Charcoal and Chuckles

I took out a sketch that I had started and then abandoned months ago.

I finished it this morning and thought I would share it here.

I love the expression on this little girls face. I found the photo (my reference)

on the internet and then reversed the image before I sketched it. So, 

if it seems familiar, that is why. I think I first saw it on Pinterest. 

Her apparent happiness and laugh make me feel happy as well. 

Cheers!

On Sunday, November 3rd, 2013, the Headwater's Art group hosted a figure drawing session in the new art space at Discovery Center in Canal Flats. We had 9 people attend from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Paula Cravens began the session with some instruction and examples for our group. We did exercises in 1, 2, 5 and 10 minute sketches. Participants used pencil, pen, cante, paint and charcoal. The afternoon sped by and before we knew it, it was time to bid our gracious model goodbye and enjoy a coffee and chat with colleagues. We plan to hold another figure drawing session in the new year and I will post the information here on my blog. Cheers!

A study in black and white

Below is a photograph of the Hoodoos at Dutch Creek, B.C.

I wanted to paint this scene but was trying to figure out where

my focal point was. I decided to alter the photo first to black 

and white and then to a charcoal rendering that makes it 

easier to see the shapes, mass and lines in my composition. 

By reducing the amount of shades in the picture it is easier 

to understand why and where the eye is drawn.

Cheers!

                                     

"KOOTENAY BEARS"

This is one of the illustrations that I created for my Dad's book, "Kootenay Bears". It is a pencil and charcoal drawing of a grizzly bear who seemed to be admiring the sunrise during one of my father's hunts. The book is a collection of short stories about bear encounters that my Dad has experienced. There are black and white pencil/pen/and charcoal illustrations throughout the book. While the encounters may have raised adrenaline and hairs on the back of my father's neck, they have been recounted and told with humour.