Dogs in my Sketchbook
Since Wednesday there hasn't been a lot of time for art. Thursday was a snow day -- and though my children are old enough to take care of themselves, I look at these days as a rare opportunity to spend time with them. On Friday, I dashed about before departing for my daughter's dance competition. We left after rehearsals on Friday evening, then were up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for a LONG day dancing. Let's just say that costume changes, hair changes, etc, don't leave a lot of time for art. We got home at 1:30 a.m. this morning. (And, just because I want to brag a bit, here's a photo a friend took of my younger daughter during her solo -- only the younger one danced this weekend -- dancing to Pat Benatar's song, Heartbreaker. Yep, she's dressed for the 80's, complete with a motorcycle vest and ripped leggings.)
At any rate, today is for catching up on household chores and given the hour of our return this morning, I'm a bit slow on getting things done. I decided to sit down for a bit between errands and peruse my new book, Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists by Carla Sonheim. It's a collection of 52 different drawing exercises to help you focus, try new techniques, and hopefully, make drawing "...a pleasurable activity rather than as an opportunity to beat yourself up." Sounded like the perfect book for me.
Well, so far the book is on the mark. I had so much fun doing Exercise #3: My Pet Project (the book is designed to let you do whatever exercise fits your mood). In one aspect of this exercise, Sonheim suggests we try to draw our sleeping pets. Though the target is to draw for only one minute, I decided five minutes for each drawing was better for me; I just don't move fast enough or confidently enough yet to make quick gesture drawings. Look, look, look -- I ended up with three drawings that look like dogs! Whadd'ya know?
At any rate, today is for catching up on household chores and given the hour of our return this morning, I'm a bit slow on getting things done. I decided to sit down for a bit between errands and peruse my new book, Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists by Carla Sonheim. It's a collection of 52 different drawing exercises to help you focus, try new techniques, and hopefully, make drawing "...a pleasurable activity rather than as an opportunity to beat yourself up." Sounded like the perfect book for me.
Well, so far the book is on the mark. I had so much fun doing Exercise #3: My Pet Project (the book is designed to let you do whatever exercise fits your mood). In one aspect of this exercise, Sonheim suggests we try to draw our sleeping pets. Though the target is to draw for only one minute, I decided five minutes for each drawing was better for me; I just don't move fast enough or confidently enough yet to make quick gesture drawings. Look, look, look -- I ended up with three drawings that look like dogs! Whadd'ya know?
Comments
And your dogs sure do look like dogs.