Wabbitt's Sketch Blog

More?

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's not acrylic. Oil pastel very quickly, I think it shows. Maybe a future mola? I don't know, I've had a couple weeks off the side job and four days off the day job. I'm finally feeling

mentally relaxed which helps the art to flow. It is done in a sketchbook that has only a few pages left (2010 art goal) .

Mola #3

2012-01-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

I was on a roll last night. Acrylic on 9x12 inch cardboard off one of the pads of paper I actually finished last year.
Edit: picture update to make it look less like a yellow brick road.
Edit2: picture disappeared!

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

I had time! I used it to paint another mola attempt. Not yet true to the style but it's getting there. I do like how the panda turned out. 8x10 inch acrylic on watercolor paper mounted on--I think it was a book cover in a previous life.

Almost forgot, 2012new years resolution: Very simply, use up as much acrylic paint as possible. The goal post is actually to get to a point where I have only Golden Opens and Golden Fluid acrylics.

As for last year's goals, I only finished one sketchbook. I closed out several writing journals, but I only count one sketchbook. So if I use up as much acrylic paint as I can, the sketchbooks and paper accumulation will take care of themselves.

Smooshing paint

2011-12-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

Except for my vacation time, I've been too busy this year to sketch or work on art. The lack of creativity has been frustrating when I have had time. Does anyone actually read these shareholder updates that the companies are required to send? I found a new use for them! I'm scribbling in them. Since it's something I'd throw away anyway, they're less precious than sketchbooks or pads that I spent money on (even if I only paid $1 for the pad.) I will throw them away when I'm done.

It's time again to make decisions on my 401k. All these funds feels like throwing money into a black hole. I'm really good at my job but these financial things might as well be printed in Greek for all I understand of it. I have seen an advisor--then it's like Greek translated into Korean and when it gets back to English, the original meaning is lost so the information is still useless to me.

I have a pad at work next to my keyboard. When I have trouble focusing, I doodle on the pad. Sometimes it looks like zentangles, mostly it looks like a to-do list with little sketches inserted between the blocks I cross off. I think I have panda on the brain. Lately I've been drawing pandas.

PS: Jo, thanks for visiting. Congrats on the new house.

Mola #1

2011-10-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

My first Panama inspired art, in the style of the Kuna natives of Panama. There's lots wrong with it that someone familiar with it would see it's not done by someone who knows anything about their style, but it's just the first of my series. This is acrylic in my (#10) 12x12 mom-made sketchbook of old, non-archival paper that's already going brown and crispy.

Sketchcrawl day on the Panama Canal

2011-10-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Hehe, not much to sketch on the Panama Canal. Most of the time you're just surrounded by walls. I transited through all the chambers, all the way from the Atlantic side to the Pacific Ocean. The cruise ship only went through the Gatun Locks, I hopped (literally) onto a smaller boat to complete the transit all the way through the Pedro Miguel locks and Mira Flores locks. We went back to the ship on a bus.

I sprained my knee on the Panama Canal, thus the hopping. I was passing though the seats and someone didn't pull their legs in and I tripped over their shoes. I didn't fall, I caught myself but twisted my knee. I hopped straight to the drink cooler and grabbed a chunk of ice. Mom brought an elastic bandage I could use for compression, and I kept it elevated whenever possible. The only thing I didn't do was stay off of it because we got back to to boat late, then had an early excursion the next day. I happened to have an accupuncture appointment for that (Panama) evening (for my back) and she did sort of an accupuncture first aid on the knee. Don't know if it works but between that and the herbal oil/gel she sold me, it's healing pretty fast after the knee popped back into place two days later. Anyway, it kind of killed my mobility for moving into places where I could sketch my trip, so I'll be sketching from my photos.

Lizard Lips

2011-09-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

Same reference as last post. ATC size in my (home made) fanfold canson paper sketchbook. My gooseneck lamp finally died, I declared it dangerous after it blew up two lightbulbs: Here is my last drawing of it, I've done it many times for scavenger hunt. It has served me well. I had to pull out the electrical parts so that Mom (who can't throw anything away, I did try) won't blow up any lightbulbs or blow the house fuses.

First 2011 goal

2011-08-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yay, finished one of the sketchbooks on my list, the 4x6 inch aquabee. Actually I've also put away two others, but they were writing journals that are more private and I don't usually put up on the web. I think this is Sketchbook #12 in my list of completed sketchbooks. I did actually do several more sketches. I tried to collage them in photoshop but that ended in frustration for lack of time. Mom came in and started demanding more of my time while I was working on it.

Dizzy Lizzy

2011-07-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to be working on a lesson plan. I'd rather paint. 24 hours later, I'd still rather do art, no progress on that lesson plan. Acrylic paint on 11x14 hardboard. This is only as much as fit in the scanner. Reference from gourdburner on wetcanvas.

WDE pelican

2011-06-18T21:25:00.000-07:00

Something from this week's WDE references. I haven't done WDE for over a year. Acrylic in the 4x6 inch Aquabee. I'm really happy with it considering I don't have black paint with me. I probably won't be uploading this to Wetcanvas, no time to comment on the other WDE work. I think that means I'm relaxed if I can crank out art as easily as I'm doing this weekend.

Edit: Improved some things, better scan.

vacation sketches

2011-06-18T15:52:00.000-07:00

View of the living room (also floor lamp & table lamp for scavenger hunt) acrylics in a 6x8 inch watercolor pad. Started as a pen & wash. Then I added watersoluble graphite to darken some areas. It just got all muddied up so I covered it all with acrylic paint.

