profuse apologies

....For neglecting my artwork and blog for so long. Today I'm starting another blog that might explain a bit of why I've been 'too busy'. But I have high hopes pof returning here very soon, and with any luck, I'll be able to add som wheel thrown work and sculpture to the portfolio.....

Sneak Peek

The self portrait that plagues me every waking hour. Here's a preview. More portraits to come. I have never simultaneously loved and hated something so much in my life.

More Studies

Instructions are to draw copies ofthe studies presented in the first picture. (Note to self, drawing does not, in fact get better at 3am. It just makes you cranky!)




(I apologize for the tinyness of this pic, but at any other size it cuts off half of the second study)

And, here are my efforts:






Another profile portrait should be up tonight, if my model shows up.

The one hour husband

Admittedly, it is a daunting task to draw accurately someone you know so well. And I am COMPLETELY frustrated with it. I can see the inaccuracies, but had to keep the drawing to under an hour, so I have to let them go. Four more coming up...

My bad.... more contour work and beginning of portraits and profiles

Sorry for the disgracefully long hiatus between posts. I kinda fell off the map for a couple of weeks. I only have 3 things to post today, but there will be MUCH more in the next week or so. I have 5 more profile portraits to do like the one I'm putting up today. Much of recent work has been very technical, so I'm sparing you. Lots of 'draw this chair' or 'draw this ladder'. It serves a good purpose but isn't terribly interesting. Last week's project was to find one object and draw it from two different angles. Only countours are allowed, no detail and no shading of any sort. One was to be a positive shape (black on white) and the other negative (White on black). I chose an A frame mandolin. Here's the best photo I could get of the result:

Straight on front view, negative image. I do wish I'd chosen a more interesting position for this one.




Side view, positive image. This one is considerably better than its predecessor. The accuracy of the tuning pegs pleased me to no end. (Although the charcoal gave me fits and ended up needing the assistance of some white paint to atone for its sins.

Close up of tuning pegs and head (Sorry, I turned it in before I realized I hadn't gotten a good detail shot)

And finally, the portrait work begins. And I must admit that being put on the spot to render the likeness of my comrades and competition is THE MOST terrifying experience I have in art. It caused me MANY tears the first time I tried my hand at a drawing class. I loathe, abhor, and detest it. If I can find them I'll post my first attempts at it, from years ago--epic choke. ANYWAY- I do believe I've made some progress. We were given 45 minutes to sketch a profile with strict instructions not to 'over-describe' the subject. Without further excuses, here it is:

More posts within the week. Promise.

Welcome!

As an 'aspiring artist', I'm going to have to get used to people seeing my work, critique, and probably some hate mail if we're being honest. I've created this spot to showcase my progress and to begin exposing work to the public. All feedback is welcome.



To begin, I'm not working to become an artist because I have some innate talent that just can't be denied. I've got two reasons- 1- It's the only thing I can stomach the thought of doing so I'm willing to work hard at it to avoid the, alternatives, and 2- I suck at everything else so I'm going to have to be good at this. I am currently taking "Drawing 1". I took it in 2005 (with ZERO experience before this) and HATED it, I got a good grade but didn't feel like I saw any improvement or learned anything, so I signed up to take it again. My teacher is wonderful, and I believe I've seen great progress in the short time I've been in the class.



My goal is to improve my drawing skills and gain an apprenticeship at a tattoo studio, eventually becoming a tattoo artist and pursuing my personal artistic goals as well. I am also hoping to someday do an entire mixed media exhibition on the Dust Bowl. All of this is quite premature, and I'm quite insecure, and if I talk any longer I'm going to lose my nerve, so I suppose I should get on to the photos...







Preliminary Assignment/Initial SKill Assesment: Self portrait in 30 min

It looks nothing like me, not good!









Preliminary Assignment/ Inittial skil assessment:

Draw your non dominant hand 30 min



Better than the face







Assignment: Draw your hand in an 'interesting' pose

Contour w/ shading





Assignment: Draw your hand holding an object

Contour w/shading

Better effort! Although I see a million things I'd do better, some of the details are a very encouraging sign of progress





Close up:





Assignment: Draw a flower

Contour lines w/shading



I got frustrated with this, and in the process it cot completely overworked. I'm tempted to do it again and improve it, but I have 12 more drawings due by sat. (I'm slow!)

Well, that concludes my first time letting people see what I can and can't do! Anyone with tips on photographing my drawings - I implore you to share, as these photos don't really show the sdetail I was hoping for.