Moleskine sketches

After Wednesday’s creative activity I thought I’d try sketching random thoughts without thinking much and see what emerges. Here’s what happened whilst I was at the kids swimming lessons yesterday.

Platypus

Cloud Catching

I sold a picture at Derinya art show, which was lovely. Now trying to get it together for a productive week of sending submissions off to publishers. Feeling a lot like this picture. Enthusiastic and optimistic at one moment and then full of concern and anxiety.

Pyjama Day

It’s a cold, wet, wintery day and the kids have all got the snivvles. Sounds like the perfect excuse to stay in our jim-jams and watch movies all day!. I’m still working though – in my pyjamas of course. Time for the next round of lemon and honey tea.

Lovely watercolour and ink

Here’s a little sketch I did today. I’m getting truly addicted to using ink and watercolour. Been so busy with school and kids this week it has disappeared in a flash. Some very happy things have happened though. My book for The Sketchbook Project arrived and this is my first entry. It’s smaller than I thought but I like that. I also managed to get my pieces completed and framed in time for The Continental Hotel first major exhibition of the year. I sold there last year just in time for our overseas trip, so fingers crossed for this year. I’m stepping away from the usual portraits so we’ll see how it’s received. Friends and family are being kind so far but you can always rely on them. And the last really good thing is that my work was chosen to go in The Style File. Really really excited about this. Oh and there’s more, Illustrators Australia have announced calls for entry for there A3 print show, so I have a focus for the next couple of weeks!

Summer Shower

When I started this portrait project I asked my friends to send me photos, with certain conditions attached. I got this beautiful picture back from my dear friend Susan and my first thought was…. some people just can’t follow the rules! As it turns out, now I realise that I shouldn’t underestimate some peoples cleverness and particularly this person. In giving me the photograph she inspired me to try something new and I’ve absolutley loved doing it. So, thank you Susan, you’re a star.

Portrait project

I started a project to give my drawing skills a boost. I asked friends to contribute photo’s of themselves or their children so I can draw them. I’m absolutely loving it, and building up a really nice little portfolio of work. The first one here has to be my favourite portrait to date. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do it if I hadn’t asked people and offered to do some work for free.

Portraits

I have been enjoying doing some portrait sketches over the past week or so.

Africa

 

 

Last August I had the incredible privilege  to go to Africa and take the kids on three days of fishing on the Zambezi River. For some unknown reason I chose not to record or draw anything from this amazing experience. So here are a few bits.

 

 

 

Warming Up after the long weekend

doodle do

Been struggling with starter sketches for characters today. Bit preoccupied with other stuff going on. But then I thought I’d draw on characters close to my heart. My middle daughter is tiny for her age but insists on wearing clothes far too big for her because she thinks it’s cool. She makes me laugh. Here’s a couple of sketches of her stepping out for school his morning.

Old friend

Been sketching to try and develop more character. Getting there I think. Practice practice.

Butterfly Swarms

I have got completely carried away with this whole idea of swarms of butterflies and have started creating some new folio pieces. Let me know what you think.

 

New sketch

Inspired by doing Illustration Friday this week, I thought I’d redo the little girl character. All went well I think.

Busy being on holiday

It’s the Summer holidays, which is lovely but it does mean that between trips to the beach, gardening and computer games there isn’t a lot of drawing going on. The other day though a friend asked if I’d be willing to do some portraiture in public for a good cause. The thought filled me with dread and then I started to get into doing some practice.  I’ve been bribing the kids with ice cream if they sit still for 15 minutes, or catching them whilst they watch tv. I’m quite pleased with some of the results. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to go ahead with the event because it clashed with something else, but I think I’d give it a go if I get another opportunity.

Cooking supper

Our eldest was inspired by ‘Junior Masterchef’ and took on cooking the supper all by herself tonight. First she tackled cutting onions.

New pens

I am delighted to have finally bought some decent waterproof brush pens. I came home and drew this odd androgynous character with too much shade on their face. Things will improve.

Sit Still

I’ve been trying to train the kids to sit still long enough for me to draw them. It’s going well, these likenesses aren’t too bad. I’ve even managed to capture the slightly squiffy cross-eyed look they have the misfortune to have inherited from me.

Camping trip

Been camping on the stunning Gippsland coast for the past four days. Managed to get a little sketching done.

Progress….I think