Mandalay Beach looking toward Ventura. Watersoluble graphite on ATC size watercolor paper. Sketched during my walk on the beach. Resisting the urge to add color, but even though the sun came out, the dominating color was gray. Can't see all the way to Ventura today, can't see the Channel Islands.

How I spent my summer vacation (day)

2011-06-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Driving mom, sitting in parking lots, sketching! This is watercolor & ink in the 4x6 Aquabee.

ATC oil pastels

2011-06-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was away from home last weekend and found myself wanting to sketch but I hadn't brought my sketch kit. (It's been misplaced.) I came home and had an idea to make really small sketchbooks, ATC sized pages, fanfold style. That idea has worked out great because I used Canson Mi-Tientes paper. Not all mediums work well on this paper but it's thin and folds well for fanfold. I found references on Wetcanvas.

Yea, I know I broke composition rules (especially touching the sides), but this is TINY and oil pastel sticks are FAT. I never participated in ATC trades because I'm just not that prolific. It really makes you think about composition. It didn't take long to do these, but now I'm stuck for ideas. I only need 6 more to fill this little book.

I don't have a message

2011-05-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

In my recent "busy-ness" with work, I couldn't relax enough in the down time to draw or create. But with the surplus income, some discounted scrapbooking materials have been finding their way into my art supplies. Cheap stuff, but now I don't know what to do with it. I do take photographs and sometimes I print them, not usually for my self. I don't have a passion to focus on beyond art. Tonight I started cutting out letters for the message I don't have. I don't have patience for cutting, either. That was abandoned after the first letter. I drew some great letters though. This is collage in the 9x12 brown paper sketchbook.

Ruptured

2011-05-31T18:33:00.001-07:00

This is more what I had in mind when I thought of "raptor." Prismacolor Art Stix in the 9x12 brown paper sketchbook. Green is the color I had in mind over the brown of the actual model.

Just Playing

2011-05-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

A bit of imagination. Couple pages from cleaning my palette. OP over acrylic. My imaginary raptor (bird of prey) still looks too much like my ol' parrot. Couple of pages in the brown paper sketchbook, one of the ones on my 2011 art goals list. On 5/21/11 when that old dude predicted the end of the world "rapture", my crazy brain came up with a picture of flock of big old pre-historic birds of prey coming down to snatch up the 200,000 people (or whatever that number was.) Guess the big birds got lost in modern air traffic control.

Sketching again

2011-05-28T21:49:00.001-07:00

Been working night and day on a big (work) project. Finally finished it this week. These are a few things from scavenger hunt. I couldn't relax enough to sketch until today but meanwhile I've been cleaning my acrylic palette and making backgrounds. These are drawn in oil pastel, 6x8 inch sketchbook. I've actually painted 5 pages (different sketchbooks) today on these acrylic backgrounds. I have only 8 pages left in one sketchbook for my first 2011 goal, I must push.

Sketchcrawl #31

2011-04-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

Did a solo sketchcrawl in Ventura with Mom tagging along. Was so hard to get her started but she wanted to come along so badly. Afterwards, we went to get her pictures printed but she was falling asleep at the upload center. Time to take her home.

My left hand and my other left hand

2011-03-20T21:01:00.001-07:00

Something for scavenger hunt, my left hand again. I did the yellow first, then the blue, I guess I was warmed up by the time I did red. Was so quick, anyway. Can't belive the acrylic paints in my palette are still good since October. It's in the 12x12 Mom-made sketchbook, as much as would fit in the scanner. Pity I couldn't turn the picture 90 degrees.

Coffee Pot

2011-02-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

From Wabbitt's Sketch Blog

Substitute for teapot on scavenger hunt #211, this is my coffee pot. Oil pastels over chinese ink background in the 6x8 sketchbook. The chinese ink background was a mistake. Only after I put it down, I realized I can't paint on top of it because the black would contaminate any wet media.

another left hand sketch

2011-02-19T10:59:00.001-08:00

Sketched for scavenger hunt #211. Sharpie extra fine on acrylic background in the Strathmore sketchbook. I've been drawing my left hand alot lately, maybe because I never misplace it.

Scavenger Hunt #110

2011-02-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Some quickie scavenger hunt sketches in Sharpie pen on acrylic background. 6x8 inch Strathmore #1 sketchbook.

Taste of France

2011-02-07T21:12:00.000-08:00

Storefront of the cafe where we had lunch. Very popular place for lunch. I had no regrets, YUM!

Re-scanned my room sketch. Unfortunately no more sketches for the rest of the trip. I had my kit with me for the Botanical Gardens but all those greens intimidated me. I will be sketching or painting from my photos, though.

Zoo Sketches

2011-02-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

Elephant Odessy, water soluble graphite & micron pen in the 6x8 inch sketchbook.

Condor in the 4x6 inch Aquabee, watersoluble graphite. Only 10 more pages to go in this sketchbook.

8 hours at the San Diego Zoo, I only got 4 sketches. I took a ton of pictures until my battery ran down almost an hour to closing. Lots of walking and I still didn't see it all. Too much walking for Mom. I did get to see polar bears and pandas. Missed out on the big cats and monkeys.

On Vacation

2011-01-30T13:46:00.001-08:00

The portable scanner lost some data at the page transition of the double page spread. I was relaxing in the room and I felt like sketching it with a Bic pen in my Pentalic Journal.

Worldwide Sketchcrawl

2011-01-23T13:53:00.001-08:00

I knew I'd have a busy day, so I intended to do Worldwide Sketchcrawl #30 "in spirit." Had a good start 8am at the Navy Base but was too busy to sketch the rest of the day. Drove out to Auntie's house (100 miles) where she immediately put me to work. I've also had her computer for 2 months while she was on vacation because her dial up wasn't working. I had updated windows, virus scanner, etc. from my wifi but never had a chance to work on her dial up because I don't have a phone line. Threw up my hands after 2 hours and went to the local McDonalds to download some drivers. Got it working on my netbook, then got it working on her computer. Got home at 10pm.

