Sour Note

A quick digital sketch this evening: I usually go to my reference files to find an interesting face/expression/subject to sketch when I'm at a loss for something to tackle for my daily sketch exercise.

Depression Era Boy

I sketched this tonight around 11:50 and missed the 12pm cut off for it to be posted on the day it was sketched. hehe. I used a large calligraphy brush for everything except the signature. It took about 30 minutes and was done with watercolor on paper.

Daniel Webster

Today I spent 30 minutes on a watercolor of Daniel Webster, (see middle picture), and I hated it when I was done with it. So instead of that one, I'm using a very quick study I did that isn't as good a likeness but has more energy as a piece than my first finished one. The monochrome sketch is watercolor - 6 x 9 inches and it took about 7 minutes to sketch.

New Orleans Street Musician

Today I pulled up a reference photo of a black street musician from New Orleans. I displayed the image on my computer screen and drew or sketched it in watercolors in my watercolor sketch book. One of the things about watercolor is that there is an unpredictable quality about it sometimes. When I paint in watercolors I know that each attempt I do of a subject will simply be unique and different from all the others because of all the accidental things that happen that I have no control over. This is on heavy water color 5.5 x 8.5" paper and it took me about 30 minutes to paint. I didn't do any prelim pencil drawing. I sketched it all with one Japanese calligraphy brush in watercolor.

"Marilyn"

Today as an experiment, I attached a long 18 inch extender onto the handle of my watercolor brush. I immediately noticed that it was harder to paint tightly. (I'm working on ways I can loosen up my brush strokes, bigger brushes, longer handles, etc.) The brush sometimes went places I didn't want it to go so there was some chaos in today's sketch. I also didn't do a preliminary drawing. If I had, I'm sure it would have been a better likeness and there wouldn't have been as much variance or distortion. I jumped in and started painting without any drawing in pencil. I like to draw with my brush, just when I do, I find that its very difficult to correct things I want to change or do over. What I need is some erasable watercolors! hehe

Vladimir Putin

Today I simply put a reference photo of Putin up on the screen and sketched it onto watercolor paper with watercolors. 15 min. 5.5X8.5 "

Lady watching a Parade

Self Portrait as a Varmint

This is one of the doodles I did today while learning how to paint with a new Japanese calligraphy brush. It is watercolor on paper.

A Feminine Face

Only a doodle today. This was a watercolor sketch that took 10 min. It is small, about 5x8 inches. This is a sketch that I was interrupted while painting... a phone call or something. I never got back to finishing it. But even though it is unfinished it has an engaging look about it. I think it is what happens when you look up and see someone staring at you... it is hard to unlock your gaze.

Watercolor Wash Portrait of Andre The Giant

Today I decided to try a quick watercolor, mostly to test drive a new Japanese calligraphy brush I got for Christmas. I didn't spend much time on this. I know that Andre has a great face for a caricature, but I felt perverse and idealized him a bit. :-)

Tired & Exhausted

I have had an exhausting day! This is how I feel tonight. Well this would be how I looked if I were a handsome fashion model or something. This is a big brush painting or what I jokingly call "Thumbnailism". I love to paint quick sketches with giant sized brushes. It is impossible to paint details so one has to suggest them with carefully calculated blobs.

A Tired Obama