Drawing Challenge, Day 18

Today, we got to draw from a photo that Kathie George had taken.  I loved drawing this, and find it so much easier to draw from a photo than from real life.  Guess I've just got to get better at putting an imaginary box around whatever I'm drawing outdoors.  I started a new challenge for myself today.  I'm going to eat only healthy foods (No processed foods) for the next 30 days and will log onto MyFitnessPal app every day for the next 30 days too. If I go by this, I should lose 1.5 pounds per week, which will be great!   This will be a test to see who actually READS my blogs.  Anyone who joins me must blog below, and will get a free art lesson, sent to their email, so it's important that you send me that email address too.  I'm not going to post this on Facebook, only here on my blog.  How many of you want to join me?

Drawing Challenge, Day 13

Our assignment today was to draw a difficult subject.  I looked over at the rocking chair, and thought that would be a good challenge.  I'm reasonably pleased with the results, but my biggest hurdle is judging how much room I will need for the drawing.  I had wanted to get the whole rocker in this drawing! (Really???)  Karlyn Holman taught me years ago, to start with the most important part of the drawing and when you run out of paper, at least you have your center of interest in your painting.  So, I started at the curved handle that is approximately in the center of the page.  I drew mostly a contour drawing, getting the outside shape in first.  Then, when I added the shapes behind, I was forced to add shadows, so you could see which one was in front.   I think this subject deserves many more tries to get it right.  Practice makes perfect!

Drawing Challenge, Day 12

Assignment today was to look outside the windows and draw what we saw.  Paying special attention to the space BETWEEN objects.  However, I had a busy day, and didn't get around to my drawing till 9:30 p.m., when it was dark outside.  So, I drew my hubby in front of the window!  Kathie said that it should be fun, and you know what?  It was fun to do this!  I didn't worry whether it looked like him or not. I just really tried to pay attention to angels, and connections.  And I think it really does kind of look like Dick!  Which reminds me.  I'll have to give him a haircut soon!  I've been cutting Dick's hair since we were in college.  Some (ahem....) years!!!! 

Demonstration for Minnesota Watercolor Society

Last Thursday, I gave the demonstration for the Minnesota Watercolor Society.  My subject was how I get my ideas for abstract designs.  This painting, "Which way to the beach?" was derived from a view of Minneapolis buildings from my friend's studio window.  I love to use contour drawings, and link my light shapes, thereby simplifying the design.  Both of these paintings are about 15" x 15" image size.  I'm a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, and it's fun watching his influence creeping into my work lately.  I also showed the cropping technique of working with a little 1 inch square frame to spot good designs when you hover over a busy photo in a decorating magazine.  Below is my other interpretaion, using basically the same light pathway design.  I asked the group which one they preferred and the top one got more votes, although it was close.  There were about 150 people watching my demo.  Really a fun evening!