TyQuilts Designs

There seems to be a theme running through many of my sketches this month, and that is RED.  I seem to be reaching for the same red pencils over and over. There is just something about red. It is so bright and vibrant. I think my love affair with red started as a teen when I figured out that if shopping with my mom I stood a much better chance of getting her to buy me something if I picked out something red.  Two more of my Every day in May sketches and hey— They are red!

Continuing on with the challenge. Everyday is not something that has happened but  my drawing skills are slowly improving and I can more accurately draw simple shapes. No tracing clipart or photos for these drawings.

Occasionally I have to beat back my inner critic when I see the lovely complex work being done by others in this  challenge with creative layouts and backgrounds.  It can be hard not to just throw in the towel. I have to remind myself, that I am doing this to improve my drawing skills which is actually working and there is time to worry about colorful backgrounds and complex, detailed drawings later.

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I was inspired by Liz (Borromini Bear) whose art journals I just love to join her in doing the first 31 EDM ( Every Day Matters)  challenges in May. It will be a great way to get in some drawing practice everyday.  I still struggle so much with my drawing skills and haven’t put the practice into it that I really should. I am sure I won’t post every day but hopefully at least once a week.  I am doing these sketches in a brand new moleskine used just for this.

The first challenge was to draw a shoe. At first I was going to draw my beat up sneaker that I wear for work, but then I decided that just because I have awful feet which don’t allow me to wear cute girly  shoes doesn’t mean I can’t draw one.

We have been having a Marvelous March– Sunshine, warm days and not a single bit of snow which is unheard of for us.  My Tulips are just starting to poke through the ground and the journaling prompt “Sunshine” inspired this page in my journal

I am learning so much from Laure Ferlita’s Visit to the beach class, and trying things that I would never have tried before, like this flamingo.

I am taking and imaginary visit to the beach with Laure Ferlita. This is the perfect time of year for this as February is always so cold and snowy and depressing and seems to last forever.

This painting breaks all of the rules of composition, but I am pleased with it. It has the moody intense feeling that I was going for. Done on colorfix pastel paper with pan pastels, pastels pencils and a bit of soft stick pastels adapted from a reference photo with permission.

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In one of the online art groups I am a member of there was a discussion about using reference photos and how you are using someone else’s artistic vision when you do so (unless of course the photo is one you took yourself)

Happy New Year to all!