Quick TV Sketching

One of the things I do to practice quick sketches is sketch while watching Sunrise Earth or sometimes just any show on TV.  Sometimes that’s as close as I get to watching TV.  It forces me to work quickly and not agonize over details.  Usually I just do ink sketches, but here’s a couple where I tried something different. Sometimes I’ll do little landscapes.  Other times, I’ll sketch random bits and pieces.

The sketch above was done in watercolor pencil.  It was a shoreline in Massachusetts or Maine, I forget which one. I like the sketch but the watercolor pencil didn’t work well for me.  I found myself spending more time on it than I wanted. But then I don’t use watercolor pencils that often so maybe it’s just an experience thing.

Watercolor worked much better.   I used my travel watercolor kit for the sketch above. I don’t have much time to think about colors or technique and sometimes I don’t  get a chance to finish what I’m sketching.  It’s a good change of pace from my usual sketching.

EDM 3 - My Bag

EDM 3 - My Bag
copyright Sydney Harper

The other night I was sitting on the couch with my portable art supplies while Rick watched baseball. My bag that carries my art supplies and a portable knitting project was flopped out beside me. Sometimes I'll sketch stuff that's on TV. This time, I decided to sketch my mostly empty bag, just like it was sitting on the couch. It's done in ink and watercolor pencil. I'm getting used to the watercolor pencils but I'm still not completely satisfied with my technique. It's getting better though.

Adobe released Photoshop Express for web last week and I still haven't had a chance to play with it. From what I've read, it has free storage and image tools. It's not a replacement for a purchased copy of Photoshop but apparently it has enough tools to do basic image editing. I usually do all of my image editing before I upload the images, but then I have several different versions of image editing software. It might be worth a try if you don't have image editing software or you aren't happy with your current software.

EDM: Lightbulb and News

I was tired this weekend, plus I had to work today. I was determined to do the last two EDM challenges,though. So here are some quick and dirty sketches.

First up is EDM 107, where I get my news. Our mail box and paper box is built into this brick, uh, thing. So I drew in just the part that holds the paper. It's done in ink and watercolor pencil. The delivery person usually does a good job of shoving it all the way in the back of the box so you have to peer in there is make sure it's there.

Next is EDM 108, a lightbulb. This is an appliance or ceiling fan bulb done in pencil. It was the only bulb available without removing one from a lamp. It's a little wonky and misshapen. I discovered that the hard thing about drawing a light bulb is that they roll. So it has a little mixed perspective. I had fun drawing this though. I might have to try more light bulbs.

Tree Bark

Ink and watercolor pencils

I've always been fascinated by tree bark. It forms such complex designs. So yesterday I drew peeling bark from the birch tree in our yard. The colors are brighter than real life but I actually found it to be quite colorful in real life.