Snow (hey oh)....

No artwork to post today - even though I had an unexpected day off work yesterday because of the snow.  Snow days are the best, a real excuse to just relax and not beat yourself up for being lazy, for just one day!  Actually I wasn't too lazy, I did get a couple of little jobs done that I have been putting off for a while (never a bad thing) and I have  been thinking about 'pictures and projects I'd like to tackle in 2010' - coming up with some good (?), fun, silly ideas.  Watch this space....

I also spent some time looking at other peoples artwork and found the BRUSH - PAPER - WATER blog, posted by Chris Beck (see my list of blogs).  It's a lovely blog, with some fantastic work by different watercolour artists so I thought I'd share.  I've also listed his own blog - 'I'm painting as fast as I can...'.

Just to brighten this post up, here's a picture of my doggy, Scout (after the little girl in one of my all time favourite books 'To Kill a Mockingbird').  We'd just got back from a long, snowy walk and she was waiting patiently for us to get the house door open so she could run to her comfy bed and get warm.  The snow was blowing in her eyes, so she's blinking a bit.  I've also noticed in this picture that her face is showing more grey fur - aww, she's getting a little older and it makes me feel sad!

If your'e a UK resident (or anywhere with lots of snow....) I hope you can enjoy it rather than have to drive in it (me in half an hour) or, get stuck in it!

2010.........

I can't believe that tomorrow will be the first day of 2010.  Is it just me or does that sound far too space-age.  Aren't we all supposed to be living in bubbles, wearing all-white papery disposable clothing and eating food that comes in fantastic colours, in vacuum packs?  I suppose some people do eat food like that but I'm thinking maybe I have watched Woody Allen's Sleeper just once too often.

Anyway, December has been really busy hasn't it?  I have hardly found any time for artwork which has been a little bit depressing.  I have spent nearly all the time I have had working on one coloured pencil picture in my sketchbook.  Based on some studies I did in the local park in early summer and a couple of photographs I took at the time, this picture has taken me a..g..e..s......!!  I have had a love / hate relationship with it while drawing it, but I finally finished it this morning and thought I'd share it here.  I have also included a couple of pictures I took at the end of a couple of drawing sessions, just to see the progress.  Not sure how interesting you will find them, but I have noticed other people posting 'progress pictures' and I find them really interesting.

I have never really used coloured pencils as much as I have recently but I find them really good to use in my sketchbook and, in the long process of re-gaining my drawing skills I have found them invaluable.  You really have to concentrate, it makes you think about where a mark has to go on the paper and the colour combinations you want to achieve.  After this picture I really want to say how impressed I am with people who use coloured pencil as their main medium!  I am feeling happy with this picture, and a little more confident with my pencil work, though as I was finishing the picture a book was delivered (a treat bought with some birthday money):

.... and as I flicked through it quickly my eyes fell on the work of Andrew Holmes and I nearly wept!  All drawn with coloured pencil on paper....

The little picture I have drawn, took me hours, spread over seven sessions.... how long must these take?!!  Like I said, I am thoroughly impressed with anyone who uses coloured pencils as their main medium! I am really only a beginner.  I'll get back to the drawing board...

If you would like to see more of Andrew Holmes' work it can be found at: http://www.plusonegallery.com/index.cfm

along with lots of other very talented people.

So, to round off for now I'd like to wish anyone who takes the time to come and read this a very happy and prosperous 2010.  I hope the year brings you all you could wish for.  Also, a big thank you once again to anyone who has been kind enough to leave comments for me, I can't tell you how encouraging you all are.  Wherever you are in the world, however you celebrate - have a good one! xx