This first week, I’ve stuck largely with simple sketching, venturing a little into mixed media.

Jan 2., “Nalgene,” Pen & Ink

I gave Day 2 three Van Goghs.  It’s decent.  Nothing special.

Jan. 3, “William,” Digital

I did this one in Sketchbook Pro on my Ipad in the car on the way to Marrakesh.  Both kids were sleeping.  I was a miracle that I only got mild motion sickness trying to complete it in the back seat.  It’s essentially traced using a few different “brushes” and line weights.  I needed something in the win column and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out from a composition point of view.  

Jan 4., “Moroccan Lantern,” 4B Pencil

I’m giving this 4 Van Goghs partly for the complexity.  Not sure why I even attempted this because I knew 5 minutes into the sketch that I wasn’t quite ready for the detail.  There were hundreds of holes on the sides of this lantern and I tired pretty quickly of trying to shade around them.  I am disappointed in the outcome largely because, despite my best efforts, it lacks depth and contrast.  I have a lot of work to do learning to achieve a range of values in monochrome.  This sketch also highlighted for me the difficulties in sketching plein air.  The light and shadows shifted substantially.  I’ll need to move much faster next time.

Jan. 5, “Riad Terrace,” Charcoal and Pen & Ink

Although the proportions in this sketch don’t reflect the real life terrace, I was pleased with the outcome of using pen & ink with charcoal.  This was a speed sketch.  My husband was yelling up to me from the main floor that it was time to pack up.  William was crying.  Carolyn was whining.  Meanwhile, my charcoal stick was moving faster and faster.  Such a short trip.  Loved Marrakesh and hope to go back soon.

Jan. 6, “Spanish Seashell,” Pen & Ink

I had grand visions for this seashell that were never realized.  The pens just didn’t do what I wanted them to do.  Or more likely, it was my hand.  Or eye.  Or imagination.  Irrelevant.

Jan 7, “Not My Mother,” 4B Pencil, Pen, Pastel and Conte Crayon

This drawing is not my mother.  It started off as my mother, but it ended up as a random lady possessing nowhere near the beauty of my mother.  Faces are hard.  So hard.  Painfully hard.  But I have to get better.

Pushing ahead.