Bad drawing #2

I have an internet friend who quoted someone who said something to the effect that we have 500 bad drawings in us -- so start working them out. As I've taken up trying to learn watercolor illustration I've discovered those 500 bad drawings inside me, and I'm definitely getting them out of my system! This one is an example. Just a simple little white cream pitcher and I can't quite get the elipse right on it.
I was trying to draw with the brush instead of doing my usual preliminary pencil sketch, and I found a definite struggle with control. I'm so used to the pencil and the eraser - ha! - control freak!
Maybe I should start doing the blind contour Friday thing that I've seen others doing so that I can start loosening up -- which, of course is what I'm always telling my students to do....
Practice what you preach! 

Milkweed again!

I love the shape and texture and the subtle colors of the dried seed pods found along the roadsides and on forest floors. They carry just as much interest for me as when they are alive again in their spring or summer splendor.
I've drawn milkweed before, but this time added the touch of watercolor, as that is what I'm trying to get better acquainted with. The fine white filaments of the seeds are always the challenge. This time I dry brushed china white over the whole thing, but next time I might try masking. 

Katy's Pink Shoe

As promised, here it is -- Katy's first journal page and watercolor, done today.
Katy is almost 15 -- just a couple of weeks away! -- and is wonderfully gifted in seeing the world around her, and I'm looking forward to her next journal page!
Tomorrow -- right, Katy?
:o) 

Practicing what I preach

So, as an art teacher who has been preaching to my students about keeping a sketch journal and drawing something in it every day, if possible, I thought that I should begin taking my own advice. I've done a whole lot more photography than drawing. Nothing wrong with that, but I've tended to get lazy. Drawing requires more of my mind.
I've got plenty of journals, and lots of drawings in them, but they've been done over the past 10 years, and the number of drawings don't nearly add up to the number of days. While drawing every day may not be a real possibility for me at this stage of my life, I realized that I've been asking this of students who are often as busy as I am with all of their other classes and obligations. So, can I practice what I preach and set an example for them?
I decided to start a fresh book because I wanted to start practicing watercolor, pen&ink, and other wet media, and my other journals have drawing paper in them. So I am using a watercolor sketch journal and trying new things. This drawing is my first watercolor portrait. I saw a photo of this 90-something-year-old woman in our local newspaper and was intrigued. I clipped the photo and saved it. Three days ago I painted it and I was pretty pleased with the resulting image. I learned some stuff and it encouraged me to do more. . . and more. . . and more!
So now I'm looking at Danny Gregory's site and some of the links he has posted, like Illustration Friday, to get ideas and inspiration. I've also got my daughter started doing it, and today she did her first watercolor in her book! I'll post the photo for all to see. I'm proud of her effort! :o) I think she is, too.
So, here's to drawing, and lots of it!
Carpe penicullus!