Gustav and Bernard

Lately I've been drawing many sketchbook studies of my pet rats, Gustav (white) and Bernard (White + Black).  The little guys, especially Bernard, move a lot (even in their sleep!) so many of the sketches are quick and gestural.  Here are some of the most recent ones I've done:

Sketchbook Studies

These are just a couple of items from my sketchbook that I was pretty happy with:

I stopped and drew the REI from across the river...

... and did an ink study of Rembrandt's 1658 Self-Portrait. 

Sock and Shoe

Salutations! I've been doing a lot of ball point pen work in my sketchbook recently and these are two still life drawings I did over the past couple of nights. I'm thinking of doing some paintings of the subjects in the near future. I've painted the monkey before and a lot of people seem to like him. He certainly is a charming sitter!

Plein Air with Musser 2

Once again, Andy Musser and I set out to paint the scenery of the Lakewood Heritage Center. The sun was shining and a chilly wind was blowing as we set up our easels and paints. Though we had a few things knocked over and some cold fingers we both came out with some successful studies.
Here was my subject from the artist's view:


Andy contemplates his subject as the light fades:



Once again taped to the palette as it dries is a close-up of my study:

Life Drawings (Part Two)

As promised ages ago, these are the drawings I did of my friends at the life drawing session when the model didn't show. Enjoy!

Riley

Andy

Elisa

Kit

and for the dynamic finish, Ryan

Dori

I did a few drawings of Dori last night and I thought I'd share my favorite with you while the coffee is brewing:

Plein Air with Musser

I was holding out on posting until I heard from the Pernod contest in hopes that I would have good news to share, but it turned out to be in vain. Although I was a finalist, I didn't place in the contest (but congratulations to those who did). My Threadless design also didn't get a very high rating, so I doubt that it will be printed. So, back to the drawing board...or table.
On a more positive note, what better way to ward of those art rejection blues than to do some therapeutic plein air painting? The answer, of course, is that there is no better way. Yesterday, Andy Musser and I went painting at the Lakewood Heritage Center just west of Bel Mar. Below you can see our painting post, our subject, and Andy's fine acrylic painting. We didn't know what that little green shelter was supposed to be used for, but it made for a great impromptu studio.


And here is my study in oil, still taped to the sketchbox easel palette as it dries:

This week I have a few less hours at Sears Westland, so I hope to get some more painting and drawing done and post some more life drawings to get this blog caught up. I've been working on a couple of acrylic on canvas illustrations, so those will show up here soon.