First Sketches of the New Year

I'm up early and ready for the day this morning. It is very cold and the roads are snow covered so I am happy to stay indoors and work play a bit. The first thing I did this morning was to try the 30-second option at Posemaniacs. Too little time and this poor woman looks a bit bumpy and quite large in the bottom, but it did help to loosen me up for the face I found on Google Images.

I took a day off from the treadmill yesterday and am anxious to get on it today. I am hoping to jog for 45 minutes to an hour. 

I had Miss Z overnight on New Year's Eve and managed to get a few pix to share. She is changing so rapidly and is starting to make recognizable sounds. I am convinced she says "thank you" when you give her something, and she said "Nana" a couple of times. I'm not sure that is what she was trying to say, but I loved it anyway.

She is "hugging" the baby in the book and making the appropriate "awww" sound.

She has a big personality.

She is growing up way too fast.

I still haven't received the wonderful art that I am planning to have a drawing for, but this time of year the post is slow and especially when it is coming from overseas. I will give a hint - think Andrea Joseph!! I'm getting anxious to see this treasure in person and will post a picture and announce the giveaway rules as soon as I receive it.

I'm just on my first mug of coffee and need to get this day started. I am hoping to spend a bit of time each day doing some kind of art this year and hope you are finding time also.

Happy New Year!!

xoxo

Forgetful Friday

As I sit down to write this post, I remember it is Blind Contour Friday. If it was my usual Friday and I remembered before posting, I would just wait a bit to post and try one first. But I have an appointment this morning and so will post now. Maybe I will post twice today. There is no law against it that I know.

Anyway, I finally sketched a bit. I didn't make a book yesterday, but I did sketch a couple of things. I found a lovely picture of a young girl in my file of things to draw and using Art Rage Studio I attempted to sketch her. I am quite happy with the sketch, but really need to spend time with the program before I attempt to paint her. When I get to that level with the program, I will bring her back in color.

If you click on her, you should be able to see it better.

The nose and mouth are not quite right, but I think I've captured her pretty well otherwise.

I started a pencil sketching class on Ning with Monica Zuniga, an artist whose work I've admired for awhile. I am unable to download the videos until I get to a coffee shop because HughesNet will cut me off for 24 hours if I go over my limit. But I did work a bit on an eye and have it to show to you.

I think it needs more work, but I'm pleased so far.

I need to get in the shower and get ready for this early morning appointment. I will do my best to attempt a blind contour later in the day and will post it for your amusement viewing pleasure.

Until then, I hope you have a warm and lovely day.

xoxo

Photo of the Day, EDM #18, Sketching and Mail Art

I love the "hum" of the tree toads in the evening, but have never seen one up close up. One year we had one living in a wren house, but all I ever saw was the very front edge of it's face. Yesterday, the hubster called me out on the deck to see this little guy. Isn't he the cutest?

The brown "tail" behind him is a dried leaf.

I am finally getting back into the sketchbook that I originally dedicated to the EDM challenges. I actually wrote each of the challenges in order in it. Here is my attempt at #18 "view from a window".

This was drawn using a black Staedtler Triplus fineliner.

I also tried to sketch my great niece whose photo I posted last week. I think it looks a bit like her, but I really need to practice more.

I also wanted to show you the beautiful card I received in the mail from my online arty friend, Alex. It is absolutely beautiful. If you don't know Alex, you should definitely pay him a visit and add him to your list of favorite blogs.

I so love getting art in the mail. I also have an online friend in Las Vegas who sent me a lovely package of watercolor magazines of which she had duplicates. She doesn't have a blog or I would give you a link to it. I truly have some wonderful friends here.

I have a busy day today and can't wait to get started. I need to have a bit of breakfast, get on the treadmill, shower, grocery shop, check out the Zumba class at Sarah Vaughn's School of Dance, and I have my first three hour watercolor class in Jackson tonight. I am anxious in a good way, but quite nervous because of my lack of knowledge and/or skill in watercolor. Of course, why else would I pay for lessons??

I can't wait to tell you all about it tomorrow!

xoxo