what's new pussycat?

Here's a couple I resurrected from the Graveyard of Abandoned and Unfinished Drawings. It's funny how you see things differently with some time and distance between you. I resented both of these when I was working on them. I resented the time and energy I'd put into them, and I resented them not turning out as I'd wanted. Did somebody say I'm getting old? Ooooof.

You might like to click on the drawings to read all the nonsense that was going through my head when I was creating them. The top drawing is my response to the Everyday Matters Challenge No.49: draw your fridge. You can see more of my Everyday Matters responses HERE.

come gather 'round people

Finally, a drawing.

You know, every year I intend to make Christmas cards. And every year I leave it until it's too late. What makes this scenario more frustrating is that I am actually a Moo designer, so it really is an opportunity going to waste.

But whilst it's on my mind, I was thinking that perhaps, maybe, I could get some Christmassy drawings together now. So by next year I'd be really really prepared. There'd be no excuses. Next year I'll be the kid who doesn't leave their homework until half an hour before it should be handed in.

I was never that kid. I was the one doing my homework on the school bus. On the way to school. Times they are a changing. I like to think.

I'm calling this one Everyday Matters challenge #95. Draw a holiday card. More challenges HERE.

(Just a note to explain why Brussels sprouts should make a Christmas card. Because, from the response, it's obviously not a tradition that travels. In the UK sprouts are not just a tradition they are the law. You HAVE to have sprouts with your Christmas dinner - whether you like it or not - or you'll be tracked down and actively thrown out of the country. It's true.)

once i thought i saw you

Yeah, this might look familiar. I did something similar, very similar, in a sketchbook some time ago. Yesterday I just wanted to draw. Just draw, from observation. I didn't want to think about what I was drawing. I just wanted to look at what I was drawing. Just look.

I'm also calling this Everyday Matters challenge 164. Which is draw a camera. Obviously.

Buy this drawing HERE.

come out to play

Look, I know these drawings ain't going to set the world alight but I'm short of drawing time so I had to dig out some old stuff that I hadn't posted before. Also, finding these really reminded me of that artistic struggle that plagues my life from time to time. I have wanted to draw a bicycle for ages, well, certainly, since seeing this challenge on the EDM list. So, I started with the top one.

But, it wasn't quite right. It was OK for a little sketch, but I wanted to make a proper drawing. So, I kept on trying. And trying. And trying. Never quite getting it right. Sometimes pushing it way too far (above). Sometimes going off on a tangent (above). And, sometimes finding myself in the summer of 1976 (above). But, still I'm trying. I'll never rest until I make a bicycle drawing that I am happy with. I won't stop. No bicycle drawing is going to get the better of me. No way, Jose.

Oh, and Miss Musa, that was what was on the previous page to THIS drawing.

Stay posted for a MEGA bicycle drawing. Coming to a screen near you, very soon.

perfect weather to fly

I've been meaning to draw this view for so long. Well, ever since I saw that there was an Everyday Matters challenge called 'draw the view from a window of your house'. It seems an appropriate time to finally get around to it. Before the reassuring view of Jo and Nick's house is no longer part of my everyday life.

Everyday Matters #18, the view from my window. See the rest of my Everyday Matters set HERE.

drop me anywhere

This fiver was really interesting to draw. All those lines and creases. As unique as a fingerprint.

This is my response to Everyday Matters challenge #191, draw some paper money. I'm really enjoying doing some Everyday Matters Challenges at the moment. I hadn't done any for quite some time, so it's really good to get back into some good old observational drawing.

I also very much enjoy being a part of the Everyday Matters group. Especially when I need some information on something arty, like in my last post. Thanks to everybody who emailed me, commented and left a message at the group forum. Here's that fiver I owe you.

Oh, and the detail in this would have been much finer, if my bloody pencils would have sharpened without breaking.

catch the breeze and winter chills

A couple of oldies here, from my Everyday Matters challenges. Or maybe, they are newies to the newcomers to my blog.

draw something yellow

Either way, there is a point (sorry for that awful pun) to me posting these. There is a question I've been meaning to ask ever since I started this blog. I do love to use colour pencil, but it often gets sidelined it for pen. I want to do a series of drawings in colour pencil soon. So I've started getting warmed up again. But, every time I do start using them I remember exactly why they got sidelined in the first place. And, that is the matter of them always always ALWAYS bloody snapping and breaking when being sharpened. It's just so annoying.

draw your palette

I've come to the conclusion it must be down to the pencil sharpener. It doesn't happen ever with graphite. And, as it would be a bit of a coincidence if every single colour pencil I own (from many different brands) were snapped before I'd bought them, I think it has to be the sharpener. So any pencil sharpener advice would be very welcome. The type of sharpener you use? The brand? How long they last? There's a fiver in it, for you. Cheers, folks.

never ever

I believe that, in the past, I have vowed to never ever draw anything that incorporated a light design on a dark background ever again. It really is a bugger. If you don't believe me have a go.

But, there again, I do believe that I've also vowed to never ever reveal any more of the contents of my underwear drawer.

I'm calling this one EDM #193 - Draw a close-up part of something. You can see my set of challenges, so far, HERE. I've also been interviewed this week by the lovely Laura of Make Do And Mend. And, you can read that HERE.

you little charmer

Everyday matters #200. Draw something lucky.

It's been so long since I did an Everyday Matters challenge, so today I thought I'd have a go at the latest one which is 'draw something lucky'. This little Welsh pixie charm is supposed to be lucky. That, of course, is if you believe in luck. I don't.