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Another year, another chance to try new things. Do you make resolutions? I made a few. I think some are better than others, but they all are on my "To Do" list. A few of the big ones will take more effort than others, but they should be worthwhile. One of the big ones is, of course, to make more time for art. Once the kids are in bed, I should have at least an hour or two to work. I know an hour doesn't seem like much, but right now, I'll take what I can get.

My current project is coming along. I've been doing some w/c sketches, trying to figure out how I want to do things. The feathers are giving me fits as are the robes. Light shining through both the robes and the feathers is proving kind of tricky to catch just right with w/c. I'm pretty pleased with what I've been able to do so far, but I'm going to keep trying.

My kids are growing like weeds. My husband broke his rib slipping on an icy patch on our front stairs. He's got 6 weeks of healing to do, provided he's careful and doesn't break anything else.

Oh, yeah, I got to go to the art supply store and spend money!!! LOTS OF MONEY!!! NEW BRUSHES!! NEW PAINT!!! Paper!! Lots of new paper!!!

Okay, I feel better now.

"Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher

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I finally got started on the commission. After discussing just what was wanted by my client, my brain went into overdrive. I had so many ideas and so many different positions in mind that I had to sketch them all out. Some were better than others and some were just laughable. (I'm not going to show anyone those, so don't ask. )

At first, she only expressed a desire for one image, but in later conversations she started mentioning several progressive images, which was an idea that I had kicking around in my brain since our first conversation. Hey, we were on the same wavelength!

The reference photos finally came back from the developers, yes, I used FILM!!! (much to my husband's dismay.) The rough sketches are in my scrapbook and are rather obviously titled "Commission." After getting some great help from on wing positions, I think I am ready to start on the final line drawings. Then tracing paper becomes my new best friend while I work on shading and then transferring everything over to the paper that I am finally going to paint on.

The piece is going to have three images in progression from left to right. I plan on doing this as a mixed media piece. Watercolor, pencil, and ink. Just to make sure it really turns out well, I'm going to start playing with different watercolor techniques before I start on the final picture. I am nervous, excited, having problems sleeping, and feeling like I just want to barf everywhere. Anyone else ever go through something like that?

"Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher

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I managed to get two pics done and both are downloaded, though the portrait and my scanner are still fighting. I ended up scanning the portrait three different times and then had to use the panorama feature to stitch the images all together, even then, it cut off the top of her head and left a white space in the upper left hand corner. GGGRRRRR!!!! I suppose I should have taken a pic and then downloaded the pic, but I was being impatient.

Now to start on the commission. AAAAAAAAAACK!!

I mean, I'm looking forward to it....*cough*cough* Honestly, I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Oh, yeah, might as well throw in intimidated too. I'll probably post some WIPs as I go and see if I can get some help from the more experienced art community out there.

I'm not sure what media I'm going to use, but colored pencil will be a part of it, if not all of it since that is my preferred media. I'm just not good enough with a paintbrush yet to want to try that out in acrylics or oils. Someday, just not yet.

"Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher

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I'm almost done with my current pic.I've just got some finishing work to do on one small spot and then I'll get it scanned and posted. Its straight colored pencil, but I really am hoping to be able to branch out again and try other media. I keep looking at watercolor and inks and we shall see what happens.

I got a commission too. I'm kind of worried that I won't be able to do justice to this pic, especially since the lady has a very firm idea of what she wants. I'm going to be taking reference pics this Wednesday and then getting some preliminary sketches turned out for her approval. Once she picks the version that she likes, then I will go to town. I'm also tempted to do two versions. One in colored pencil and one in mixed media. I'll post both and then let her pick the one she wants.

I keep hoping that I'll be able to participate more on dA now and I'll have to take a look at some of the contests and themed art projects going on.

Here's to keeping busy!

"Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher

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It was a few weeks ago that I really noticed that the days were getting shorter. It also marks the start of football season. My husband watches college ball, not pro, and the games are serious matters. Its just as well. I have more time to draw when he's engrossed and cheering on his team.

I like this time of year for multiple reasons. The cooler weather is always a blessing and the changing light on the fall colors is one of the other things. The summer sun, unless you get up really early and catch it at an interesting angle, bleaches out the textures and makes the mountains look flat. But now, the sun is at a different position in the sky, there are more clouds, which makes the play of light and color something beautiful to see.

And, let's face it, I LOVE THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS!!! All the great food, the chances to drink hot chocolate, and PIES! *happy sigh*

Soon I'll have another pic to post, but this one is a lot bigger than my usual stuff and its taking me a while. It doesn't help that little fingers keep trying to grab my drawing board, pencils, and keep trying to crawl into my lap. Its a colored pencil piece and is pretty fun to work on. Soon....I promise.

"Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher