Anhinga - Lake Griffin

Practice with 6B pencil tool in Procreate for gray and a bit of color.

From photo taken while kayaking out on Lake Griffin.

The Last Three Days

Quick sketches using Procreate

First is part of a vase that a lucky bamboo sits in that was given to me by my step-son, Stephen during the week they were here in December (for Christmas).

This next are a couple of miniatures I purchased at, In a Nutshell Miniatures, located in Tavares, FL  I love gnomes as they bring back happy memories of my youngest son and I sitting each day watching David the Gnome.....which was one of those cartoon shows that taught children morals.

People practice sharing the many faces of our sketching group - FAST.  Stands for Fetch a Sketch Trekkers.  There are others not included here but I ran out of space.  These are the primary ones who tend to go out on a regular basis with a few extras who do once in awhile.

Several I think I came close to looking like the individual's exactness, while others I can use more practice.  But if I were to go back to this weeks/months later, I'd know exactly who was who.

Mockingbirds are Real Bullies

This 2-page spread is from this morning as I watched a Mockingbird chase off other birds at the feeder.  Even if he wasn't actively feeding, he'd sit down on the ground and then fly up and chase the others away. 

Used a bent nib fountain pen for this in my S&B Beta journal. 

Decided to add just a bit of color

And this shows how I captured the mockingbird..........quickly getting down general shapes and then working from there.

Loosening Up - Straight in with Pen

Today I chose to jump straight in with pen and ink.  I'm finding myself returning to old habits of nit picking and spending way too much time on a sketch...........worrying about the results.  I don't want back into that habit as it only frustrates me and I start finding excuses not to try.

So when I start feeling that way, I'll work exercises like the continuous line or going straight in with pen and ink just to enjoy the process rather than worrying about the results.  Working towards a sketcherly feel :-)

This is the corner of my desk.  I used a journal book I'm not crazy about called Paperblanks.  The paper is super smooth/slick and several of my fountain pens not crazy about being used on it.  This one is using the hero 578 Bent Nib and it wanted to skip.  But that just added to the sketcherly feel so I guess not all bad.  I'll just be glad when I'm through the book and be done with it.  Not too many paper surfaces I've tried that I feel this bad about except the Moleskine after they "improved" their paper surfaces (at least for what I hope for in a paper surface). 

Procreate Sketches Jan 23 and 24th

Yesterday and today I worked off and on with various sketches using Procreate.

The first is practicing glass using airbrush tools (med hard and hard).  I did this years ago in graphite and wanted to see what I could do in the app.

This next is a single continuous line exercise I failed miserably.........LOL.  It ended up several starts and stops either because my hand became fatigued or I needed to turn the Ipad making it easier to continue.  The apple pencil is slippery on the screen whereas a pen on paper can grab the paper as you pivot around.

And this evening while watching TV, decided to sketch another one of my miniature bears just to sketch something.........using the water brush tool.

Yesterday's Sketch Outing - Victoria's Antiques

Finally after missing three weeks going out sketching together due to the weather, our group had a beautiful outing yesterday..............downtown Leesburg.............Victoria's Antiques.

There were eight of us and we really had a great time!!  After two hours of sketching, we stopped and headed across the street to Blooms for lunch.

All worked in a landscape format Stillman & Birns, Beta journal (3.5 x 5.5")

I love having a small sketchbook with me at all times but I have to say that if I'm going to use this size, I really should consider less detail.  I about go blind trying to capture so much detail in such a small space.............lol.

These first two I sketched on site in pencil first.  Finished off later with pen and color when I returned home.

These other two sketches are from photos I had taken using my cell phone:

I may just leave this one as a pencil sketch.............haven't decided yet and may return later to add ink and color.

This one I just wanted to add color to emphasize the main reason I took the picture.

Playing with Name of Group Logo

We have a local sketching group that for a time was referred to as the LAL Sketchers' group with members of Leesburg Art League and members of another sketching group called Lines and Puddles.  Over time, several from the Lines and Puddles joined the art league in Leesburg.

The one problem we had with using LAL Sketchers was that it implied we were directly tied in with the Leesburg Center for the Arts and that isn't really true.  It's a separate entity so we needed to come up with a name that was unique to who we are and what we do......to include who made up the group covering several neighboring cities.

After asking for suggestions for names, my husband jokingly mentioned Fetch a Sketch which at first I laughed at but shared the suggestion to Shari who is in this with me running the sketching group.  She too laughed but after a short period of time, her and I both found we really liked the sound of it.

We wanted to include some word describing we travel without using the word Travel.  That's when we came up with Trek or Trekkers which means walk, hike, sight-see, travel, wander about, etc.  So what we ended up with is Fetch A Sketch Trekkers..........which was well liked by the members of the group.

I've been playing with logos and other illustrations I might include on flyers and here is what I've come up with so far to work with.  Talk about fun!!!!  LOL

All have been worked using the Ipad and Procreate except for the bear........playing with various colors, etc.  The goal is to make the illustrations fun and whimsical to fit the name of the group.

