Third Time's a Charm

Getting ready for Christmas and restocking our freezer, Terry made two trips to the grocery store.  First trip was to Winn Dixie (we like their meats better) and second trip to Publix.

Our freezer's drain plug had frozen up causing a build up of ice at the bottom and during the defrost cycle would leak out onto the floor.  We used up all that was in the freezer before turning the unit off to clear the ice and unplug the drain line.

Our grocery list was quite large and one item I needed was my butter spread.  I use something totally different from Terry plus he was baking cookies and needed stick butter as well.  First trip he forgets my butter spread but no biggee.........he can pick it up when he goes to Publix.  Second trip he forgets it again.  He made sure he had his and what he needed for baking so it's not like he wasn't already in the area where mine is located.  Needless to say, by this time, I was feeling a little agitated.  He had to make yet another trip but this time, not only did he get my butter, he also surprised me with this bouquet of flowers.  As he walks through the door, he says "third time's a charm."  Poof..........my agitated state was gone.......ha ha.

Tucked in this arrangement of flowers were four or five rose buds and one in particular called out to me to sketch.  I liked how one petal stuck out further than all the others.

Procreate sketch on a canvas background.

Birds at Feeders

Although we really don't have much of a winter here with plenty of bugs still hanging around and flowers still growing, we do get a lot of traffic at our bird feeders.  We can go for a long time between refilling the feeders during the summer but during the winter, it's like every other day or every two days.

One of our non-regulars is this guy.........what I've been able to identify as a Yellow Throat Warbler.

Another we don't normally see at the feeders through the summer months.  Various type finches to include this one.

Due to putting things away prepping for family time during the Holidays, I've been working on my Ipad.  I'm using the same three basic brush tools I find I enjoy using most.........Technical pen brush, waterbrush tool, airbrush soft tool.  I use these either placing color down, for blending, and for erasing.  In other words, I normal use the same brush tool blending and erasing as I do with putting down marks with.

Procreate drawings with a watercolor paper background.

Playing on My Ipad - Procreate

Any time I want to escape for a long period of time, all I have to do is grab my Ipad and work with Procreate.

When I sketch in a journal or sketchbook, I feel free and don't worry too much about getting everything perfect.  But when I work in Procreate, I am with a different mindset.  For me it's an alternative to oil painting which I cannot do for various reasons.  I guess for me.......the Ipad is more like a canvas for more formal work versus the sketchbook.

Digital painting for me takes a lot of time due to how I work.  I work in MANY layers with little rough marks at a time blending as I go.  I work on small sections at a time and each layer has the different values of colors.  And I use small brush sizes which also takes a bit of time to fill in areas with how I work.

In the time I take to work something like this, I sit and study what I've done already and where I might want to go next.  I'll do a rough line drawing on a separate layer trying out placement of different things to see how it might fit in with what I've already done.  In other words I plan as I go.

This took several hours and I enjoyed every second of it.  I was in no hurry and my mind was lost in what I was doing and that at times is a Blessing :-)

This Year's Christmas Card

After sketching and painting a few other of our plush tree ornaments, I decided to put these guys together for a Christmas Card.  These have been a lot of fun to work with.

FIbook75x75 / Lamy pens with Doc Brown ink / Stonehenge Aqua / DS watercolors

This is my wish for everyone viewing, to have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.  To be safe during travels; to enjoy without a lot of pressure or stress; to embrace this time with family and friends.  For those who are alone and may not be able to spend time with family or friends...........just know that there ARE people out here who think of you and send warm heart-felt wishes your way!

Mixed Media - Graphite Sketch Plus Digital Coloring

I thought I would play a bit with the last pencil sketch I worked of the standing fabric pencil cup.  Not wanting to add actual color to the sketch, I decided to import into Procreate, add color, and export back to my computer.  Now I have both a graphite sketch untouched by color and a color version either for digital viewing or printing off and adding to the journal.

First thing I did was erase all the writing.  Added color in layers and then inserted a photo I took of a blank page in a handmade sketchbook with rough textured paper.

One of the things I love about procreate is the blending of colors.  In ways it's like working with oil paint without the mess and fumes.

Standing Soft Travel Pencil Case

A new pencil case that stands on its own.  Second type I've tried and I love them both.  This one has the top portion that slides down into an open cup for easy retrieval of contents and then slides up to close with zipper.  Love the variety offered with colors and patterns.  I prefer these over glass jars or coffee cups I tend to use.......always fearing I'll knock one off the table and it shatter.

Purchased from Jetpens.

Quick pencil sketch in Stillman and Birn Beta sketchbook using Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencil .7 (gifted to me by my sons for my birthday in Oct).

Carved Santa Ornament

Last year my youngest son, Travis, went on a service call where the lady had several of these out on a table that she had made.  During the time he was there, he showed a real interest in her carvings and talked about art mentioning I sketched and painted and have for years.  He shared where I started out painting on wood and gradually changed course into what I do today.

When he was finished with the work he had to do, the lady gifted him (as a special thank you) with two Santas........one an ornament and one free standing to sit on a shelf.  She sent two so that he could give me one.

Travis gave me the shelf sitter and then the ornament as his gift to me to keep as a set.  I absolutely LOVE these hand carved Santas!!!  Something I might like to explore to learn to do on my own.

Although I've sketched these carvings before (last year), I wanted to do so again as a graphite sketch. 

I wasn't sure if I wanted to add color because I wanted it to look like a graphite sketch and maintain a rustic look.  I feared messing it up adding color.  I mulled over that decision throughout the day and then decided to go ahead and do so reminding myself if I did the sketch once, I could do it again if I needed to.

Because the ornament is the main topic, I chose to only emphasize it with color and leave the hand alone.

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / Pental Graphgear 1000 .07 mechanical pencil / DS watercolors

New Golf Cart

Several of our neighbors have purchased golf carts to ride around in the neighborhood.  It's common in The Villages here in Florida but not so much in the other areas that are not designed as retirement communities.  The Villages is a self contained, very large retirement community (made up of several different style villages, actually) where people use their golf carts to go everywhere to include shopping.  They have dedicated lanes to drive, which is really unique.

Those here in our neighborhood basically just use theirs to get out and ride around our neighborhood.  We've been considering one and finally took the plunge and purchased this green one.............perfect size for my miniature bears.

Tried to sketch it finding it very difficult to get the perspective right.  No big surprise to me as that's one area I struggle with and I doubt will ever change.  I get lucky once in awhile but for the most part, I'm always off somewhere.   I came close to just giving up on it but stuck it out until I at least achieved what you see here.  By the time I inked in the lines, I was kind of bored messing with it wanting to call it done but decided to at least add some color to the bear. 

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / DS and QoR watercolors / Lamy with Doc Brown ink

December Challenge Between Friends

I was struggling with a challenge idea for December.  I had several written down on post-it-notes but all entailed a lot of thinking before jumping in.  With my going through this sketching lull, I didn't feel I had the energy to put so much thought into or be creative. 

After working the one ornament yesterday, I came up with the idea to sketch 3 to 6 items related to Christmas.....either as individual doodles or put together in a setting or composition.  I chose putting several together that told a story using another of the plush ornaments I have on the tree as my model.

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / Lamys with Dark Green, Dark Red, and Doc Brown inks

Plush Christmas Ornament

Trying to get back into sketching, the ornaments on my tree came to mind as possible inspiration.  There are six plush ornaments that have little sacks you can place goodies or money in.  This is one that jumped out at me right off.

FIbook75x75 / Stonehenge Aqua / Lamy with Doc Brown ink