I've been wanting to sketch these...

2011-01-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

2 of 3 pen drawings I did in the Strathmore #2 sketchbook. I had looked forward to seeing the boat (1st picture) in Hong Kong but I never did.

1/1/11 I like that date, gotta use it

2011-01-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

I scored a pen set in the after-Christmas sales. It included a fountain pen, which is what I bought it for, and the rest is poor quality crap. I loaded it in the car, put it away to do more shopping, then pulled it out while I waited. It leaked blue ink all over me. Stained my jeans, stained my t-shirt, permanently. So I've been using it as a dip pen and it's working great that way. No fear of leaks, either. It's re-ignited my interest in fountain pens and dip pens so I've pulled out my old nibs, nib holder, and inks to draw and write with. Now there's a black feather topped dip pen calling me from Barnes & Noble. Don't have any room for it at the moment but I'll get one of the cute little bottles of ink next time I'm there.

32 more pages in this sketchbook (Strathmore #2). I started the 12 days of Christmas challenge and gave up after day 4. Never intended to post it unless I actually finished the challenge, oh well.

2011 Art goals

2010-12-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

I know it's early, but I just decided what I want to do. 2010 is almost finished and I didn't have much drive or strive this year, so I'm going to kick it into gear for 2011. My goal: to finish up the following sketchbooks...

Aquabee 4x6 inch, only 13 pages left. I started it on 6/15/2007.
Homemade sketchbook, 6x8.5 inch. About a dozen pages left of pastel paper. Started 8/11/2009.
Canson watercolor, 6x8 inch. 12 pages left. First sketch was 9/4/2009.
Strathmore WetMedia, 9x12 inch. 20 of 30 pages left (actually 10 pages, front & back.) First sketch is dated 8/23/2009.
Moleskine Cahier, 5x8 inch. I am exactly at the half-way fold. Started as my notebook for an art class 1/7/2008.
Strathmore Drawing #1, 6x8 inch, 41 pages left (that's 20, front & back.) First sketch is dated 3/26/09. I used to keep this one in my desk at work. Then when I got laid off, it just sat in the box of personal stuff that I took home on my last day. I couldn't bear to go through it until I started needing stuff again when I found a job.
Strathmore Drawing #2, 6.8 inch. Also about 40 pages left. First sketch was 4/9/10. I knew where the other was but one day I found myself in an art shop to cheer up and I found a deal on Prisma Art Stix. I bought the sketchpad have something to scribble in with the new art stix.
Pentalic 6x8 leather journal. Started 2/3/08 with sketches from Hong Kong. I'm almost exactly half-way through the 1/2 inch thick journal. I found it too big & heavy to carry around every day. Doubtful I'll finish it in 2011 but it's on my list anyway.
Earthbound Cachet, 9x12 inch. Started 6/30/2008. I'd guess I've used about 1/3 of the sketchbook. That's alot of sketches to fill this one up.
Homemade by Mom, 12x12 inch. Old, decaying, crispy crunchy, very acidic, and getting browner every day. It's over an inch thick and I've used maybe 6 pages so far, only using one side because it won't lay flat. Started in October 2010 for Artsomofo. It's on my list so that I'd have an even 10 items on my list, but it should have priority over the Pentalic and the Earthbound (#8 & 9) journals.

Why? OMG, I bought another sketchbook! I couldn't resist the paper, it's hemp and so soft. I'm determined not to start another sketchbook until I make a big dent in the list, above. Waiting in the wings:

6x11 inch Lama Li hemp sketchbook. I have yet to see what it's good for, but the pages and the cover were irristable.
About 6x11 inch, Pentalic Water Color Journal. Beautiful leather cover, but I really bought it for the paper which feels incredible and stiff so it won't buckle. I rebound it, awefully, trying to get it to lay flat so that I could do a double spread like the Moleskines. Might have to try binding it again.
I started a 4x6 leather covered journal 3/9/2009, exactly at the half-way fold. I think it's listed at Barnes & Nobel with "prayer string." Awesome feel inside and out. I have another one waiting in the wings but it doesn't have the decorative stitching on the cover. This isn't in the first list because it'll return to it when I finish up my current "carry around" notebook in a few months.
& 5. I have A3 & A4 size Moleskine Folios that I only ever intended to use for plein air, hopefully acrylic sketching. It's still meant for plein air, if I ever get a chance again. I have other little Moleskine sketchbooks that aren't listed above. They're designated for trips until I get close to the end. Woudn't want to run out away from home.

Desktop doodling

2010-12-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize it's been over a month since I posted art. I doodled a bunch of stuff on my desk in my 4x6 inch journal that I always carry with a black gel pen. I think it'll fit a couple scavenger hunt items too.

Artsomofo #4

2010-10-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Acrylic in the 12x12 sketchbook. Started out playing with color, then used it as a background for scavenger hunt 197. The "bear hug" picture was from my birthday. Color's off but I just don't have daylight time to take a proper photo, so it's an indoor photo.

Sketchcrawl #29

2010-10-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

It was rainy Saturday. If I hadn't stuff to do, I probably wouldn't have gone out at all. First stop of the day was to Midas to get my truck measured for a head gasket. Then I got a set of fat sharpies and a new box for it. For some reason I've been wanting to draw with fat lines lately.
I drew it over lunch with Mom at a Chinese/fusion restaurant...with the new sharpies.After a few a couple shops, we settled in the a bookstore cafe for my last sketch.

