Graphite on Bristol Smooth
Photo by khemosabi2
Another kitty practice. I don’t like this as well as the other two, but it’s still kinda cute and cuddly. I really like the eyes and the nose, but I definitely need more practice.
Tabby
Graphite on Bristol Smooth
Photo by Sussu
This is my second attempt at drawing a cat. Again, I choose another difficult composition. They make the most interesting artwork, but it definitely makes it more difficult.
I guess you are wondering why I am drawing so many animals. Well, one reason is that I have discovered an amazing author and artist. She is so good that I bought four of her books. What makes her even more incredible to me is that she even works in the same mediums that I finally decided to focus on which is graphite, colored pencil and acrylic. I think she has written at least sixteen books and although I only have four of them I will have the rest before all is said and done.
The second reason is that I just enjoy drawing animals, dogs especially.
On an unrelated note: Here in my neck of the woods it is suppose to be raining and it did a little early this morning. But now we have clear skies, and 76 degree weather!
COME ON SPRING!!!!!!
Tonkinese Kitten
Graphite on Bristol Smooth
Photo taken by Crias
This is my first attempt at drawing a cat. The Tonkinese breed is a crossbreed of Siamese and Burmese. And that’s all I know on that subject. I think it’s kinda cute, but it definitely doesn’t do the photo justice. I was surprised how difficult and how different it was from drawing dogs. It doesn’t help that I choose difficult poses to capture.
Beagle pup…
Graphite on Bristol Smooth
Beagle photo by true blue (Wet Canvas)
How cute is this little guy or girl. I know, very! As you can tell I’m still drawing dogs. Practice! Practice! Practice!
Well, other than this puppy, there is nothing to report. Should be a good weekend with warm weather. David comes home tomorrow and I’m very excited. He’s been gone for two weeks for work. After all these years, I still get those butterflies…. I know Gross and TMI. He doesn’t read my blog, so for goodness sake don’t tell him, his head will swell!
Have a great weekend!
Crochet Jewelry
My project for the day was learning to crochet and add beads to wire. If I must say, not too shabby for my first attempt. I like this necklace alot. I think I want to make one for myself. Maybe use copper wire and add natural stone chips. I got the pattern from auntiebeads.com. They have great videos with clear simple directions. I wish I could link you to the page (but I don’t know how)
I am really trying to use the beads that I already have on hand, but it’s getting harder to come up with ideas with my 6 pounds of glass beads and not one matches. The bead books doesn’t help much, it just makes me want to buy more beads. But thank goodness for seed beads and polymer clay!
German Shepherd Part 2
Caran d’Ache Colored Pencil on drafting film
EDM# 118 Draw hair or something with hair
( Cropped from a photo taken by mural-artist)
I just love drawing dogs. I made a list of all the dogs that I want to draw. Why? I think it’s the fur that attracts me. When I do all those monotonous strokes I just go into a trance like state. I guess it hypnotizes me because I am always left relaxed and calm.
This is my second attempt in using drafting film. The first time I was struggling and it didn’t turned out the way I wanted it to look. This time… much better. I didn’t have any trouble aside for the normal complications that I would have had anyway. And I am very happy with the results. I love it when a plan comes together!
German Shepherd
Graphite on Smooth Bristol (cropped from a photo taken by mural-artist from Wet Canvas)
This is one mean looking dog. You can almost see him gearin’ up to take a chunk out someone’s hind end, can’t ya! At first, I meant only to sketch him for colored pencil practice, but after I got started on that fur….I just couldn’t help myself. I ended up completing a full fledged drawing. I did make adjustments to nose after I uploaded this image, but that was the only problem that come up. I love this drawing and I can’t wait to get him started in colored pencil.
More Jewelry…
These are the last two pieces that I completed. The necklace on the bottom right is a polymer necklace. The doughnut and the blue beads are handmade. The jewelry party went pretty good, but most importantly is that we all had such a good time. I never did make any earrings, but I will make up for that (eventually).
I was going to post this yesterday but I had a sick baby girl that needed to be spoiled with extra attention. We piled in my bed for just about the whole day. She watched TV in a medicated state and I got some drawing in. By 8:00 that night she tied a circle thingie to the top of the bed, balled paper balls and started shooting hoops. I knew then that she was well enough to go to school today. She never did have a fever or anything like that, I really don’t know what her ailment was. I told you, we’ve become a sickly bunch this winter. But hopefully winter will be over soon and spring will be around the corner. Yeah, right!
Sparklies……
CLICK ON PHOTO ENLARGE
Well, This what I’ve been up too for the last week or so…beading…and lots of it! I’ve been beading for about twelve hours a day. It seems like a lot of pieces for just a hobby, doesn’t it? This time it wasn’t just for the fun of it. My friend and I are hosting an artisan jewelry party, and I’m very excited. We both love to paint and bead and have so many beads that we didn’t know what to do with them. So we decided that since we get conned into so many jewelry parties, we would bead like crazy and have our own party. We don’t expect to get rich, although it would be nice. But it’s fair to assume that we well at least make a little extra money to support our hobby.
The prices will be more than affordable so I have no fear that they will sell, and there is always craft fairs to think about. The great thing about beading these was that I had almost everything on hand. The only thing I had to buy were toggle clasps, crimps, and more tiger wire.
I love how everything turned out. The large bead necklaces are really beautiful. The wire wrapped glass you have already seen, but I beaded instead of using cord. The hook thingies is really some kind of tool, but I thought they would make cool bookmarks. Then there is the little cell phone/zipper charms. I like the key chains too. But the beaded candle holders? I don’t think that I will do any more of those. The wire that I used was so fine that I cut myself all to pieces! I tried gloves, but they were too bulky, and it just isn’t worth it to me unless I find another way to wrap.
I have a couple more pieces that I will post later. I didn’t get them completed until I uploaded these pictures. One thing that you don’t see is earrings. I completely forgot about those. If I have time I will be making those also. I think after this is over I am going to take a break to do some drawing and painting. Well, I want too anyway. I miss it! I haven’t drawn in two weeks. Maybe if I was a better multitasker and could have gotten some drawing in, but my brain doesn’t function that way. Yep, I’m the type that can’t do laundry and clean at the same time. It’s either/or with me. (Or sometimes neither)
Valentine’s Day Card
This is a Valentine that I made for Alana. I made David one too. There wasn’t much to his though. I found a quote and I wrote it in calligraphy on a card with some hearts. I thought it was a beautiful quote and being that it was straight forward and not as dramatic as most cards seem to be, I thought he’d get it and appreciate the fact that it wasn’t mushy. I think he liked it. (I still don’t think he got it though) and Alana loved hers.
I had planned some time back to do some candy ACEO’s for Valentine’s Day. But my two Valentine’s Day cards were about it. I was sick for about a week and I thought I may have gotten a stomach virus, but there were two obvious symptoms that I won’t name that you could probably guess that I didn’t have. I was just weak and nauseous and I couldn’t eat. But it left as mysterious as it came. I don’t know what it was. I thought when you quit smoking this new healthy and energetic person would emerge, but heck, I have been sick ever since with something and I am pretty sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I told David if it kept on I was going to start back.
Last week I switched gears and did a lot of beading that I will probably post tomorrow. It’s a nice change from drawing. I think it’s good to have more that one hobby even though it isn’t too good for your pocketbook.
Well, the dryer is buzzing. So that’s a little clue of what is in store for me today. Oh, Joy!
Carol Ottaway 