Paper and Threads

We are relaxing a little after our Thanksgiving cooking marathon - this year for 22 adults and 5 children (ages 2-8).  We cooked at our apartment on Tuesday, and then transported the food across Central Park to our daughter's.  We cooked at her apt. on Wednesday and Thursday - and then had a fabulous mix of family and friends for approximately 6-7 hours.  I struggle to complete journal/sketchbook pages during these days, but did two that were Holiday-related.

A Turkey - from a photo.

My champagne glass, bottle, and cookbook - from the event.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday.  My husband and I are always happy to host the event, but equally happy to rest up when it is over!

Posted by Shirley at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I am envious of artists who "sketch" models at Figure Drawing" with their paintbrush and watercolor, AND I need to develop a simpler, looser style for capturing a scene, especially when on vacation.

These are my goals for the next months-year.  Can I do it?

I decided to paint Big Ben in London for the 7th time - as a first step.  In the past I have sketched/ painted/collaged Big Ben from my photographs as I explored other techniques, so it wasn't as frightening.  This was done quickly, so I could hopefully simplify the image.

Posted by Shirley at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

I read about Dr. K. Anders Ericsson's  research on "deliberate practice" on Donna Zagotta's blog and realized that my pathway since 2005 mirrors many of the concepts. 

I need lots of practice painting light and shadows. 

While walking across Park Ave at 49th St. I saw perfect sunshine lighting the south side of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church and took a photo.  This is my painting from the photo.

One month later, my oldest son sent me this photo of him running the New York Marathon.  It is from the official feed from the race.

Posted by Shirley at 6:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

By chance, I went to the Society of Illustrators Sketch Night during Illustrators Week in New York City and many illustrators posed (clothed) with the models.  They were not introduced, so I have no idea who they were. 

Drawings 4 and 5 of 10 Two Minute Poses 

Drawing 4 of 4 Five Minute Poses - An Illustrator

Drawing 1 of 2 Ten Minute Poses

Drawing 2 of 2 Twenty Minute Poses:  Two Models and an Illustrator (who is sitting on a stool)

My watercolor paper is to big for my scanner and I haven't figured out how to photograph the pages without the blue-gray background.  Even Photoshop can't completely corrct it.

Posted by Shirley at 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

When Raena (from Every Day Matters Yahoo Group) and I met for the second time at the Quilt Festival in Houston, we took a few minutes to draw art dolls, as we did last year.  These dolls are probably 20-24 inches and are AMAZING!  We each chose one to draw, and then I sketched a second one while Raena looked at the whole exhibit.

This is my first journal page - note the little bird on the woman's hand.  It is called "Fine Feathered Friend and was made by Nancie Roach.

 I sketched the same doll as Raena for my second journal page - a fabulous doll entitled "Leo Was Allergic to Dogs" by Neva Waldt.

Here are photos that I took of the Dolls so I could remember the colors for painting them at home.  I thought you might enjoy seeing them.

               "Fine Feathered Friends" by Nancie Roach.

               "Leo Was Allergic to Dogs" by Neva Waldt.

Posted by Shirley at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)