Wow! another new year

For all that has happened in the last couple of months, one needs to be happy that they can welcome the new year. We are safe, no fire, mud slides or excessive snow. Yeah.

There is not the challenge of a general design pattern that I used last year.

 Just that it is a seven inch circle on a ten inch square of paper. 

Naturally, the color is more intense, but hope that you get the idea.

I am doing other work such as dyeing fabric, quilting, embellishing and drawing. 

More later. Blog posting seems to be low on the list!

Oct and Nov mandalas

Mandalas for October and November using the same general format.

Oh oops, the sizes are different, but you get the idea! October was only ballpoint pen and November was watercolor as the background and ink pens for the black.

August and September

Two mandalas to share.

This top one is really about my favorite for the year. The background is paste paper.

Ink and colored pencils for the design.

I'm trying to learn how to handle colored pencils. I have mixed feelings about this piece.

July is gone!

We went to Ohio to see the grand kids. We left 100 degree dry heat to fine ourselves in humid 80 degree weather. Ohio is very green and California is not😎 Beauty in both worlds.  I had finished this mandala and wasn't sure about the outcome. When I came home I liked it better! It's done with ink and colored pencil. Always learning.

Sketchbook

Sketchbook drawing seems to be keeping my interest. I continue to be fascinated at how the pieces can be so varied with a limited amount of stroke designs.

October Mandala

October is now also called Inktober. The idea is to sketch everyday using ink. This mandala is mostly ink with a watercolor background and a little bit of colored pencil. It seems to have taken a long time as I would do one part and leave it for a few days before I would add the next element. But, I am satisfied and the amount of time is really isn't the point.

Zentangle Play

This piece was done in my 9 x 12 sketchbook with pens and spots of inktense pencils.

By the way, I do live in California and it does seem as though the whole state is on fire. We can see smoke on the horizon, but the air is still OK for daily activity here in Sacramento. It's only August and, unfortunately, the conditions will only get dryer until the rain comes.

Learning to Draw

Sketch Skool, a creation from the mind of Danny Gregory, has offered a series of classes that are very informative and inspiring. There is a get moving, no excuses attitude from each of the talented instructors. The realization is that there are many styles of drawing and all are correct. One just needs to do it!

This mandala is done with micron pens in a moleskin journal.

Figures are another challenge. So much that they even stand on the heads of others!

Step by step I am getting a better image of people I know. 

This is one of my 4 year old granddaughters.

Yes, the drawing bug has bitten me. One goal is to go out and draw, but I am pretty content learning in my own space in the comfort of my home. I know that practice and more practice will bring a better understanding and the pieces will improve!

Sketchbook Skool

My life has been on slow down for a few weeks. The upside is that I sit and draw, sew, read and take naps. Pretty nice. So I've done some self portraits and will continue to do them as I learn so much with each attempt.

Flowers are always a nice subject, so I've done these with Inktense pencils. I'm  beginning to appreciate their qualities. I can draw the shape and have it gently disappear with a touch of water.

The last picture is of a mug as I don't have any pretty teacups, a subject that Liz Steel loves. But, her guidelines certainly help in understand the subject!

Finally, I seem to be enjoying the process and feel better about my understanding of the art of drawing.

Zentangle mandala

A friend reminded me that I haven't posted in a while. I have excuses, such as spending six hours helping to set up the quilt show today or painting walls at the art center or working on our Christmas card.

 Oh wait, there is excitement over the birth of my latest grandwonderful-Miles Christopher yesterday. Mom and baby are fine. Erika Ray took photos of the happy event and there are a couple of very lovely pieces at her blog under 13-30. For a grandma who is 2,000 miles away this is a special way to connect.

But, I have managed to sit and enjoy drawing. Here is zentangle that is drawn with a Lamby-Safari pen and intense pencils.

Zentangle Moleskin 2

Obviously there is something about zentangles that calls to me. I made the pledge (to myself) to do another accordian moleskin. The format will be a mandala followed by a "free motion" design. Yes, it's calming to do, but it also calms the mind and that is good for me. There is an element that helps me to work out of my comfort zone and to learn contrast, color and other arty concepts.

The center circle and the two circles to shape the outer band were done with templates and a compass. All the rest is created freehand. OK, a ruler for the bands on the side.

Each page is an enjoyable lesson. There are so many techniques and designs that can be learned and incorporated. Oh boy, what is next!

Zentangle moleskin

My moleskin is about two thirds full and it's just letting me know that there are many more designs that could be added. One neighbor described my book as lace. I thought that was a sweet observation as I'm still wondering about my "style".

The following pages are rather intense. I challenged myself to fill in the sections which created by randomly dividing the pages. I just wasn't in the mood to add any color. I think that there is enough happening using only black!

Sketches and Tools

At the Sketchcrawl I observed a woman doing all her work with a fountain pen. She then used a brush with water to smear the ink and create texture. Thought that I'd give it a try. Don't ask why the palm trees are leaning, I don't have a good excuse!

On the same day, I sat in the bleaches (where I was supposedly watching a soccer game) I decided to draw and paint the pile of backpacks and clothes in front of me. This was another piece where I got lost in time as I worked.

By the way, my team blew a 4-1 lead and the game ended in a tie. OK, I did watch some of the game.