Oh, we did go one more place...Sam's Club to develop some pictures. I didn't sketch there, though. Went home and spent the rest of the day wrestling with wi-fi/computer issues.

Artsomofo #2

2010-10-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

Started out with a rainbow, it turned into sunflowers. I electronically cropped the 12x12 inch original. Acrylics. The picture's not fuzzy, I used a fat brush to paint it.

Chayote Squash

2010-10-03T17:41:00.001-07:00

Like the last post, this is acrylic paints in a 12x12 inch handmade sketchbook Mom made years years ago. It's not great paper, not acid free and it's already yellowed and brittle. I also used it as an item in this week's scavenger hunt.

Scavenger Hunt 194

2010-10-03T17:36:00.001-07:00

An unfinished page with items from Scavenger Hunt 194 at Wetcanvas, hosted by Jeanne. I've been inspired this week. Took a couple days to prepare the squares before I could paint the items in.

Baby Wabbitt

2010-09-07T20:03:00.001-07:00

Mom had me scan pictures from her old photo album that was started before I was born. This is me, maybe a month old, drawn from a 2x3 inch photo to about 4x6 inches in my sketchbook (the other side of the page with the "swinging pig"). I'm eally happy with it, considering I only had a construction pencil (the wide flat type) and a mechanical pencil for darks and details--note to self: must find my pencil case. I love this boxer pose, but I think I'm chewing on my glove.

A swinging pig!

2010-08-22T21:30:00.001-07:00

0.5mm EnerGel pen in a 6x8 inch drawing sketchbook for Scavenger Hunt #189 hosted by RainySea. This was for an animal (with challenge) in motion. LOL, no animals around me and I have no desire to draw the raw or cooked chicken in my fridge. I considered drawing a can of "Flying Spam" but I couldn't tell you what part of which animal is in Spam.

Thanks Pat, Jo, and Jeanne for your recent visits and encouraging comments (and Ai, too, on my sketchcrawl effort.) Less pressure on my mind certainly helps to release my creative juices.

Art Finally!

2010-08-08T14:43:00.001-07:00

"Poison" 4x4 inch acrylic on canvas. No reference photo. I had a good morning yesterday as life gradually returns to how I like it. I had a morning ride in my truck and I ended up at DuPar's Restaurant. Had a relaxing breakfast and thought "I feel like painting a snake. A really colorful poisonous snake." LOL! This probably isn't the first art of the year, but it sure feels like it--It's been so long. I've got another snake in my head...

There's light at the end of the tunnel

2010-07-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a trying period. My truck is good again. I just need to get away for an hour sometime next week so that I can pay the DMV registration. Looks like we'll be getting Mom's car back around mid-August. Events seem to be converging around the end of my probation period at work. I've found my groove at work, too, and I'm starting to make improvements in my processes to improve the quality of my work.

What a waste!

2010-06-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

When did the definition of "totalled" change from "not fixable or not safely restoreable" to "the cost of repair exceeds the value of the car." That is so wrong and environmentally short sighted (and many other reasons), especially if the owner still wants the car. The cost of repair only exceeded its value by a couple hundred dollars and there isn't anything that isn't repairable. The interior, the engine, the front half of the car is still pristine. Tires, battery and brakes are less than a year on the car, only 70000 miles. Insurance will not budge. We're in mourning.

Another of life's bumps

2010-06-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

Got rear ended on the freeway. I had a safe, controlled brake because of a wild 4-car crash and spinout unfolding in front of me and the 19-year old behind me wasn't paying attention. Why? Her first words to me (when she finally got off her cell phone) she thought she caused that crash. Someone else had already come around to ask if anyone was injured.

New Job

2010-05-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I even sketched. I've been at a new job over a week and there's lots to learn. Not an early bird, I'm trying to get to bed earlier so I can wake up easier and have time to make my coffee that I need to get my brain in gear. I haven't been to the gym in probably as long, so I made an effort today. Hope to get to the gym at least 3 times a week, that should help get my energy level up, too.

Now that I have income, I got a new computer that I was needing but it comes with Windows 7, 64-bit which means drivers don't exist for my printer and scanner and my old programs won't transfer to this operating system. I went with Win7 because that's what I'm using at work but I had a week of computer issues at work because of Win7, too. If you can avoid it, Win 7 is not ready. I couldn't avoid it at home and it will resolve itself eventually but it'll probably cost me more money. I'm not giving any more than necessary to Microsoft so I went with Open Office.

Lack of art of late

2010-04-23T23:21:00.000-07:00

Just been busy with real life is all. I kicked up my job search and I got an interview for my increased effort. I've been in class this past week, basically workshops in resume, interviewing, and job searching. I was baffled and frustrated with the job search process in the new millennium but turns out I knew how to do it all along and just needed a poke in the ribs to apply the knowledge. It's nearly midnight and I'm still struggling with the thank you letter. It's easier to update the blog. Probably just tired. Played tennis today and had a short hike. It was a good week and even better day.

I think I'll call him Doodle

2010-04-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

I bought some Prisma Art Stix this week. A local frame store has discontinued carrying open stock and had a nice selection of colors in the discount bin. A rarity, drawn from imagination while waiting in the car , 6x8 inch drawing sketchpad.

Memories of Scotland

2010-03-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the 2 page layout in my journal. The pen, for scale, is 5 inches. Bottom left page, is what I remember of the TV room in the basement of the bed 'n breakfast. Top right page is my memory of eating fish 'n chips out of a rolled up newspaper with my two co-workers and travel companions.

