Selfie

Pen and Ink about 6X6. I did drew this as a demo for my commercial art class when I was teaching the pen and ink unit. It was a lot of fun. I want to do a series.

Good Bye Christmas, Hello 2013!

I always have a hard time saying goodbye to the Christmas season. There is something about having the tree lit in my living room with all the other lights off, the music, and the fact that people are generally more kind. But at the same time I always get really excited for the new year. I have new goals to work on and things I want to accomplish. 

So here is an elf to say goodbye. (With embellishments from my 2 year old daughter)

2nd Study

I like this one much better than the first. It's just more interesting. Also I used a darker pencil so I was able to get better contrast.

Study

Study for a painting I'm working on. I've noticed I get a lot tighter in my drawings when I use pencil as opposed to pen. 

T.V. Time Sketching

We don't have a T.V. We watch anything we want to see online. It's worked out well for us. But when we went on vacation to see my wife's family we watched a lot of T.V. Mainly the olympics. However, I can't just sit and watch. I have to be doing something. And that something is drawing. So this is some of my T.V. Watching drawings. 

Sketchbook Again

More sketchbook stuff. :)

Colored Robot

Here is the color version of my robot. I liked him enough to make him my friend. 

Robot

Well, today is the last day of my vacation and I have to say, I'm proud of myself for having a post for everyday while I was gone. It's all about those small victories. :)

Old Nauvoo Burial Ground Sketch

When we were at the burial ground it was raining. It was gray and wet. It seemed very fitting for the mood of a cemetery. 

Barbarian Man

I am going to Nauvoo, IL tomorrow and staying over night so I doubt I'll have internet. Thus, I am double posting today.

What can I say. It's a guy with a big axe. How can that not be fun to draw.

More from the Ball Point Pen

Quick post today. :)

Posting from the Road

I am in Iowa this week and next. It takes a lot of advanced planning to keep the blog updated! But I was lucky that I had this image laying around. I thought I might miss today, but a little searching around paid off. :) This is an old sketch but one I have always liked.

Ball Point Pen Drawings

I go in phases but perhaps my favorite drawing implement is a Bic ball point pen. I think I'm better with graphite pencil, however....a Bic doesn't smudge! I have a hard time with smudging in my sketchbook. Plus, my personal opinion is that using a pen forces me to draw better. I have to make better decisions and fix mistakes without erasing. 

Andrea Finishing the 50 Mile Relay

Andrea and I ran a 50 mile relay with my brother and sister this spring. As you might expect, it was hard. This is her at the finish line with her medal (Everyone that finished got one.) 

Hodge Podge

I've mentioned before how I can't seem to settle down on one style. I think my painting is working itself in a particular direction with more consistency. My sketchbooks though are all over the place. I'm ok with that though. It helps me stay fresh with my ideas and gives me a place to "play" with my art. 

Character Study

This is a sketch I did for a painting I'm developing. I liked how this was going until this morning when I realized he's supposed to be bound somehow. SO...I decided I'd post it instead. :) Obviously he's getting hit across the face. 

Blind Contour

When I'm just kinda doodling one of my favorite things to do is blind contour. I think first of all it can be funny to look at what I thought was a coherent drawing while I was doing it. Secondly, it's a great exercise in hand-eye coordination, and third, usually there are some very interesting things that happen. This was one of my students during a demo. 

More Sketchbook

The first half of the above drawing I did while attending my caucus meeting and the second half while watching TV. The bottom is my beloved sketchbook I bought in New York. I love the size. It fits right in my hand. What can I say, I'm a sketchbook junkie. 

Driving Sketchbook

This was my first attempt to draw while riding passenger on a road trip. I enjoyed it for a while until I got car sick. It was on a trip back from visiting a brother and sister in law up in Rexburg, Idaho. I had a watercolor teacher that would do 30 or so small watercolor sketches while riding passenger on trips to Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. I don't know how she wasn't sick the whole time. Her landscapes from the car were really cool though. 

Hogle Zoo

Sketch from a trip to Hogle Zoo.