Sometimes Less Is More

I spent some time sketching the hummingbirds today. This is my favorite quick gesture drawing. This drawing proves to me that all it takes is a few strokes in the right place to capture the essence of your subject.

Blind Contour Seashell Drawing

A Blind Contour Drawing is extremely valuable in learning to SEE BETTER. This is not meant to be a great picture. It's a training exercise. See more about Blind Contour here. Go ahead, what have you got to lose? Give it a try yourself! And remember, everything is sketchable.

Drawing Objects / Horse Figurine

I strongly recommend drawing from life! I think it teaches you to really see. And hey folks . . . that's a H U G E part of drawing! I'm working on doing drawing exercises everyday now to get my sight muscles back into shape. Today's sketch is a series of two minute gestures of a small whimsical unicorn stallion figurine that I've owned for decades. This is the first time I've attempted to draw it. Like I always say, "Everything is sketchable."

Bear Drawings & A New Challenge

Today I'm posting my bear challenge sketch in two parts, with and without the wash.


Below is another drawing sent in by Molly VanZant. She writes, "I hope you don't mind I sent my second attempt.. you don't have to publish it or comment on it, I don't want to take up your time but I did try again so I thought I'd send it on. Thanks for your blog & work, I love it!!"

Thanks Molly, good job!


Here's the new photo for this week's sketching challenge. It's a shot of Tommy on the porch with his cat grass, watching the hummingbirds. I hope some of you will give it a try.

Dancing Hummingbird Sketch

Lots of hummingbird action here today! I think the first broods are starting to emerge now. I am looking forward to even more action here soon! See my Hyped Up Hummingbirds Video here.

Hummingbird Happiness

The hummers are really zooming around my yard today. Everywhere I look, I see a different one! I just love my little sweeties. Get set up to attract your own this summer. The effort is well worth the return! Check out my 5 Steps To Happy Hummingbirds to see how.

Tommy's In Pincess's Bed Again!

Don't be afraid to try to draw something fleeting. If you get the big shapes down in a minute or two, you can always add the details later, (or after the subject moves). Here's a quickie of Tommy in the studio. He's not allowed in because he gets destructive. He chews paper. He LOVES to be in the studio though. I guess it's like the forbidden fruit. First thing he does is jump in my studio cat's bed. He gets this satisfied look instantly - sorta like the Cheshire Cat. He only sat still for a couple of minutes, but I was able to get this one in for today.


I got in another Bear sketch today! I think this year we're on a roll. I'll be sharing all new bear challenge sketches and sketcher testimonials on Sunday or Monday with mine. Come on now, why don't you give it a try!? You don't have to send it in if you can't or don't want to. Just do it! Do a few. You'll be glad you did. You might even surprise yourself. "Repetition is the key to mastery." ~ SSS

Look at the hippo tutorial on my SIMPLE SKETCHING STEPS lens. I think it will help you with seeing shapes.

My Bear Drawing and Our First Challenger Checks In!

I got our first drawing in already for this week's sketching challenge! Molly VanZant writes;" I tried to look for shapes but I got distracted by the lines."


It's a common problem with me too Molly. One trick I know of to enable you to see shapes better, is to draw a grid on your photo and then draw the same proportions on your paper. This bear breaks down evenly into four sections vertically . Then I drew a line through the bear on the horizon line. Now try to duplicate the shapes in each section on your paper and tell me if you find it any easier. I like the drawing very much overall, however it got a little big on the page. I'd recommend getting a bigger pad or starting smaller. I've listed the drawing supplies I use on my new "Simple Sketching Steps" lens.


Here's my first bear sketch from yesterday with the wash added today.

LET THE FUN BEGIN!! Grin And BEAR it!

OMG! Here it is the first day of June and the start of another fun filled summer of sketching everyday! I went down into the basement today, looking for stuff to sketch. Remember, everything is sketchable! Here's the items I came upstairs with.


I decided to draw the bear, so I put it up on a large coffee can to bring it up to eye level.


Here's my bear drawing for today. It's not very impressive. I'll put the watercolor wash on it tomorrow. I have to keep telling myself that this is an exercise! It doesn't have to be a masterpiece. I am really rusty, so I'll be starting off kinda slow this year. Please BEAR with me.


I decided to post this photo of the bear as *THIS WEEK'S SKETCHING CHALLENGE because I really like all the negative space and shapes around him/her. Squint a lot and look at SHAPES inside and outside of the figure as you draw. See shapes, not things and try not to get too wrapped up in the results. It's the process that counts. It will get easier the more you practice, I promise!


*THIS YEAR'S SKETCHING CHALLENGES - I'm posting a photo at the beginning of the week again. If anyone chooses to sketch it and send your drawing to: sandy@sandysandy.com, I'll post it here on the following Sunday or Monday (unless you tell me otherwise) with my own interpretation.

A New Lens Is Born

My Squidoo Sketching Everyday Lens got huge and so jam packed with information, I thought some of you might be getting overwhelmed.

I decided to break sketching down into bite sized pieces that would make it easier to understand and digest. I also explain my materials and make some supply recommendations here.

INTRODUCING Simple Sketching Steps

Another Quick Sketch

Only 11 days until DrawingEveryday 2010 starts up! I hope you are all sharpening your pencils and eyes and loosening up your arms.

Blustery Days Of May

The middle of May has been more like the middle of March the past couple of days. With temps getting down to almost freezing at night, we've gone from needing the air conditioning last week to turning on the heater this morning. The horses like it because the bugs aren't biting and the windy cool weather has gotten them all frisky. Here's a quick sketch I did of Miss Rita today.
I can't believe it's only three weeks until I start drawing every single day!