My Travels - English Tea

2010-03-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Landed in Glasgow, Scotland and had a short drive to the ferry pier. The ferry ride seemed to last a couple hours. I only remember gray and drizzle. We checked into the bed 'n breakfast about 2pm and I was starving. So while the others napped, I looked into the dining room. It was dark. I was told it was only open for breakfast but the nice lady at the desk said, "wait downstairs in the TV room and I'll bring you tea." I shrugged, better than nothing to get me to dinner. I was just expecting a hot beverage, but she brought a tray with a couple sandwiches, quartered and with the crusts cut off. Never had cucumber sandwiches before. Never had a sandwich with alfalfa sprouts. There were biscuits (shortbread and cream sandwich cookies) and chocolates! Of course, there was tea and cream...never had such dark tea before, I needed the cream. Bright sunshine was streaming into the room from a huge picture window. I only regret that I didn't leave a big tip on the tray, or any at all, because the meal never showed up on the lodging bill as I'd expected to add tip to my meal bill. As you can see, I've never forgotten my first encounter with British hospitality. I only learned years later I'd been given "tea," meaning a substantial meal with tea, the hot drink. Americans would think of it as an early dinner.

The sketch is gouache and ink. It's not much, but I'm rather proud of it as I've never been able to draw from memory or imagination. All the sketching practice of everyday objects has paid off.

My Travels - Ireland

2010-03-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

It's St. Patrick's Day. How cool that my next planned sketch was my memory of our one hour fuel stop in Ireland. Not sure, it might have been Dublin. I only remember the brightest green in my 20 years. I don't even remember if the sky was gray or blue.

Of the sketch, the window ended up too big. I only wish they made airplane windows this big. I might have taken a picture of this sight but the shot would have been lost in my first mis-loaded roll that developed blank.

My Travels - New Project

2010-03-12T21:20:00.000-08:00

This is the first entry of my new project. I'm scanning my travel-related 35mm film to draw/paint them into My Travels sketchbook. The sketchbook has smooth, but thick, 12x15 inch pages which are bound to be able to lay flat for double-page spreads. It's great for colored pencil, but I hope to do more gouache, acrylic inks, and fluid acrylics on the pages and in more of a journal format.

The drawing is of my first camera, a Canon AE-1 Program, in colored pencil. I used it from 1985 until 2006 when I went all digital. I was waiting for just the right digital SLR. That lens (extended) is really long and heavy from back in the days when lenses were made with glass and metal, but oh, what a workhorse this combination was!

Where did February go?

2010-02-25T11:26:00.001-08:00

I haven't forgotten my goal of posting art at least once a week, just haven't felt like drawing or painting. I did one watercolor in February and I've been faithfully copying the Scavenger Hunt list but still lacked motivation. I found myself at Michaels wandering around before today's dental appointment. It wasn't like I was spending real money, I've been carrying a return card/store credit for months...jumped on the sale of Canson paper 6 pads for $10. It's not great stuff but it's good enough for sketching. Now I must use it all up!

Vacation was a bust

2010-02-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

All hopes for plein air dashed. My hands were tied all week, rather my feet were shackled. Mom wouldn't let me take the car to go hunting for a spot to paint (I don't understand her) and I couldn't lug all the stuff to the beach or to the hiking trail (a mile just to get there, I walked it with my camera) and still have energy to paint. Never got to play tennis, nobody to play with. I did get to an REI store to look for a portable, hand crank coffee grinder--they didn't have in stock. I did find a coffee shop within walking distance. I bought fresh roasted beans, but I still don't have a grinder. I might have to resort to my food chopper. I wanted a medium roasted blend. I expect the beans will be over roasted, I can smell it...even thru the cold that I caught.

A is for apple

2010-01-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

A is for acrylic inks, too. The rubber was stuck on the bottles because it's been months since I opened them. 22 pages left in the 4x6 inch aquabee, I think I'll concentrate on this sketchbook for a while.

Eco-friendly drink cup

2010-01-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

A page out of my Fabriano Artist's Journal. I've restarted it (again) for the Watermedia's art journal thread. It doesn't lay flat on the scanner though but I love the paper.

I got this cold drink tumbler that looks like the clear drink cups from the coffee houses. First chance I've had to use it. I also got a hot drink tumbler that looks like a white coffee cup. Cool little novelties for fun.

My latest passion

2010-01-09T19:03:00.000-08:00

Oil pastel & acrylic in the 9x12 inch sketchbook.

Coffee from MOKA pots. It's not an addiction, not an obsession, a PASSION. I write this word more for my memory because I've been thinking about the right description.

I've had times in my life where I had no passion for anything. Unless it affected me or my life directly, I was pretty apathetic about everything. I understand this now, and only lately I understand why. But I was always searching for something to interest me, something to fire me up. I was never one of those fickle girlies who had a new boy crush or celebrity crush every week. I've always listened more to my head than my heart, so it's been a lifelong process to give myself permission to let my heart soar if it wants to.

Toasted

2010-01-02T16:13:00.001-08:00

Toasted in 2010 with a bottle of champagne. Gouache in the 4x6 inch aquabee sketchbook. I see flaws here, they've been fixed. But, hey, it's just a sketch.

First sketch of the year

2010-01-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

Watersoluble graphite sketch in the 9x12 inch sketchbook for scavenger hunt. They're male & female reclining baby buddhas.

2010 art goals

2009-12-31T09:40:00.000-08:00

I wasn't too sure a couple weeks ago when I stated a couple art goals in the Watermedia forum on Wetcanvas. Hey, it's not 2010 yet! I've refined my goals.

1) Yes, I do want to finish the oil painting of Surfer's point. I got stuck on the sand. Just going to move past it and put in the rest.

