Standing Male Figure

Tags

Artwork, drawing models, drawing nudes, figure drawing, life-drawing

Yesterday I spent three hours drawing a model from one pose (the model would take a break every 20 minutes, but would then go back into the same pose).

My favorite life-drawing combination is a female model in a reclining back pose. So, a male model in a standing frontal pose would be OPPOSITE of what I would normally want.

But no matter! I enjoyed myself tremendously even so, spending most of my time doing modified blind contours using the side of a graphite stick, experimenting using both my right and left hands. These were done right at the end of the class in about three minutes total.

(I know this one doesn’t really look like a man, but it’s still one of my favorites from the day.)

Scribbly Dog and Van Gogh

Tags

dog, drawing animals, oil pastel, Scribbly Dog, van gogh, vincent van gogh

Scribbly Dog, oil pastel on paper.

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I like this little dog, scribbled quickly while waiting for a workshop to begin last April. He’s tacked above my computer, and I look at it and think, “How in the world was I in such a free place as to draw like that?” And I wonder if I can ever do another one like it….

I’m feeling a bit of a freeze lately… I’ve STARTED a lot of drawings and paintings these last few weeks, but… nothing.

But it will come back, I know this now from experience. So I’m spending my time puttering around trying to clean up the studio, working on my various online classes (current and upcoming), and reading.

I picked up Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh from Powell’s a few weeks ago, and sat on it for a week or so before starting. I’m not sure why, but I think I was nervous because I thought it might be depressing. However, I was absolutely hooked as soon as I started, and I’m not finding it depressing at all (though I’m only a third of the way in, I may eat my words).

But Vincent Van Gogh was very articulate and a lot of what he writes to his brother is wise and true:

Work is always a good thing.

I have been very busy today with a great many little nothings, but they belong to my duty; if one has no sense of duty, who would be able to collect his thoughts at all? The feeling of duty sanctifies everything and binds things together….

When we are working at a difficult task and strive after a good thing, we are fighting a righteous battle, the direct reward of which is that we are kept from much evil.

(paraphrased) Only words that come from the heart are powerful enough to touch other hearts.

Anyway, I’m loving this book, and will probably share more in the upcoming weeks.

Have a great week!

Snail Mail

I received the most wonderful package from young artist Mary F. in the mail yesterday! (You might remember Mary’s note to me last January….) She sent me four drawings…

… and this wonderful little hand-embroidered pillow wishing Steve and I a Happy Anniversary:

Thank you, Mary!!

I was so touched by everything, but especially this:

Dear Mrs. Sonheim,

Well, it all started when my friend Page invited me to a book exchange. She also said, “Oh, and ladies, do feel free to dress up as your favorite author.” One of my favorite authors is Patrick Carmon, be he’s a guy, and I don’t want to dress up as a man because that’s just wrong. Until my mom struck the idea, as dressing up as….. You! Oh! what a wonderful idea! My mom always has good ideas.

I wore a blue t-shirt — because you look so pretty in blue. I also wore jeans, my Keds. And this was my oldest sister’s idea — to put baby powder in my hair to look like gray! I have to say, I look kinda goofy. 😀

But it was too much fun! And since you’re an artist, I smeared gesso, watercolors, and markers all over my arms, face, and finger tips. I have to admit it was really fun!

Now if that doesn’t just make a person’s day, I don’t know what would!!

THANK YOU again, Mary!

Monday Greetings

Tags

collage, exquisite-corpse-like book, white ink

This is the beginning of an exquisite-corpse-like book I started over a year ago, playing around with collage, colored pencils, pencil and white ink… I’d abandoned it, but finding it again renews my interest in the project. (Maybe!)

I am grateful these days for the relative calm here at the office; there’s always a lot to do still, but things are more in balance.

Steve and I spent a few days in Portland last week and had a great time eating out, poking into awesome stores, and hiking a bit in the arboretum. It was kind of an anniversary getaway, as we turn 20 years tomorrow as a couple!

I hope you are very well today!

Muffins

Tags

birthday card, Girls, greeting card, happy birthday, Leanin' Tree, paper dolls

I would like to lose about ten pounds. I’ve given myself the summer to do it (seems a reasonable goal, you know, “do-able”), and my plan of attack is merely to walk or run daily and to stop eating muffins. Easy!

Except today on the way home from the bank I ended up standing in front of a bakery for more than five minutes trying to talk myself OUT of getting a muffin.

I managed to remain un-muffined for today (so far).

But the DRAMA!

These two images were recently licensed to the Leanin’ Tree card company.

13 Little Animals

Tags

13 animals, 13 little animals, art, Artwork, drawing animals, Drawing Lab, painting animals

Still trying to clean my studio! I found these 13 critters that were part of my Drawing Lab book (Lab 38: Sidewalk Crack Drawings).

I realized they have never been seen “large,” so here you go!

Sharpie and Copic markers, colored pencil, and vine charcoal on paper.

Cleaning

Tags

Animals, art, ballpoint pen, dog drawing, drawing animals

This week I’ve been working on cleaning my studio. I found this dog made awhile ago with ballpoint pen, and probably cut out like this because I messed it up at some point. I’m never really sure what to do with these little odd ones that end up all over the place….

This is the last week of the school year and so we are busy running around setting up and taking down chairs, etc. How are you?