Traditional Charcoal Drawing

I've posted a few digital pictures and oil sketches lately and wanted to do something a little different. I got an itching to feel the grit of charcoal on board and this is the night's result. It blows me away how nice it is to feel bumps, chunks of charcoal, etc. Sometimes a wacom tablet is just sinfully smooth, taking out all the unexpected and even giving you the "Control Z." It's almost too much, almost.

This is not to say that I don't love working digitally; I do. Just different strokes for different projects. I think the broader your abilities are the more choices/options you have to to play with. This time it was charcoal; what's your flavor today?

Memory-Sketch it or it's lost

Memory is sharpened in the recording processes while sketching. I sit in about 2 hrs of council meetings on Sundays and often find myself filling my notes of people in the room. Details of the meetings come by looking at the sketches and caricatures. These sketches are little pen doodles from one day when I was fascinated with a certain mustachioed sage. I was sitting to his left, but for some reason I mirrored his face for two of the sketches. Maybe things got mixed up going back-and-forth between right and left brain functions.

My memory records angles of people's slouching and jowls from months ago but can't recall what I had for lunch two days ago. Maybe I should start drawing my meals.

Sailing...er, really "canned" late

"Stuck" is another spot illustration from the book I'm working on; it worked perfectly for last week's Illustration Friday theme "Canned." This is also the follow image from the previous entry so it gets added even if it is by devious means. I hope you all enjoy the images and thanks for the great feedback.

Poof -Genie Magic

This is a spot illustration for a book I'm working on for Sara Gifford. I love breaking expectations that cause a little double take, like a genie who floats her head like the Wizard of Oz as she grants your hearts desire. I'll post the results of the first wish in a couple days.

Mindful of Each Sparrow

This is another little painting I've done recently, "Mindful of Each Sparrow". It's was a Mother's Day present to my spectacular wife Leslie. She is so sensitive to others needs and emotions, especially our little ones (this painting is of Kylee).

It's based on the scriptures Matt 6:26-32 & Matt 10:29-31.

What's been bugging me? Actual Size

Publish Post
Hello folks- I am not dead, stop calling. Here is a little painting (3.5"x2") that I did just because I've had an empty black frame sitting around. It's not a groundbreaking piece by any means but it cleared away the dust off of my acrylics. Over the past few months I've done mostly digital painting and photography and felt the sting of guilt. Ha,--Sting...wasp-- oh I'm too much. See ya soon.

New Sketchbook, New Goals--Primative

A new sketchbook's in town and I've made some definitive goals to let my sketch explorations stretch me technically and creatively. The permanence of inking has always scared me even though I like to sketch with a ball-point pen. Although it may sound funny, I love how forgiving oils and acrylics are; thus all of my professional work has been in those two mediums. This is one of my first attempts at inking; the reference image is not original (Tom Stone's amazing homeless portraits) but gave me an opportunity to explore a bit.I love combining traditional and digital mediums. A quick drawing, a beautifully aged piece of paper, and some digital painting (another goal). I'm fairly pleased with the result and look forward to the next 1,000 pics to help me really nail down this whole inking thing.

Please leave me some of your pointers, experiences inking, or sketch book goals. Tchao.