2) I still want to finish Mom's acrylic portrait on Mandalay Beach with sunset.

I had stated that I wanted to post art here at least once a week, but more specifically...

3) I want to use up my acrylic paints, they're over 3 years old now. I really want to use them up this year and just keep a limited palette of Golden Opens and a limited palette of regular acrylics TBD. I'm waiting to see the new W&N artist acrylics in a store...supposed to have no shift in color when dry. I don't want slow drying paints, that's why oil paints drive me crazy.

4) I still have my acrylics sketch self-challenge that I started about a year ago.

5) I want to do more visual journal style. I'm afraid though right now (lately) my feelings are angry at a particular person and I don't know how to communicate that visually. Verbally yes, but not visually. I'll use any and all media for this.

I'm going to participate in the Watermedia sketch thread when it gets rolling. All my goals except the first will fit into this, as all my media is water-soluble.

The difficulties I had in Maui has killed my urge to paint natural landscapes. I still want to do plein air but it'll be urban landscapes and interiors then.

GGGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!

2009-12-30T09:53:00.000-08:00

From wabbitt

Tangerines, oil pastels in the 9x12 inch sketchbook. This is it! Number 100 of 100 of the oil pastel sketch challenge. It's also one of the scavenger hunt items (fruit) that I sketched between Christmas meals. I just can't get on Wetcanvas to upload my few sketches.

Basket of Goodies

2009-12-20T21:28:00.000-08:00

A weak attempt at the finish line. A basket drawn for scavenger hunt in oil pastel, about 7 x 4 inches, the background color added digitally. This would be OP sketch #99 of 100. If I do one more, I'll make one of my 2009 art goals! Got the basket of fudge brownies and golden brownies as a Christmas present from a neighbor.

Scavenger Rose

2009-12-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

What is it, like 6 weeks since I posted art? I've been painting, just not posting. I really should finish the OP challenge before the end of the year, only two to go!

The flower was done for scavenger hunt #157, gouache in the 9x12 inch sketchbook. Yea, had to modify the vase a little to get it to fit in the sketchbook.

Halloween

2009-11-01T13:40:00.001-08:00

This is how I always spend Halloween, it was a full house this year. Too many kids in my neighborhood, just can't keep up with the candy so I don't even try anymore. This year Border's has free Wi-Fi but nowhere to plug in the computer. Micron pen in the 5.5x8 inch Pentalic journal, double page spread. Crossposted to artsomofo.

OP #97 & 98 of 100

2009-10-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

Trying Ryan Kelly again. Unfortunately, I lost his smile on the first (left) but I'm really happy with his proportions. I guess I forgot to tilt the drawing board again on the second (right) because I stretched the face and lost the resemblence. Couldn't detail the teeth on this surface because of the texture. Pentel oil pastels on 9x12 inch cheap canson pastel paper that I binded into a sketchbook. Crosspost to artsomofo for #19 & 20.

OP #96 of 100

2009-10-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

This is supposed to be Paul Byrom. I've figured out why my portraits have been looking like stretched out caricatures--I'm working flat and my reference is vertical (the monitor). I've suspected this, but what to do? 4x6 inches is too small to prop up. Yea, yea, sketch bigger. When I'm sketching, I don't pre-sketch, else it wouldn't be a sketch, would it?

All that said, Paul's face really is long and so is his nose. It's long and thin. He has an amazing voice, classically trained, he's got fantastic range and he can project!

Crosspost to artsomofo & the wetcanvas's OP forum, I think.

OP #95 of 100

2009-10-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Reference is "Dee" from the WDE that EP is hosting this weekend. Also attempting the challenge at using primary colors only. 30 minutes, oil pastels in the 4x6 inch Aquabee. I'll post this to artsomofo with the sock monkeys and I'm still "minus two scans" but minus one art.

Here's to health

2009-10-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Took Mom to the Public Health Clinic for a flu shot, as none of her doctors had gotten any to dispense. She was not happy at the long wait. This is for scavenger hunt and is also the challenge of the loved one portrait. As this visit was unplanned, I had to leave her there while I went to my dental cleaning appointment. This is pen in my home made sketchbook, 9x12 inch.

For artsomofo, I posted my rollerblades for Day 12. I haven't yet scanned the acrylic portrait I did for Day 13. This would be for day 15, which means I am behind by one day of art.

For day 10 & 11 of artsomofo

2009-10-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

Damian McGinty when he was 14. I've definately got his youth, resemblence is close...maybe a cousin? Graphite in the 4x6 inch sketchbook.

And then there's George Donaldson again. Good facial likeness I think. The ear's not right though. Golden's liquid acrylics (payne's gray and white) in the same 4x6 inch aquabee sketchbook. I was surprised how blue this payne's gray is.

Day 9 of artsomofo

2009-10-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

Not quite Damian McGinty, plus he looks older here than the 17 years he recently celebrated. I measured and measured, pretty happy with each feature (eye, nose, etc) but together it's not Damian. Not a bad looking guy though. Graphite in the 4x6 inch sketchbook. Crossposted to artsomofo.

Day 8 of artsomofo

2009-10-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

Still not Ryan Kelly, darn it. I'm happy with each feature but together, it's still not right. I'm getting closer, though. Graphite in the 4x6 inch aquabee sketchbook. Ooo, I see now I did the big eye, little eye again O_o

Attempting Ryan (Acrylic sketch #45)

2009-10-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

Struggled with Ryan all night to get a resemblence but now it's nearly midnight and I have to quit. He always looks like he's smirking, one of those smiles that curves down rather than up at the ends and wierd lips. I'll have to do this again in graphite or charcoal. Crossposting to artsomofo. Oh yeah, acrylics in the 4x6 inch aquabee sketchbook.

