The pandemic and some other changes in my life have renewed my desire to sketch, paint, design, and just create. The goal is to share what I am creating. I am not creating highly refined, finalized pieces of art.

Open layout of my sketchbook with my hands

I drew my left hand using continuous line drawing. I was working through Kate Willis-Crowley’s Skillshare class, “The Fearless Sketchbook: 14 Days to Creative Confidence.” I didn’t make it through the entire class yet, but I did do a few of the prompts.

Self-portrait using my non dominate hand with a continuous line. I was pleased with how this turned out. I wish I had not added the text on the piece.

Sketchbook laid flat open with pantry items in contour line drawing.

I am fond of this sketch, also a Kate prompt, because it had been a long time since I sketched objects from observation. The prompt was not to worry about proportions which was a great confidence builder.

Spiral bound sketchbook open to one side with a watercolor of red leaves falling.

This was the first watercolor I attempted in over 30 years. It was okay, but it sparked a desire to learn watercolor. I used Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolor paints and a Staedtler pigment liner 0.5.

Sketchbook open to one side with a pencil sketch of a Manikin

Pencil sketch of a Manikin, just to sketch. I like drawing in pencil, but I am not a fan of smudging. The paper moves a lot in a spiral sketchbook, increasing the pencil's smudging. I didn't have a lot of patience with the shading, so it is straightforward.

First urban sketch of Michael's restaurant in Elkhart, Indiana

I used a photo I took the last time I was in my hometown for my first "urban sketch" of my favorite restaurant growing up - Michael's in Elkhart, Indiana.

Quick sketch of one of the chairs in my office with Tombow ABT

This sketch is one of the chairs in my office. I wanted to try out the Tombow ABT water-based dual brush pens. I love the simplicity of the pens, but the darks are too close together, and the lights are not light enough.

Sketch of Judith Alsop Miles from YouTube

I watched a YouTube video on watercolor, and the instructor was Judith Alsop Miles, and I just decided to draw her. I used a Musgrave Tennessee Red pencil - an amazing company and pencil!

Sketchbook with watercolor of a street scene in Indiana

This is my third attempt at watercolor. I am happy with the way this turned out, but there are many things I would want to change and update. The scene is Shipshewana, Indiana. I used Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolors, but I did buy some Daniel Smith that I am currently using (more on those in an upcoming post).

Open pages of one of my sketchbook with a Blackwing pencil sharpener

I bought my first fountain pen! I actually bought two. One is the Lamy Safari fine nib, and the other is the Safari medium nib. I was testing both of them on these pages, and I didn't realize that the Lamy ink was not water-resistant. I bought some De Artrametis Document Black ink from Goulet Pens, and I am ready to go.