Sad Puppy

Welll, I had painted a few cats a while ago, and always thought I would get around to painting a few dogs to even  things out.  well, Im finally getting around to it, its just that its nearly a year later.  This is my first dog.  Yes, its a bit flat, but its a start. At least it is recognizable as a dog, and I'd bet everyone can pick out the breed too.  

 I don' think I'll have another posting before the holidays so, to all, Happy Thanksgiving.

What Time Is It?

Ok, after so many paintings, its time to move onto something else.  And from the picture, that something is showing you that I have a beard and an iphone.  No, no, wait, that's not it.  What I meant so say was that I made another clock.  I've got a rather large supply of parts and I I started putting a few together and playing around and this is what came out.  I know its not the most elegant of all the clocks I've made, but it does have the advantage of have large chips at 12, 3, 6 and 9.  I've been criticized in the past for not lining things up, so I made sure I did it on this one.

Well, that's it for today.  If i don't get another post in I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving.

Interested in this clock?  It can be purchased over at the Dabfly Arts Etsy Store.

Lips Incorporated

Ok, so last week I did a little study on eyes.  This week I am doing a small study on lips.  I had a few minutes at lunch so I quickly drew out some lip shapes, and then splashed on some paint.

Oh, and the flower was an extra doodle that just worked its way there.  No real reason why.

I saw a quick video on how to make lips a little more realistic, and thought I would give it a chance.  Basically it went like this.
1. Draw two circles separated by a third (invisible) circle, all of them the same size.
2. draw a center line where the lips meet.  The line should be slightly raised in the middle.
3. Draw a third circle the same size as the first two below the center of the mouth, as distant from the line as the two circles above it.
4. Make an arc just above and between the two circles above the mouth.
5. connect the arc to the ends of the mouth and connect the two ends of the mouth by drawing a line around the circle on the lower lip.

TA DA - now you should have two basic lips.

I guess it helped a little.  I don't know how great a help it was, but it did get me drawing and sketching.

Now, I tired to put my eyes and mouth together.  I know its not a great painting.  Remember, I'm sketching quite quickly.  I just kind of guessed at the proportions of nose to mouth to eyes, so that might be a bit off.  I'm still not happy with the eyes.  More practice!!

Eye Can See Clearly Now, The Rain Has Gone

Still doodling, and sketching.  Really trying to get better at painting people, so I am working on different body parts.  here are a few eyes.  I didn't have a reference photo while I was sketching, nor did I have a mirror, so the eyes are just kind of a made up assortment of parts.

It's really funny to think that sitting on my couch with a football game on, I can paint something that actually looks like what it is supposed to be.

Once again, I am just using regular paper.  I think the type of watercolor paper I have been using, in the climate I live in, is not really the best paper for the way I want to work.  Using this normal paper allows the page to be a little wetter a little longer.  My normal paper would soak up all the water right away and there could be no possibility of blending or mixing of color on the page.

These 3 eyes are watercolor and pencil.  I don't know if that is the most effective way to do this, but sitting on my couch, it seemed to work.  Looking back, i think I should have spaced them out just a bit and put on some eyebrows.  Well, maybe tonight.  Enjoy

sketching and drawing

 Ok, its time for a little fun.   Doodling and drawing seems to be more fun for me right now than sitting down to try to paint a really nice painting.  These are all quick sketches that seemed fun to do at the time,  and looking at the result, I almost like them more than the more serious paintings I do.


This one is what it looks like.  The beer I had on Wednesday.  (yes, I know it was a work night.  I didn't over imbibe.)








Olivia carved her own pumpkin this year.  I don't remember what these holes were.  The eyes are kinda on the other side.  Well, it doesn't matter, and when it gets explained to you by a 4 year old, somehow it all makes sense (or not).

These are just two things I saw out the window and took a quick pencil to.  There is no real significance to them other than I am making an effort to draw a few things a day, even if they are mundane things like these, to keep in a little practice.