Keith

2009-10-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

This is Keith Harkin, another one of the five singers in Celtic Thunder. He has a high, soft, lilty voice and he writes his own songs. Graphite in the 4x6 inch Aquabee. Sixth entry (sixth day) to artsomofo. Keith was easy to draw, he has a manga haircut and face. I couldn't do the razor stubble though, I don't like men with stubble.

Acrylic sketch #43 & 44

2009-10-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

More George but I struggled with his profile today, not as good a resemblence as yesterday's. I think I've gotten George out of my system. Tomorrow is either Damien or Keith.

Cross posted to artsomofo, it's a daily art challenge for the month of October. Hey, I figured out how to get picassa images to Livejournal [thumbsup]. Now I want to figure out how to put in a paragraph. Same 4x6 inch Aquabee sketchbook as yesterday.

Acrylic sketch #41 & 42

2009-10-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

I'm still stuck on George...

We came home early from the weekend because Mom isn't well. We actually never made it to her house. These are acrylic in my 4x6 inch aquabee sketchbook. I'm going to try to crosspost to artsomofo.

I'm a fan!

2009-09-28T23:58:00.000-07:00

This is George Donaldson, 40 year old singer in the Irish group Celtic Thunder at the time he made the video I drew this from. He's the oldest of the group but still younger than me. They're all cute and wonderful musicians and singers as individuals. Maybe I'll get around to drawing all of them, eh?

Grahite, about 6x8 inches in my sketchbook, drawn from the YouTube video in about 40 minutes plus 40 wasted minutes tweaking. I'm having a tough time with ears lately, not just his.

I placed an interlibrary request for Celtic Thunder's first DVD. Damien was only 14 then and still hitting the high notes. I never saw that PBS special. I have never regretted donating my car a few years ago to the PBS channel KCET, I just wish they'd stop bugging me already.

Many firsts

2009-09-26T22:09:00.001-07:00

Used Li's (lisilk) WDE reference to attempt many firsts:

First ATC/ACEO size.

First gouache.

First time to use the Pentalic w/c paper.

Attempted the pop art challenge, using Blue Dog as inspiration.

His name is Buddy, nicknamed Boo-Boo, a Queensland Heeler.

Urban sketch #2

2009-09-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

8am on Joanne Ave in Ventura, CA. Mom was getting some labwork done. I've been wanting to do a street with parked cars and trees. I couldn't translate the color of the street but it was brightly reflecting sunshine. Yup, I think that does it. Ink & watercolor in the 6x8 inch watercolor pad.

Sketchcrawl 24

2009-09-20T18:37:00.001-07:00

I'm only posting my favorite sketch from Sketchcrawl #24. I did five and shared them on the Urban Sketcher's group on Flickr and on Wetcanvas. I didn't find an all inclusive Sketchcrawl community on Flickr.

Urban sketch #2

2009-09-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is my view from the treadmills and elliptical machines at my gym. After my workout today, I went out and sketched this. 30 min, ink & watercolor in a 6x8 inch watercolor pad.

Painting my Palettes

2009-09-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Been feeling a bit disconnected lately. I was sitting up in my room, staring at my big empty sketchbook. It's 12x15x1 inches, and very heavy so it's got luggage handles attached. Apparently I had started some color charts in the back so I added inktense and graphtints charts. It hit me that this paper isn't sized but at least it didn't pill or bleed through. So I started painting my palettes. These are on different areas of back to back pages, so I p'shopped them into one picture: the Koi pan set of 18 (my favorite because of the blues & greens), the W&N Cotman pans, and my palette with the Marie's Chinese Watercolor tube paint which I leave to dry in a plastic palette.

I was surprised how well they turned out. I've been quite convinced how bad I am at watercolor but now I've just done three watercolor sketches in a row that I'm happy with. IRL, the sketches aren't that wonky perspectivewise...blame the photographer for not getting a straight shot.

Urban sketch #1

2009-09-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

Struggled to create something this weekend...until I drove a little old lady to church. This is Santa Clara Chapel. There's a bell out front signifying it's historically significant to California. Maybe someday I'll find out why. Gel pen in my 4x6 inch handmade leatherbound journal. This is Urban #1 because I'm going to start counting them in this blog.

My WDE sucked, but I posted it to AMAE "in the spirit."

I don't do salad.

2009-09-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

His name is Andy. There's a resemblance but I don't know if he still looks as close to three years old as the reference, I think he looks a tad older. (Oldrockchick) Lin's son didn't want to eat his veggies many years ago. I hope I got the facial expression, even if his eyes aren't quite right (O_o) Graphite in my big sketch book. Original sketch is 6x8 inches.

English Rose

2009-09-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

Another acrylic 4x4 from the WDE hosted by Lin (oldrockchick). I think it looks better from a distance so I'm putting it high up on my wall. I don't think I've ever successfully painted a rose before. I sketched a nice ink pen quickie once, while waiting for my turn at a mammogram. TMI?

Crowned Crane

2009-08-29T20:42:00.001-07:00

This is acrylic paint on 4x4 inch canvas from this week's WDE hosted by the forum team, I think.
Before I moved my sketch blog, at the beginning of the year, I had a goal to do one small finished painting a week, with allowances for more time to do bigger finished work. If I couldn't do that, I was going to take an art class at the college because that always seems to get my paint flowing. Well, I haven't been painting since my plein air frustration in Maui and I can't, under my current circumstances, commit to a class for the whole semester but I've got permission to drop into the Life Painting class (figure painting). It's already getting me thinking about painting alot.

