Tag: drawing

Chillaxing…

Chillaxing
Graphite on Bristol Smooth

This was fun! I don’t draw very many cats so I thought this would be a good practice. And it was. I love the prospective. White fur is still a challenge and it certainly doesn’t photograph well for the novice photographer, but I like it. Very relaxing to draw.

What you don’t see in this photo is the big big boo boo I made. When I started this piece I had the bright idea to put tape in the margins so I wouldn’t have to do a lot of erasing at the end. I could have used masking or painter’s tape and that would have been the smart thing to do….BUT NOOOOOOOOO….I thought it would be a good idea to use some cute washi that I had on hand. Big Mistake. I could remove all of the washi, in areas the paper is ripped, and I have an adhesive residue in other areas…..So take a lesson from me, Do not use washi on Bristol Smooth paper, lol

I hope this finds you chillaxing and enjoying these warmer days.

Thanks for the memories….

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Commission
Graphite on Bristol Smooth

    Hello! In my part of Virginia the weather is getting cooler and the holidays are approaching.  I have friends that have started decorating their homes for Christmas.  Usually, I am one of those type of people that thinks that you should enjoy one holiday at a time…but this year?  This year I get it.  These are crazy times in the U.S. and the world in general.  We need something that brings a little love and happiness, even if its only in our homes.
Kind of sad really but as unpleasant as it is, Unfortunately, that is where we are at this point and I’m going to do a lot of praying.

About the drawing
This was a commission that a Realtor asked me to draw this home as a closing gift for her Sellers.  Of course, I was happy to oblige:)  Both of them were very happy which is always a relief. This was pretty cool to draw and was a nice stretch to the skills.

Be Well and Happy!
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The Wise….

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Graphite on Bristol Smooth

This pooch looks very wise and well acquainted with the ways of the world….Like the Yoda of dogs, lol.  It wasn’t the easiest to render but I think this will go down to be one of my favorites.  The process was so much fun, all shaggy hair!  And I bet where ever he is, his belly is full of turkey 🙂

Do you have your tree up?

The holidays are approaching.  I can’t say that it completely snuck up on me as I have been seeing Christmas stuff since Back to School shopping.  IMO, it is a little much.  So, While everyone is doing their Black Friday shopping, I am going to spend the day in my PJ’s and in the studio 🙂

How are you spending Black Friday?

Be Well and Happy!

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Hi!

WIP
Graphite on Bristol Smooth

Things here are going pretty well.  Work has kept me pretty busy, but I found this old drawing that I set aside and I have been working on it on and off.   It feels  pretty great drawing and I found it much easier to leave it out handy and work on it when I can steal a few minutes here and there.

I’m not complaining….A little time is better than nothing!  And today is an on day!

So……I have the Hallmark Channel, homemade chicken ‘n dumplings on the stove and my drawing….what’s to complain about.

So, my question for you is:
How often are you able to work on your art?

Be Well and Happy!
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What’s in my bag…

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I like to read blogs and watch videos about what art supplies that artists like to take with them on the go.  So, I thought I would throw in my two cents and show you what I bring with me on road trips.  Even if I am driving, I still like to bring these items with me because you will never know when the mood will strike to create something.   I will admit that this isn’t too exciting, but for now it is everything that I need or want to bring…minus the snacks of course 🙂

I still have a love/hate relationship with watercolor at the moment but I am hardheaded so of course I have a few supplies to curse at while I’m on a trip.

Strathmore Watercolor Pad

Water Brush

Winsor & Newton-12 half pan travel set

My first love….Drawing….can’t forget that!

Casemate Sketch Diary-

General’s Kneaded Eraser

Black Pearl Eraser

Faber Castell Pencils – HB, 2H, B, 2B, 4B

Faber Castell Typewriter Eraser

Blending Stumps

Click Eraser

Pen Mate Duo Expert Lead Pencil

Kol-I-Noor – 24 Color Woodless Pencils – (Artist quality pencils are too fragile for me to bring along. They would probably be okay but I don’t want to risk it.)

 Years ago I use to be into calligraphy.  Modern and Brush Calligraphy has really caught my eye….So, have been playing around with that as well.  I may want to Zentangle too.

U:create Smooth Paper

Speedball Calligraphy Set

Tom Bow Brush Pen – hard

Tom Bow Duo Brush Pen

Sukura Brush Pen

Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen

Pencil Case- Made for me by SIL Vicki Welsh (isn’t it pretty)

Not pictured that I will usually bring is:

*travel pencil sharpener

*a couple of paper towels

And I can’t forget my kindle and a bit of knitting.

It seems like a lot of projects to bring a long and I may not touch a bit of it but it is there if the inclination hits me.  Its better to have it and not want it than to want it and not have it, lol

So what do you bring along with you on trips?  What are your must haves?

Be Well and Happy!

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My <3 Belongs to Brody…

Brody 2014

Brody

Graphite on Bristol Smooth

Yes, I’m in love…Sorry David, but I am…

     Over the weekend we took the opportunity to deliver this housewarming portrait to our nephew and his girlfriend.  And this sweet four-legged fur baby met us the door.  Brody licked my face, laid his head in my lap and just let me rub and love on him as long as I wanted.  He is just precious as could be and (sorry guys) but if I could have slipped him out with no one noticing I would have dog napped him.

