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.

Sketching While Waiting

My Foot
copyright - Sydney Harper

My husband had to get some work done on his car this week. If possible, we try to make a day, or at least an evening of it, and do some things around town. We still have to deal with the time spent in the waiting room at the auto shop though, so we go prepared. He brings his computer. I bring my sketchbook and my knitting. We had a longer than usual wait this time so I knit a little, sketched a little, knit a little again, and sketched again. I practiced sketching some of the people in the waiting room. Then when I ran out of subjects, I drew my foot, which just happens to qualify for EDM 1 - Draw a shoe. I usually carry a copy of the Everyday Matters (EDM) Challenge List in my sketchbook in case I run out of ideas. Having time to just sit and sketch makes car repairs a much more pleasant experience. Things have been so busy lately that I seldom have such a large block of time to just sit and sketch.

EDM 112: Something Fresh

I'm behind on my Everyday Matters Challenges. This one is "Something fresh". Unfortunately we've been busy so there was nothing fresh in the house - food or laundry. Outside everything was frozen. I had to wait until we went to the grocery store to get something fresh.

This is a watercolor in my Moleskine waterbook book.

EDM 111: Bowl

This is an interesting little bowl. It has an ragged rim and it looks like they formed it over a ball. The inside is glazed but the outside isn't glazed or painted. This is a quick watercolor sketch I did in my Moleskine.

EDM 110: Something with a flame

Since our power seems to go out a few times a year, we have several candles scattered around the house. This is a pottery candle holder that is one of my favorites. Its shape isn't quite as wonky in real life. The painting is done in my watercolor Moleskine. I'm growing quite fond of this little book. Plus the shape was perfect for something like a candle. Overall, I'm pleased with the picture.

EDM 109 - A Clock

I'm still lagging a bit behind on the Everyday Matters challenges, and every other challenge I like to participate in. Life has been a little hectic lately but hopefully I can get back into some kind of routine soon. I did get the clock challenge completed though. This is one of my favorite clocks in the house. It's not the most attractive clock. It's just a simple little travel alarm clock, but it's like an old friend. It's done with a ZIG pen with the glow in the dark bits done in colored pencil.

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.

Scissors and Lemons

I haven't been posting my sketches lately so I thought I would do a little catching up with some Everyday Matters Challenges. Things have been kind of hectic lately. First up are scissors for the EDM 105 challenge.
It was done in pen and colored pencil. Next up is EDM 106 challenge to draw something sour or tart.

I did this in my new Moleskin watercolor book. The pages are a strange size, long and narrow, but they seem to work out okay for watercolor sketches. I wouldn't want to use the paper for large paintings, but for sketches it works out well. I scanned these on the scanner whose color reproduction isn't so good. In real life, I made the lemons a little too green. Course on the other hand, they were a little green.

EDM 102

I'm still here. It's just that I've been busy and then our pet ferret, Balt, got sick and died. I haven't had a lot of spare time. Anyway, I joined the Everyday Matters Group a while back but I haven't participated at all. Then towards the end of January I had a little spare time at the office and did this weekly challenge to draw a power plug. I wrote down Jan 06 but it should be Jan 07 for the date. I still haven't adjusted to the new year yet. It's just a quick and dirty pencil drawing. Hopefully I can get back into the artistic swing of things again.