Also on my 2009 art goals: Finish my 100 OP sketch challenge by the end of the year and continue on my 100 acrylic sketches. Hopefully I'm back on track with the one small painting a week and I've got 6 more OP's to go.

Visual journal #2

2009-08-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night.
I was traveling in Scandinavia.
Airport was a nightmare -- nothing new.
The tram got lost getting to the plane.
Somehow the tram turned into a city
tour of Stockholm.
The driver spoke no English.
I kept trying to tell her we were late.

Anyone interpret dreams?

OP #94 of 100

2009-08-02T18:30:00.001-07:00

This is Simon from the WDE hosted by mbeckett on Wetcanvas. 30 min in the large watercolor Moleskine, oil pastel over acrylic. This finishes off my 10th sketchbook.

A new thing: Visual Journal

2009-07-30T20:41:00.001-07:00

Oh no! Not another new thing? Well, kind of. Just a different style of expression I'll be exploring in the same old sketchbooks.

I had reached my limit of the Siamese Twin on Monday and went for a 3-mile walk to run away from her. Went a bit too fast and got a blister and shin splints for it. She had jury duty Wednesday. I had to stay close but it was almost a whole day of "me" time which I chose to spend at Barnes & Noble. Helped immensely! Glanced through a couple Creativity books and found my inspiration which has been floundering since I got laid off.

The original words in the clouds have been digitally edited because they are more personal to me. This is my first "success" after four pages in my large moleskine. Two more pages to use and I can put Sketchbook #10 to rest.

Pet Rock

2009-07-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

People showing their pets in the OP forum and I needed a pet for scavenger hunt, so I went in the yard and adopted a rock. Look, I've already painted it in acrylics!

I'd teach it to roll over, but it looks the same on the other side.

Acrylic Sketch #39 & #40

2009-07-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

Each 5x7 inch in my 9x12 inch sketchbook, about 1.5 hours each painting. I haven't managed to paint a WDE reference successfully in about 6 months. I was so happy to break the block. I like the textures in "Kitten at Mt. Petit," I did most of it with a knife. References from Robert Sloan. Hmm, I wasn't liking the crepe myrtle but against the black, it pops! Yay :)

Big page

2009-07-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to draw big but I haven't been just because it's easier to be portable and faster to work smaller. The 4x6 Aquabee sketchbook is probably my favorite, even over Moleskines. This page of scavenger hunt sketches is (together) 24x18 inches of drawing paper. I used all kinds of media: pencil, gel pen, paintastics, watercolor, acrylic ink, even a touch of acrylic ink.

OP #92 & #93 of 100

2009-07-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

A cup from scavenger hunt I'm hosting this week.
From a travel catalog. No idea on the details, but this puts Sketchbook #9 to rest. There's actually many attempts at a drawing (artist block since getting laid off). Started with a watercolor, covered with 3 or 4 attempts at an acrylic sketch, finally covered with black acrylic and drawn with Neopastel oil pastel.

Ventura Harbor

2009-07-04T13:08:00.001-07:00

Got to have a couple hours of Plein Air (sans the clingy parental unit--YAY!) this morning. I've been working on color lately and my perspective skills have been failing me. The first drawing had major problems so I wanted to work on another with better perspective. I'm much happier with this. Graphite in a really old 12x12 scrapbook with non-archival paper.

Acrylic sketch #38

2009-07-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

Barbie's in acrylic paint, the rest is acrylic inks. First time for the acrylic inks. Items from scavenger hunt #137 hosted by amdewitt. One more page left in the 10x7 inch Cotman watercolor pad and I can put Sketchbook #9 to bed.

Sketching with acrylics

2009-06-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

I started sketching in acrylics after reading this post last year
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...+acr ylics%22

It lead me to this
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75338

And now that I went looking for the post, I have found where he's gone to and now I can continue to follow his sketches!
http://sketchpaints.blogspot.com/

Acrylic Sketches #35-37

2009-06-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hang loose, cuz! Items from Scavenger hunt #136, hosted by Jeanne. I should have put this up last Friday but I didn't have enough time to paste them together with Paint. Various acrylic paints (I've thrown them all together into one paint saver palette) on various sketchbooks.

Acrylic sketch #34 (of 100)

2009-06-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

Items from Scavenger hunt #136 hosted by Jeanne. Didn't take long so I'm counting the page as one acrylic sketch. Trying to use up the old paint on my palette, doncha know. The tin box on the right is my portable set of Pentel oil pastels.

OP Challenge #86 thru #91 of 100

2009-06-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

Items from Scavenger hunt #135 hosted by Ai, all done in (new Caran D'Ache NeoPastel) oil pastels in the 9x12 inch recycled paper sketchbook.

Bummer

2009-06-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Went through the trouble of downloading my old sketch blog from 360, turns out I can't upload it here. Oh well, I'll just pick up where I left off:
* Acrylic sketch #33
* OP sketch #85
* 2009 art goals of one small finished work each week with time allowances for larger work

I'm trying to build a body of finished work. I'm trying to use up a bunch of acrylic paint to get down to one line of paint. Not that that's necessary, as acrylic paints will mix across brands, but I've accumulated too many paint tubes to experiment with after the color class I took last fall.

And now I want to get into gouache. Sheesh!

Coming soon...

2009-06-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

Hey, I'm on vacation! I got the email that Yahoo!360 is shutting down. I've been posting all my sketches and challenges there ever since I ran out of room on Flickr. I've never liked it except for the fact that posting images didn't cost me anything. Well, since most Wetcanvas members have their blogs on Blogspot, here's my opportunity to move. I'll have more time off in June for all the mandatory vacation days they're taking from me at work, so hopefully I'll have something going here by July.