Rhaja, the Chocolate Lab

Last week I finished up a workshop on using colored pencil on Drawspace and given by Artist, Jeanette Jobson. Jeanette is a marvelous teacher and I learned so much through her guidance. I just hope I can remember all I learned and put it into practice. There were so many talented artists in the workshop including my dear friends Kay and Clara who have been so instrumental in encouraging me to try new mediums such as acrylics and now colored pencil.

Currently, I'm in the midst of our Prehistoric Card Trade and will be posting the cards as soon as the trade ends in early December. Afterwards, I may well make a run at pastels.

Woman with Curls

The past two weeks I've been experimenting with colored pencils and drawing the "Woman with Curls" is the result. I never intended to make this a finished work but after trying several blending techniques I added a background and threw on the outfit to make it "finished". My learning is never finished and I enjoyed learning the blending techniques symbolized here.

Under the Sea Cards

During the month of October I have been drawing cards for our card trade on drawspace. After much consideration I decided upon a "shell" theme and began painting shells with colored pencils and acrylics. These certainly gave me some challenges in using both mediums and I'm still trying to use both with some degree of effectiveness. I have to thank all of my friends at drawspace for their encouragement and guidance. There are many great artists there and I'm so privledged to have their encouragement. Here are my shells for Under the Sea card trade.

Under the Sea Cards

Mary in hat at Chincoteage Island

Here is my first painting in acrylics which is of my wife, Mary in her very large straw hat on the beach at Chincotage Island this summer. We had a lovely vacation as described on my June post here. Mary got rather irritated at me as we walked along the surf because I kept asking her to pose for me to take pictures with my digital camera. I thought the light was just perfect shinning from her back and highlighting her beautiful tan and very large straw hat. I found much of my attention working on this painting was on mixing the colors to get them the colors I wanted. I plan to pay closer attention to values and shading on my next attempt with acrylic. It was soooo much fun and very relaxing.

Safari Card Trade+

Here are some of the cards I completed for the drawspace Safari Card Trade.

I recieve so many beautiful cards from all over the world from my friends who are all very skilled artists.

Disney Card Trade

These are some of the cards I completed for the drawspace card trade with a Disney theme. There were so many wonderful cards done and I was fortunate to receive many beautiful cards from all over the world.

Owl

Here's my first attempt at using charcoal with colored pencils.It was for a drawing challenge at drawspace. I love owls and their mysteriousness. I thought this might be a

good practice for picture with Halloween theme. I love the fall and the seasons what I call the holiday season that begin practically when school begins.

I had a very good friend who passed away a few years ago who passed along to me his way of enjoying them. He would say', "When yo see

the football players practicing and the band practicing you know that school is going to begin and then very quickly comes Halloween then Thanksgiving and the Christmas." It always seems to sneak up on you and you need to see the signs."

Pretty soon I will smell that unique smell that just precedes fall in the Northeast. First comes the Joe Pye blooms and then at smell and like my friend I know that the seasons are beginning again.

Andria in Ski Vest

Here's a portrait of our cousin, Andria in a ski vest. It needs much more work with color and light. I suppose it's a start.

Chincotegue Island

Just spent a funtastic week at Chincoteague and Asseteague Islands, Viginia.
I was able to take a variety of pictures which I hope to turn into drawing ideas.
Asseteague Island is a National wildlife preserve and the beautiful beaches and salt marshes are a beautiful compliment to the wildlife living on the island. And of course there are the famous wild ponies that run freely on the island. They are often seen feeding in the marshes and scamper away when frightened.

My daughter's college friend and fellow nursing grad.

Here's an attempt to capture my daughter's good friend's delightful expression at a formal prior to graduation. As usual, I was unable to capture her expression to my likeing. The attempt was a great learning experience in using a photo model which had very sharp contrast and quite darkened background.

Apricots in a bowl.

Here's and attempt at a still life with colored pencils. Loved experimenting with the colored pencils and have much to learn in this realm. Great fun attempting this one.

Chocolate Lab

Here's my drawing of a chocolate Lab for a drawing challenge on drawspace.
It was my first attempt at drawing a dog or of any animal for that matter. Thanks to Dianna for her response. I would be happy to attempt your dog.
Quite a hectic week.

Continuing to work on another portrait which I've just begun.

Happy weekend

Tom

Comment from Dianna Johnson

Very good. One of my favorite art type projects is sketchings with pencil. You can really see Mary in Leah with the sketching! Keep up the good work. I can't wait to see a drawing of Gloria. If you draw everyone's portrait, we can put it with the genealogies. That would be something unique.

I haven't blogged so you may have to cut and paste my comments to your site.

I have the book "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain" and haven't had the chance in many years to actually read it and try out what it suggests to do. Hope when I retire..........

Should send you a picture of my dog to practice with. She is really an interesting looking dog. Sketching her might change an artist's mind.Diana
On Mon, May 26, 2008 at 8:58 PM

Spring is so hectic.

Such a busy spring and summer on the way. The past few weeks have been quite hectic with my daughter's graduation party and my niece's wedding in Charlotte, NC. I'm reviewing pictures from both for potential drawings. I've been working on weekly art challenges on drawspace and learning much very quickly. The help I am receiving from fellow artists is invaluable to me. Some of the artist's there are actual masters and really know the craft.

Hope to posts some of the challenges soon.

Also I'm currently working on portraits (of course) and also learning much very quickly. Just wish I have more time. I see so many potential projects which I hope to post in the future.

Girls and I at a Wedding.

Finally finished this just after my oldest daughter's graduation college in nursing. It was quite difficult to put on final touches with so many other things to do. I would have done many things different although I see it as a good learning experience. I want to move into color and my art friend, Kay is encourageing me. Also want to get started with other art challenges. I loved doing this one but glad it's finished.

Jillian

Mary At A Wedding

Welcome

Welcome to my blog devoted to the pursuit of drawing and artworks. After many years of occassional dabbling in art I am finally pursuing a lifelong passion. Thanks to my special art friends (many of which produce magnificent works of art on a regular basis) for both their wise guidance and their kind encouragement.

Hope you like what you see and what you will come to see in the coming weeks and months.

Tom