Every Inchie Monday

I joined a new project at Every Inchie Monday. You can visit it at the link on the right. I thought that ATCs were small. Well I have committed to making art at 1 inch size every Monday starting Jan 3rd. I haven't done one yet so I don't know how that will work. But I'm game to try. I guess I had better get a magnifying glass ready. My eyesight isn't the best in the world.

The last few days have been non art related. I have been browsing a lot of blogs. Starting at one, following their links to other links, to other links, and on and on until I can't even remember where I started. It gives me a chance to see and comment on art I don't usually see. Like sewing, knitting, etc.

I have been kind of blah lately. Can't seem to concentrate. Maybe it is the season or my lack of interest this year. I am sleeping a lot, puttering, but not accomplishing much. I did make brownies tonight. Maybe chocolate will help.

Today there was a post in the Drawspace forum asking some questions. I decided to put my thoughts out there for the person asking. Below are the questions and after that my answer.

"Well its been just over a year since i joined this great site and took up drawing/art. I have some questions for all of you and would love you opinions now i feel im in a position i will understand.

ok first am i just drawing or am i doing art i don't know.

How do i move on from needing reference photos and be able to pull it out my head is this going to be just practice and let my work go back ten steps to be able to make it go forward or is the use of ref photos used for even the greatest drawers/artists?

Paper!! why am i finding it harder to get (thinking how to word this) my pencils down on a more quality paper card than i seem to get it down on my sketch pad paper (lot less grain so i can force it on even though i want to use the stiffer paper/card as i know the finish is better

Its nearly Christmas :D I want some mechanical pencils BUT how many should i get i was thinking 3 one for HB one for say a 5-6B and one for 3H , what do you all have, is there a best type and a best type of lead, i want to up my game .

Colour pencils, this is a struggle should i just leave it and play some times as not to get despondent or have i just got poopy pencils. what would you recommend ,, do you use these lightly as i think i press to hard?

look forward to the replys :)"

Hi.

I'm no expert but can give you my 2 cents worth. I think if you can produce art and have a great passion to do it, you are an artist. It took me a long time to admit that I was one. I think that is because there is always someone you think is better. The problem is that even the best artists have the same feeling. They are never satisfied with their art and feel they could do better.

I started out using photos and a grid. I thought that was not quite what an artist would do and strived to be able to draw without a grid. So I started drawing from life. I drew anything that came in front of me. And I drew something every day. Art is like anything else you want to learn. It takes lots of practice. The more you do from life, the better you get. Your confidence grows, your hand eye coordination improves. I was scared to death but continued and I never use a grid now.

Next step was that I found out that a lot of really good artists use a grid. Or they will transfer a basic outline onto their paper. And I have done that when I wanted to make sure I got proportions right with a face.
I draw with a mechanical pencil only and colored pencils for color. I have only #2 pencil lead in it and use pressure or layers to get darker. I haven't the patience for using different levels pencils to get darker. I started drawing on my lunch hour at work and only had one pencil and computer paper to draw on. I also use a fine lead of .5. They break easier but I don't like the thicker leads.

Colored pencils are a challenge. I like a dry pencil instead of a waxy one. I tend to go in dark and heavy right away. many people say they do anywhere up to 25 + layers. I really don't have the patience for that many layers. With colored pencil I think you just have to keep doing it and trying new things until you come up with a style that you are comfortable with.

Paper is just a matter of preference. I started with cheap stuff. Now I work almost only on Bristol Smooth or cardstock thickness paper. I sometimes will use the smoother side of watercolor paper. If you want more tooth, try the watercolor. Another paper is pastel paper. I have used that. I like the textured ones but not the ones that feel like sand paper. They use up the pencils too fast.

I've been seriously doing art since 2006. In that time, I have read everything I could on blogs and the internet. I have tried the style of lots of different people, adopted some and not others. Listened to and read about things that are wrong and right. I don't think there is a right or wrong way of doing things. You just have to find "your" way of doing them. And that takes trying them all. Finding what is comfortable for you.

If you are happy with the way you do artwork and enjoy what you are doing, just keep doing it and continue to learn and evolve your talent. I don't let the rules and restrictions keep me in a box. I do my artwork for me and hope that others like it as well. If I do a commission, I usually don't show it until it is finished. If they don't like it, they don't have to pay and take it. If I do it someone else's way, it becomes a chore and no longer fun.

Just enjoy and I hope this helps.

2 More Christmas ATCs

Well I have finished all the Christmas ATCs. At least until more sign up. There are still a few days for sign up.

