I need to get better at this.

I took this picture of the irises beside my old house ages ago.  I keep the folder with all the photos close at hand for quick reference.  It took a couple of weeks for me to complete this.  I didn't quite match the color of the flowers to the colored pencil but thus is art.  If it were to be a perfect match, I could have just posted the photo.

Wow! Hard to believe it's been a year!

Here is Maddie in colored pencil.  We're trying to get moved from a drafty old house to a nice, beautiful home that's much closer to Rick's work.  I'm still working on my attitude.  School just about destroyed any desire I have to be an artist.  There seems to be a lot of personal issues here, some I just take personally and some I stand on moral ground.

It's been a really hard year physically.  I blew out my knee joint last December, finally had a partial replacement in June and then my other knee decided it required equal attention shares.  The last few days have been the most pain free I've had in a year.  I've spent many days crying in despair over the amount of pain I had.

I digress!  My colored pencils are the only thing handy and portable enough during the move that I can work on while resting in between packing and unpacking.  This isn't a great photo but what do you expect when taken with a phone camera?  It was fun trying to catch her playful spirit.  I'm still thinking about where to go with my art.  

Last School Project

For my last project this semester, I did a portrait of my grandson. I chose it because of the warm fuzzy feelings that I get as I draw him, I can remember the way he giggles and the twinkles in his eyes as he thinks he's pulling a good joke on you. I miss him so much sometimes that it hurts. My teacher didn't much care for the portrait but I did it for me.  It's in Conte crayon on Canson Mi Tientes.

Final Version

Thanks for everyone's help.  This is the final version of my class assignment.

Another Watercolor - This time it's a wash

 

This was done in class.  It was a great exercise in learning to control where the wash goes.  When I brought it home, I wet the entire thing and put in the background.  I loved the freedom of not controlling where the wash goes.

I need your help

I'm getting this one ready for drawing class.  It is near completion but I need your critique.  Please help!  I'm looking for technical corrections.  Thanks in advance!

I Love Fall and Something Orange

 I was sitting in the campus library yesterday and it felt like I was watching the leaves turn right before my eyes.  So I had to draw it with my new watercolors.  Watercolor sketching is a new concept for me and I think this can be addicting.