Rare Moment of Stillness

Ralfi, pencil in sketchbook

Ralfi is my dog and this is a pose he is not often caught in, stillness. I am thinking he really needs to be renamed, Houdini. He's a terrier, which seems to be his best excuse for constantly finding ways of escaping. Since moving house I have lost count of the number of times he has escaped and had me chasing him down the road, along riverbanks, etc.

I wouldn't mind so much if it was just a case of him escaping, me calling and him returning, but no.... I call his name he turns looks at me and then puts an extra spurt of energy into running even faster in the opposite direction!

I have fixed all the places where I think he may have got through to the outside world, but I fear he will outwit me yet. Ah well, I guess it's all exercise!

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.

Reflections

Pencil in sketchbook

When I see reflections on water I always want to sketch... I just wish I were a little better at capturing them, but I'm sure with practice it will all come together.

New Year always seems to be a time for reflection... taking stock of the happenings of the previous year and thinking of the improvements for the future. One of the reasons I love the start of the year.

Positives for today:
1. New doors to replace the old - kind of symbolic I think.
2. Sound of snow melting from trees in sunlight.
3. Watching my dog enjoy the warmth from a blazing fire.

Happy New Year!

Pencil in sketchbook

2010 is here! Yay!!!

I'm still practising the trees. This is the latest and I am hoping that drawing them will help improve my paintings also.

I love New Year with all the new beginnings of hopes and dreams, it's such an exciting time. The whole year stretches before me and I see the things I want to happen, now all I need do is make it so!

Drawing Trees

50 min pencil in sketchbook

Still stuck on trees. I feel that the more I draw and paint them the better they will become or at least I will stop worrying over them.

I really enjoyed drawing this and was surprised at the ease of my return to pencilwork, I find it very relaxing and satisfying.

Note to self: Pick up the pencil more often!

Roses Unfinished

Pencil in sketchbook 25 min (interrupted)

Not quite enough time to finish, but I enjoyed sketching this.

I am really enjoying fitting in my sketches wherever I can. Sometimes I am unable to post them here, but as long as I endeavour to do at least one sketch a day I am happy. Flowers particularly make me happy because they are so delicate and beautiful and bring a welcome splash of colour to brighten a difficult day.

Sorry no colour in this one, but soon...

Garden from Second Floor

30 min pencil on cartridge paper 12" x 9"

Garden from second floor was an interesting sketch to make because the perspective is totally different from high up.

Taking a fresh viewpoint in everyday life can often make us see things in an entirely different way.

Moving Target

Pencil in sketchbook
Watercolour pencil in sketchbook 15 min action shot!
Ralfi my dog in action. It's very difficult sketching a moving dog and Ralfi is never still very long - I think he's hyperactive!