The centipede illustration was suggested by my dear friend in the UK and this is what I came up with so far.  I want to play with that one more.

Updated 01/24/18................based on a suggestion from a dear friend and part of our sketching group:

Practicing Metal

Here are two procreate sketches practicing different type of metals.

Stainless Steel:  This time trying out a different brush tool - Marker Brush along with airbrush for the blending tool.

Although I created my example as a digital sketch, I would use the same process working with actual graphite and a tortillion.

This one I worked on this evening.  Metal I'm not sure.......copper?  Brass?  This vase is being sold in Victoria's Antique Shop downtown Leesburg, FL.  This is using the hard and medium airbrush tool for color and medium airbrush for the blending.

Last Two Days

So far so good with me trying to do a little something each day.

Thursday, Jan 18 -  a building near me that calls out to me every time I pass by it.    I love the shape and the color of it.

3.5 x 5.5 Beta Journal and Platinum Carbon desk pen with Lexy Gray ink.

Friday, Jan 19 - Umbrella at Disney Springs.  I chose this to practice folds.

3.5 x 5.5 Beta FINAL page and mechanical pencil.  No ink with this one.  Used a flat to add the simple color wash

Another Hummingbird

This one is from a photo I took in 2011 when we were living in a mobile home up on the hill sitting on my eldest son's property.  We lived there until the only other house up there went up for sale and we purchased it.

We had scores of hummingbirds up there and was such a joy to sit out and watch for hours.  This guy was actually sitting on the rail of one of the feeders but I chose to replace it with a branch.

Procreate 6B pencil

An Exciting Moment and Memory

There is nothing like the feeling of one of these little jewels sitting on one's finger. 

I sat for some time with my arm resting on the deck railing and hand up against the feeder hoping one would land on my finger.  A couple hummers would fly down but go to one of the other openings.  This guy was unsure of me at first flying down, taking a drink, and then hovering back in the air above my hand.  He finally decided I was not a threat and sat on my finger.   What a neat experience that was!!!!

Revisiting my Hummingbirds

Ohhhhhh how I miss these guys.  I have a few people here in central Florida surprised I haven't seen them here but one a couple of times in over 3 years.  We've tried putting out feeders and making sure we have plants that attract but still no luck.

While living in West Virginia we had no problem with them coming around and I took hundreds and hundreds of photos.  Out of all the photos I have on hand, this is one of my favorites and I've sketched him a couple of times.

Each day he liked to perch on this tall tomato stake we had at the corner just over the railing of our front porch.  He would sit there guarding the bird feeders.......taking off after others who dared try to drink from HIS feeders.  What's so funny is that we had six feeders hanging from the porch but he thought they all belonged to him............lol

When You Can't Decide on What to Sketch...

............sketch your painting gear.

7.5 x 12 Stillman & Birn Beta journal

Hero 578 Bent Nib Fountain Pen

Lexy Gray Ink

To Help Pass Time

We had to go to Toyota yesterday to talk about our end of lease options on our vehicle.  While there, the sales manager offered to have my Highlander washed while he tried to get payoff information to purchase.  Unfortunately TFS was closed so we'll have to wait until Monday to find out more on that. 

Not only did he have the Highlander washed, he told the crew to detail it as well.  While we waited inside, I took out my sketchbook and quickly sketched this mother and child........trying to work fast and be discreet so she didn't know I was doing so.

3.5 x 5.5 Beta journal, Falcon pen w/Lexy Gray ink.

Procreate Techniques I'm Using

Sharing some of the brush tools and how I'm using them in the app, Procreate:

My two top favorite brush tools

How I am pulling from a dark color blending down to lighter values using one of the airbrush tools

Hard and soft edges going lighter in value blending with airbrush tool

Example using my thumb to show how using the smudge / Airbrush tool to pull and blend color from simple color lines laid down. 

My Fishing Bear

Here is one of my favorite bears that represents the boys, Terry, and I fishing.  Before Terry came along, it was Mom and sons that went out fishing.  I was raised  fishing, boating, camping, and even hunting (although more just to sit out observing and to be someone with dad so he wasn't out there alone.)  Anyways.......we go out fishing as often as we can............love the relaxed atmosphere of being on the water and the excitement when something is felt on the end of the line......and we eat a lot of fish (at least Terry and I do).

Procreate drawing using Water Brush tool for both color placement and blending, Air Brush Med and Med Hard for a few areas.  Shadow created with Cloud Brush tool.  This is 17 layers.

The Last Couple of Days

So far so good trying to do a little something each day.  Definitely on the right track to meet my goal of 365 sketches for 2018.

This first is worked in a 3.5 x 5.5 Stillman & Birn Beta journal using the hand crafted fountain pen and Lexy Gray ink.  Then added the little bit of watercolor using a waterbrush.  Only have three more pages before another journal is complete (front and back pages).

Procreate Sketch - primarily using the airbrush tool for this one for both color placement and blending.....all but the foliage, which I used the water brush tool.