Even though the heat in summer here is just about unbearable, I have discovered I just do not like to be cold. And cold for Bakersfield is nothing like cold in "cold" places. We don't often get to freezing level. And we have had snow only about 4 times in my lifetime. Not even a lot of ice. Just fog. And even the fog has gotten less dense than it was in the late 1970s. During that time, you had to drive with your window open so that you could see the white line on the street (or to hear the traffic) because you sure couldn't see anything in front of you, not even the hood of your car. You pretty much said a prayer and drove.

The cold makes me want to sleep all the time. I turn into a big old hibernating bear. And the figure to match. The dogs enjoy our "naps" up to a certain point. They don't want dinner to be late, or their barking time outside to wait. Plus they want to play. I sometimes wake to several animal toys in bed with me. At least with these 2 dogs, I don't wake to their faces in my face.

Our Golden Retriever KC used to stand over me and put her face right in front of mine and wait for me to wake up. If I didn't soon, she would lick me. Nothing like waking up looking at a face right in yours and a threat of a wet kiss. But on the other hand it was wonderful. I miss her so much and would love to wake to her beautiful face again.

I miss most of my passed babies but I think I miss KC and Friday the most. If you have never had a Golden Retriever, you have missed a wonderful experience. I have never had more lovable companions. They always knew when I was sad and would sit against me for comfort. And they could sure share in any happy times.

I would love to have another but at this time in my life, I'm not sure that would be a good idea. I don't want to raise another puppy (not exactly true, I'd love to but don't have the strength). But maybe somewhere down the line I will find one that is older and needs a forever home to ride out the last days of it's life. Will be bad for me to lose another at some point, but I hate thinking of Goldens out there with no forever family. That breed of dog just lives for family and interaction to humans and/or other dogs. They aren't the kind of dogs you just put in the yard and feed. They need to be a part of the family.

The two dogs next door are outside during the cold. I feel so sorry for them. Mine are nice and warm inside with me. They really don't know they are dogs and they know that they are an important part of my family. Please just make sure your animal babies have somewhere warm to sleep, plenty of food and water, and plenty of love.

Christmas trade

I am in a trade at Drawspace.com for Holiday Traditions. So far there are 10 people signed up. I have finished 7. All are ATC size (3.5 x 2.5) and in colored pencil. Some ink was used on the eyes and noses. I am doing my cards from my stash of Christmas ornaments and stuffed animals. The one of the door is my front door with a dog stocking hanging on it. It has new toys for my 2 dogs for Christmas.

Steve's Birthday

Today would have been my brother Steve's birthday. He was 4 years younger than me and the youngest of 3 of us. He passed away several years ago from complications from drugs. He was only 46. Such a short life but he wasn't having a good life. He had been on drugs for years and just couldn't get off of them.

His son is Stephen, my nephew who just got married. I feel bad that Steve never got to meet his granddaughter. He would have been so overjoyed at being a grandfather, and he would have adored Kylie. I know that I still miss him a lot.

Today I went shopping. I got a couple of Christmas gifts and some new art supplies. Always a good thing when I get new art supplies. I think every artist agrees with that. No matter how many pencils, paints, pastels, etc you have, you still want more. I guess we are afraid we might run out. Not likely at my place but it still doesn't keep me from buying.

I bought a small candle that smells like cinnamon rolls. I'm not sure that was a wise purchase. I have been hungry for sweets since I brought it home. I haven't even lit it yet. Now I'm scared it will smell like baking cinnamon rolls when lit. I'm not sure my will power can handle that. The shopping bag sure smelled good tho.

I bought the packaging for mailing my portrait I did for the swap. It is all packaged and ready for the mail tomorrow. I'm not sure how long it will take to get to England but I hope it gets there safely.

All my trades are finished and my cards for the Christmas card exchange have been mailed. I received my first one today. In fact I got 2 cards today. One from the trade and one from a friend in Las Vegas. Christmas is coming fast.

Missing Bill

Today has been hard for me. I'm glad I have made it thru my first Thanksgiving without my husband. It was bittersweet. I had dinner with family and enjoyed it but I kept thinking of last year when Bill was there with me. I sat there and had dinner and "made happy" but inside I just wanted to go off by myself and have a good cry.

It has been 8 months. Eight long and lonely months. I keep busy, I'm not hiding out or living in misery but I am just not whole. I'm not sure I will ever be completely whole again. I am sure that I will heal eventually. It will never be better, but will get easier. Time always heals to a certain extent.

I know one thing, I will be grateful when it has been a year since he passed. That may sound strange but to me it will be the end of all the holidays and major events that I will have gotten thru without him by my side. All those firsts, which is what I call them, are very tiring. Sometimes I feel like all the stuffing has drained out of me.

I did enjoy thinking about how this time last year Bill held Kylie and fed her for the first time. She was around 2 months old. And this year I held her as she tried to play with the food on my plate. And when I started out the door to leave, I turned back for a kiss, and she gave me the sweetest hug. It was all worth it.

