coin purse at funny angle

This is rubbish. This is a coin purse and it's rubbish. The cross-hatching is a mess. The perspective is all wrong, which is why I rotated it to this funny angle. You weren't fooled though were you? It's still rubbish. It's only redeeming feature is the zip and it's the only reason I'm posting it. Well, that and it took AGES.

EDM#55 draw a doorknob

This is the doorknob from my kitchen door.....with a cat toy thrown in - completely free of charge.

(the colour seemed like a good idea at the time, I'm not too sure now)

oh no...

Oh no I feel a series coming on....wallets, purses and bags OH MY!

10 years on and still drawing onions

I first posted this onion (above) some time ago, actually I think it was my first post, or at least my first EDM challenge. Back then I was just getting to grips with the scanner and so the picture was blurred and cropped far too close. I've just uploaded it for Flickr so I thought I'd post it here again. Also another little offering from just over 10 years ago. A decade of drawing onions!

a little bag

A little embroidered bag. I've had this bag for ages. Don't know when I got it. Where I got it from. Whether I bought it myself. Whether it was a gift. Just don't know.

not much happening...

...well it is Boxing Day. We're sleeping off all that turkey.

(click on image to view)

EDM#96 Draw something sweet

This is the sweetest thing I can think of. I found this little note tucked into my suitcase, after I'd returned from a trip back home. My niece had secretly placed it there which was a lovely surprise. I pinned it to my fridge so I can see it every day. It makes me melt every time I read it. It was accompanied by these two little figures. They are now on my kitchen shelf. So that's it, the sweetest thing ever - this little note.

going green

I've decided to invest in some new pencils. They are expensive, and I am poor, so I'll get them colour by colour. I started with the greens because, at the time, I was drawing Brussel sprouts! This is the reason why most of my recent posts have been green lately. I've had enough green for now though. This is the last one for a while.

EDM#30 Draw a chair (two)

I have already completed this challenge once before. However, I think this drawing is probably more appropriate for this particular theme. As this is the chair is where I do most of my drawing. And, anyway, I don't suppose I'll get thrown out of the group for completing the challenge twice.

I drew this, in one hour, last night while watching (well, listening to) a documentary on Edith Piaf. From now on, every time I see this drawing, I will think of Edith Piaf. There is something that really intrigues me about those random associations.

EDM#97 Draw a gift or present

Most people who visit these drawing blogs will already know of the very talented France Belleville of Wagonized. I'd just like to tell you about how generous she is too. France has recently been working on a series of classic car drawings. I asked her whether she had ever illustrated - my all time favourite car - the gorgeous Morris Minor. Within a few days two drawings of these beauties appeared on her site. One even had my initials on the number plate. As always with France, they are great drawings; technically brilliant and full of character. A few days later I received this picture, in the mail, all the way from New Jersey.

I want to thank France for this gift. I will treasure it always.
Click here to see her drawing on Flickr .

multi-tasking

I have been drawing so much recently that the cleaning has taken a backseat. I finally got around to tidying my desk AND managed to get a couple of drawings out of it too. Result.

EDM#95. Draw a holiday card

Now I don't know whether this is a Christmas tradition outside of the UK, but here everybody HAS to have Brussel sprouts with their Christmas dinner, whether you like them or not - it is the law. Most adults and, 99.9% of children, dislike (no HATE) them with a passion, but they still have to have at least one on their plate.

Recently Teri tagged me to choose my 5 favourite Christmas songs. So here they are;

1. River - Joni Mitchell (maybe not a traditional Christmas song but it's MY favourite, and it does start with Jingle Bells!)
2. Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie (just lovely and such a cute video)
3. The Fairytale of New York - the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl (a perfect song).
4. So This is Christmas - John Lennon.
5. 2000 Miles - the Pretenders.

I'm going to pass the tag on, back over the ocean, to Suzanne. Look forward to seeing her selection.

