Sketches

I guess I can't avoid posting any longer. How long can you keep things shoved away in a notebook anyway?

As a preface, I've always liked to draw, and I even took a beginners class in college (I'm not sure I can count my middle school art class), but I've never developed as much as I wanted to. While I may, eventually, be able to call myself an artist (philosophical arguments of the title aside), I don't have the skills or knowledge to have confidence in the title now. That being said, I have tried to practice on my own, try new things and mediums, and learn what I can from books. I have posted some of these on our family blog, a very long time ago, but I'll post'em here just for fun. My first sketches were done in charcoal, so far my favorite medium. Man I love the mess! Getting black smudginess all over you while you blend with your fingers. Ah...good times.

I did most of these while in college as a stress relief. They were just out of my head. Lately, I haven't been brave enough to bring something this messy out where little hands could borrow some and practice on their own.

I use pencil most often. It's less messy and easier to put aside when you have to chase a toddler down. These first two are from an instruction book on how to draw heads, obviously. They're from the same picture but done a year or two apart. I wanted to sketch it again and see if there was a difference. I'm still not patient enough to sketch her hair in. Who knew hair was so hard!

This next one is a sketch of a wooden figurine I have. He's a praying Buddha. I never did finish his toes did I? I should have Derek post his sketch. He has a different style than I do, and he's much more skilled than I am. I do like his more, but I like to think mine has some merit too.

This next one is my first attempt as sketching a person from a photograph. The photo is from the Ensign, a conference edition, and I loved this lady's smile. I can now see some major flaws in my picture. Maybe I should try this one again too. You can only get better if you practice right?

And lastly, for now, a little bear cub. You know how you can sometimes see shapes in shadows, or wall textures, or other random places? I was sitting at the table, kind of staring of into space, when I noticed this image on the soft fabric of the back of our couch. I thought it was pretty cool so I grabbed a piece of printer paper and tried to take it down before I lost the lighting.

I'm working on one or two more sketches but I'm not sure when I'll be able to finish them. Keep an eye out and I'll keep practicing!