I had another opportunity to draw Olivia, one of my favorite Whippets, this time in ink with watercolor and colored pencil. My first sketches from this past February were done from life in ballpoint pen. When I was making these sketches I was trying to practice and basically figure out how their heads were constructed. When I made this recent piece I used a photo reference and I wanted it to appear more flat, as if the shapes fit together like puzzle pieces.
Sketching has not been high on my priority list this week, but here is a sketch I made while I was recouperating last week after my surgery. Katie was restless waiting by the door, and I like that I was able to capture her different positions as she shifted. She is doing well these days, except she had an unfortunate encounter with a skunk a few weeks back. The stench has mostly worn off by now though, except when she gets wet.
I am trying something new, starting today. Lately, I have been feeling overwhelmed, and easily distracted. My sketchbook, a place supposed to be a well of inspiration, has become filled with disjointed, half finished sketches. I have become sloppy and have lost my concentration. I can’t seem to decide what or how to draw things anymore, so in an attempt to make things a bit easier, I am limiting myself. I am setting aside one unused sketchbook to draw in with nothing but black pen. It is also a bit of a test for myself to see if I can work on one thing without becoming bored.
Someone gave me a bound sketchbook some years ago, but I never started it because I prefer spiral bound sketchbooks that can lay flat. I didn’t want it to go to waste though, and I remember reading an interview with R Crumb where he said that his early sketchbooks were just black and white drawings. I don’t think I have much in common with R Crumb mind you, but I do admire his sheer determination to spend many hours practicing. I also have been toying with the idea of keeping a theme sketchbook, and I want to practice my pen and ink skills and do a little experimentation with new techniques. My drawings have become too fussy lately, and I want to try to loosen up and use less detail.
The dog here is Cody, the brother of Katie. They don’t live in the same house, but they are good friends and they have a great time playing when they do see each other from time to time.
On another note, for a few more hours (until 6 pm BST, June 1) you can download an ebook of The Beany #4by Michael Nobbs for just $1. The ebook version normally sells for $9.95 so this is a significant savings. I got mine earlier today and it is nice to read while sipping a cup of tea (naturally). It is a good lesson in being kind to yourself, and taking time to remember the important things in life.
I get to see Katie once a week and I often try to draw her, with varied success. Usually she won’t stay in one position long enough for me to be able to get the sketch down, but I have been getting better the more I draw her. I had plenty of time on this particular day because she was really tired and sleepy after a long game of fetch.
Roz has a page on her website dedicated to drawings she made of her dog Dottie every day for a number of years (1998-2003). I really love dogs but I won’t be able to get one of my own for a couple of years at least. One day I would like to have my own dog so I could undertake such a project, but until then I will draw other people’s dogs when I get the opportunity.
