Every so often I explore the use of my iPad apps for sketching. Xena my cat was resting on my knee as I was viewing my iPad. I was inspired to open up one of the art apps in this case SketchBook PRO and do this simple sketch. I just used my finger as the drawing tool!
I thought I would post my 15min sketch of the red squirrel. This is from my sketch book. I always like to do a study in preparation for a painting. It helps me to remember what my first impression and feeling was about the subject. Sometimes when it is difficult to get motivated these little sketches can be stepping stones to future paintings!
This little squirrel visits our garden ever so often (especially when there is a fresh supply of nuts). He or she is a delight to watch and very cheeky. I couldn’t resist doing this painting.
I did this tonal study on mid toned pastel paper. I found the negative shapes really interesting in this study. I kept the shapes quite simple so as to strengthen the design.
We had a great visit to Isle of May it was misty sailing out to the Island however once there it was delightful, warm and sunny! The trip has given me lots of inspiration. I did quick sketches of things that caught my attention as I wandered around the Island. This is a painting I did after the trip.
I am making a trip to the Isle of May and trying to decide what materials to take for sketching the Puffins and other seabirds we may see. I came across these ones I did a while ago using ink Tombow art pens in 3 tones. For the lights I left the white paper to show through. I think I shall pack them when I go.
This little character was so cute I couldn’t resist getting my pastels out to do a painting.
After a fortnight of glorious spring weather we woke up to over an inch of snow. This male doesn’t have a white band around his neck just a few white feather streaks, however he is stunning all the same and not any less eye catching.
I couldn’t resist painting this magnificent fellow who briefly visited the garden. This is a male Sparrow Hawk which has that blue grey back. Today a female Sparrow Hawk visited. She perched on the same post in the garden. She is quite different with a brown back instead of blue grey. I used only three oil colours plus white,prussian blue, translucent- magenta and cadmium yellow.
I was at a Ploughing match in Dunino Fife and these two beautiful horses stole the show for me. I did a sketch to capture the gesture of the pose and the tonal value of the painting. I then got out my pastels and had fun. The day was quite damp and misty however that made for an interesting setting for the painting.