G is for Giraffe

If I had a spirit animal it would be a giraffe. They are so unique & interesting.

I had the good fortune to travel to Africa about 2 years ago & saw them in the wild.

 

I took a fun online class a few years back with Deb Weiers. her Instagram is a delight.

The image above is hers, below is mine.

Wonky Critters

 

 

That's it for today...gotta go. at the age of 71 I'm back to work to fill in for a maternity leave. Call me crazy.  Helps pay for those trips like the one mentioned above. 

 

 

Graphite A to Z Challenge

A few of the pencils that hang around my table for quick access.

G is for Graphite

So many leads for so many applications. Woodless pencils like these go with me 

when I travel for quick sketch. The 9B is my favorite. 

Nice dark lines that smudge easily for shading. 

This was done entirely with the 9B

 A test done in my journal of all the different pencils in my arsenal. 

This pencil in new for me & I love it! There are  even several  YouTube videos of this pencil  about it's virtues. I think these people have too much time on their hands. Pick up the pencil & draw with it!

These luscious blocks of graphite in subtle colors can make large marks 

and do wonderful things when added to a wet surface.

Do you have a favorite writing or sketching tool? Would love to hear what it is.

Draw Pardner

Drawing is a skill you can develop. So often you hear someone say "Oh I can't draw". I put myself in that category in the past, and truth is, I still do most of the time. Then sometimes I surprise myself. I've taken classes, had inspiring friends, and taken the time to practice. My journal is a safe place to try things out and get that much needed practice.

                                                     
This post is a good reminder to myself to take up a pencil with the intent of getting something I see on paper.


 I was so taken with this picture in the newspaper I had to take the time to do my version of it.

 

 

 

   

 

 

Meet Hobbs. He belongs to friends in Cincinnati. He can whistle the "Andy of Mayberry" theme song! While visiting them I did this one morning in my journal over coffee.

                                                         From a small picture in a catalog.

A few years back there was a live cam of an eagles nest in our area. I did this sketch and refined it while watching. The bird theme was not intentional.