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June 2, 2010 - Bear
Drawing / Sketching Challenge
I got our first drawing in already for this week's sketching
challenge! Molly VanZant writes;" I tried to look for
shapes but I got distracted by the lines."
It's a common problem with me too Molly. One trick I know
of to enable you to see shapes better, is to draw a grid on your
photo and then draw the same proportions on your paper. This
bear breaks down evenly into four sections vertically . Then
I drew a line through the bear on the horizon line. Now try to
duplicate the shapes in each section on your paper and tell me
if you find it any easier. I like the drawing very much overall,
however it got a little big on the page. I'd recommend getting
a bigger pad or starting smaller. I've listed the drawing supplies
I use on my new "Simple
Sketching Steps" lens. Here's my first bear sketch from yesterday with the wash
added today.
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June 3, 2010 - Tommy's
In Princess's Bed Again
Don't be afraid to try to draw something fleeting. If you
get the big shapes down in a minute or two, you can always add
the details later, (or after the subject moves). Here's a quickie
of Tommy in the studio. He's not allowed in because he gets destructive.
He chews paper. He LOVES to be in the studio though. I guess
it's like the forbidden fruit. First thing he does is jump in
my studio cat's bed. He gets this satisfied look instantly -
sorta like the Cheshire Cat. He only sat still for a couple of
minutes, but I was able to get this one in for today.
I got in another Bear sketch today and I'll be sharing all
new bear challenge sketches and sketcher testimonials on Sunday
or Monday with mine. Come on now, why don't you give it a try!?
You don't have to send it in if you can't or don't want to.
Look at the hippo tutorial on my SIMPLE
SKETCHING STEPS lens. I think it will help you with seeing
shapes.
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June 4, 2010 - Hummingbird
Happiness
The hummers are really zooming around my yard today. Everywhere
I look I see a different one! I just love my little sweeties.
Get set up to attract your own this summer. The effort is well
worth the return! Check out my revamped lens 5
Steps To Happy Hummingbirds to see how.
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June 5, 2010 - Tiny
Dancer
Lots of hummingbird action here today! I think the first broods
are starting to emerge now. I am looking forward to even more
action here soon! See my Hyped
Up Hummingbirds Video here.
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June 6, 2010 - Bear
Sketches and New Challenge Photo
Today I'm posting my bear challenge sketch in two parts, with
and without the wash.
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Here's another challenge drawing sent in by Molly VanZant.
She writes, "I hope you don't mind I sent my second attempt..
you don't have to publish it or comment on it, I don't want to
take up your time but I did try again so I thought I'd send it
on. Thanks for your blog & work, I love it!!" Thanks
Molly, good job!
Also here's the new photo for this week's sketching challenge.
It's a shot of Tommy on the porch with his cat grass, watching
the hummingbirds.I hope some of you will give it a try.
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June 7, 2010 - Drawing
Objects / Horse Figurine
I strongly recommend drawing from life! I think it teaches
you to really see. And hey folks . . . that's a H U G E
part of drawing! I'm working on doing drawing exercises everyday
now to get my sight muscles back into shape. Today's sketch is
a series of two
minute gestures of a small whimsical unicorn stallion
figurine that I've owned for decades. This is the first time
I've attempted to draw it. Like I always say, "Everything
is sketchable."
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June 8, 2010 ~ Blind
Contour Seashell Drawing
A Blind Contour Drawing is extremely valuable in learning
to SEE BETTER. This is not meant
to be a great picture. It's a training exercise. See more about
Blind
Contour here. Go ahead, what have you got to lose? Give
it a try yourself! And remember, everything is sketchable.
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June 9, 2010 - Sometimes
Less Is More
I spent some time sketching the hummingbirds today. This is
my favorite quick gesture drawing. This drawing proves to me
that all it takes is a few strokes in the right place to capture
the essence of your subject.
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June 10, 2010 - Draw
Your Pleasure
"Draw your pleasure, paint your pleasure, and express
your pleasure strongly." ~ Pierre Bonnard
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June 11, 2010 - Another
Hummingbird Drawing
Ok, I'm obsessed. I admit it . . . :-D
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June 12, 2010 - William
Today here's a gesture sketch of my buddy, Willaiam.