EDM#32 Draw something metallic

This is a coal scuttle. I have drawn this many times. Mainly because I am lazy and it lives directly opposite my armchair. I have never once got the shape right - and it still isn't. But I love the colours; the contrast between the metal and the coal. I like the way the inside becomes SO black. I think that these two 'materials' (is that the right word?) work perfectly in graphite pencil.


And now for another question. I am never sure which of these works better when scanning and posting pencil drawings. The top one was scanned in 'colour' the bottom 'grey scale'. Which looks the best? Any opinions or advice would be much appreciated.

armchair art

Two different views of the stairs in my living room ...

...from two different armchairs.

armchair art too

They were originally one piece - as you see them here.
I just can't decide which layout I prefer. What do you think?

EDM#90 Draw something with wings

(Click on image)

Well, I have absolutely been dying to post this for days .I don't know how I've managed to stop myself. So I've stayed up till after midnight so that I could post it. I'm very proud of this one which combines the EDM challenge with my love of illustration for children.

AND... Happy Birthday beautiful girl. xxx

EDM#51 Draw your TV and a show playing

I'm coming out! I am a 'Strictly Come Dancing' fan. I believe this is what Saturday night TV is made - sequins and sparkles. And, I love it!

If I thought that the picture of the ballpoints took a long time, well, that was nothing compared to this one. The perspective is all over the place and I'm not sure what has happened with the orange in the scanning process - I can assure you it is blended perfectly on the original. But balls to that, it took so long it is being posted.

Cheers!

Wow this is my 50th post. I can't believe I'm here already. Since joining Everyday Matters, and beginning my blog, drawing has take over my life. I'm not complaining, I was just waiting for the excuse anyway! I'd just like to take the opportunity to say thanks to everyone who visits and leaves comments. I really appreciate it. Cheers.

a little quickie

Flo's bowl in five minutes (approximately).

EDM#16. Draw a tool

Bloody hell. This took some work. Over the past couple of weeks these colour ballpoints have become my favourite tools. I seem to have been using them for most of my drawings. After drawing this though I have a feeling I might just be using them less. In fact, I don't want to see them ever again! Bring back the colour pencils...

EDM#92 Draw a brown paper bag

I was really chuffed when I was given my groceries in a brown paper bag yesterday. Strange, I know, but you don't see too many of them here anymore. I was looking forward to doing this challenge, but I soon found it wasn't as easy as it sounded. I started to over complicate things, making a real meal of it, and ended up getting really frustrated. So I decided to start again and strip it right back, simplify it. And, you know what, I'm really pleased with the result.

how's a girl supposed to sleep?

I'm off to Macynlleth today, where one of my pictures is being exhibited at The Tabernacle, the Museum of Modern Art, Wales. The exhibition is called Not Just For Children and I'm there for the opening. The picture I have on show is from The Princess and the Pea. Unfortunately I did not scan or take any photos of it, as it was submitted months ago - before I began this blog. However, I did find this original drawing from one of my sketchbooks - it is quite light I'm afraid, you'll need to click on the image for a better view. The exhibition is running until the 6th of January so if anyone happens to be in Machynlleth (I can't imagine that there'll be many of you!) go and take a look.

EDM#1 Draw your shoe.

Here's my shoe. Well, it's part of my shoe. In fact, it's part of my boot. My walking boot.
Green ballpoint.

come and sit here for a while

This is a memory drawing. I saw a sculptor make a piece like this, in a wood, in a park, many many moons ago. Actually it probably didn't look anything like this, but that's the interesting thing about memory drawings. How much of this drawing was dragged out of my long term memory and how much came from my imagination? I will never know. This is in ballpoint, and I quite like it. It's called 'Fairy Chair'. Now I don't know whether that's what the sculptor called it or whether I've just made that up.

fireside

This is the hearth in my living room. Just to the right of this picture stands the logburner from a previous post. This is the view from my archair. This is where I do all my drawing.

EDM#26 Draw a vegetable

Aubergine in coloured ballpoint.

a lot of alliteration

My new favourite fings (sorry!) Fudge's fruit florentines.
So good I bought them, drew them, then ate the whole box!

