Challenge Sketch and New Photo

Here's the second challenge sketch of the little herb garden that I posted last week. It's not the best drawing I've ever done, but they can't all be winners. Like you, I have to remind myself that that it's just a sketch and the process is more important than the product! Here's this week's challenge photo of Sophie, our little black and white barn cat. I hope you like it and will give drawing her a try!

An Exhausting Weekend

I finally had a chance to do a sketch and I wanted to make it quick, so I could go and veg. out. Here is a two minute sketch of another bird carving of a wren I own. I'll post my new challenge photo and last week's challenge sketch manyana. Night-t-night ya-all!

Two Minute Sketch

This time of year is so busy for us all. Today I am going to Six Flags Great Adventure for the day with my two sisters, two brother in-laws and neice and nephew ages 6 and 4. No time to do a complicated sketch this morning, so here is a two minute gesture of one of my bird sculptures. They are always nearby and available for a quick modeling session.

Doe, A Deer, A Female Deer

I've got lots of pictures to use as reference of my favorite doe, so today's sketch is a portrait of Fuzzy Tail. She's got a little fawn hidden in the woods somewhere around here that we haven't seen yet.

Fuzzy Tail

Today's sketch is of one of the local does that visits our yard on a daily basis. Her name is Fuzzy Tail. We have known her since she was a wee baby. Although we can't get too close to her, she is not afraid of us and feels safe here. She can often be seen eating in the horse pasture or lounging around at the edge of the woods here at the Sandarosa.

His Magical Majesty

Today's sketch is of one of my favorite creatures, Handsome Stranger. I see him daily. He is a definitely a messenger from Spirit. Read the story here.

OK, I see I am inspiring a few people now! Lee Gates sent in two drawings today. She was a little confused but that's OK. She copied my sketch from June 2nd as the first challenge and later sent in her sketch of the current one. THANKS Lee, Good Job!

Sketching Challenge #2

I showed Jerry the photo I chose for the 2nd sketching challenge last night and he said it looked hard. Tonight I did this rough sketch of it in about five minutes. It wasn't as easy as I had thought it would be. Maybe it was because hubby planted the seed in my head that it was hard or maybe it's because it's 10 pm. Anyway, it wasn't that hard! I'll work on this again this week and post my drawing on Sunday. I hope some of you out there in cyberspace will join me. Remember, it's not the end result that is important, it's the process! Drawing is an exercise in discipline, seeing, coordination and technique.

Our First Challenger Checks In!

I was happy to get this sketch and a nice email in my inbox this morning from friend and Cedar Run employee, Judy Scott. She writes; "I took up your challenge. Because I have access to Squam I combined two pictures. This is a sketch of Squam and a fledgling Barred Owl. In 2007 Squam was a foster parent to a young Barred Owl that came into the refuge. Although Squam is a male, he was a great surrogate, teaching the young one to eat and fly. Eventually the fledgling was released back into the wild. Thanks for all your support of Cedar Run."

Wow, Thank you Judy for the lovely sketch and a little backgound on Squamie! I hope your effort will inspire others!

Today I added the second step of my 6 Step System to yesterday's sketch. My motto is KISS - Keep it sensationally Simple!!

Twelve Minute Challenge Sketch

Here's my interpretation of this week's challenge sketch from Cedar Run Refuge that I posted last week in my very first post on June 1st. So far nobody has sent in any drawings, although a few of you DID say you were going to try it. I hope you guys won't chicken out on me. This does not have to be time consuming or difficult! I did this sketch today in my big sketch pad. I was trying for 10 minutes, but it actually took me 12. You'll notice I didn't get past the first step of my drawing technique. The whole drawing was done holding my pencil like a wand and using my whole arm. I squinted a lot while I was drawing and tried to get down the overall big shapes as quickly as possible.



I will still post any drawings you want to submit! Better late than never.

I'm also posting the new photo for this week's challenge. This is a herb garden that my friend Dorrie brought to me yesterday, along with three beautiful patio tomato plants and fertilizer! This little pot shown here has chives, oregano and rosemary in it. It has a wonderful variety of textures, directional thrusts and shapes. Thanks so much Dorrie. My friends are simply the best!


This one is super easy!! You should be able to get the overall shape down on this in under a minute with no problem.

No Time To Sketch, You Say?

I am having guests arrive here this afternoon for a visit and dinner. I've got the roasts in the crock pots, but still have lots to do. That doesn't leave a lot of time for sketching, but you don't need a lot of time!! Today I did these gesture drawings in under 10 minutes. It is such a great drill and I don't do it enough. It's one of my favorite exercises at my workshops. See more of an explanation here .

2009 Sketching Demo Now On Line!

Learn Sandy's 6 Step Technique Here!

A New Home For Angelica

It's been a trying couple of days with the phone and internet. I've had cable guys here yesterday and today. All the issues are not solved yet, but I hope we are getting closer to a solution. I was waiting for the technician to arrive and wondering what to draw for my sketching everyday post, when I got a call from someone who's adopting a cat from our local animal shelter. He got my name from Lisa, the shelter director, who told him I'd do a portrait of his new kitty for a $75. donation to the shelter. I went online and looked at his new girl and did this sketch of #26615 "Angelica" tonight. I plan on doing a little oil painting and take it over to the shelter early next week before Don goes to pick her up. So, that may be a good way to go about this, all you Art For Shelter Animals Artists. Have the shelter tell the new adoptees that you will do a painting of their new addition for a donation to the shelter. Hey, it works for me!