Trying different mark making methods

I am addicted to taking online art classes. I am planning on doing a blog post reviewing all of the classes I've taken both at Sketchbook Skool and on Craftsy. But for now, I will just talk a little about one of the classes I'm taking - Paul Heaston's Pen and Ink Essentials on Craftsy.

Paul is a master at pen and ink drawings - especially with hatching. For my homework (for this class and Koosje Koene's Sketchbook Skool's Seeing klass drawing selfies), I drew myself using the scribble method of mark making and indicating value.

I really liked this method of mark making as it got me to loosen up and really just pay attention to values, rather than lines.

Next, I used the basket texture technique in another selfie value study. Both of these drawings were done from a black and white selfie photo.

I also liked this method, though it is more deliberate and time consuming. But, it did help me concentrate just on values.

What do you think of these mark making methods? Have you tried them?

I made it to 100!!!

Today, I made it to my 100th portrait in 100 days! For this last portrait, I decided to draw my daughters, Jade and Chloe from a photo we took on a playground in Hayes Valley in San Francisco.

Here is my 99th, which I wasn't happy with - but I've been staying up so late every night to watch the Olympics, I was too exhausted to redo it.

And my 98th portrait.

Thanks so much for following me on this journey! I think I'll take a little break to catch up on all my online art class homework before I start my next 100 day project.

Portraits 86 - 92 for the 100 Day Project

It's been too long since I've posted my portraits for the 100 Day Project. Here are portraits 86-92 in reverse order.

Which is your favorite of the bunch?

Finished Sketchbook 13!

My homemade sketchbook no. 13 is complete! I created it with 140 lb. 6" x 9" watercolor paper and bound it by hand with Coptic stitching. I started it on July 8, 2016 and finished it today. 😊

Here is a quick view of the sketchbook tour.

Quick tour of Sketchbook #13

And a more leisurely tour.

Sketching using Grisaille

In Steven Reddy's excellent Sketching Interiors class, he instructs us to use a series of India ink washes after our contour ink drawing (among other things). He makes drawing details easier by instructing us to draw foregrounds, middle ground, and then backgroun elements in that order with the freedom to edit out items as we choose.

I took a photo from our recent trip to Paris and tried out his techniques. Here is the phase before adding color.

Using this method really helps me to see values (lights and darks). But, I can't help but add watercolor.

Grisaille refers to a painting done entirely in gray tones and was popular during the Renaissance. Have you tried it?

Portraits 84 & 85

Sktchy has been running occasional art challenges on Instagram featuring a particular person who has inspired lots of artists and one particular photo to draw. Portrait 84 was done for Sktchy's latest art challenge.

For portrait 85, I drew a Sktchy inspiration photo of the coolest kid. I love her sunglasses, hat, Mother Teresa tank, and frog!

This is her brother, whom I've drawn previously. They look like such a fun family!

Point Richmond Sketches

Another day out at Point Richmond while Chloe is at ATDP. In previous years, I will spend the hours while she is in class at the local Starbucks. This year, I am using every precious minute to sketch! Needless to say, I am enjoying my time in Point Richmond much more this year!!

Today, I remembered my chair and sat out on the Richmond shoreline sketching the San Francisco skyline shrouded in fog. Good thing, I took some photos as the sky changed dramatically during my sketch.

I started with a couple of value/composition sketches.

But, I decided I liked this second thumbnail better with more foreground elements included.

Here is my finished piece.

I am happy with my new brushes (a Rosemary & Co. Roger Jones size 12 sable, a Rosemary & Co. size 7 squirrel mop, and an Escoda Versatil size 16 synthetic sable) and the techniques I learned from Shari Blaukopf's Sketching Landscapes Craftsy class! I finally have a sky with no unintentional water blooms!

Next, I went back to Kaleidoscope Coffee and sketched the back of the coffeehouse. Here was my view.

I used Steven Reddy's techniques from his Sketching Interiors Craftsy class to arrive at this sketch that I'm pretty happy with:

Which do you prefer? Interiors or landscapes?

Sketching at Broadway Plaza

I had planned to sketch an urban scene in downtown Wlanut Creek yesterday while out with my husband. But, it was so hot - all we did was marvel at how The recent construction and changes at Broadway Plaza are making Walnut Creek look like an outdoor Southern California shopping mall.

We had almost given up finding a good vantage point, when I spotted this fountain and, more importantly, a shading bench from which to sketch it. So, I took about 15 minutes to sketch it.

Here is the actual fountain. I decided not to put the striking workers in behind it.