(click on picture for full size)

EDM#48 Draw something that represents a New Years Resolution

Ok, so it may be a bit early to start planning New Years Resolutions but since I started this blog my artwork has been on my mind ALL the time. I've always wanted to illustrate children's books - just somewhere along the way I forgot. Or, more honestly, I never thought that I could. Over the last few years though I've started thinking differently, started believing. After all if you don't believe in fairies then they don't exist.

I don't know why I draw the things I do, I don't have any idea where the characters come from, they just refuse to go away. All the above books are in various stages of completion - some have pictures, some have stories, some both. Two are at the stage where they can be sent out to prospective publishers and that's what I'll be doing in the New Year. And, I'll persevere; because now I believe again.

(I draw this picture in every one of my sketchbooks - just to remind myself of the goal - so it seems fitting that it makes an appearance in this 'sketchbook' too.)

feeling blue

Blue sums up how I feel today. You know that feeling when you just cannot draw? That. So here's another piece from an alphabet project I did some years ago. Hopefully tomorrow will be more colourful.

EDM#24 draw some fruit

Well, I'm not too sure how I feel about this so I'll just post it before I change my mind. It certainly isn't how I envisaged it when I began, but hey, I guess that's what happens when you get lost in a drawing!

winter slippers

More slippers. This time drawn in 4 minutes.

slippers and gel pens

I am trying to wean myself off stationery and art supplies. As I was driving to my evening class yesterday I found myself being pulled toward Staples; I'm just not ready to kick the habit. I went in just to check that I wasn't missing a bargain and to get my fix. I got out of there lightly - just three metallic gel pens, a 2007 diary and a clipboard (why?). I'll make a fresh start tomorrow.

looking down on everything

I just found this in one of my sketchbooks - just as I was thinking that this blog could do with a bit of green. Drawn on the plane to Barcelona, in colour pencil.

welsh dragon

I'm not really into all that flag waving (there's always a 'but' after a statement like that, isn't there?) but I do love the Welsh flag. I mean on a visual level. I just think it is a great looking flag, that's all.

I bought this little ceramic Welsh dragon while on holiday in Snowdonia. I was going to post it for the 'souvenir' challenge but I have a whole list of souvenirs that I intend to draw. I do like to come home from everywhere I visit with at least one piece of tat.

And, in answer to a question I was once asked when holiday in the States; NO, there are not still dragons in Wales!

a very oldie

I've had this one on Flickr for a while so I thought I might as well post it here too. I believe its about twenty years old. I did think about digitally painting out the background but then I thought "sod it".

EDM#3 Draw your bag

My bag and...

it's contents.

(click on image to view)

introducing Flower

one cat....
four sketches.....
in four minutes.....
EACH!

A is for...

Well, I was absolutely sure that there was an EDM challenge called 'Draw a goal or ambition'. Apparently not. I've just looked through the list and cannot find it anywhere. I must have dreamt it! Still, I would have been cheating with this one anyway, as it is about 10 years old. The ambition still stands though and that is to have my books published. I have two children's picture books that are just waiting for a publisher. At some point I'll stop procrastinating and start doing. After all, A is for action.

This was painted in inks and watercolour.
20cm x 20cm.

EDM#28 Draw an appliance.

I think I've said it before, once or twice, but the beauty of this group is drawing things that you never would have dreamt of drawing. You start looking at everything in a different way, everything becomes a potential drawing opportunity. For example, I would never have thought of drawing this little radiator but, you know, it turns out it's an interesting object...I mean appliance.

Pen and colour pencil.
22cm x 20cm.

happy accidents

Mostly I get really frustrated with scanning work. You can labour over a piece for ages; choosing the right shades and colours for your subject to find once scanned it has somehow changed.
With this picture, though, I am quite pleased with whatever happened during the whole scanning process. It was painted on a plain white board but hey! A 'happy accident' as dear old Bob Ross would have said.