Adding to the Apples

I've added an apple and then tried to add a shadow. The shadow definitely needs work. I don't know if I should add a bit of color to it? I used a gunmetal gray pencil thinking that would be a good shadow color, but now wonder if I should have used something else instead. Also I don't seem to have made a smooth transition between the darker part close to the apples and the lighter part farther away.

Here it is for now, still a work in progress:

I need to take some time today to watch the WC Pencil Class videos from the beginning and do each assignment in order so that I may actually get better at what I am doing. I will share my assignments as I do them.

For now I need to get a bite to eat and pick up the house a bit. We had the girls this weekend, so I didn't get much done in the housework department, and I still need to unpack from my stay at my Mom's.

Meanwhile, I am quite excited on account of my great discovery of a Cheap Joe's art class in Holland later this summer. My sister in law and I have signed up and are eagerly awaiting it. You can find out about it here.

xoxo

Colored Pencil Apple

One day while Mom was here, I ran into Michael's to get a set of 24 watercolor pencils that were 50% off and I decided to try them.

I drew an apple and then used a few layers to color it. I didn't add water.

I want to add another apple or two and it definitely needs a bit of shadow to ground it.  For now, I am not totally displeased with it, but hope to make it better as I go. It looks a bit rough around the edges, too.

Today, I need to go into town to do a bit of grocery shopping and promised my daughter that I would bring her a bowl of homemade chicken soup for lunch. I still need to wash my car, too.

I'm hoping to have a great day and hope the same for you.

xoxo

Giveaway At Norah's

There is a woman online whom I've admired for a long time. She is now doing online classes and is giving away a chance to win a spot in it. The class is called "Faces in Technicolor" and the instructor's name is Sharon Tomlinson.

If you already know Sharon, you will definitely want to take this class and if you somehow don't know her, go here to find out more.

I'm sure you will want to follow her blog and probably take a class.

xoxo

A Quick Sketch

In my attempt to do some art everyday, I have done a quick sketch of a picture I found in a book called Madonna with Cat. I don't remember what book I found it in, but I had a good time with it. I am trying very hard to do "gesture" sketching to get a quick likeness so that when I get up the courage to sketch in public, I may actually get something.

Here is my quick attempt:

And here is the print whose essence I was trying to capture:

Somehow I came home with my Mom's handicap parking permit so I have to run to the post office to send it back. Also, my Mom lives on a gravel road and my car is filthy, so I think I will run through a car wash while I am out.

I am tutoring this afternoon and am looking forward to that. 

I can't believe how busy I am already. I have the first grader tomorrow after school just for a little while and then have her and her 2 year old sister on Saturday and Sunday. I have a haircut Monday morning and am tutoring on Tuesday afternoon - and somehow I am starting a part time job next week also.

Loving this life!

xoxo

I'm Finally Home for the Summer

and hoping to get into a routine where I can set aside a couple of hours a day to devote to art. I just did a quick sketch of an oriole to "get my feet wet". Funny how difficult it seems to just put a pencil to paper after such a long hiatus.

It is not really very good, but I think you can tell it is a bird .

And here is a picture of my Mom reading with Morgan. It was so special to have the girls really get to know their great grandmother. They just called her Grandma, as they call me Nana.

They had big fun together. 

I've really missed my routine and my art, but surely did treasure this special time with Mom. She is a very special lady.

xoxo