Monday, October 18, 2010

Sketchbook Monday


wolf pup sketch

     This sketch was kind of an experiment to see what kind of variety I could get with my marks. All that I used here was a 6B pencil (which used to be my favorite, but now I find a bit too soft) and a kneaded eraser, no finger smudging or tortillons or anything like that.

     While I was working on it I kept thinking that it wasn't turning out, I didn't think I liked it, and maybe I should just trash the whole thing. But I really hate to abandon a project so I just kept pushing through. When I was finished I put the sketch aside and didn't look at it for a while. So when I finally turned it over and saw it I was pleasantly surprised. I kinda liked it now.

     Isn't it funny how that works? Just a little time away from our work and we're able to see it in a different light. I always love to put a painting away at night and then look at it again in the morning, there's almost always something there that I didn't see the night before. Some part of the painting that I really like that I don't even remember doing. Does that happen to you too?

     And thanks for all the encouragement and tips about my oil painting question. :) You guys are awesome. But,I have decided not to try oils right now. I just really don't have the time to devote to learning a whole new medium. But, one day I will. Maybe when all my kids are in school.

     And, for those of you who suggested I do a painting of my half eaten apple still life, you will want to keep an eye on my upcoming works in progress because I have a piece I think you will love. :)


13 comments:

  1. Oh, good! You're doing the half eaten apple thing. :)

    When I look at your art, I'm always impressed with the eyes. You do them particularly well.

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  2. Beautiful pup, Crystal. You can tell it's young without being told and that's a plus. You capture the youth in everything so beautifully no matter which medium you are using.

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  3. Very nice sketch, Crystal! He has a sweet look out of his eyes that is endearing.

    In answer to your question, yes! Most of the time when I finish a painting, my enemy within is telling me it isn't very good and what makes me think I can paint? The next day I often find something that I like about it. I thought it was because I'm so new at it.

    I guess even accomplished painters always think they could have done better. The better you get, the better you think your painting should be!

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  4. Oh I really like that one. I agree with MT, the eyes are amazing.

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  5. I'm finding out that oils have a lot of learning. I'm currently looking for some good books about them.

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  6. I agree with you - So often I put something away for a couple of days and see it entirely differently when I look again. Yor wolf is gorgeous! :0)

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  7. What a lovely pup! I'm glad you aren't going to jump into oils quite yet, I think you are wise to wait a little while and focus on your family and what you currently love. :)

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  8. This is really a stunning sketch, that pup looks so soft. You just want to reach out and pet him/her. Maybe someday I'll get in the habit of sketching.

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  9. Oh, and can't wait to see some little bites out of apples. I'm sure it's adorable:)

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  10. I love the eyes -- you know how to give 'life' to a simple sketch!

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  11. He does look nice , with soulful eyes...it was great that you decided to push it!

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  12. I love those eyes.. It makes you feel the presence. And the stuff that you talked about happens to me too.Immediately after I have finished something when either I hate it or dont like it so much I keep it away and look at it the next day and then I dont find it so bad. :)

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  13. Hey, I just noticed - you're almost to two hundred followers. Woo. You are a FINE artist!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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