Mar
14
2011
Well, here we are at last: Sketch #365.  For the final sketch, I thought it would be fitting to pay tribute to my wife, whose support and encouragement from day one has been instrumental to this project.  This particular sketch is based on my absolute favorite photo of her, taken when she was about  six or so.
It’s also fitting, I think, as a look ahead. Â Several people have asked me what I plan to do now the 365 project is complete. Â Well, as we covered in
these two sketches, the months ahead will feature a pretty significant change, with the arrival of our first child. Â So that’s going to be a major focus. Â I’m getting more and more excited about having this new little girl in my life. Â And I hope she looks and acts just like the one in this picture.
[Comments and critique always welcome]
12 comments | tags: figure, graphite, head, pencil | posted in Observed
Mar
13
2011
Today we got together with a bunch of family and friends to toast my wife’s grandpa — now turning 93, and still going strong. He’s got a great sense of humor, and still runs around like he’s half his age — or younger. Recently he told us that if he ever feels like he’s dying, he just gets on his bike and goes for a ride. Good advice, I should think. Anyway, I decided to pay tribute to him today by sketching a photo from his earlier days.
Already looking forward to his 94th!
[Comments and critique always welcome]
no comments | tags: graphite, head, pencil | posted in Observed
Mar
12
2011
This week, I have a sketchbook assignment in class to draw a bunch of different facial expressions. These were some quickly scribbled ideas for that.
This gives me an idea. Please, someone out there: do me a great amusement and and take up the challenge of snapping photos of yourself making these faces. That’s all I ask. Just take 25 pictures of yourself looking like a weirdo and send them to me. It is a simple (if bizarre) request. If you have enjoyed at least 25 of this year’s sketches, here’s your chance to return the favor. I anxiously await your contributions!
[Comments and critique always welcome]
no comments | tags: character, graphite, head, perspective | posted in Imagined
Mar
11
2011
I got some good sketch feedback this week from an enthusiastic supporter. Â So, I thought I would pay tribute to his trademark manner of expressing approval. Â Thanks, Joe!
[Comments and critique always welcome]
1 comment | tags: figure, graphite, hand, head, pencil | posted in Observed
Mar
10
2011
I’m still working on laying in tone on this storyboard assignment. Â If you read the boards from yesterday, you can continue the story here. Â In this installment, things kind of start going south for our protagonist.
[Comments and critique always welcome]
no comments | tags: copic marker, environment, figure, graphite, head, pencil, perspective, storyboard, vehicle | posted in Imagined
Mar
9
2011
Back to some class assignments: I’m now laying in some tone on some of the storyboard sketches you’ve seen earlier. Â Here’s how the story begins.
[Comments and critique always welcome]
1 comment | tags: copic marker, environment, figure, graphite, head, pencil, perspective, storyboard, vehicle | posted in Imagined
Mar
7
2011
An early concept sketch for a children’s book illustration. Â (And a reminder of the importance of writing good advertising copy.)
[Comments and critique always welcome]
no comments | tags: environment, figure, graphite, head, isometric, pencil | posted in Imagined
Mar
3
2011
I didn’t really know what to sketch this evening, so I just figured I’d try and do something that would work visually within the blog stream. Â I guess I’ll see if it worked as soon as I post this…
[Comments and critique always welcome]
no comments | tags: graphite, head, pencil | posted in Observed
Mar
2
2011
I started to write, “No real story behind this one — just a little drawing of half a girl’s face.” Â But then I remembered: I don’t recall what I was looking at, but somewhere online today I saw a photo of a cigar box design with a girl’s head framed like this. Â I promptly forgot it, but then I guess started doing something similar when it came time for today’s sketch. Â (For the sketch, I used two different reference images, one for eyes, one for hair.)
So then, after having remembered the cigar box origin, could I go back and find a version of that art I saw in passing?  Turns out yes — a Google image search brings up the logo in question.  Actually, on seeing it, I’m kind of surprised at how similar a lot of the aspects of my drawing are.  The fine line between inspiration and accidental plagiarism?
[Comments and critique always welcome]
no comments | tags: graphite, head, pencil | posted in Observed
Feb
28
2011
At last, our long national nightmare is over!  It has been over two months of acute mental anguish following the crushing news of December 13th.  But now a glorious new dawn breaks!  Sing sweetly, oh songbirds of love (and multinational brand posturing)!
[Comments and critique always welcome]
1 comment | tags: figure, graphite, hand, head, pencil, self-portrait | posted in Observed
