Dragon in my sketchbook?

The dragon flew into my sketchpad from my imagination tonight. I was watching a series called Merlin on TV and it just sort of happened. The purple ink pen went a bit splodgy.

The world is still in lockdown. People want to escape but its not safe. So playing with glitter glue, ink pen and felt pens is just taking my mind off it. Then edited it to a negative image to be a bit different. 

Z

 

Haberdashery

_20200508_134801

My little sewing kit. Today’s usk Stoke-on-Trent challenge was to draw something to do with haberdashery.

As I don’t make clothes, have any clothes patterns, or any fabric, I’m afraid this had to do. The material below the kit is a knitted cushion, a cat blanket, and a teatowel.

Without the kit I wouldn’t have had any subject matter to draw. I don’t know who will try and add to the challenge today. Now I’m off out in the sunshine to plant up some begonias.

Playing with photos

IMG_20200508_000311_779

Thanks to a friend I’ve just found another app to play with. It seems relatively easy to use. But as this is my first ever use of it I think I will try and get a bit more used to it before I review it or tell you what it’s called. I have a feeling I might seriously mess something up. Seems much more interactive than previous apps I have used, but that might not be a good thing.

Cutlery drawer

USK Stoke challenge today was to do a sketch of your cutlery drawer. The final sketch had black ink lining round the objects which I originally did with just 5b pencil, but it looked too indistinct.

Sketching is getting to be a habit now. I don’t think I can stop when it gets to the end of this particular challenge. To add to that I also like the fact that the ideas are from different people, so they are eclectic choices. It’s much more interesting drawing things like cutlery as well as the view out the window.

What will tomorrow bring?

Abstract doodling

_20200506_230656_20200506_230556

Fold some paper in half, splodge some purple ink on one side and press the two sides together. You get a pattern. I’m also using a spray of green ink on one of them. The results are above. I don’t know whether I like them, but it was fun doing them.

The first is called abstract catterfly and the second abstract splodge, (well it is!).

Used Nibb permanent markers, a spectrum noir ink brush, cosmic shimmer mist, mica shimmer and a cosmic shimmer glitter kiss sponge pad. Drawn on an A5, heavy weight, Windsor and Newton sketch pad.

X

 

Keys, today’s challenge with #uskstoke

_20200506_170413

Today’s #uskstoke challenge, day 18, keys.

Drew round the keys with a fibre tip ink pen. I then coloured in the different keys and fobs and the magazine and DIY instructions for  my wire fairy. Finally I added some thick black felt pen to the instructions and around the keys.

The keys do look a bit chunky, but overall I think it’s OK?

X

Gecko

FB_IMG_1555027963954

I drew this at sketchfu probably about ten years ago. I’d drawn the orange and green pattern first, and then added the gecko afterwards. I love the idea of camouflage. I can’t remember if I made the lizard up or if I used an image of one from somewhere. If I did I would have modified the colours.

One problem with sketchfu was the way the colour laid down on the screen. Different drawing apps work differently. With sketchfu what happened was that if you did not have the pens on full opacity you got a slightly fuzzy effect. Imagine if you had an old felt pen. The colour is fading and the nib is a bit frayed. That’s what the effect of the pens on the digital app was like.

I hope you like my dinky little gecko.

X

Remembering

FB_IMG_1565568781253

Bovisand Bay, painted from life several years ago. Acrylic on canvas. This is what I remember…

The beach at Bovisand.

Warm sand beneath my feet.

Gritty rock, specks sparkle in the sun.

Water laps my feet.

Feet sink into soft sand…

Cove enclosed by cliffs.

Blue sky and tiny clouds.

Close growing plants are sheltered.

Back of the bay, a valley nestles in the hills.

A golden grass snake basks in the heat.

I remember.

I remember the thunder storm.

Lightening strikes in dark night.

Watching flashes over the sea.

Awesome beauty.

Remembered.

 

Day 17, artists materials, quick sketch.

_20200505_132512

I’ve run out of steam a bit, so today’s sketch (day 17), is of the artists materials I’m using. Nibb bright coloured permanent markers.

I’ve drawn them with coloured pencils behind them and on my sketchbook. I could have added more of a background but it’s hard sometimes to be inspired. I might go out in the garden later and try and come up with something more interesting.

My energy levels are really down (I feel like my battery is flat) went to bed early last night and slept in. I still feel shattered. Ah well its all part of life.

X

Today’s challenge was clothes

_20200504_162354

Day 16, USK S-O-T sketching challenge is a self portrait of me wearing my favourite top, covered in red and black owls. It’s funny and quirky.

A few people are still keeping to the challenge, and some say they will catch up later. Some of the subjects are a bit odd, but it’s fun.

I was watching the artist Maggie Hambling on a programme called ‘Grayson Perry’s art club’. It’s a weekly programme on channel four encouraging people to do art while we are in lockdown. Maggie Hambling said draw something every day, and Grayson Perry reiterated that. I think they are right. The drawings I’m doing are my diary of my life at the moment.

Other celebrities were either drawing or making sculpture. Grayson and his wife created ceramic images based on their cat Kevin. Both created wonderful, abstract, exciting sculptures.

After seeing it I decided I shall continue….