Doodles

Even when I'm not able to work on a full blown portrait I find  myself doodling.  Am I the only one?  I'm pretty sure I'm not.
I've decided to share some of those really quick doodles with you even though they are not 100% anatomically accurate.
I find the more I draw and paint, the more accurate I'm able to achieve and also the faster but still not completely there while doodling.  It takes me hours and many retries after erasing and starting over before I'm happy but these are doodles and with doodles, the eraser isn't used.  The idea is to just sketch fast and free.
One of these doodles was done mostly in pen and I've never even attempted that before because of my need to always erase to get things accurate and proportional so I'm pleased with my progress.
Even while doing work, I find I'm a doodler LOL.  The page on the viewers right is done from life by looking out the window at what my horse was doing and trying to draw it and the birds that were stopping by on the fence rail.  That was another first for me.  I've never drawn from life before! Ya sure have to be quick.  Especially with the animals that don't hold still LOL! Much easier to draw from photos.
Hope you enjoy my really quick doodles.

Thanks for stopping by :)

My Painting from my swap Partner

If you want to see what my Wet Canvas Southwest Forum swap Partner Ron sent to me here's a link to his blog and my wonderful painting :)
Thanks again Ron!! It's BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait till it's framed and hung in my studio :)
It's the Mountain Man at http://ronsart-wyo.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by :)

The Unveiling - Wetcanvas ArtSwap

The wait is over!! I can now unveil what I did for my swap partner on Wetcanvas.  This is my first full landscaped background and I think I have a lot to learn but was told my swap partner (Ron) loved it :)
I realized that I NEED more pastels LOL!  I only have 15 half sticks of Rembrandts and 24 Faber Castell PITT Pastel Pencils.  Not near enough!!
At least "I" don't think so LOL!
If you want to see the creation process, let me know and I'll post the WIP as well :)
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 12

It was pointed out that the antlers looked a little flat so I've tried to increase the "roundness" and hopefully this is better!
Please if you see anything else, let me know!
I really appreciate the feedback with the extra set of eyes!
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 11

It's Finished :)
I really stretched myself with this portrait but had fun doing it as well.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 10

Played with a lot of that detail that I'm known for.  I added more grass in front of the Elk.  His muscle tone and a hint of his ribs and more contrast to different areas.  I probably only have one more day with this one and then it's onto something else!
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

ACEO - Graphite Study

What does ACEO Stand for? Art Cards, Editions and Originals. The size can be no larger than 2.5" x 3.5" and they are used like trading cards with artists and collectors.  
I challenged myself last night to do a really quick, under two hours drawing using a more painterly approach.  The sketch was approached with the side of my 2B graphite pencil and basically just doing a contrast study until the very end.  I've never drawn or painted this way before so it was a fun challenge.
I did it on Strathmore Bristol Smooth ACEO Card.  Why so small?  Another challenge to myself LOL.
The image was provided during a Weekly Drawing challenge on WetCanvas.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 9

I'm nearing the finish line with this one.  I added more to the background.  I also used my 5B to layer more graphite on the darker portions of the elk.  I still unsure if I should add another bush or two in the background.  What do you think?
I still need to play with the foreground grass and weeds and then this one will be finished.  Probably tomorrow.
Hope you like it!

Thanks so much for stopping by :)

Bull Elk - Update 8

Using my 6B I've been able to increase the tone on the front of the elk.  It still has a ways to go and again, I'm not sure I'll be able to accomplish it.  If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Hope you like the progress so far!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Bull Elk Update 7

Remember this one?  Now that Christmas is over and my household is getting back to normal, I decided to pull this out and continue on.  I'm also still working on my artswap piece that I can't show you for another 17 days but I do have all the WIP photos so I will probably make a video of them to show the steps taken.
I explored a lot of new techniques on materials with the background on this Bull Elk.  I still have a lot to do with it but I'm really liking how it's turning out.
Hope you like it too!

Thanks for stopping by :)