Reflections - 2012

WOW, I can't believe the year 2012 is almost at an end! As I sit here watching it start to snow, I decided to do some reflections on 2012 and what I've accomplished.

I started this blog in the beginning of February and I already have 144 posts!  I didn't really know if I could keep this going but it's been fun sharing my work with you!
I'm falling short of blogging daily but still adding new posts at least once a week (hopefully more, sometimes less). When I started this blog I was just starting to explore watercolor. I haven't done more than the one portrait in watercolor but hopefully 2013 will have a few more watercolors in it.

I've continued to explore various other mediums.
I now enjoy Soft Pastel, Colored Pencil and Graphite and I will hopefully continue to improve my methods and techniques.  Since I enjoy a challenge, I hope I never run out of things to challenge myself with.
For the new year, I plan on working on more challenging art projects and maybe even entering my work in some competitions.  Right now the thought of that scares me because I feel I'm not even close to being up to the standards of the other artists that enter these competitions and I have so much still to learn.  So, we'll see about that in the future.  I would like to learn more about painting landscapes. 
Diane Wright and Deborah Secor have definitely helped me with that goal through the use of their tutorials and  Johannes Vloothuis through his webinars as well as all the great artists that share their time and expertise on the artists forum Wetcanvas.  If you haven't discovered these resources I urge you to explore them.  Even if I never paint a "landscape" I want my portraits to have believable backgrounds and through their teachings and others, I believe that goal is being accomplished!

Well, that's enough reflections for now.  My horse is telling me she really wants to be fed and so does the dog LOL!

Thank you to each and every one of my followers!  I truly appreciate each and everyone of you for your kind comments, gentle shoves and encouragement. 

May you have FANTASTIC 2013!

 Thanks for stopping by :)

Coby and Miya

Here is what was keeping me so busy and was a secret until after Christmas.  Introducing Coby and Miya!  This was done with Prismacolor Colored Pencils on 9 x 12 Stonehenge.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk Update 6

Wow, has it really been this long since I've updated my Bull Elk project? Sorry about that!  I've been busy with commissions and now I'm also doing a secret art swap through WetCanvas.  We aren't allowed to post our project or even hint at it until the 20th of January LOL!  I sure hope the person who gets mine will be happy with it :)
Ok, here is the latest on the Bull Elk.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Merry Christmas

This is just a little something I put together today :-)
It's a 5 x 6 on Mi-Teintes using Prismacolored pencils.
 Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Bull Elk - Update 5

After working on this today, here is what I've accomplished and where it is now.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 4

Still working on the antlers with this guy.  I normally prefer to draw freehand but every once in a while I use a grid and then remember why I usually draw freehand LOL!
Using a grid is great for getting the proportions more exact but it is so restricting AND then you have to erase all the bloody lines LOL.  Well, I erased all the lines tonight too.

Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 3

Started work on his antlers.  Interesting challenge getting all these textures in this drawing.
How much detail should I really be trying to show in a 9 x 12? I've always heard the smaller the less detail but I always seem to get the details even in the smaller sizes.  Good thing I have good glasses!
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 2

Starting on the fur on his back.  Also still adding more tone.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 1

Working more on tone and also working towards the fur on his back. Trying for those elusive darker tones and still have a ways to go.
The shadows are interesting in this piece as is doing a negative drawing for the foreground.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

New Bull

So since I can't show you what I'm working on for my commission piece, I've started another little drawing and this one is graphite.  I work on it when it's to dark to get proper lighting on my commission piece.
So, here is "Calling Long Distance" 9 x 12 Graphite on Strathmore Bristol Smooth.
Of course it's not done but here's the steps so far.

Hope you like it!

Eyes and Left Ear

I really wish I could show you how this is going.  So far, I've got both eyes fabulous LOL and starting on the left ear.  Going really well but a long ways to go yet!  Sure hope I can get it done in time!
Back to the drawing board! LOL that could be taken two ways couldn't it LOL!

Thanks for stopping by :)