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June 13, 2010 - Troll
Doll
I dug out this old troll doll from my basement along with
a bunch of other stuff and decided to draw it today. Here are
four views done as quick gesture sketches.
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June 14, 2010 - Cat
Sketch - Challenge #2
Here's my interpretation of last week's sketching challenge.
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Here also is this week's sketching challenge photo.
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June 15, 2010 - A
Sketch Comes Alive
Today I added some value with a watercolor wash to the sketch
I posted here on Friday. Which one do you like better?
Now license this image through iStock.
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June 18, 2010 - Antique
Sailor Bank
This drawing is of a vintage bank I found in the basement.
You can see a photo of it in my first post here this summer.
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June 19, 2010 - Rushing
Mountain Stream
I spent a good part of the day going through some photos of
Colorado that I took last July, so I decided to draw from one
of my favorites for you tonight. Here's the first two steps of
my sketching system done in pencil. I'll add the wash tomorrow.
I'm thinking of posting a Colorado shot for our next challenge.
Anybody interested?
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June 20, 2010 - Rocky
Mountain Stream Sketch Completed
Here's a finish wash on yesterday's pencil sketch.
And . . . our sketching challenge photo for this week.
I hope a few of you will give it a try! I will post my interpretation
of last week's ostrich challenge photo tomorrow. Happy Father's
Day to all you dads!
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June 21, 2010 - Ostrich
Here's the first two steps of the ostrich challenge sketch.
I've got company visiting so I'll finish this up tomorrow.
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June 22, 2010 - Finished
Ostrich Sketch
Here's a finish wash on yesterday's pencil sketch and our
sketching challenge photo for this week. I hope a few of you
will give it a try! I will post my interpretation of last week's
ostrich challenge photo tomorrow. Happy Father's Day to all you
dads!
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June 23, 2010 - Elephant
My friend, Lee Gates, is a real elephant lover. It's her birthday
today, so this drawing was done for her. Happy Birthday Lee and
Happy Birthday Week!
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June 24, 2010 - Blind
Contour Exercise
Here's another Blind Contour Drawing. This one was done today
from a little wooden Wren bird carving.
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June 25, 2010 - Another
Blind Contour
I love this exercise. Today here's another blind contour drawing
of the same bird carving I sketched yesterday. When drawing from
life, it's important to keep a consistent eye position so that
your perspective and drawing angle do not change. See more about
Blind
Contour here.
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June 26, 2010 - Just
For Fun!
This color sketch was inspired by a little stained glass sun
catcher that I have hanging over my kitchen sink. I opened my
paint palette yesterday to give it a misting and starting thinking
that I'd like to do some sketching in color again. I've been
thinking a lot about SHAPES lately this month, ever since I started
up Drawing Everyday again. When I saw that hummingbird hanging
there today, I knew I had to just have my way with it. What fun!
If you are thinking that you'd like to try a real easy one, give
copying this a shot!
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June 27, 2010 - Outhouse
Challenge Sketch
Here's my drawing from last week's sketching challenge photo.
I've simplified the scene and used some artistic license with
the colors of the outhouse. Like all my sketches, it was done on regular drawing
paper. I like an 11" x 14" or 9" x 12"
Strathmore 300 series drawing pad. You can see the one I recommend
on my brand new page "Sketching
On Location".
Tip Of The Day: I have just started putting a piece
of watercolor paper behind the sheet that I'm working on. It
prevents the wrinkling of the sheets underneath from the moisture.
For our New Sketching Challenge,
I'm posting another photo taken last July while on vacation in
Crested Butte Colorado.
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June 28, 2010 - Two
Minute Gestures
Here are four two minute gesture drawings of a Cardinal figurine.
This is a great exercise. After each two minutes is up, turn
the object 1/4 turn. You can accomplish a lot in a very short
time this way.
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| June 29, 2010 - More Two Minute Gestures! |
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June 30, 2010 - Colorful
Cardinals
Today I had fun with the Cardinal gestures I posted on Monday.
I played with a variety of colors and just let things happen.
If you try this practice, you'll find it yields many benefits.
When you are doing an actual painting, you will have more confidence
from your sketching experiences which will result in a freer
more flowing piece.
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