Son's Portrait

Now I have a complete set of portraits of my eldest son and his family.

This one was quite the challenge due to facial hair.   At one point I felt a bit overwhelmed tempting me to give up but I chose not to do that.  After various trial and error attempts, I finally found a way to depict the facial hair and hair stubble I was happy with.

Although I find myself missing pen / ink and watercolor, I am still drawn to working with digital.  There is so much yet to learn, which keeps me interested in using an "electronic sketchbook" versus traditional.  I love the challenges!  I love the fact I can experiment and play without wasting paper and without having to start from scratch each time.  Because I work in multiple layers, it makes it easier to do so.  I am able to keep notes and color swatches on hidden layers I can always refer back to and review a video as reference....all in one file.  And as a bonus, I can create step by steps much easier than trying to remember to scan along the way like I had to with traditional art work.  

Catching Up With Latest Drawings Plus Other

A lot has been going on the last few months but I have still managed to get some artwork done...two of which were therapeutic in nature.  

Have also been busy with completing several diamond art kits and playing with Legos.

Birth of a new family member....Miss Sophia (nephew's first born):

Personal Challenge...to illustrate the first things that come to mind living in Florida that differs from living up north and that I have seen/experienced:

Birthday gift - recording the growth of lily buds that were in the arrangement Travis sent to me:

From a section of one of my diamond art kits.  Madison loves bees and I thought of her as I did this:

Learning a new technique called Dispersion and as a therapeutic means to unload some emotional/mental turmoil I've chosen not to bog me down:

Portrait of daughter-in-law:

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Darlene, I learned about botanical Legos.  

Birthday set from hubby:

My husband and I, as old as we are, still love building with Legos.

The Beginning and End of Inktober 2022

I actually considered working the Inktober challenge this year as I've done it a few times in the past.  First day of October rolled around and I jumped right in with remnants of yard debris from the storm that grazed us.  After working a few illustrations, that desire fizzled quickly.  Instead of motivating me, I felt this dark cloud form dreading the thought of 30 more days.  No thanks.

After working what initially started out as pen and ink for Inktober, I chose to work with one of the mediums I enjoy more.

Special Post - Morgan Practicing Noses

While Morgan was staying with us, we played using Procreate.  There is so much to learn using that app and I was sharing a few things I have learned.

She wanted to try working on my Ipad because of the screen protector that has a paper like finish where it doesn't feel like the apple pencil is too slick to control.   And as an exercise, she worked on drawing a nose practicing how to shade to form it.  She did an excellent job with both!!!

I love the fact my two granddaughters love to draw as it is yet another thing the three of us have in common we can work on together and share....even with the distance between us.

Last 45 Days Drawing

It's been a busy last two months.  We've had both granddaughters come to visit (two individual trips), which has been amazing for us here in Florida.  We love when the family comes to visit but having this one on one time with each granddaughter has been very special for them as well as us.  A treasured time I doubt any of us will forget!

Even with that said, I did manage to get some drawing in...

Gnome figurine with a piece of my Ivy plant:

Working from one line drawing, coloring two different methods:

Photo from Neal while in Clearwater, FL

Gift from Madison and Kyran from their trip to Universal in FL:

My miniature bear, Opal, decked out in a scarecrow outfit: