Lake Erie

Told you that I would be going up to the lake to draw.

I have to admit, it was deceptively pretty out. So, I didn't grab gloves or a heavy coat. When I got up there, all of the fishermen were wearing hats and winter coats. At first, it was very pleasant, but then I got cold very quickly. I did a quick sketch and snapped a photo to do the watercolor when I would get home. Next time, I'll be more prepared for the cold. I'd just gotten fingerless gloves when I was in Ligonier,but hadn't even thought to bring them. It took a while for my hands to warm up in the car on the way home.

It is very pretty up there, though. I will definitely go up again sometime soon to draw and paint.

Spent the afternoon selling my painted frames at the Grog Shop's Funk N Junk sale. It wasn't very busy, but I sold quite a few.

While I was drawing this one, I ran out of things that interestedme in the bottom left corner, and rew that really crickety chair. My favorite square is the microphone stands. It was hard to see them through the other stuff going on, and it was pretty dark in that corner, so if you are a mic expert, and they are not acurate drawings, don't blame me.

I also like the no smoking sign.

I may color this with watercolor, but I'm still smarting from watercoloring the other drawing from the Grog Shop, where I drew another lady's table. I really messed it up with the watercolor.

Tomorrow, if it's not too cold, I might go up to the lake and draw boats. Though, I did notice that most of them are covered for the winter already.

We'll see. Maybe the zoo if it's not too cold, then?

I'm going somewhere, one way or the other.

Redesigning the Mummy

Our assignment in class this week is to pull shapes out of our drawing, and use it to abstract the piece. I think that I went too literal here, so if you guys could post comments about what you think would be a good direction to go, it would help a lot.

And now, a little something for Halloween

This drawing is from an assignment in my 2D Design and Composition class at Cleveland State. It's hard to believe my first time back at college since 1991 is half over. Not that I'm really "in college," since I'm only taking on class, but it is the first time I've been in school for 16 years.

When I originally went to sign up for school and see if my old credits would transfer, I told the woman on the phone that my college credits were very old, and I wasn't sure if they'd transfer. She asked when I went, and I told her, and she was like, "Oh, that's not old. I thought you'd meant it was from the 1940s or something."

Ligonier Gallery

I'm not sure I'm all that happy with this sketch. It was quick, and I think it has composition problems.

But, it's the one I have from going to Ligonier. I do have a photo of an Inn in an old house that I mght do now that I'm home. If so, I'll post it for you.

Two Night-Time Balloons

I had my camera out the other night in order to take a couple of pictures of our Halloween window display. I had to run inside to reposition a spotlight, when I'd noticed to balloons rolling around on the sidewalk. The lighting and color caught my attention, and I snapped a quick photo. I knew immediately that I would put it in my sketchbook with watercolor to emphasize the night and glowing lights.

I did make it to Ligonier yesterday, and after my exam on Monday night, I'll draw up this great gallery I had seen. I took a picture with people in front of it on purpose, but after I took the picture, a lady apologized for getting into the shot. Even though, I wanted them to be in it.

Quick Sketch Before Class

I've been hooked on sketching things around the house lately, but thist time I went to class early in order to sketch something around the classroom or lounge. As usualy, Meghan was at her desk working long before class was to start. It was a good warm-up, because we went on to draw during class too.

Then, I came home an played with an old set of watercolors to tone the paper.

The paper in the Moleskine journal book is slick and nice for the Rapidograph pen, and it take watercolor well. But, it's a little thin. If I went to the Moleskine sketch, I think the Rapidograph would scrape over the paper fibers.

Will be going to Ligonier, PA this Friday, and hopefully will get some time to sketch a little around that cute little town.