drawing, afraid that there is NO room for error.  That really isn't true, if you make a mistake simply add on to make it part of the overall design.  It was fun and I will have to try it again.  Maybe with other colors!

A French Bird's Eye View

a vol d oiueau

Decided to try my hand at another drawing on my brown paper.  This time I used brown ink and created a little crowned bird in her nest with the caption "a vol d oiueau" (french: a birds eye view).  I crowned her because I think all mothers deserve to be a queen now and then.  At the last moment I stuck a berry in her mouth (maybe because I was eating berries and cream for breakfast)!  It's funny, but most people rarely look up and I can't help but wonder what tbirds see of this funny human race as they are pearched in their nests.  I'm sure they probably wonder, do they ever sit?  When is the last time you actually spent sometime sitting outdoors and listened to a bird sing?  If your like me, your probably long overdue. This brown paper that I purchased on a roll from Home Depot is thick and durable making it a good choice for ink drawings.

Contemplation

Contemplation

Found this wonderful brown thick paperbag like paper at Home Depot on a large roll.  I've been looking for a nice brown paper for awhile now and this really fit the bill.  I decided to try my hand at a combination watercolor and pencil piece.  After a few tries, I finally got the combination right.  It turns out you cannot get the paper too wet and do not work it too much.  My lady is called Contemplation because she is simply looking ahead in deep thought.  I really like the simplicity and timelessness of this type of work and look forward to future projects.  I certainly have enough paper to last for a long time.

Merry Christmastide

Old St. Nick
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

 

Weihnachtszeit

Just sold my original of Old St. Nick through the Woodlands Art League and was asked to bring in another work.  I finished Weihachtszeit (German for Merry Christmastide).  Nobody says Christmastide anymore but thought it was cute.  This is my take on the three kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus.  Merry Christmastide to one and all.