EDM #166 - Draw a fish

This is one of those sketches that I would like to eventually make into a larger, colored pencil piece. It was fun to do and I love the movement - to me, it says that this fish is alive.
I teach a class on animal portraits in colored pencils, and this is one of the ideas that I try to emphasize to my students. Putting a living creature - animal, plant, or human - in their natural setting, gives the viewer a 'story' to follow.
If I had drawn this little guy as a side view, I think he would appear flat and lifeless. By putting this fish in water, and capturing that moment of leaping up to, what - finding an insect for breakfast, escaping a fisherman's hook, or maybe it's to impress that cute female fish that's swimming just outside of the picture?
That's the beauty of this - it can be any of these things and viewers get to make it their own personal experience that way. By capturing their attention with this natural movement, you're inviting them to create their own story. It doesn't matter to anyone how I saw it when I created it - that's my own personal experience. And that's one of the things I love about being an artist!

EDM #44 - Draw an animal

Meet my dog, Joe. He's a 10-year-old mixed breed that we call "The Dog of the Universe", cause he's just a great guy. Joe's a special member of our family and I really enjoyed doing his portrait.
Have you ever noticed that some of your best drawings are someone, or something that is meaningful to you? I know that I put a lot into this drawing because he's very special to me - I just love him. I think it shows in the finished artwork when you're drawing something that doesn't interest you - there's something missing but you can't quite figure it out.
My students frequently ask me about subject matter - they say that they don't know what to draw. I tell them to draw something they have strong feelings about - draw something that is meaningful to them. It seems to work every time - and I can see it in their work. I think it also gives you more incentive and motivation because you're connected to the work on a deeper level. Try it and see if you can feel the difference.
Joe was lovingly done in soft pastels.

EDM #20 - Draw something "Dad"

This drawing challenge was especially meaningful to me because I lost my father to lung cancer two years ago - he was only 69 years old. This eagle is for him.
I’ve had a difficult time adjusting to life without him, and I feel that this drawing is honoring what he meant to me. He had a collection of eagle statues and plaques - gifts from his family because we knew he felt a strong connection to this bird. To him, the eagle represented strength, courage, and respect for the country that he loved. He retired from the Navy many years ago, but he was always a sailor, and a good man.
My mother passed away 20 years ago - he never remarried and was dedicated to the five children he helped raise - a promise I’m sure he made to her. I miss his words of encouragement, and his unconditional love - but I carry with me all he taught me, and how much he gave to me. This one’s for my father, with love.

EDM #31 - Draw something you collect

I think sketching is a great stress reliever. Have you ever noticed how sketching helps you relax? How you can’t sketch and worry at the same time? I guess you could sketch when you’re angry, or sad - but that sketching will actually help you feel calm. It does for me.

I realized as I was sketching these feathers that I was more relaxed - that concentrating on my drawing helped me forget about some things in my life right now that are feeling stressful. I also think that when I’m feeling stressed, it’s harder to get myself into the right mindset to draw. We have so much going on in our lives that we forget to take a break - that we really need to take a break.
The choice I made today about what to sketch really had a positive effect on me because it also brought back the pleasant memories of finding these feathers. I remembered the walks, and the hikes - with friends or by myself - being out in the fresh air enjoying the sounds and smells of nature. Sometimes, when it’s hard to find the time or energy to sit down and draw, I hope I can remember this. I’m going to try to remember that art really is good for the soul.

Everyday Matters Sketch # 15

I belong to an online group called Everyday Matters and this sketch is my first drawing challange - #15, trees, leaves, or branches. It's drawn from a photo in a book.
Here's the group's description: "Everyday Matters is a friendly community designed to encourage members to expand their creativity. Our main focus is on drawing and creating illustrated journals but we welcome creative people from all disciplines. Our group includes members of all degrees of ability and experience -- from total novices to professional illustrators, artists, and teachers. In 2004, our group grew out of Danny Gregory's weblog, and books, Everyday Matters, Creative License, and An Illustrated Life."
Members share their creative experiences and although it's not a requirement, the group has weekly drawing challanges - over 200 of them so far. There's great support and inspiration from more than 3,800 artists. Check it out at http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/everydaymatters.