Gary Finished

Here is my finished portrait of Gary and his photo which is used with his permission.

More Color

Here is more color added. Only the second color plus a little chocolate to define.

Now For Some Color

I have the first color started. I'm happy with the way it is progressing.

Portrait Next Update

I am finished with the drawing. Now to transfer it and start with color.

Portrait Started

I finally got a start on the portrait I am doing for the portrait swap on Wetcanvas. It is barely started but I thought I'd post anyway. His left eye I'm working on. going to make it bigger. That's why his iris is in front of the lid. Weird huh?

This is Gary and he has finished my portrait. I need to get busy and get his done. It needs to be in the UK by Christmas. I will probably be doing it in colored pencil. The style is one I learned on Wetcanvas from Alfredart. It is done with only 3 colors. Of course I may use a couple other colors to get the dark in the pupils.

Well I had better get back to it. Times passing fast. If he says ok, I will post the one he did of me in pastels. And his when I am finished. Or maybe even as I work on it.

Hello

I have been lazy this week. Nothing new to post. I will post some of my cards that have arrived at their new places a bit later. Too lazy at the moment. But will be back.

Wow!

The scavenger hunts on Wetcanvas have made it to #200. I can remember just wanting to make it to #100 and here we are now at 200. And still going strong.

The new list has been posted and we already have some items uploaded. I'm hoping we have a lot of participation in this one especially. I would love to get all the items done this time. I haven't been able to do that for quite some time. But hopefully this will be my first of many.

I did get one more thing on my list finished today. I got my Christmas Card finished, printed off, folded, and ready for the envelopes. We haven't gotten the address list but at least after my slow start, I am caught up.

Now I need to get busy on the portrait I need for the portrait swap. I can't wait too long to mail it as it has to reach the UK by Christmas. I haven't even started yet but will soon.

Here is a tiny peek at my Christmas Card. I used a photo of my Friday. It was the first photo I ever took of her. I added a hat to make it Christmas-y. It will soon be a year since we had to let her go.

Tangle Trade

I thought I had finished the Zentangle II Trade. But 2 more names added. I got one finished and will do the last one soon. I also finished the Chimney trade. Now I am working on the Anything That Doesn't Walk trade. I have worked on those tonight and have only two more to go. And still one more Pet Portrait to do.

I also received the photo of the person I will be swapping portraits with on Wetcanvas in the Portraiture forum area. But before I start that, I have to get a pen and ink Christmas card finished so that I can get the copies made and ready to send.

I played around with two different Christmas cards but I am not satisfied with them. Thankfully I only have to make one and send copies. I'm tired just thinking of all the things I still need to do.

Here are two photos I took at my nephew's wedding a couple weeks ago. It was at a resort hotel in Pismo Beach, CA. It is on a bluff overlooking the ocean and the wedding was set up facing the water. Beautiful but it rained. We all got wet but everyone still had a good time.

I Made it Through

I know it sounds like a weird Title. But it is pretty appropriate. I made it thru Halloween which would have been my husband's and my 40th anniversary. I had dreaded it for a couple weeks or so. It was a little nagging dread in the back of my mind.

Sunday I spent the day alone. At 12:01 midnight, I said a Happy Anniversary to my husband even tho he is no longer here. It just felt right. Then I spent the day here at the house, cleaning closets, watching tv, playing with the dogs, and remembering. It was a very long day.

Trading Cards

I worked for two days on my trading cards. I finished several each for the Chimneys one and the Anything That Doesn't Walk. I mailed 4 today and will mail another two tomorrow. Hopefully I will get those finished up soon. I still have one more person to do a pet portrait for. And I lead the next Drawspace trade which will be posted on the first.

Here is the latest Pet Portrait Card that has been received at its new home. This is Comfort. 4x6 inches and colored pencil with a touch of ink.

Wow

I guess I have taken a break. I didn't know I had taken a break but I haven't posted for a long time. I have no idea why. I have no reason, no excuse.

I have done a few cards lately. I finished my trade cards for the Zentangle II trade on Wetcanvas. I mailed all the cards either Saturday or Friday. So far I haven't heard if any have been received.

My nephew and his fiance (now wife) had their wedding yesterday at the beach. It was a very wet wedding. Rained all day. They did the ceremony in the rain as there were no other alternatives. No place inside where they booked it large enough. They did buy awnings to put up over the tables but everyone still got very wet. But at least it is over and they can get on with their lives.

