Saturday, January 5, 2008

Another Saturday

Here it is the end of another week and although I didn't get to everything I wanted to do this week I have several ideas at the starting gates. One huge chore I managed to accomplish was to organize all my files and images on my computer. Up until now I had no system for keeping track of art work images or design projects. So now I feel much better having a system in place that will hopefully help things go a lot more smoothly. And speaking of design work, it seems the jobs are piling up around here, keeping me quite busy. It's good and I know the work won't last but so long so I am holding many ideas I have for my own art work on reserve for when the design work ebbs again.

January is also a time when I re-evaluate where we are in our homeschool year. It's a half way point and a good time to revisit goals from the start of our school year and see where I need to focus more energy and add emphasis to areas that remain weak in kiddo's learning. And to marvel at the accomplishments that have been made to be sure those aren't lost in the shuffle. Much like my creative endeavors, homeschooling can become too much a routine and sometimes needs a good airing out.

Here I have two EDM challenges, #152, Draw a Nut, and #2, Draw a Lamp. These are both graphite in my small hand.book journal. As I work through these I can sense that even though I still have problems with perspective and proportion the drawing process is becoming easier for me. The lamp is one of two I have attached to my drawing table. Most of my art work time is at night, so good lighting is important. The acorn is from one of our oak trees. We had an awful lot of acorns in our yard this past fall. This little acorn has been sitting on the kitchen windowsill since then. There are no edible nuts in our house for obvious reasons.

17 comments:

Lin said...

AWESOME work, Ann! Congrats on the files -- I something things filing is the worst thing to have to do -- so glad when it's behind you!! LOVE the acorn!!!!

Susan Hosken said...

I love the way you get the lovely light in your work.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Unknown said...

Both of these are awesome!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ann - thankyou for your lovely comment on my birthday! Your drawings are beautiful and you've just reminded me that I've got to find an anglepoise lamp on ebay!

Jennifer Rose said...

More great sketches :)
Really nice job with the highlights on that acorn and the texture on the top of it. :D

Anonymous said...

I really like your graphite technique...both bold and subtle!

suzanne cabrera said...

The way you've captured light and shadow is wonderful! Beautiful, beautiful work.

Belinda Lindhardt said...

Beautiful Ann :) You did a great job :)

seesue said...

These are terrific. Good, clear light source and the textural details are amazing.

Lynn said...

Terrific drawings!

starrgirl's world said...

This is very nice work, Ann! Wonderful sketching! The proportion looks good to me, too. And guess what, goal buddy? I wanted to do six sketch pages in January? I'm now at seven and raring to go! Woo Hoo! Keep 'em coming, Annie!

quirkyartist said...

I particularly like the lamp. At first I thought it was charcoal. It has that lovely soft look that you get when you lift highlights out from charcaol. Very celver to do it in graphite!

Ann said...

Well, thank you everyone! You guys are awesome! I really appreciate you all stopping by and giving your encouraging comments :)
Starr-whoa! Slow down there or I'll never keep up!
Wendy-it may be because I use an eraser almost as much as the pencil to draw with. Plus I like to get the graphite all smeary :)

Sherry Pierce Thurner said...

I love the way your graphite work shows form, shape, and depth. I've had an acorn sitting in my drawer, intending to draw it, for about three months. Maybe I need to get it out and be guided by your example.
Sherry

Alison said...

Another home educator! - I am at the end of that (mostly) wonderful journey - see the most recent sketch on my scribbles blog - art endeavour is great for fitting in around the demads of home ed and great for the children to see one pursuing something too.

Joan Y said...

Ooooo ... the highlights and shade in both of these are amazing! So realistic!

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Wow. Two gorgeous drawings.

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin