Happy Bithday USA!

Here's this week's sketching challenge drawing. I'll be traveling to Colorado tomorrow, so I'm not sure if I'll be posting, but you can bet I'll be sketching! HAVE A Great 4th OF JULY!!

A Gift From A Woodpecker

I was wondering what to draw tonight when Jerry came in with this gift left by the birdbath. I believe it is a woodpecker feather; probably a Hairy or a Downy.

Colorado Bull Elk

I'm getting excited about my upcoming Colorado trip, so this bull elk was the perfect subject for me this afternoon. See the photo I drew from here.

White Rhinoceros

While looking for a drawing subject tonight, I came across a snapshot from my recent trip to Great Adventure of a White Rhinoceros. According to Wikipedia, "The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros, is one of the five species of rhinoceros that still exist and is the most social of all rhino species. The White Rhino is the most common of all rhinos, with an estimated 17,480 wild-living animals at the end of 2007." See more animals from the wild safari park on my web log.

Old 18th Century House

Here's my latest sketch of the old salt box house from this week's challenge photo. I almost said final, but you never know, I think this subject could possibly be done again at some point. Even though none of you sent in a drawing of this, I hope a few of you tried it, or at least, got something out of my efforts.

In preparation for the 4th of July, here's this week's challenge. It's a bit complicated, but remember you don't have to draw the entire thing! Eliminate unnecessary details. Simplify and focus on the the flag as the star of the show, with only a few supporting actors. Use your imagination to compose a drawing using this photo as reference. Remember my motto ~ KISS ~ Keep It Sensationally Simple

Composition and Design

Here's an outline sketch of this week's challenge drawing. Among other things, this challenge involves making choices about design. I rarely, if ever, copy a photo exactly like it is. I use my photos as reference. They are not mindlessly copied from. Here's my revised composition of the June 22nd challenge photo. Look at my exploration drawing from June 25th also. How many things can you name that I have changed from the original photo? This is what is called "artistic license". You must know the basics about composition and design in order to make good choices however. I always cover this subject in my workshops, because it is an important key element to successful art. I'll post my finished drawing with our new challenge photo tomorrow.

Life With Hummingbirds

There's never a dull moment around here during hummingbird season. Watching them is better than anything on TV. I stopped at the local wild bird supply today to buy a couple of new feeders, but they were all out of the big Hummzinger. I think it is the best feeder on the market. I'm going to go to my Squidoo Lens and order a couple from Amazon right now.

Magic Mushroom?

As you local people know, we've had a tremendous amount of rain the past month here. The woods are wet and there's a lot of mushrooms, moss and fungus growing everywhere. Yesterday morning I spent some time going out into our woods with my camera and my close up Macro lens. Here's today's sketch done from one of my photos.

I've gotten some nice comments about my sketching blog and as always, I really appreciate the feedback. Joni Solis writes; "I love the soft feel of this quick sketch and you are brave to post them; many artists chicken out and never show their sketches." Hey, If anyone wants to send me a sketch and doesn't want it posted, just let me know. I'll try to give you a concise, constructive critique, if you want also.

Exploration Drawing

I decided to try this week's challenge photo today. I did something different and held my pencil like a wand to draw almost the entire thing. (95%, I'd say.) It was really enjoyable and seemed to free up my right brain. I used a 4B pencil and probably could have even gone softer. I moved and changed the tree and the sign and added a road. I don't like the tree in the middle of the page, so I will change that when I do my final design. I call it an exploration drawing because holding my pencil like a wand freed up my mind to investigate, wander and play. Try it, you might like it too.

Unusual Hummingbird Pose

In watercolor, I often make up symbols for whatever it is I'm painting. I use the characteristic shape, color and texture. Tonight, I tried drawing some of the hummers at my busiest feeder, but they were just too fast for me. Only momentarily defeated, I went to my computer and searched the archive of hummingbird photos that I've taken over the years. I decided to challenge myself by doing some non-characteristic poses. This made me REALLY look at the SHAPES. Here is my favorite. I call it, "Big Spirit in a Little Package".