Thursday, May 13, 2010

And Time Flies!

You wouldn't know it from looking at this blog, but I have not been completely idle, art-wise! I've been busy during the day, and sketching at night. April and May always seem to be like that for me. The garden needs tending. All the major projects for the year begin, and this year is no different. Our garden has kept us very busy. I've started repainting various rooms and shampooing carpets throughout. Then, at night, though I'm tired, I at least pick up a pencil or a pen, so I don't lose the feel for drawing. I've not felt like posting or even practicing with watercolor. Pencil or pen is just easy. And I'm all about easy when I'm tired!



This is a morguefile photo (#209568 by Nesstor4u2). I've noticed that although it is relatively simple to draw people (for me), I find it more difficult to group them together and keep proportions correct. That is why I chose this particular photo. It's done in pencil and I probably should have scanned it sooner, before the smearing could begin.




This man is also from a photo on morguefile.com. (ref#607477, by Bboomerindenial). It's done in ballpoint pen. I love weathered faces, so much easier to do than perfect, youthful ones. The shapes are easier to see because they are broken into smaller pieces by wrinkles and folds. And it's easier to make them not look like plastic! Have you ever noticed that?


This is morguefile again. (ref#221173, by CarolinaJG) It's of several people walking along a beach. I never finished it. There was another woman walking alongside the one. The two men weren't walking together but at angles to one another. It's in pencil on watercolor paper, but I never went back to it, and I put too much shading in for wc.



This one (ref#217100, by jarndt, and on morguefile) was of two men riding horses in a small parade. I wasn't doing very well though. This horse didn't, in actuality, have these long, long legs. And the man is actually sitting in the saddle, not behind it! I know it sounds like I'm complaining and pointing out all the flaws, but I just see it as it is. It needs redoing is all.

I've decided to participate in MommaNinja's challenge. I like that I have an unlimited amount of time (a year is good, I think) to complete 100 drawings of something. A dog sounded good, but mine has sadly passed. Our cat isn't always around when you need him, and he hates to cooperate. So, I'll be doing 100 self-portraits! Yikes!

24 comments:

  1. These are really great! I'll have to check out the morgue file - it looks intriguing. Wow - brave you ... 100 self-portraits! You go, girl!!! lol nancy

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  2. Raena, my hat is off to you...after a hard day of doing all those chores, you still have energy to pick up a pencil and keep the creative juices going!. Good for you!

    I really like your pencil work and in particular the way you blocked in the figures.

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  3. Nice ones here.. I find the weathered faces so much more difficult to draw! You have drawn that one with so much grace! I loved it

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  4. Your postings have been missed Raena. I really love seeing your drawings, and the way you explained each one of them is just so lively and interesting! I like the sketch of that old man the most, and you're so right on it not looking too plasticky ^^
    Thanks for your encouragement on the ice project. Today I pretty much did another computer drawing on a hunting Labrador with a duck in its mouth in less than an hour. This time hopefully will make it to the ice blocks ^^

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  5. Crikey shampooing carpets?! repainting!! Would you like to come and do my house when you're done?! I'll just tend to the garden...

    Your elderly chap is superb - really lovely, I also like your family it has so much character. Though I see what you mean about your cowboy and his saddle, on a more general not personally I don't think a drawing need be perfect to work well - sometimes it is the flaws which make something come alive for me.

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  6. I sketch after a hard day's work just to relax.
    These are good sketches, especially the old man.

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  7. The drawing of the family is wonderful! Love their easy smiles and happy comfort - and your drawing expresses it all perfectly!
    Great portrait of the old man. I agree with you about drawing older people's faces (I find myself wanting to draw the old ladies I see in my little town, a new and surprising desire ^^!)
    I think often of otters in wetsuits, since I read your comment the other day... will you be drawing them? (such a delightful idea ^^!)

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  8. Most beautiful sketches! I love how your lines ... move. Each line just seems at the very perfect place and they show a lot of confidence.
    I'm curious to see your self-portraits! It must be thrilling to see the same topic developing over 100 pages! I decided to join, too, and I think I know by now what to do. Just need to get a journal for it to make it "one" whole piece...

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  9. You have been busy. These are really nice drawings; I like the weathered face. The group is great, too--I don't think I've ever drawn a group. I look forward to the 100 self portraits.

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  10. Glad you finally posted! We have missed you. and quit pointing out the mistakes and just enjoy drawing!

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  11. Great sketches, esp. the elderly man. How in the world do you even have the energy to pick up a pencil after doing all that work??:D!! I'm exhausted just reading about it!!

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  12. I like these drawings, particularly the old man! I must try a wrinkly face one day - it sounds fun!

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  13. I agree, it is so much easier to pick up a pencil at the end of a long day than a paintbrush. Sometimes I'll even stall a painting because I only want to draw more. I love the look of the old man sketch, and good for you in undertaking a drawing challenge! Can't wait to see how it goes.

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  14. These are great, especially the elderly man. You're right about wrinkles being easier. LOL. x

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  15. Very nice sketches! Thanks for your comment on EDM 273 tools. 100 self portraits... wow...I'm thinking dogs for myself, I've done hands horses and cats. Still keep drawing the cats!
    Continued success!

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  16. These are all wonderful. The old man is my favorite. I need to spend more time on morguefile.

    I am glad you have joined MommaNinja's challenge too! I am looking forward to seeing all of those self-portraits.

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  17. These are great sketches! I have the same problem with proportions in groups, and have been challenging myself in the same way when I draw in the field - I'll be posting some shortly. Great group drawing, and the picture of the girl in front is particularly good, I think.

    Love the old man, and agree that old is easier to draw then young. The other sketches are great too, and the horse's legs seem right to me.

    Why is it I can never find things to draw on Morguefile?!

    Finally, wow - 100 Raenas. Good luck with this one! Can't wait to see..

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  18. Really nice drawings! Wish it was that easy for me to draw people....

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  19. Nice to see you back, Raena! I like the old man's sketch and the group sketch. The group sketch looks like they are having a lot of fun.

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  20. The old man is fabulous Raena! Frameworthy perfection! Woot!

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  21. I dont see the issue with the horses legs, good normal length looking. The portraits are really good, and yes I have the same problem with groups... but I think you got it pretty much bang on. Great drawings.

    You sure have given me the inspiration to work more on my drawings : )

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  22. These are great. I know what you mean about wanting to be outdoors doing stuff in the spring weather and then being too tired to post in the evenings, even when you are doing art and have stuff to post. But the web will be there later and spring won't!

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  23. These are great sketches! Wow! I especially like the old man, I haven't done enough portraits to ever notice that weathered faces are easier. I drew my dad yesterday for Everyday in May, and I found that rather hard, trying to get a likeness with wrinkles and all, and not get him look like an accordeon...

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