Sam - Sphnx cat

Life happened so I didn’t get a chance to watch all the videos from Sketchbook Revival this morning.  

I’m addicted to the Sktchy app and if I am looking for something interesting to sketch I go there to see what’s on offer. There are so many interesting things to draw: portraits, landscapes, cars, still life, cityscapes and do on. This weeks #fridayface was this cat.  Sam is a Sktchy muse and a Sphnyx who passed away earlier this month. His owner/friend is a wonderful artist and teacher!  Since our weather here is so nasty and cold I thought a hairless cat might have this thought running through his mind.

I used my first ever grocery bag sketchbook that I made earlier this week.  Sam drawn with Pentel colour brush pen and gouache. Background made with cheap matte craft paint. 

Image transfer fail

Thanks to Amanda and Amy and Sketchbook Revival for the wonderful videos.  Using inspiration from both artists, this is how my page finished up in my handmade grocery bag journal.  

I had tried to do an image transfer from a fashion magazine without success and was going to throw away the paper.  I scribbled and scraped and slapped on some gesso.....I just can’t love it this spread. So I remembered that I had the “giggle” stamp! Then I laughed at myself and now I’m over it and ready for tomorrow. 

Remember: DON’T GIVE UP even if you really want to

The spare room

Today I made a sketchbook

I have had a sheet of Strathmore 500 Aquarius II paper 22” x30”  languishing in my portfolio for ages now.  Today I got the inspiration I needed to get myself in gear and make a book!  Thanks Kiala Givehand If memory serves, I believe I used the pamphlet stitch. It is similar and also easy to use. I jazzed up the cheap 140 lb watercolour paper for the cover and reinforced the spine with cheap “duck” tape.  I had enough paper to make two signatures.  

I’m so stoked!!! I’ll leave it under some books overnight so it will be ready tomorrow! 

Cardinal - sketchbook page

A few days ago I grabbed a snap of our resident Cardinal.  He is a beautiful sight in the winter months but once he has deemed that spring has arrived he starts being his old pesky self.  He LOVES to peck at his reflection (possibly he thinks that “he” is an interloper) in the side mirrors of our vehicles.

A IG friend believes that he is trying to give us a message from a Spirit.  I don’t know anything about that!  I have found out that these birds can live a very long time.  In the wild, average 3 years but up to 15 years, although some have lived longer.  He has been pecking at himself now for five years already.  I think that is pretty amazing! 

Pen, watercolour, washi tape (love it when I can use that stuff), Staz-on ink with around the house stencils.  I wasn’t happy that I hadn’t planned the page better; don’t like the fact I stuck him smack dab in the middle of the page but I think I was able to rescue it.  I have more journalling to do with a bunch of facts about these birds that will fill the bottom. In my Moleskine. 

Snow Drops

Great day to get outside! We went for a long walk this afternoon. Almost missed these lovely spring flowers and so happy to see them. I think spring has finally arrived! 

Sketch time while getting summer tires on

This is the only sKetch time I could get in for today.  Happy that I was able to use this waiting time for art. Nervous that now I have my summer tires on; we are expecting more snow tomorrow.  Crossing my fingers that the snowfall is only the 2cm forecasted! 

Here is my depiction of Dave, who didn’t love my drawing of him but he was kind enough to sign my book anyway. 

Cardinal

Happy to get a chance to grasp a. Nap of this cardinal!  He is a beaut isn’t he!??!!! He would be even more darling if he would stop pooping on our vehicles and pecking at himself in the side mirrors.  It seems that winter is over for him; he is back at it and now we have to get the mirror covers back on our vehicles again. 

Cuban Vintage Truck

I started this page last week when we were in Cuba,  I painted it up this morning  and finished off the page to point where I am happy with it. 

This vintage truck was parked across the street from our hotel on our first day.  Nothing like the blazing afternoon sun and full on heat after the rotten winter we are experiencing!  I’m not fond of standing up to draw but I really wanted to try to capture this truck when I could. 

Pen and watercolour in my Moleskine sketchbook. 

Snow ANd Ice storm

this mornings sketch.  When we got home after the storm yesterday, I got stuck in the snow at the end of our laneway.  The snow was like cement. After I shovelled out my car, some neighbours stopped by to push me out.  Then my hubby used his ATV to plough the laneway!  This is unreal, it was April 16th for Pete’s sake!!! 

If your wondering, when I went out to feed the birds it was snowing yet again! Ugh will this winter never end! 

Pen and gouache in my Moleskine sketchbook.

Sktchy Friday Face

Visiting the family so in between doing this and doing that....Here is my attempt to not worry about flawless skin tone. Thanks Stuart  you have lots of great inspiration photos. #fridayface Yup straight in with pen so loads of mistakes but I drew a face today regardless of how I feel about it.  Uniball pen and watercolour in my Moleskine. 

Art collaboration

Today’s page is a collaboration effort, our  granddaughter drew a paper girl cut out and didn’t like it so she let me use it in my sketchbook. I added some hair from polka dotted paper and a nose.  Then I created a background that reminded me of our time at the beach in Cuba.  Then I collaged the girl on the page.  I thought it was a bit boring so I added the splatters and then the story.  I’m done.  I loved that it was simple enough that my granddaughter could read it for me!  Such bliss!

Watercolour and collage

Our first day in Cuba

This is a big of a montage of “day one” of our Cuba holiday! We didn’t do much that first day but enjoyed the sun, sand and 29C temperatures. 

I didn’t have s real plan and just kept adding to the page.  My favourite is the draft beer tap that looks like the awesome coffee should be beer. 

Pen watercolour in my Moleskine with a collaged sugar packet.

Sketching before dinner

Waiting at the airport

Waiting for our flight.  Waiting is so much easier with a cold beverage and my sketchbook!! 

I almost forgot my sandals

Thank goodness I have a check list!!!

I REALLY tried

Love this photo Amy.  To me, you have achieved magical status with your ballpoint line work!!!  I thought I would give the ballpoint a go myself.  I need loads more practice!! This took me two days to complete (I’m packing for a vacation away from our horrid winter weather) and although my inner critic is cringing; I’m posting my results. I added some stamped ink for the background using a faux LEGO piece with StazOn ink pad then a blue Stabilo All pencil “halo”. Yup, that didn’t calm my mind at all.  So I’m turning the page. #ballpoint #30faces30days

Today’s Sktchy Face

I’m away from home this weekend so I had limited supplies! However I did bring my Pentel brush pen and I found a turquoise Painters acrylic marker in the bottom of my purse. I have to say I really like the graphic nature of my results. Thanks bunches Benjamin and to your friend for the opportunity!! #30faces30days

This is something very different for me. 

Easter bunny bread - Today’s Page

The family walked down to the bakery this morning to see if the bakery was open.  It was!!!

Subway sketch and Easter tree

Yesterday’s drawings. We are visiting the family in the big city.  I had my paint palette with me but no water brush. I’m super happy with my drawing of the women “sleeping” on the subway home.  It is my second ever.  I really liked that the “sketch the Line” poster was above her head. These posters are on most subways and I think it is very cool that the Toronto Transit Commission (the TTC or the Rocket) but some art up in the trains. 

I thought this little decorative tree was super cute that we saw yesterday