I was happy to see some honey bees around my hanging flower baskets. They have been few and far between here with the disappearing bee crisis. I was disappointed however to see that one had drowned in the ant moat of one of the hummingbird feeders. I brought him inside and sketched him in a more lively state here for you today.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Poor Honey Bees
I was happy to see some honey bees around my hanging flower baskets. They have been few and far between here with the disappearing bee crisis. I was disappointed however to see that one had drowned in the ant moat of one of the hummingbird feeders. I brought him inside and sketched him in a more lively state here for you today.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The American Goldfinch
Saturday, June 28, 2008
My Happy Hummingbirds
Friday, June 27, 2008
Carolina Wren
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mourning Dove
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunbathing Cat
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wolf Silhouette
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Running Horse
Saturday, June 21, 2008
More Hummer Action
Friday, June 20, 2008
Hummingbird Highway

I spent some time today taking pictures of my little buddies. They have to be one of the hardest subjects to photograph! By nature, they're quite camera shy.
See my photo "Hummingbird Highway", that I used for reference for these quick studies on Five Steps To Happy Hummers.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Arabian Mare and Foal
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
It's a Bear!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monarch Butterflies
Monday, June 16, 2008
Value Layout
I'm still working on Peonies. This is a value sketch for the large painting commission I'm doing. A value drawing is a valuable aid in the composition of paintings. No matter what medium or technique I use, I always try to use a full range of values. What I'm referring to here is the tone or the lightness / darkness of a color. See the handy value scales I use at squidoo.com/sketchingeveryday.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Eagle Drawing
I'm looking forward to the Wine and Wildlife event tonight. I wonder what kind of raptors they'll have on display. A raptor is a bird of prey, e.g., an eagle, hawk, falcon, or owl. I better remember to take my camera!
Friday, June 13, 2008
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE
THE HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE COME OUT IN FULL FORCE THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS. Prior to Wednesday, only an occasional male would visit my feeders. Now the action is nonstop! Aerial displays and high pitched bantering abounds. From my windows, groups of hummers are everywhere to behold. The other birds want to know what's up. The chickadee scolds,"chick-a-dee-dee-dee"!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wine and Wildlife
This Saturday I'll be displaying my work at an event called Wine and Wildlife at the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. So, my thoughts and drawing has turned to animals today. I stopped by the refuge yesterday and had to visit all the outdoor residents before leaving. The eagles were especially captivating as they were quite vocal the whole time I stood by their enclosure. By the way, I think tickets are still available for any of you locals that may be interested in attending a fun and worthwhile fund raising event for wildlife! This sketch is of a red fox, the refuge's official mascot.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Edgar Whitney on Preparation for Painting

Edgar Whitney said; "Plan like a tortoise and paint like a rabbit!" Known to be a bit rough around the edges, Ed would often say or do something shocking to make a point and insure that his students remembered it. Another of his favorites about proper preparation was; "It's like going to the bathroom without pulling your pants down first!". Yikes, like me, you probably won't forget that one either. Anyway it's true, the better you plan, the greater your chances are that your painting (or any endeavor) will be a success. Here I'm showing my painting table today at the end of a good day. My peony sketches, photos and thumbnails are taped up on a board before I start. I use this for reference as I paint. This way all the logical thinking is already done and I just let myself go into intuitive, auto pilot mode.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thumbnail Sketches
Today's doodles are thumbnail sketches of Peonies. Now I'm working to come up with designs for my paintings. I usually use the rule of thirds, which I've illustrated here. Where the lines intersect is a good area for my center of interest, which is commonly the Poppa shape. Can you pick out the Momma, Poppa, Baby shapes here?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Peony Study 3
My paintings usually go by the formula of "Momma, Poppa, Baby". This rule, which was originated by Edgar A. Whitney, almost always applies, especially with my florals. Here's another view of a peony. This shape will most likely be used for the "Baby" element. Sometimes there are three babies in one of my florals.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Peony Study 2
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Peony Study
Friday, June 6, 2008
Landscaping With Palm Trees
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Seeing Differently
Since I've started up my daily drawing blog again, I've been seeing things differently. Today I noticed more beauty in my life and have become more aware of visual details. I think it is a benefit of this discipline. Sketching also provides a time to go within; whether for a minute or an extended amount of time. In drawing, we can carry on a happy, intimate dialogue with ourselves. I got a little carried away on this one. That's OK because I was having fun and with sketching you don't always have to stick to a plan. Let your muse be your guide!
"A sixty second sketch is worth more than a week of good intentions!" ~ Sandy
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
30 Second Sketch
Part of the purpose of this project is to convince some of you out there that drawing is not all that difficult! This sketch, taken from the picture I posted two days ago on my web log, took me 30 seconds!! Maybe I'll add some wash tomorrow. (I added an antique effect in iphoto.)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Cardinal on a Pine Cone
This is either a very small Cardinal or a very big pine cone! Tonight here's a quick sketch for you of a little figurine my sister in Florida just gave to me. When sketching a small object, be sure to raise it up to eye level by putting it on a box or other pedestal. If you don't, you'll be looking down on it, like in the drawing I did yesterday.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Little Old Rabbit
Sunday, June 1, 2008
WELCOME BACK TO DRAWING EVERDAY!
I've been really chomping on the bit and could hardly wait
to get back at it!
Today's sketch, "WILLIAM" THE HIPPO, is of a reproduction of an Egyptian Hippopotamus which is the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art's Unofficial Mascot. He's so cute. It's no wonder he's the best seller in the museum's gift shop!

to get back at it!
Today's sketch, "WILLIAM" THE HIPPO, is of a reproduction of an Egyptian Hippopotamus which is the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art's Unofficial Mascot. He's so cute. It's no wonder he's the best seller in the museum's gift shop!
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