8.5 x 12 Stillman & Birn Beta journal using the Platinum Carbon Desk fountain pen and Platinum Carbon black ink.  Worked this one for our sketchcrawl email for when we decide to go to this location......showing where to meet up.

This next one is working in Procreate.  I am so loving sketching on the Ipad with this app.  I tend to use the same two or three brush tools which makes it easy for me to remember what I've used for various techniques and texture.

Another positive to sketching digital is having light in the evening from the electronic screen.  I tend to grab the Ipad of an evening when there's no natural lighting to work under with pen and ink and watercolor.  Easier on my eyes.

As you may have noticed, I'm bouncing back and forth between paper and digital sketching.   Each offers different challenges to help keep me motivated and inspired.

Each step is a separate layer.  Not shown on the sheet of steps (except in the final larger image), is where I took the layer of the background changing the green just a tad so it wasn't quite as gray looking and extending around to the bottom right.

I like saving the steps to help me remember what I've done and also to help my granddaughter (and anyone else) see how I'm working.  Some layers might only be a tinge of darker color here and there.  I work the separate layer if I'm happy with what's already done and fear messing it up by adding different values or colors........like in step three (top right) where I only added a touch of darker color on the breast area and step/layer four (middle left) for the slight blue gray shadow.

I have two more sketch/paintings in the works.........one in my large Beta journal and another on the Ipad.  :-)

Bougainvillea Study

One of the things I had trouble with living up north during the winter was all the browns and grays and leafless trees.  For me it was depressing.  Here in Florida there's something blooming all year round and right now the Bougainvilleas are still going strong even after the real cold spell we just went through

Procreate - Water Brush / Med Airbrush / Calligraphy for writing.

Day of Sketching

I'm close to finishing one of my sketchbooks and it's like going into over-drive sketching...........maybe subconsciously wanting to finish it?  :-)  Not sure because I'm also working in Procreate as well going back and forth.  And it could be for another reason.......to keep my mind occupied.

S&B Small Beta Journal / Platinum Carbon Desk Pen w/Lexy Gray Ink

This first is from photos taken here in Florida while kayaking/fishing.  Still trying to learn my Florida birds.  I'm not 100% sure if this is an Egret but I think so.

This next one is showing what I'm dealing with as of yesterday morning.  It's getting progressively worse and have no idea what's going on.  No injury.  I go barefoot all the time so not anything from wearing shoes.

Woke up yesterday with the feeling something was stuck to two of my toes.  Then a tingling sensation along with itching and then becoming more painful...........probably from swelling.  Later in the day noticed these bumps and groups of them.  Almost like blisters but not.  Then last night noticed the dark purple/black spot on one toe that looks like a blood blister but I don't think it is.  This morning the red spot next to it with toes hurting.  There's a cluster of bumps on the side of one toes that rubs against the other and driving me crazy.   My feet are extremely dry and flaking.

Procreate Sketching

Using different brush tools that look like graphite.  It's of a Tree Man Planter I got for Christmas from my husband.

And then there was the other already posted of a night scene where I sketched using an eraser brush tool in Procreate on a dark background.

I've already started another sketch in my large portrait format S&B Beta that I'll probably finish as the day wears on.

Definitely a productive day and part of the reason might be to take my mind off my toes.

Sketching with Eraser in Procreate

Thought I'd try something different............sketching by erasing color.  There may be a name for this but I can't seem to find anything on it with search terms I've tried so far.

It's basically starting with a dark background and lifting or erasing to produce the image.

With this one I used the Sketching / Shading Graphite tool - large and laid in the dark background with black.   Then I used a 6B Eraser brush tool to remove color using a variation of pressure for the different light values.

Madison's First Adventures Using Procreate

What is so exciting is seeing another in the family interested in art.  Both the granddaughters like to paint and draw and have been doing so for a few years now.

Madison (the eldest) has been following my digital work loving what I have been doing.  She is now trying her hand at digital drawing/painting using her Ipad, Apple Pencil, and the same app, Procreate.

Here is what she's done so far the last couple of days and having a blast working with the app :-)

Madison loves wolves and she's really into capturing people.  She's doing such a fantastic job too!!!

Beloved Christmas Gift from Years Ago

This is a nightlight my sister sent me as a Christmas gift many years ago.  The light plugs directly into an electrical outlet and light bulb sits behind the framed deer.

Brings back lots of memories of my going hunting with my dad........more so just to be out with him and enjoy the peacefulness sitting in the woods.  It brings back memories of our living on the hill in West Virginia where deer frequented our bird feeders.  And, it also reminds me of all the deer that used to visit my sister to eat corn they threw out for them in Texas.  That was a site to see as it wasn't just a few that came around but a whole herd when she banged on the container that held the corn.

Procreate using Watercolor brush tool and Med Airbrush tool for smudging or blending.

Animated showing the layers created for this illustration.

Today's Procreate Sketch - Parrot Study

Today's sketch is a study of the parrot / macaw from a photo taken months ago at Simon Seeds Garden Center.

I'm finding I prefer not to work the pen and ink look with color in Procreate with many subjects. ....... leaving out the line work and just sticking with color.