Thistle Sketch

My Mother-in-Law's Birthday was at the beginning of the month.  I have not seen here yet, but I will see her tomorrow.  This is a colored pencil sketch of the Thistle flower.  No painting today, too many errands and family time.

A sheet of little Sketches

This is the finish of the practice sheet of small sketches.  This is a way of looking at different shadows, angles, and compositions.  I am going to try and do some painting tomorrow, after the weekend errands.

Building sketches for composition and persceptive

Late night, so just some small sketches to work on composition and perspective, i.e the angles which one views things as they go into the distance.  These are some small sketches from an instruction book I am working through to get my skills down.

Elm Tree Sketch

Another pencil sketch for tonight's post.  I like this style of using more of the white of the page.  I think I know how to translate this to oil paintings, but it will have to wait till this weekend for the attempt with oil.

Birch Tree Sketch

A lot of artists get the compliment a lot of how talented they are.  Most artists don't really don't like this as it ignores the hard work and practice each artist works with and struggles with daily.  I think this is part of the purpose of this blog, along with the fact life is short and you should do stuff while you still can.  I always wanted to be a better artist and this blog is a documentation of the journey.

This is a practice sketch of Birch trees as I work on improving my eye and drawing skills.

Oak Tree Sketch study

I worked on this Oak tree sketch with pencil.  It is not an original design but it is part of the practice I am working on to improve my skills.

The River Valley in January

This is a small snow study, not an original design but it definitely reminded me of time I spent in Upstate New York freezing my tail off and it reminded me of my high school time in Colorado also freezing my tail off.  This is the block-i and it will need improvement on the details of the ice, the river, and the icy butte on the right.