First Entry for Julia Kay's Portrait Party: Ujwala Prabhu

So I finally got around to doing a portrait for Julia Kay's Portrait Party; this one is of Ujwala Prabhu! Didn't do a great job on the skin tone, but I'm still learning. It's done in a tiny little sketchbook (only 3.5" X 5.5") I made as per directions from Sketchalina. I know I'm always complaining about sketchbooks being so small, but this one needed to fit in a small fanny pack that I have for walking. I think the size made me paint tighter than I normally do...if that' s even possible!!


I also posted some pictures of myself, for those who were wondering if I actually look like that little cartoon icon or not! It's here. It's been a busy weekend for me, so I'll be catching back up with you all tomorrow! Have a great weekend!!

Self-Portrait #3 of 100

This is the first time I've ever attempted to draw something while standing up. And while the drawing only took about five minutes, my arm thought it took at least thirty! Wow! It was burning like I was holding a twenty pound sketchbook instead of the little 8" X 5.5" Exacompta (very lightweight!) that I was using! Seriously, my arm was nearly shaking by the end. This could become a new workout routine!

I'm undecided on the painted version. I like it; but it's not what I had pictured in my head. No reason to get down though...this is only number three!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present a Breakthrough!

I admit, it may not look like much of a breakthrough, but for me it is-- and, I'm ecstatic about it! So ecstatic, I can almost not wait to do it again. Yesterday, I drew in public. Right there, in the middle of the crowd, not hiding in the protection of my car. I was at the VA hospital, with family and while I waited, I sat at a table in front of this Starbuck's kioske. The table was tiny, maybe two feet in diameter and I was sharing it with two people so I didn't pull out the watercolors like I wanted, maybe next time. I still plan to add color, but I just had to show you! I was out in the open-- sketching! And nobody came and yelled at me or made fun of me or anything horrible! I lived through it, and actually, I wasn't even nervous! This is a HUGE step for me!

Self Portraits 1/100 and 2/100

Nothing like a commitment to do 100 self-portraits to make you suddenly realize you need a haircut--BAD! So, I went and got one on Monday. Time to get on with the project; no more excuses!


It's a good thing I've committed to doing 100 of these. I can only get better, right? The first one I did for the series, Self-portrait Picking Weeds, was done from of photo of me working in our garden several weeks ago. It seems I spend a major part of my days doing this, so it's only appropriate to have as one of my portraits. My hair was a mess, half up, half fallen down. Wind blowing. You get the picture!




After surfing the internet for hours on end, without doing any sketching whatsoever, it being very late and time for bed, I finally decided I should at least do one drawing before bed. So, I did a very, very quick self-portrait with my Pentel pocket brush pen. Not being warmed up, nothing went quite right. It's on some cheap printer paper. Added watercolor the next day. The watercolor was very difficult; nothing wanted to stay wet long enough to make decent washes. Though the resemblance isn't all that strong, I do like it. It is looser than my usual work.

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!