Showing posts with label ink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ink. Show all posts

Saturday, 3 August 2024

Eyes are the windows of the soul

 Now practising drawing eyes.  Using either graphite or pen.  I know, keep practising!  I’m quite pleased with my progress so far, but I’m a very impatient person and need to see results quickly.  I must learn to slow down and draw mindfully.


I invested in the Bargue book to help me with my practice.  So far so good.  I intend to practice daily this week and then maybe move on to other features.

When I draw or paint a portrait I adore adding the eyes, they really bring the drawing to life!

I always feel that to get a good likeness you really have to get the eyes right especially.

Any thoughts or advice is gratefully received.

Best wishes

Shari 💕

Sunday, 28 April 2024

Good to be back!

 


Marker pens

Hello everyone, sorry I’ve been away too long.  For personal reasons I was unable to indulge in my painting for quite some time.  But now I’m back and experimenting with quick sketches.

I decided that I would face my fears as in try sketching buildings.  I like quirky and the wonkier the better.  Some have been quite successful and some not so, but it’s all been a learning curve.

I know what I want to achieve, but I’m not quite there yet.

Here are a few… the good, the bad and the ugly.  You choose which is which! lol 😂 

Pen and wash

Pen and ink

Ink

Marker pens

All completed in less than 60 minutes.  There are some bits I like, some I really dislike, but above all I have really enjoyed getting the sketchbook out again!




Monday, 27 August 2012

Pomeranian Pooch

Gel pen in sketchbook

Had 40 minutes to spare and chose the challenge of this pretty Pomeranian from a photo ref on WetCanvas.

Sometimes when we least expect it things turn out much better than planned and every now and then it turns out worse.  Such is life.  Pick yourself up, dust yourself down and start all over again.  At least the little pooch brought a smile.


Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Cool Cats!

Ink in moleskine sketchbook

This is not so good, but  maybe a crooked cat is kind of interesting...

Today was good, the sun shone and that always cheers me up but also work went really well.  I achieved a lot and even managed to get people working as a team, so all were cool cats!

An hour for lunch.... well, it only takes 10 minutes to eat a sandwich and so.... 50 minutes well spent I think.

Sunday, 5 February 2012

Rumpelstiltskin



A wonderful project on WetCanvas, Classical Forum - http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=992492&referrerid=0


After Anne Anderson.


I used watercolour pencils and ink. It was great fun to do.


Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Kennard will guide...




Page 3 of the Journal 2012.


So far I am keeping on track but drawing the dog was not the easiest thing to do. I enjoyed the background though.


Mixed media.

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Enter The Shadow Witch


Page 2 of my Journal 2012.

Enter The Shadow Witch who shows no mercy.

Again this is in mixed media and was lots of fun to create.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

Journal 2012



First day of the New Year - Happy New Year Everyone!


This is my first creative project for the New Year - I still cannot believe it is 2012! I have been having fun with mixed media. Using oil pastels and watercolours and ink (of course!).


This is the beginning of my journal and it is to be a special journal (hopefully) as I hope to add to it as often as possible throughout the year.


Experimenting with different mediums has always been a favourite pastime of mine. I enjoyed choosing the colours for this and the process of creating it. It's great fun.

Sunday, 18 December 2011

Walking in the Snow



Inspired by Kate Greenaway (and my daughter's family!), I painted this in watercolour and ink.

I hope it snows for Christmas.... but only briefly. :)

Sunday, 13 November 2011

Gouache Experiment


Decided to try a little experiment with gouache and waterproof ink.

Firstly, drew the outline of the flower with pencil and then laid white gouache in places.




Then when the gouache was dry I painted over the whole thing with black waterproof ink.

Wait until the ink is completely dry. Then wash off under cold water using a brush to gently remove some of the ink. In theory, where the ink lays over gouache it should lift off revealing the white paper underneath and the ink where there was no gouache remains untouched.

The finish was not quite as expected - in fact, you could say it all went hideously wrong. lol

However, it is quite an interesting effect and I will try this experiment again. I quite like the effect, it's just the black lines across where it didn't quite work for me.

I think perhaps I need to lay the gouache a little thicker, allowing it to dry completely and then go over with the ink. I also think it might be better to try something a little more robust than 140 lb paper. This could be the reason the ink sunk into ridges or lines across the paper.


Thursday, 18 August 2011

Exploring Exercise!

At the start of this year I promised myself that I would spend this year returning my body to some form of fitness and I embarked on a healthier diet. However, I must admit that as far as exercise was concerned after the initial excitement of getting out walking etc, my enthusiasm waned.

So within the last 3 weeks I have been attending our local Leisure Centre where you can drop into various exercise classes and try them out.

First I tried aqua aerobics which was a bit of a damp squib (ha-ha) for me as I am terrified of water and refused to move from the shallow end of the pool but I must admit the instructor was very patient and by the end of the lesson I was actually doing my exercises away from the walls unaided!

