Paper and Threads

  My Feet

I'm delighted to put away my winter tights and heels and pull out my sandals - finally.  Katherine Tyrrell reviewed Bert Dodson's book the Keys to Drawing, and I thought that it looked the perfect project-oriented art book for me to study this Spring.  I have his book Keys to Drawing with Imagination too, but that one has never looked as interesting to me.

Dodson's Project 1A is to draw your feet, something which I have done several times before.  I wasn't supposed to paint them, but couldn't resist.  I also wanted to document the nail polish - last week I was the only one walking in my neighborhood, in sandals, without a fresh pedicure.

Posted by Shirley at 7:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We picked up Robbie and Sydney after school today and then had a picnic at the Turtle Pond in Central Park.  Sydney picked the yellow flower and the very small white flower for me - and then wanted to add a three-leaf clover to the drawing.  A red-winged blackbird (who I had to identify by Google search) kept us company and ate some of the cheerios the children left for the birds.  Bethesda Castle is across from the Pond and made a nice backdrop for our afternoon and my drawing.

Posted by Shirley at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I had a very quiet day at home today, so I did "figure drawing practice" for my daily drawing.  It has been weeks since I painted from one of my friend Bunny's India travel photos, and I was attracted to the quiet pose of this seated woman.

Posted by Shirley at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I had a wonderful vacation day today in my own town - browsing at the Housingworks Bookstore and Cafe and The Strand for $1.00 books to recycle as watercolor journals and buying a few art supplies at Dick Blicks Store in Greenwich Village.

I had lunch across from the Strand so I could sketch a cropped view of the front corner entrance. 

Posted by Shirley at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

EDM Challenge #222:  My Favorite Art Tool

I love Niji Waterbrushes!  I started playing with watercolor paints approximately 5 years ago and bought a series of round brushes from size 00 to 12.  I learned how NOT to spill my water containers, but never felt completely confident that I could paint in my sketchbooks in the living room, bedroom, or friends homes.  I was an "early" convert to the Niji waterbrushes and now even use them with watercolor pencils in the museum - where only pencils are allowed.  This year I found the large flat one which is perfect for painting large areas - and not getting too fussy in small areas.

I'm so nervous that I might lose one, that I have a new set of 4 waiting for me with my art supplies at all times!

Posted by Shirley at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)