come and sit here for a while

This is a memory drawing. I saw a sculptor make a piece like this, in a wood, in a park, many many moons ago. Actually it probably didn't look anything like this, but that's the interesting thing about memory drawings. How much of this drawing was dragged out of my long term memory and how much came from my imagination? I will never know. This is in ballpoint, and I quite like it. It's called 'Fairy Chair'. Now I don't know whether that's what the sculptor called it or whether I've just made that up.

fireside

This is the hearth in my living room. Just to the right of this picture stands the logburner from a previous post. This is the view from my archair. This is where I do all my drawing.

EDM#26 Draw a vegetable

Aubergine in coloured ballpoint.

a lot of alliteration

My new favourite fings (sorry!) Fudge's fruit florentines.
So good I bought them, drew them, then ate the whole box!

(click on picture for full size)

EDM#48 Draw something that represents a New Years Resolution

Ok, so it may be a bit early to start planning New Years Resolutions but since I started this blog my artwork has been on my mind ALL the time. I've always wanted to illustrate children's books - just somewhere along the way I forgot. Or, more honestly, I never thought that I could. Over the last few years though I've started thinking differently, started believing. After all if you don't believe in fairies then they don't exist.

I don't know why I draw the things I do, I don't have any idea where the characters come from, they just refuse to go away. All the above books are in various stages of completion - some have pictures, some have stories, some both. Two are at the stage where they can be sent out to prospective publishers and that's what I'll be doing in the New Year. And, I'll persevere; because now I believe again.

(I draw this picture in every one of my sketchbooks - just to remind myself of the goal - so it seems fitting that it makes an appearance in this 'sketchbook' too.)

feeling blue

Two completely unrelated pictures. The first one sums up how I feel today. In fact, I can't actually believe I'm posting it. The second is an offering because the first is so lame. It's another piece from an alphabet project I did some years ago.

EDM#24 draw some fruit

Well, I'm not too sure how I feel about this so I'll just post it before I change my mind. It certainly isn't how I envisaged it when I began, but hey, I guess that's what happens when you get lost in a drawing!

winter slippers

More slippers. This time drawn in 4 minutes.

slippers and gel pens

I am trying to wean myself off stationery and art supplies. As I was driving to my evening class yesterday I found myself being pulled toward Staples; I'm just not ready to kick the habit. I went in just to check that I wasn't missing a bargain and to get my fix. I got out of there lightly - just three metallic gel pens, a 2007 diary and a clipboard (why?). I'll make a fresh start tomorrow.

looking down on everything

I just found this in one of my sketchbooks - just as I was thinking that this blog could do with a bit of green. Drawn on the plane to Barcelona, in colour pencil.

welsh dragon

I'm not really into all that flag waving (there's always a 'but' after a statement like that, isn't there?) but I do love the Welsh flag. I mean on a visual level. I just think it is a great looking flag, that's all.

I bought this little ceramic Welsh dragon while on holiday in Snowdonia. I was going to post it for the 'souvenir' challenge but I have a whole list of souvenirs that I intend to draw. I do like to come home from everywhere I visit with at least one piece of tat.

And, in answer to a question I was once asked when holiday in the States; NO, there are not still dragons in Wales!

a very oldie

I've had this one on Flickr for a while so I thought I might as well post it here too. I believe its about twenty years old. I did think about digitally painting out the background but then I thought "sod it".

EDM#3 Draw your bag

My bag and...

it's contents.

(click on image to view)

introducing Flower

one cat....
four sketches.....
in four minutes.....
EACH!

A is for...

Well, I was absolutely sure that there was an EDM challenge called 'Draw a goal or ambition'. Apparently not. I've just looked through the list and cannot find it anywhere. I must have dreamt it! Still, I would have been cheating with this one anyway, as it is about 10 years old. The ambition still stands though and that is to have my books published. I have two children's picture books that are just waiting for a publisher. At some point I'll stop procrastinating and start doing. After all, A is for action.

This was painted in inks and watercolour.
20cm x 20cm.

EDM#28 Draw an appliance.

I think I've said it before, once or twice, but the beauty of this group is drawing things that you never would have dreamt of drawing. You start looking at everything in a different way, everything becomes a potential drawing opportunity. For example, I would never have thought of drawing this little radiator but, you know, it turns out it's an interesting object...I mean appliance.

Pen and colour pencil.
22cm x 20cm.

happy accidents

Mostly I get really frustrated with scanning work. You can labour over a piece for ages; choosing the right shades and colours for your subject to find once scanned it has somehow changed.
With this picture, though, I am quite pleased with whatever happened during the whole scanning process. It was painted on a plain white board but hey! A 'happy accident' as dear old Bob Ross would have said.

EDM#54 Draw somebody you love.

Nieces and nephews are cute. It's official.

four minute bag

One of the great things about the Everyday Matters group is the amount of inspirational ideas that are discussed and passed on. Whilst skipping from blog to blog one night (as you do) I came across Michelle's blog where I learnt about the 'Four Minute Burn'. Basically you draw whatever you have in front of you for four minutes - the clue is in the title! I can see how this can improve your drawing skills and am going to try and do this on a regular basis (more good intentions!). I have attempted a few but this is the only one I'm brave enough to post!

incensed

These are the best incense that money can buy - from Onevillage.
I love it when you find a product that you really like, and these are just SO good. They are also a Fairtrade product (you can get them from Oxfam in this country) so you can feel good about yourself when you purchase them. What's even better about finding a great product is when the packaging is so good you feel the need to draw it!

(If I did this drawing again I would put the price sticker a little higher up - somewhere near the A or T)