Archive for December, 2009
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Just a quickie sketch of the train under our Christmas tree. In another couple of days it’ll be gone until next year.
My preliminary goals for 2010 are:
- Draw more. In 2009, I only managed to draw a couple times per week — maybe not even that if you average it out. I firmly believe that getting better at drawing and painting is largely a matter of practice; so if I want to get better, there is no way around this.
- Draw more people. I have steadfastly avoided drawing people as much as I could. At some point, though, you realize that drawing people well is something you need to learn to do. 2010 is the year I start down that road.
- Rely less on line, and more on areas of tone/color. I have a tendency to outline everything, then fill in the areas like a coloring book. Sometimes, this is a nice effect; but I rely on it too often. Time to change my approach.
- Do some finished pieces. So far, my portfolio is almost entirely comprised of drawings and paintings in my sketchbooks. Time to do something worthy of hanging on the wall (or at least, on the fridge).
Well, goodbye 2009. You were a good year (artistically speaking). I feel like I did get a little bit better, and I had a heck of a good time. I can’t wait to see what your baby brother brings.
Posted in Graphite, Planes, Trains and Automobiles | 4 Comments »
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
After my experience drawing someone in constant motion, I moved on to a more stationary subject. Again, the likeness is not quite there, but at least I am starting to gain a little confidence.
And for those of you wondering, those glowing orbs above my subject are Christmas ornaments hanging on the tree behind his chair.
Posted in Graphite, People | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
This is my nephew. He’s doing what most kids his age do on Christmas morning – playing video games.
It’s not a very good likeness, but I was more interested in capturing the shape of his body. Even that was more difficult than I expected; turns out, he’s a very active gamer. Don’t let anyone tell you playing video games isn’t exercise. He didn’t stop moving the for more than a few seconds at a time. Maybe next time, I should just snap a photo and draw from that.
Posted in Graphite, People | 1 Comment »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009

This mountain bluebird is my entry for Everyday Matters challenge #125: draw a bird.
Drawn from a photograph in the book Born Wild by Henry H. Holdsworth; a photo book of young animals in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Posted in Animals, Everyday Matters, Ink, Nature | 9 Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
Drawn while waiting to get my own hair cut. This one was particularly tricky because the barber never stopped moving from one side of the chair to the other.
Posted in Graphite, People | 6 Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
I finished my work a little earlier than some of the others, so I drew a classmate while I waited for the critique to start. I’m still not 100% comfortable drawing people, but I’m getting there.
Posted in Graphite, People | 2 Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
Drawn during a short break at drawing class.
Posted in Everyday Matters, Ink | No Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
A simple, scribbly sketch while waiting for drawing class to start.
Posted in Everyday Matters, Ink | No Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
A 1-minute pencil study for a barn that will be going into a larger finished work.
Posted in Graphite, Urban Sketching | No Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
A 15-minute sketch from my trip to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
Posted in Graphite, Urban Sketching | No Comments »