a foot for stepping into 2013

Haven't drawn my feet for awhile, this seemed appropriate for leaving 2012.

And yes, my ankles really are that bony--scary! But they take me for miles of walking!

Happy New Year!

Graphite in the Handbook artist's journal.

the model never knew I was there

Pencil in the PaperBlanks journal.

first sketch for portrait

A 20 minute sketch of F. in prep for a 2 hour oil painting.

Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

rolling tote

With art supplies, of course.

Pencil in the Paperblanks journal.

3 male readers of Bujold's books

 Pencil on Bee paper.

2 women, Bujold readers

I switched to pencil for members of the audience.

On Bee Sketch paper.

Prismacolor watersoluble graphite

The 6B is nice and dark for scanning. I used to try to wet it, either with a brush or with spray, but never liked the results much.

On Strathmore drawing paper.

shoe architecture

What a structure (and technology) on sturdy walking shoes now. Men get this, women get tiny stilt-points.

Well, not me. Haven't worn those in years and glad not to.

Pencil on the Bee Co-Mo sketch paper.

the many arching leaves

of a huge clivia. They have gorgeous big orange flowers.

Probably the most detailed leaved thing I've ever drawn, to actually come close to accurate leaf placement.

Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

all 6B, sketching from a photo

Practicing, always practicing.

6B pencil on Strathmore drawing paper, but somehow it scanned much darker.

the quilt and the reader

The stitching on the quilt called me to draw the scene.

Pencil in the Paperblanks journal.

books on the bookprint chair

There are artists who make 3D drawings where the object rises off the page.

That would be a good thing to do here, where the books would emerge from the book-themed upholstery.

I just drew the moment.

Pencil in the Paperblanks journal.

Back to the Bee Paper

I'm really liking this Bee Paper, Co-Mo Sketch pad. The only "sketch"-labeled paper I've tried that is heavy (80#)and has a great texture for graphite.

Double sizing, too, so water works. Something about the sizing makes the graphite really stick and blend.

This company also makes the Aquabee SuperDeluxe sketchbooks. I'm going back to these as "always satisfying" standbys. (No affiliation with Bee Paper, just a happy customer).

I'd like it if they put this paper in something other than spiralbound, but the paper is worth it to accept the spiral. Sometimes I take the spiral out and put in a simpler plastic partial coil. Always fiddling with my art supplies!

2B graphite.

J. leaning on the chairback

I've been going to life drawing 2-3 times a week. We have 3-hour one-pose sessions (in 20-min. segments) because nearly everyone paints an oil in that time.

That's a total luxury and I've learned to slow down, or change positions to get a different angle for my drawings.

And I'm going to start painting too, just to take advantage of this special setup while it is still going. A rare opportunity to learn from the painters around me.

Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

Anger and dejection, portrayed

J. really did have this expression, though it was not apparent that's how she felt.

When life models totally relax into the pose, muscles settle with gravity.

Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

a really old phone

No, not an antique, quite, maybe just vintage. But how long has it been since you've seen a heavy black touchtone phone on an office desk?

Duly noted and recorded!

Pencil in the PaperBlanks journal.

cat yoga

This was such a strange position, I stood over Chaucer to draw it quickly before he moved.

That upturned underpaw is unique to him, and in case, was such a great counterbalance to the outstretched upper leg.

I drew this yesterday, and last night, he did it again. A new favorite sleeping position.

Pencil in the PaperBlanks journal.

T in simulated meditation

A modern Buddha, who can hold really still for drawing.

Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

man from newspaper ad

Drawn from a photo printed in a local newspaper ad. Pencil on Strathmore drawing paper.

Lizzie kicks up her toe

As I titled this, I wondered, why do people only ever kick up their heels in the cliche phrase?

But Lizzie is only doing a one-foot kick. I put her up on a shelf of slanted papers.

Pencil in the PaperBlanks journal.