"TulipDoodle" - Day 72 of 75

While browsing through some art blogs this morning, I came across Pat Howard's  blog Painted Prism.  She was explaining how she did her doodles, and the examples she gave were florals.  I loved them, so I made today's sketch a "TulipDoodle".

Tulips - Day 71 of 75

I'm squeezing this one in tonight before I go to bed.  It's a quick sketch of some tulips that I will be working on for a watercolor.

Eat More Veggies! - Day 70 of 75

At my doctor's appointment yesterday I was reminded that I still need to lose weight, to go easy on sweets and fat, and to eat more veggies.  I'm taking that under advisement and have made sure that I have some on hand.

Self Portrait as a Child - Day 69 of 75

They say that when you are new to drawing portraits you should not do anyone that you know.  LOL!  Well, I decided to try it anyway, and this is my attempt at a child self portrait.  It does and it doesn't look like me. It looks older than it should, which I think is a problem with most child portraits.  Of course, I was much cuter.  (Tongue in cheek here) And of course, in ink, once it's down, it's down, and hard to change. 

"Meg" - Day 68 of 75

This is a portrait of "Meg".  Reference photo by Annie in the WetCanvas WDE.

Dahlia and Lisianthus - Days 66 and 67 of 75

I was a day behind, so I did two sketches today.  The first is a dahlia, and the second is a group of lisianthus, both photos courtesy of Sharrm in the WetCanvas WDE.  

Rose hanging over fence - Day 65 of 75

This is one of my neighbor's white roses, hanging over the fence on my side.  (From my photo)

Basket of Flowers - Day 64 of 75

Another of Anna's floral arrangements. I think I've done all of them now.  LOL!

The Springmaid Pelican - Day 63 of 75

This is such a cool bird.  He sat at the pier at Springmaid Beach every day while people crowded around him snapping photos.  I hope I get to see him again in March when we go for another workshop.  Maybe I'll get the chance to sketch him or one of his friends from life.

Winter Coat and Hat - Day 62 of 75

It hasn't been the worst winter on record, but we've had our share of cold days, snow, sleet, etc.  and I'm tired of it.  I'm tired of dressing like an Eskimo. I want to feel the warm breeze, and see green leaves and colorful flowers.

Two Cockatoos - Day 61 of 75

These two cockatoos were part of the WetCanvas weekly drawing event for the week of 2/15/13.  I thought they would make a good subject for today.

"Walking Away the Pounds" - Day 60 of 75

For about as long as I've been doing this sketch challenge, I've also been exercising in front of my TV to my "Walk Away the Pounds" tape.  Today I decided to sketch Leslie while she demonstrates knee lifts.

Two Red Roses - Day 59 of 75

These two red roses should probably have been yesterday's sketch, but I had forgotten about the photo that I used for reference until today.  The roses were lying on my Aunt Mary's crocheted doily, but I didn't think that I could quite pull that off.  I'm really loving sketching with pen, but I'm not sure that I like using the colored pens as much.

Glass Rhino and Bunny - Day 58 of 75

A sketch of my glass rhino and bunny.  The rhino has a pink area in the center - maybe a heart or maybe his stomach, or maybe just a colorful accent.  It has a different shape depending on the angle you are looking at it from.  There are a few little stripes here and there in both animals - from my vertical blinds reflecting in the light.  The lights and shadows kept changing as I sketched, more so than usual.

Portrait of Girl with a Hat - Day 57 of 75

Today's sketch is a portrait of a girl with a hat, sketched from a photo by Devimarie in the WetCanvas Reference Library.

Pineapple - Day 56 of 75

After I sketched the portrait yesterday I noticed this pineapple sitting on the kitchen counter, and I decided that I'd better sketch it before it becomes fruit salad.

Another Portrait - Day 55 of 75

Today is a rainy, nasty day.  No inspiration from outside.  So I decided to try another portrait.  Photo by Terence P. , Wet Canvas Reference Library.

Snow Shovelling - Day 54 of 75

My son Kevin clearing off my car, driveway and walk.  (From my photo).

Spruce Tree with Snowy Branches - Day 53 of 75

One of my backyard spruce trees with snow laden branches.  They remind me of a lot of frozen white hands and fingers.

Snowstorm - Day 52 of 75

This was an attempt to depict the "fogginess" and softness of a snowstorm in pen and ink.   Instead of diluting the ink, I used diluted paynes grey w/c paint, which didn't work particularly well with my dip pen.  I think I had too much water, the paint kept drying way too light, and the lines kept merging together to form small washes.  I let it get away from me, but I think I know what to do next time. 

Floral Bouquet - Day 51 of 75

Today's sketch is a floral bouquet done at my friend Anna's house.  She has several of these silk flower arrangements, and they make a fun sketch.

Portrait of a Man - Day 50 of 75

A portrait of a man done from a photo in the WetCanvas Reference Library.  He is a ruddy faced, rugged looking guy with a grey beard.  He would look at home on a fishing boat.  I really enjoyed doing this portrait and want to try a few more.

The Hermitage - Day 49 of 75

While I was taking a photo of St. Luke's Church for yesterday's sketch, I also took a photo of the Hermitage, which is across the street.  It's a very interesting building that started out as a two room house and was added to many times over the years.  It has a lot of dormers, chimneys, windows, and decorative stuff, and is a nightmare to sketch for a perspectively challenged person like myself.  After being very pleased with yesterday's sketch, all I feel with this one is relief that I lived through it.  I struggled mightily.

St. Luke's Church - Day 48 of 75

St. Luke's Church - from my photo

Artist Mouse doll - Day 47 of 75

This is one of my little stuffed animal friends - an artist mouse.

Sea Shells - Day 46 of 75

A few of my seashell collection.

Sandals - Day 45 of 75

A pair of dressy sandals that I wore for my son's wedding last March.

"Patience", NYC Library Lion - Day 44 of 75

I've wanted to sketch the NYC Library lions for years, and never had the opportunity.  I still haven't, but I sketched "Patience" from a photo instead.

Over the Backyard Fence - Day 43 of 75

This is the view from the kitchen window, over the backyard fence.