Sketchbook Update

How is there only one week left in January!? I really wanted to finish filling Sketchbook No. 4 before the end of the month, but I still have 10 pages to go. The balance of wanting to both practice digital painting regularly and keep a traditional sketchbook practice is enough to make my head spin.

At least I can catch up on sharing my most recent pages. The photos below were taken at lunch yesterday; the difference that natural sunlight makes! I like the lighting so, so, so much better than my desk lamp!

In the first drawing, I was practicing folds of cloth and it took a few days on and off to finish the drawing. The second was much quicker, and of one of my favorite go-to subjects: trees. I often meditate on the imagery of a tree of life, or otherwise holy tree, in my spiritual practices. For me, there is a deep sense of peace in such visualizations.

The sketch itself turned into a bit of a mess – I was going for impressionistic light and shadows, but the leaves came out stiff and unnaturally geometric and rigid, compared to what I intended. Still, the colors combinations were pleasing.

Now to drink coffee and remote work. And after – hmmm, not sure what to make for dinner or how much effort to put into it. We have one of those Tofurky roasts I could make with mashed potatoes. Or leave that for Saturday or Sunday when I feel like I have a bit more time to cook dinner. And then perhaps a movie later in the night. Ricky and I tend to watch a movie once a week or so. Last week was a rewatch of Atomic Blonde, one of my favorites (mostly because of the music and how visually appealing the frames are set up.* Well and Charlize Theron is one of my favorite actresses). Between dinner and a movie, hopefully I find more sketchbook time, if not also digital painting time. I’ve been working on a painting of my backyard shed which has been fun. It probably sounds boring, and honestly the composition isn’t exciting, but it’s been a relaxing, simple study.

‘Til next time! ^_^

*no idea what the technical cinematic term is – but it has great visual compositions!