When I tried spinning. Wow, was that hard work! But you know, I loved it. The guy who led this indoor cycling class was very enthusiastic and had us cycling in the Tour de France. When we were riding uphill we had to stand and cycle but my legs being totally unco-ordinated refused to get into the rhythm so most of the time I remained seated. In this position, be warned, you are likely to get somewhat saddlesore! It was fun however and I am continuing with that class.





Next came aerobics - OMG, I hadn't done real aerobics for some years and this was such a shock to my system by the end of the class I was totally convinced of my lack of co-ordination and sense of direction. Every turn, every leg or arm movement you can bet I was doing the complete opposite to the rest of the class. Even when we did the floor exercises everybody waited while someone pointed out to me that I was facing opposite to everyone else! No, I'm not doing that one again!



Yoga next…. This is my dream exercise class, it's just perfect for me. Slow and
gentle, stretching, relaxing and deep breathing. Oh yes, my favourite by far and one that I am continuing with relish. Such serenity. Definitely good for the mind, but I also need more challenging exercise, so onward.






Now Zumba. What fun! I have never sweated so much in my life, but the dance routines and movements were wonderful. Easier for younger people but I really enjoyed myself. Hard work, but definitely worth it.


All in all it was pretty hard work, but afterwards I felt so good I knew that I must continue the exercise regime. With this in mind for the first time in my life I joined the gym. Today I am going for my induction after which I can use the gym as much as I want. I'm really looking forward to it and I'll report back to you later.






Saturday, 4 June 2011

Plenty More Fish in the Sea





Another after Charles Robinson. Ink with watercolour pencil. I rather like the way these fishes seem to be in conversation.


Reminds me of what my grandmother told me when I was jilted by a boyfriend... plenty more fish in the sea.



I need to practice fish, I think. We have inherited a large pond with some rather sizeable fish in and I'm thinking maybe I should get out there now the weather's warm and start painting!

Friday, 3 June 2011

Summer Days and Fairies



Ink on tinted sketch paper - After Charles Robinson's The Siesta



A quick study of the illustration entitled The Siesta, which appealed to me because the fairies seem to be using a cobweb as a hammock. It reminds me of warm Summer days languidly lying in our hammock. I also adored the shape of the cat.



I could have worked more on this to give more detail, but didn't really have the time.





Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Angel Scattering Autumn Leaves

Ink in sketchbook


After Charles Robinson again, this time a fairy. I'm kind of pleased with it, although Charles Robinson's was of course better, but then he did add colour. I'm afraid to use colour in case I mess it up again. Ah well, it's only a drawing.... maybe I will try some colour on it after all.

If we are paralysed by fear and afraid of messing up we will never move forward, never enjoy the thrill of taking a risk and possibly succeeding. Where is the fun in that?


I think I'm ready to take a leap of faith.







Monday, 30 May 2011

Another Try...

Ink on HP paper

As you can see still no likeness, in fact I think I'm losing it totally! Trouble is I rather like this guy, if only I knew where he was. He's so cute.

OK, tomorrow I start getting serious and get down to measuring properly. Let's see if we can nail this one once and for all.

Saturday, 28 May 2011

After Charles Robinson



My version of Alice in Wonderland - not quite as good as Charles Robinson's but it was so lovely to use the inks again. I was pleased with this result.




Sometimes the hardest thing in life to learn is when to stop, when not to keep pushing but to hold off and allow the currents of fate to flow freely.




Unfortunately, even at my age I have not learned this lesson and did not know when to stop. I used watercolour in a very heavy handed way to add just a little colour and in so doing (to my mind) I spoilt the picture with a messy background.




Ah well, maybe next time I will take more care and just cease.





Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Teddy with Cookies

Teddy with Cookies ink and watercolour



Yes, it's Teddy again, this time he has cookies to hand just in case he gets peckish! Whenever I am unsure of what to paint Teddy is there, he is definitely my favourite subject - he is part of my comfort zone and I love him. Now I just need to feel as confident with other subjects.




Monday, 9 May 2011

Reward!

After Richard Doyle - ink on paper

I'm back! Yay! So long away from art and my blog... mostly because of a wretched house move, which was great but kept me from my art (ggrrrhh!) Now happily settled and made a room into a studio space so I have no excuse not to get down to some serious painting.

So, for your patience here is your Reward (the name of the above sketch)!

Sunday, 8 August 2010

After Walter Crane


Ink and watercolour in A4 sketchbook

I find myself really enjoying copying illustrations and it is giving me a lot of good practice - I am learning so much.

Because I used my sketchbook for this one the watercolour wash in the background did not work so well, (a white background would have been cleaner) but I am happy to have the practice.

I have learned that sometimes it's best to leave things well alone.

Positivity wins the day and determination to improve both my art and my outlook is paramount to progress.

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Teddy and the Cookie Jar


Teddy with the Cookie Jar - Ink sketch

Pencil sketch

Just sketching some ideas in readiness for my painting. I have already started the painting but I need to add stuff and these are some studies which should help when I get back to the painting.

I have recently been in hospital and unable to paint or even sketch. Glad to say I am on the mend and soooo happy to be getting back to my artwork. I have missed it so much.