"Lippizaner Stallion" sketch
Copyright Rita Woodburne

Howdy, dear reader.

Whoops, there goes the country side of me slipping out again.

So a couple of weeks ago I got my edition of Artists Magazine and in it was an article about not just the importance, but also the joy, of sketching. I must admit that while this article wasn't ground-breaking or that it shook my foundations of art to the core it was refreshing to read and, quite frankly, something that at this particular point in my art career an article that I needed to read.

Lately I've found myself particularly enamoured with the idea of sketching and I suspect it has something to do with my desire to get outdoors (as the onset on warm weather is wont to do) and also that I've been working a lot on people portraits lately which is something that always gets me excited artistically. Sketching people when they don't even know you're doing it is, I suspect, a secret joy of artists that venture out armed with sketchbook, pencil and (possibly) eraser in hand.

The above sketch, I must admit, was done from a photo a friend took when at a local show of Lippizaner stallions (I'm extremely jealous I couldn't attend) who were performing feats that most horse people only dream of their horse attempting. Although I would normally say that sketching should primarily be done from life, in this particular instance I was just so drawn to the picture that I couldn't help but try my hand at sketching it.


It took me about 15 minutes (that's right, I wasn't watching UFC) and was done in my sketch-book with graphite. If you get the chance to read the article on sketching in this month's Artists Magazine then that's fantastic. If not then I highly recommend visiting the blog of Katherine Tyrell who is an accomplished coloured pencil artist and avid sketching enthusiast. I absolutely love visiting her blog to see what she's been up to... and to catch a glimpse of her latest sketches, of course! She is a wealth of information and always seems to be current on the latest comings and goings of the pencil-wielding art world (and artists in general).


Sure, this was a shorter post, but a necessary one nonetheless. I guess what I'm trying to say is something that's been uttered many times before: draw, draw... and then draw some more. What's the worst that can happen? You become a better artist?

Heaven forbid! Happy art-ing! ;)

Sleepy-eyed Sketcher

Hi there dear reader!

Today's post isn't going to be terribly long as I'm quite tired today and as a result my brain isn't in full operation. Since I'm working on some commissions, most of which are gifts so I don't dare post them, I figured I'd share with you a page out of my sketchbook:

Western sketches
Copyright Rita Woodburne

These are a couple of sketches for two seperate works I plan on doing. Both were done in pencil and each took about 45 minutes to do. They probably would've taken much less time but I was watching UFC at the time and was working on them in between making sarcastic comments at the television.

So really, that's it for today. I think I need to go back to bed so I'll have enough energy to enjoy the warmer weather we're going to be getting later today.

I'll be back later in the week with more art and gardening!

Sketchy Monday

Copyright Rita Woodburne

Copyright Rita Woodburne

Howdy there, dear reader! So the show yesterday was a success and thanks to all those that stopped by to say 'Hi' and talk art and also a big thanks to the organizers for putting on another great show.

"No ACEO's today?" you ask. Nope, nada. Instead I have some sketches I did from last week in my wee skecth book. I keep this sketch book on my side-table in our family room so in case I get the urge to draw while the Other Half and I are watching t.v. I can. I keep an extra sharpener (with Ziploc baggie for shavings), a white Mars eraser my trusty cheapy HB as well as a 9B and 5B handy so when that urge to doodle comes over me I can quell it.

My sketch book isn't a place for me to create mock-ups of larger pieces, it's a place for my imagination to throw up (I know, I make it sound so...dainty) and it's also a place for me to 'goof off' as it were. Last week I decided that I wanted to spend about 15-30 minutes each night just doodling whatever caught my fancy. I guess it was sort of like Duane Keiser's Painting a Day idea of taking 'regular' objects and putting them into art, although I must admit that 1- I'm no Duane Keiser and 2- I have no intention of doing a sketch a day because my schedule simply doesn't allow for it. Maybe when I'm rich I can pay someone to unload the dishwasher and feed the animals but as it stands now those chores fall on my shoulders. Heck, maybe I can even pay someone to set up and take down my booths at art fairs, now that would be a treat!
I also try to read the blog of Katherine Tyrell entitled 'Making a Mark' at least 3 times a week. She's an avid sketcher and encourages other artists to sketch as much as possible and she always seems to attend the most interesting art and botanical events. Her posts are always very informative and I highly recommend visiting her blog for lots of artsy related info. I had read her blog enough times that I was convinced that I needed to sketch more, because what's the worse that could happen? I get better at art?

So the above sketches are what resulted. My only nits are that I wind up doing them when it's dark outside and all we have is two table lamps with less than stellar lighting. Also, because of the positioning of my chair I wind up getting some weird angles on things, like my dog Rosie's head. Guess that'll be another one to try out sketching, but maybe I'll have her sit up next time. :)

For images that I didn't spend a lot of time on I'm okay with how they turned out and, like I mentioned, I wasn't interested in doing a nice shiny finished piece. This was just for fun and I must say, I rather enjoyed it. Maybe I'll break the sketch book out again tonight...