Bushes study

I've not had much time for artistic endeavour over the last few days, but did do this study of bushes in pen and ink a couple of days ago. This is thanks to Dave Sullivan who is running a foliage tutorial in the Pen and Ink forum at WetCanvas.

Sarah

Here is a drawing I've done of my daughter, Sarah. It's graphite (2B mechanical pencil to be exact) on cartridge paper. It was based on a photograph that was taken a year or so ago; she's now got her front teeth back! I'm going to send this to my mother (who is just about to go off on a month's cruise around the Caribbean, lucky thing!) for her birthday. Now my wife wants me to do another one with teeth!

Flatford Mill

Flatford Mill
Originally uploaded by mothsailor.

This is my first attempt at a "proper" pen and ink drawing. It's a lot harder than the experts make it look! That's always the way, isn't it. :( Anyway, I was quite pleased with the foliage, but I need more practice (and patience!) with the bricks and tiles.

Emma

This is our cat, Emma. The photograph was taken just a few days before she died. Sadly, she contracted the FIP virus, and became very weak. Fortunately, our other cat, Pan, is still very happy and healthy.

Sketching

I've been trying to make myself do some regular sketching recently. Here are a couple of pencil sketches. OK, I admit it...I did them from photographs. I'm not quick enough to be able to sketch actual, moving people yet. But, maybe with enough practice, one day...

Pen and ink drawing

I've recently obtained some rapidograph pens, which I love. Here's what they are like: rotring international. My first attempt at a drawing with them was this lump of wood. Quite pleased with it, though I think they are going to take a bit of getting used to. You have to hold them pretty much vertical to the paper, and they don't seem to flow very smoothly if you do anything other than pull the pen toward you. But the lines are lovely and clear. I'm going to experiment a bit with stippling, too, though I'm not sure I've got the patience for that.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

lighthouse wde
Originally uploaded by mothsailor.

Here is a sketch of Pigeon Point lighthouse, which I saw while I was visiting California this summer. The main purpose of this blog is to show some of my art work. I'm just beginning to learn drawing and watercolour, so no doubt these will be a bit embarassing to start with, but what the hell!