We also got to hang out awhile and have dinner together. We had a very good time.   On the way home we could get over the fact that they remind us a lot of ourselves back in the day.  Well except for they are smarter, prettier and more successful, but I can see many great things in stored for  them.  Anyhoo, They seemed to like the portrait, so that’s a good thing too 🙂

Well, since I didn’t post anything Friday, here is my sketch.  I love my erasers and I spend as much time drawing with an eraser as I do a pencil.  This was a quick sketch so it isn’t very detailed, but I suppose it is much better than a staple, lol

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Be Well and Happy!

Friday Sketch…

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Draw the office supply that you find  you can’t live without?

     This is a staple.  It may seem like a cheat, but this little guy has saved my butt on so many occasions at home and on the job. And the lack of using a staple has also on occasion made me scream, “Why! Oh Why! didn’t I take the time to staple my pages together”! lol   I was going to draw a staple gun, but the gun is just a vessel, and during the times I had to search for 3 out of 10 pages, it was mostly due to the stapler being empty and I was too lazy to fill it back up.

     On the home front, this is the last week Alana will be home for a few months as her new adventure begins in college.  Luckily, it has been too hectic for self-analysis, but as I type this, I really don’t know how I feel.   On the one hand, I’m so proud and excited for her that I could burst.  But on the other….she’s my baby and when I’m 80 she will still be my baby.

     Lots of changes…Lots of uncertainties and lots of praying and that is my only certainty. Okay, this is too much reality for me, so I am going to end my post here. Have a great weekend!

 Drawing Prompt

Draw the art supply that you find you can’t live without.

Be Well and Happy!

What is sketching?

Sketching is quick drawing and/or painting studies.  Oftentimes, artists uses thumbnail (miniature) sketches before beginning larger works. This enables the artist to make adjustments in perspective, design, color and cohesiveness before beginning larger works.  Sketching is also practiced for relaxation, introduction to new mediums and as well as for someone who wants to learn to draw.  So, it stands to reason that a sketch book is a collection of all that has been mentioned above.

There is some debate in the art community whether graphite drawing is considered a legitimate medium.  Some believe that drawing falls under the sketching category, while others believe that drawing should receive the same accolades presented to other mediums.   Myself?  If you want to make me good and mad?  Tell me a drawing that I have 80 hours invested in is a nice sketch and I will go from zero to wolverine with no stops in between.   But I digress…

If you want to start sketching, the most important question you should be asking yourself and thinking about is what medium are you going to use in your sketchbook?

Will you be using dry mediums?  Such as:

 graphite?

colored pencil?

ink?

charcoal?

pastel?

Or will you use wet mediums? Such as:

watercolor?

qouache ?

I would not recommend oil or acrylic.  The drying time for oil and acrylic takes too long.  You may be able to use acrylic, if it is used as a wash and you have a spiral bound sketch book that can lay completely flat.  Acrylic can take up to an hour to dry so be aware….

Whatever medium you choose will have a great bearing on what type of sketchbook that you would need to purchase.

So, I guess that is where I am going to leave today…In contemplation…

Be Well and Happy!

To sketch or Not to sketch?

Yep, that’s my question.

I was creeping in on a discussion from a popular artist in one of my online groups.  The short version of this discussion was that she was informally accepted in a Gallery, but they wanted or needed to see her sketch books.  WTW, sketch books?  I don’t keep sketch books!  How do you keep a sketch book?  The poor woman was coming unglued.  Of course, their were lovely people a plenty on hand to help her in her hour of need.  But it got me thinking.  I wonder how many artists out there keep a working, bona fide sketch book?  I use to keep sketch books a long time ago, but not in years have I sat down and intentionally sketched for the sake of sketching.  And I couldn’t find them now if my life depended on it.

Have you ever kept a sketch book?

Do you keep a sketch book now?

Would it be a prudent move in your career to start keeping a sketch book?

I’m thinking that it’s a definite yes!  You and I should!

Don’t get me wrong, I draw and paint because the desire to do so is there.  But Come On, I’m not an idiot, LOL  And if by chance, in my wildest dreams a Gallery approaches me, I want to be ready!  And if not, then we will have some awesome coffee table books 🙂

I think I am going to dedicate at least couple of posts to this very subject…I’m a little rusty, but I am more than willing and happy to share what I know.

AND If you are subscribed to this blog and have always wanted to learn to draw but can’t?  This would be especially helpful for you 🙂

Be Well and Happy!

Happy 2014!

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“Lola”

Graphite on Bristol Smooth

I hope this post finds everyone excited for the new year.  I know there are a lot of exciting things happening this year in the Ottaway household.  So much so, that I don’t think I could handle making any resolutions let alone keep them.  I hope times are as good as I anticipate them to be,  though they may become a little bittersweet.

Above is a commissioned piece that I completed over the holidays.  Sadly, this lovely girl has crossed over the rainbow bridge.    But you can tell she was probably a rambunctious little priss pot and spoiled rotten by her owner, lol

Not a whole lot going on right now to blog about.  I have been spending my time like everyone else. I ate so much food that my jeans are tight and the thread is screaming.  I watched  a copious amount of Hallmark movies. I enjoyed a lot quality time with my loves (more than they would have liked) , and A LOT of time spent in my P.J.s.  That’s pretty much it.

I have a few things planned for my blog, so stay tuned!

Be Well and Happy!