Post: #1

I am very excited to get started in the habit-forming challenge for April! I have been thinking quite a bit over the last few days about what I would like to focus on for the next month, and I really want to do something art-related. Up until a couple of months ago, I was painting on a regular basis, but everything seems to have come to a standstill for me since we relocated to a new city. It's time to get back to what I love doing most of all!

This is what I want to accomplish this month:

1) Draw every morning in my sketchbook for a half hour
2) Try drawing with pastels - DONE April 15th (and Failed lol)
3) Complete a drawing for my Grandmother - her 80th birthday is this month - DONE April 16th
4)Finish a new painting
5) Learn a new song on the piano
6) Get outside and take some photos once per week
7) Update my art blog once per week - DONE (Updating every day starting Apr. 16th)

I am going to take some time and get everything in my calendar today so I won't forget anything. I tend to get bored very quickly if I just focus on one thing, so I am hoping for success by doing something different every day this month.

Good luck everyone with your habit challenges!!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #2

Day 1

Today was actually quite productive. My goal today was simply to break out the pencils and draw for a half hour. I found an old sketchbook this morning and made sure I wouldn't be distracted for a little while. I drew for about 40 minutes, and while my drawing was terrible, I felt inspired afterward to try some other things I haven't done in a while. I went on to bake cupcakes AND spent an hour playing the guitar that's been sitting untouched in our closet for two years.

Looking forward to a new day tomorrow!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #3

I agree--sounds like a great Day 1!

Post: #4

Hi, Kimberly. Don't forget to upload a picture of your drawings when you get a chance.

Post: #5

Hi, Kimberly. Wish you all the best with your goals. It does sound like a great Day 1.

Post: #6

Thanks guys! I will try and post my work here for the rest of the challenge. My first one was just SO bad I really didn't want to share!

Day 2 was much more eventful than I would have liked it to be. My husband become extremely ill last night and we ended up spending the night in the emergency ward at the hospital until about 5am. He's ok now, but needless to say, drawing did not happen this morning!

So I only drew for 20 minutes tonight, but it's getting pretty late so I stopped early. I think I did a much better job tonight of getting really involved in and enjoying the process. I was thinking tonight while drawing how I used to sketch all the time years ago. I am not sure at what point I gave it up (even when I was painting last year, I hardly ever drew anything), but I am glad that I am participating in this challenge now.

I'm also really hoping I added the photo correctly. Here goes nothing...

   

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #7

Day 3

I went to the library today and got a couple of books on pastel drawing. I'm looking forward to trying this out this week.

My drawing tonight is of one of my cats, who was sleeping next to me. I made it through most of the drawing before she got that "I'm being watched" feeling. I still feel like my drawing technique is not as great as it used to be, but I can see a big improvement between tonight's drawing and yesterday's.

   

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #8

Hey, Kimberly. I like the cat drawing. I looks like there is probably more detail than what appears in the scanned picture. It's very good though. I'm not very good wit values and shading. Most of my drawings involve just line art. Drawing animals is good practice though since it requires you to show the texture of their fur along with the varying colors and shades of the fur.

If you looking for drawing books I would recommend Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain. I read it last year and it's very good.

Post: #9

Thanks Matt - I tend to shade everything, even if I am drawing with a pen. It's really cool to see how technique varies from one artist to another.

Day 4... almost didn't happen. I wanted to get up early and draw in the morning, but then I procrastinated getting up. Then after working all day and helping a friend out who was having some troubles, I almost didn't bother. It's now almost 12:30AM here but I am glad that I made myself draw despite how tired I am... the last 40 minutes just flew by.

This one is in ink and graphite... based on a photo I took at a barn last year.

   

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #10

Busy busy busy. Here's a little sketch I did tonight.

   

Also working on getting my blog up and running again, which I have neglected over the last couple of months.

Hope everyone is enjoying this month's challenge so far!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #11

The dog looks great. Very professional looking. It literally looks like it could be a character design for a Disney cartoon. Keep it up!

Post: #12

Thanks Matt!

One more thing checked off my list! Finished the drawing of my grandmother's dog for her upcoming birthday. Just have to find a frame for it now.

   

Also tried pastels the other day. What a mess I made, haha! I think I need a lot more practice if I want to make anything remotely decent in that medium. For now, I'll stick to my graphite and oil paints.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #13

Started a new painting today, just finished the imprimatura and sketched out the painting to get an idea of what it will look like. I really want to get started on painting details, but have to let it dry first. Hopefully Wednesday it will be ready for the next stage.

   

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #14

Is the tiger an oil painting?

Post: #15

Yes, it's oil on canvas.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #16

More work on the tiger. I am trying to finish this by the 30th... only two more days! I am working all day today but tomorrow (Sunday) I'll be putting in the background while the actual tiger dries. Spent 6 hours on this yesterday, after work, but it was so worth it!

   

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #17

Hi Kim, your tiger painting is great!! Your animal pictures are very expressive - you've managed to catch the emotions very well. I really like your grandma's dog.
You are very talented. Keep it up!!

Post: #18

Thank you very much Ish!

I got straight to work this morning, blocking in the background on my painting. It's amazing what a difference this has made!

I've got to let it dry now... so I am not sure that this will be finished by the 30th. That's the only thing with oil paint - you just can't rush it. I'm going to keep posting here though until it's done, because it really has been an important part of my April challenge and I want to see this through to the end.

   

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Find me at My Studio Blog or My Facebook Page

Post: #19

I can only say "WOW".
It's really amazing what a difference the background has made. Well done!!

Post: #20

Very nice! I admire the work and your patience to get it done!

How did you paint the grass? How were you able to paint the different colors creating the illusion of many blades mingling together?

Why was the background painted yellow/brown at first? Does this add something the the foliage and sky in the final painting?

Would it have been easier to paint if the tiger's stripes were drawn last? It seems like maybe painting the orange fur around the stripes might have been extra work.