Week 10, Day 3: Going Graphic

In trying to do something a little different, I decided on a simple graphic image of a dogwood blossom.  Simple it was not. I started out very simple then seemed to add more detail as I progressed.  It took a long time to do this all in Adobe Illustrator. But I did learn some new tricks as I played around with it, and after all this is a learning and discovery journey, so what if my kids got leftovers for dinner!

After finishing this and then coming back later, I thought about why I like dogwoods -- because they bring light and life to a seemingly lifeless and dead area.  And this image looks so dark, it just doesn't capture my feeling...something to work on later today.....

Sketching Monday

I got my sketching done....and as you will see it's been a while!  And I didn't pick an easy photo. But that's ok, cuz I love a challenge!  I do have to say that it felt good to pick up a pencil again!

The first sketch I did was a blind contour drawing.  Basically I looked at the image and didn't look as I drew the edges of the image. In school I used to do these with charcoal and large newsprint.  I just loved it.

The second one I didn't like, so I didn't finish it, but when I went back to take the photo (had to improvise since my scanner died) I didn't think it was so bad after all!

This one is more light and shadow sketching.  I had fun with this one.

This one was more a gesture drawing, just giving the basics of what I was seeing...although I think it ended up looking like I was just scribbling.

It was definitely fun to pick up a pencil and draw again, but I will need to get a larger sketch book, and a new set of drawing pencils.

Have you ever tried any of these sketching styles?  What is your favorite?  Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve my sketching?

Decided to post a few of Katy's photos that I liked!  Not bad for an aspiring photographer?