When I went into my bedroom tonight where my birds are, I found my parakeet dead in the bottom of the cage. Poor Freebie. It appeared that her neck was broken. I have had her for a couple years. I know she had a good home her last couple years and enjoyed listening and talking to the birds outside when I would open the window. That's just about the only time you heard her get loud. I will miss that happy sound. But just one more loss among so many this year.

Goodbye my sweet little bird.

Rocks/Stones Finished

I finished all the cards for the Rocks/Stones trade on Drawspace. I had 9 to do. I decided to do this trade in graphite. I like to do that every so often to get back to the basics. I miss graphite when I constantly do colored pencils. All of these were from my own references. They are all in the envelopes and ready to mail on Monday.

The two cacti were at CSUB (Cal State Bakersfield University). They have a program called FACT where they nurse birds back to health and reintroduce them back into the wild. Some of the students work there. It is outside and has a small pond with brush around it. Cages for the birds, lots of native trees, and a huge area with native cacti. We went there for one of our plein air outings.

The rest of the photos were taken at the cattle ranch where my friends Shari and Ron work and live, and the small day park we went to at Stallion Springs in Tehachapi. Both were plein outings as well.

I also finished the zentangle cards for the Zentangle II trade on Wetcanvas. We don't have the list yet so they aren't ready to mail yet. I can't show those as they are supposed to be a surprise. I never know how many of the participants check my blog.

Now I have to concentrate on the other two Wetcanvas trades. "Anything That Doesn't Walk" and "Chimneys". And I joined for the 3rd year the Christmas Portrait Swap on Wetcanvas. Looking forward to it. They are still signing up for that one.

Nothing I can Show

I haven't done anything this week that I can show. I have been working on some Zentangles for the trade on Wetcanvas and some Stones/Rocks for the monthly trade on Drawspace. I have 5 of each so far. And one finished for the Wetcanvas Trade called
"Anything That Doesn't Walk" A little bit of a mouthful isn't it?

Yesterday I worked on Bible study questions. It was really a good study. Today I did nothing. Well that isn't exactly true. I slept some and worked on a blouse I ordered. It was too big so I decided to fix it myself instead of sending it back. I don't want to pay for the extra postage. And if I got a smaller size, chances are it would be too tight. Can't win for losing so they say. So I pay a price just to remake it. Fun, fun, fun.

I actually don't like to sew any more. I did when I was younger. Is that because I was younger and had more patience? Is that because I could see better and my hands worked better? Is that because it was cheaper back then? Well all of the above is true.

The patterns today are an outlandish price. They cost as much as the Vogue patterns did "in the olden days". And we poor people couldn't afford the Vogue patterns back then. And the Vogue patterns were more like "Project Runway" compared to what most women wore back in that more conservative time.

My hands are terribly arthritic, my eyes have the start of cataracts, and I pull more stitches out than I put in when I sew. And there is where the eye sight comes in to play. Try taking stitches out of black fabric that has been sewn with black thread and then get back to me. Also try it with your eyes closed. That pretty much sums up what it is like for me. fun huh?

But like other problems for people who carry too much weight, clothes aren't made the way I would wish. The sleeves are way too short and tight for my "wings". The length is too short for my backside and belly. And I can guarantee you that no one wants to see my midsection sticking out from under my blouse or anything else that might be in that area.

Yes maybe I am a prude. But I don't think anyone has a good enough body to go around showing their mushroom over the tops of their pants. And it is annoying to watch someone forever pulling up their pants every few seconds. And for the view, you don't want to see mine and I don't want to see yours.

So I still make my tops. And I still buy my pants with elastic and make sure they fit "at the waist" and not hip area. The biggest part of me is not where I want the focal point. I will continue making my tops with long loose sleeves, my long tailed hems and loose sides as long as I can manage, and keep from frightening myself in the mirror or viewers on the street. I know what's under there but don't find it something I want to see every time I pass a mirror, or share with anyone on the street.

Now have a good day, take a look in the mirror (front and back) before going out, and pray that my hands and eyes hold out until I at least am in the throes of dementia.

Scavenger Hunt

I was the host of the latest scavenger hunt on WCd. This was the last day and I got one item sketched and posted tonight.

As I was watering my back yard, I picked up several leaves that had fallen and sketched them for the hunt. They will come in handy as a leaf is on the next hunt also.

I will be mailing out one more pet portrait today. I have 7 more to do. Then I have the October trade at Drawspace to do which is "rocks". And 3 trades at Wetcanvas to get started on. Another pending project is the Sketchbook Project for the Art House Coop. I have it started but haven't gotten very much done (the inside cover and a couple pages or so.)

Plus my Bible study started again in mid Sept and we have daily homework for that. If I don't wade thru the debris in my house and do some housework, I soon will get lost as a wander thru the house.

The sketch is done in colored pencil and outlined with a marker pen.