I loved drawing horses.

FB_IMG_1590219556062

Probably drawn around 2011 or 2012. Drawn at sketchfu. There was something very satisfying about being able to draw what you want, and not being constrained by ‘colouring book’ style websites where you add pre selected colours and everyone’s pictures are the same except for the speed you do them. I am on one of those sites, and although it’s good to see what the image turns out to be, it’s really just like painting by numbers, except you can’t go mad and add different colours to jarring effect.

In fact what I might do is buy some painting by numbers kits when all this is over, and fill them in with different colours, just neatly completed, or try and do a time-lapse film of it.

Ideas….

I’m sure other artists have already thought of this….

X

Old drawings 2005

_20200526_215315

I was mooching about my PC looking for old pictures that had been saved onto it before I had to have it fixed. Well after ages of searching I found the old drive they are on. It comes with a timeline, so I can find when they were posted. These are a few of my drawings from Youdraw in 2005. I also helped moderate the site. Apparently its been upgraded. When I’ve got my new drawing tablet I might draw some more.

X

Whale

_20200523_233449

One of the animals I regret never having seen are Whales. I know they are endangered but I hope as life resumes that they will be left alone. I have the same feeling about Tigers and Elephants. But there are many creatures that most people have never seen that also are endangered. It doesn’t matter whether its the smallest or largest animal, each have their place in the Web of nature.

As lockdown is reduced, humans are going out and dumping fast food rubbish from their cars. Do they even care? It makes me really angry that eople have no consideration for the environment.

Anyway, rant over. Stay safe.

X

Using a new app.

The original sketch, with a bit of colour added, I did cat like eyes, added some gold glitter.

Then I used an app a friend recommended called photo director.

I was able to clone a section of the drawing and add a layer of old paint. I think I’m going to like using the app. It’s a bit hit and miss at the moment, but I’m learning all the time…

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

Digital art

About seven years ago I was doing digital drawings regularly at a website called sketchfu which closed down. I had a notification on my Facebook page because my drawing of Amy Winehouse popped up on my memories. I thought I would put some of these on here.

These were drawn with simple tools, no layers or filters. Just five different sized pens, a colour picker, a pallette, an eraser and opacity and transparency options. I’m sad it closed because it was somewhere I could share my art and enjoy the community of fellow artists.

X

Mask for today?

IMG_20200412_004916_361

Digital drawing I did at the now defunct sketchfu web site, several years ago now. I called it owl mask, which is what it is. The site got too popular and the owners couldn’t afford to keep it going. I have lots of art from there and other websites. Luckily I saved a lot before it closed.

These days there seems to be less freedom, more colouring in images that someone else has drawn, for instance. Less chances to do different styles and ideas.

I think it’s also because of the ubiquitous play stores. It seems hard to find pure drawing websites that aren’t about gaming. Why aren’t more ideas are allowed. It’s hard to know what is going on.

Keep drawing, stay safe.

X

Abstract art

FB_IMG_1586070303455

A feathery or furry picture in blues. I would like to set up a service where I can print things off for people, but I’ve always been a bit nervous of etsy and shopify. I almost dipped my toe in last weekend, but the cost of it, in these difficult times, put me off.

It’s difficult to find a balance between art and selling. I really think I need a manager. At the moment I do things myself. That’s the reality, I have to try and get things right……

I did have contact with a company a few years ago who offered to take my designs and pay me 25%. But when I looked into their practices I found out they were slow paying artists and the things they made were sometimes of a oor quality. That was another thing that put me off.