Monday, January 14, 2013

Of Roosters And Flamingos And......

 I've been doing a lot of drawing lately.  I start in pencil and switch to ink and wash.  I'm trying out a few newish designs for some plates and platters.  I've done all of these in the past, but have not been comfortable in my execution.  When that happens I've found that the best thing is to go back to the beginning and start with pencil sketches.  I switch to ink and wash because it is the closest thing to the unfired majolica glaze surface I work on.  Later I will roll out some thin white earth slabs and work on them.  The drag when doing brush work on raw clay is much the same as raw glaze.  I may fire a few but most will end up in my slop bucket.

Thank the heavens for the internet.  I can remember a time in the not too distant past when I had to rely on pictures I could find in books.  I still use the printed material, but it's great being able to look a critter in motion.  It's not as good as being there but it does give the feeling for how skeletons work in different species.

The top three drawings are a few of the many I have done in the last few days.  I use paper that is one or two steps above newsprint so I have the freedom to use as much as I need. 




Next are a few of the ink and wash sketches.  This may be my favorite drawing medium.  I don't do many drawings for the sake of drawing these days but when I do it's often ink and wash.  I think I am drawn to the immediacy of it and the fact that I have to work with what I lay down on paper so the medium drives a lot of the drawing.




Meanwhile the amaryllis are blooming like crazy.  I put two bulbs in one pot.  So far I have four blooms, two in progress and one stalk that is just beginning to break its bud.

I don't know what the difference is, but the indoor flowers are giving us quite a show this year!



We're off to the market in a little bit......not my favorite thing...but they have really good sushi, so that will be a reward!

As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*

12 comments:

  1. Your amaryllis are gorgeous, about a week ahead of mine, I'd guess. It sure has been nice to see them bloom. Love your ink washes...a favorite of mine too, that I seldom go to these days. The sketch book awaits.

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  2. that rooster is fabulous. cheeky looking!

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  3. Those are all wonderful drawings, but the manatee, they are hard to capture I imagine because they are round with little definition to their shapes, but you have captured their look and personality with what you have drawn.

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  4. Beautiful sketches! Make me realize that I don't do it nearly enough anymore.

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  5. The ink paintings of the chickens are gorgeous. Nice!

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  6. OH! I love your seal! And chicken! I have chickens on the mind too :)

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  7. http://yearsofcooking.blogspot.com/search/label/Recipes-biscotti


    see if you can follow this link and let me know if you have questions.
    Meredith

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  8. Hi Barbara.....Thanks. Yours are looking good. I love big, lush blooms in winter.

    Hi Meredith....Most rooster are pretty cheeky! And I found the biscotti recipe. Thanks!

    Hi Linda.....Thanks. I spent a lot of time looking at skeletal and muscle structure. Is my essential nerdiness showing?

    Hi Michele....Get that pencil, pen or whatever moving girl! In all that free tome you have!

    Hi Mary...Thanks

    Hi Gary.....Great minds?????

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  9. Yes, the manatee was my favorite too. Thanks for sharing these sketches!

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  10. Hi Amy.....There's something about a manatee! Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. I love your chickens and flamingos. So glad they are landing on clay as well!

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