Brenda Swenson -Day 1

A new paper and sketchbook have been released into the market-stone paper. This paper does not use paper, paper byproducts or bleach. I received a sample some time ago and did a sketch with walnut ink and liked the effect. I have dedicated this entire sketchbook to do pen and ink for Brenda Swenon's 75 day challenge. I used brown and black pens to sketch the wooden shoe.

Every Day Matters #2-draw and lamp

I scanned this image in and because of the size of the sketchbook, it barely fits the scanner. I am learning so much in the last few days of my sketching experiences and I can feel my skills becoming stronger every day. As my yoga instructor who tells our class every day: "Practice, Practice, Practice and all is coming." Although I just started yoga once again, which I have been doing steadily since June, my body is slowly getting the strength and flexibility to do the poses. My yoga experience and journey is just a reminder that over time, my drawing skills, and observational skills are improving.

Every Day Matters#1 Draw a Shoe Ink and watercolour

It has been awhile since I have used watercolour with my sketches. I feel as though I have lost my mojo. I also am not sure if it is the paper from the sketchbook that I am using. I generally use hot or cold pressed 140 pound and I have decided to try out the Ink and Wash (watercolour) in a Nature sketchbook. I find that every paper has a different personality and it takes some time to adjust. Well this is it for runners. Tomorrow I will start Brenda Swenson's 75 day challenge and if I have time, I will do another sketch with pen and ink for Every Day Matters.

Every Day Matters#1 Draw a Shoe

Here is my first project for Every Day Matters. I have decided to dedicate one sketchbook for pen and ink and another sketchbook for ink and wash. The purpose? The pen and ink will focus on values, hatching and cross hatching effects and the ink and wash will focus on colour. I was very nervous when drawing this one because it was the running shoe that counts. There was no going back and no more practicing. Tomorrow I will be doing the final running shoe with watercolour and then I will do the challenges weekly while drawing every day for seventy five days for Brenda Swenson's challenge. The only thing with her challenge is that I will be doing in conjunction with pen contour drawings, shading with walnut ink or india ink. I have tried a new sketchbook for this one which is on stone paper. I am excited to start on Monday.

Runners

Yesterday I finished an entire sketchbook filled with drawings of running shoes. I really don't know what compelled me to do an entire book but I think it was due to the fact that I had a strong desire to improve my drawing skills. The sad thing is that as of 2008, I really wanted to participate with Every Day Matters group but did not have the confidence to show my work. How crazy is that? Last year in October, I began drawing a running shoe every day and by Christmas I could see my drawing skills improving. The funny thing is that I stopped drawing them after Christmas and my cat became sick thus postponing the completion that particular sketchbook. I began earnestly in September and was determined to finish before Christmas this time. When I closed this book, I was somewhat sad as I did complete my goal and now my morning ritual will be something else. I am highly determined to continue practicing drawing from life. It is an addiction with me as I absolutely love the challenge. I have completed today my first drawing for Every Day Matters as I have turned over a new leaf and opened up a new sketchbook. The other one will now be put away in storage and looked upon in the future as a testament to show my determination and perseverance.