29 Faces - Day 2

The Party Hat, today's challenge drawing. More coloured pencils because I'm trying to learn how to use them. Sorry it's not a better photo, the light is rubbish today!

29 Faces Challenge

Well hello! I've been off the grid for a while but decided now would be a good time to try getting back into a bit of artiness, and to that end I'm going to have a go at doing the 29 Faces challenge this month. I don't do nearly enough drawing and faces are fun! So here is day 1: she's a little coloured pencil illustration on printer paper. Check out the link above to find more information about the month long challenge and sign up if you'd like to.

The Snow Queen - Work In Progress

I haven't drawn any faces for quite a while but at this time of year I always start thinking about my favourite winter tale, the Snow Queen, and get the urge to do some illustration for it. I've drawn and painted her a few times over the years and she looks different each time. Here I was thinking of her beguiling aspect and tried to give her large, hypnotic eyes and a very serene face. 

At the minute she doesn't look very regal but I intend to add colour and some other elements to the page, although I think she's already visited my studio and turned it into the Ice Palace so that could be an interesting experience!

Mr Tumnus's Lamp

Okay, today's drawing is of one of the entrances to Miller Park. As you enter under the bridge there is a very large old tree and next to it a Victorian lamp post which always reminds me of the one in Narnia where the children first meet Mr Tumnus.

St Mary's Penwortham

On the other side of the river the land slopes steeply upward and was once the site of a Norman motte and bailey castle. There is now a parish church there, parts of which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, and very attractive it is too.

Some photos and info here if you like snooping round old churches. 

 

The Ginnel

 

We live in a terraced (row) house which dates back to 1875. There are a number of streets all pretty much identical but with subtle variations in the architectural details of the houses. They were originally built for the dock and mill workers; we are very close to the river here and it was once a thriving port as well as an area teeming with cotton production.

If I sit on my bed and look out of the window this is what I see. This is the back of two terraces on the next road over between which runs a ginnel, or back alley, and it's today's daily drawing. Let me know if you've got one to share!

Daily Drawing - Come And Play!

Sometimes it seems like life is conspiring to get in the way of what I want to be doing. Right now I'm trying to get lots more books made for my Etsy shop and other goodies for PAD but 'stuff' keeps happening which makes me have to down tools and deal with it. 

In the midst of chaos, I feel like I need something with order to it. For a while now I've been thinking about focusing more on regular drawing practice, both as a meditative, relaxing thing and as a practical discipline. So, I am challenging myself to do some drawing each day in my sketchbook and post it here. The results may not always be pretty but I'm hoping they'll be worthwhile!

What would be really great would be if you'd like to join in and share your own daily drawings. Maybe you already do this, in which case please feel free to leave a comment and link so I can see what you're doing! If you've never really done much drawing before then why not give it a go? No fancy-schmancy materials needed, just a biro or a pencil, some paper and a little bit of time. It would be really good to have you involved for inspiration and companionship on this journey. What do you say?