Drawing On

It is still difficult for me to spend time drawing but I miss it. So I decided to do a little at a time by splitting the tasks into five minute tasks. Eventually those five minutes will add up to a coloured pencil drawing. At least that is the plan.

First I chose a photograph. This is a 4"x6" photograph and that is the size I decided to do. I'm not a great lover of seagulls but I liked the reflections and texture of the water. Usually I chose a drawing for its challenge rather than liking the picture for itself.

Because the drawing will be the same size as the photograph, I could just trace the main features of the drawing. 

It is perfectly okay to trace an image. I know I can draw and I don't have to prove it to myself or anyone else and tracing saves time. However, if you are learning to draw then drawing items from life is recommended. Photographs flatten objects so practicing drawing from life helps you remember that objects are three-dimensional. When I was learning to draw (of course I am still learning) I would draw anything I could around the house. I even drew a roll of toilet paper once to practice a white item on white paper. Plus it is good to learn how to draw items that are very soft up to very hard.

Here is my tracing. I do have graphite paper that you can put under your tracing paper to transfer the picture onto your drawing paper. However, I find it transfers extra graphite where I am leaning on the paper but I just may be too messy

So I usually turn it over and go over all the lines before turning it back over and tracing over all the lines again with the drawing paper underneath. 

This leaves a faint image of the tracing on your paper. It is now ready to add colour to.

I should add that the drawing paper is from a larger sheet of Royal Brites. I bought this so long ago that I can't remember what the weight is (it doesn't say this on the label) but it isn't a very heavy paper. Probably as thick as card stock sold in craft shops.

In the Heron Now

Walking on the beach and catching sight of a Blue Heron is always uplifting and restorative. I think I have more pictures of this Heron than I do of my husband!

I don't see a lot of shells on this beach and especially not one as nice as this.

The beach is a nature preserve so collecting shells is not allowed (though some people do). I photograph and move on.

Castaway in Hawaii

'Kona Clouds' 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas.

This is from a photograph I took while in Hawaii (the Big Island) two years ago. I used to live there so it is wonderful to revisit my old haunts and spend time with friends.

It was more overcast than normal the last time we were there which meant I could get some pictures of those beautiful tropical colours in deeper tones.

Not to be Mist

I can hear the fog horn in the harbour today which reminded me that I haven't posted some photographs from a prior foggy day at the beach. We haven't had   a lot of these kinds of days this winter, so I wanted to go to the beach to enjoy it.

Low tide reveals a rock that looks a little like a dog.

The egrets like low tide. I like the reflections and the way they stand still for so long.

Success!

It doesn't look tasty to me but this egret lost no time in chomping it down.

A sudden gust of wind can play havoc with your hairstyle.

That's better.

Mist and fog lend a mysterious air to the ocean.

When visiting the beach, leave only footprints (not your paper and plastic rubbish).

After a long walk along the beach I was ready for a sit down at the picnic area. I heard some rustling in the bushes but being short-sighted I couldn't see what was happening. I took a picture in that general direction and got lucky.

One of the many squirrels who live in the bushes.

A better shot of one of the bunnies.

Later that day we returned to the beach for the sunset. This was taken from the car with the window down (briefly) as it was rather cold (for the beach).

Set to Work

I am finally able to do a little painting and here is a little painting.

Sunset Reflections 5" x 7" Oil on Canvas.

Variation on a Theme

A sunset never gets old.

Beach Power

I'm still catching up with posting photographs from some recent trips to the beach when we had a particularly warm week here.

One day we went to San Onofre State beach which is a more primitive beach (basic toilets and a rough road) than many in the area but it is loved by surfers.

It was low tide again so there were lots of interesting textures to see and a chance to walk in areas that are usually under the water.

Air holes made by critters living under the sand.

Seagulls and a Blue Heron checking out the surf.

As hubby was going to be out in the ocean for a while surfing, I decided to take a walk along an portion of beach I haven't been before. This took me past the nuclear plant at the end of the surf area.

I love how clear the reflections are in the picture below.

Wet sand can be golden or purple depending on the amount of water.

Fabulous textures.

Evidence of the patter of tiny feet.

The combination of some rocks, water, and sunlight turn an ordinary scene into something special.