An Artist's Easel

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Wide vs. Narrow

2012-02-13T09:00:00.004-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Wide vs. Narrow. Pigma micron pen.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Empty vs. Full

2012-02-10T09:00:00.003-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Empty vs. Full. Pigma micron pen.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Closed vs. Open

2012-02-08T09:00:00.003-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Closed vs. Open. Pigma micron pen.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Sharp vs. Dull

2012-02-06T09:00:00.004-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Sharp vs. Dull. Pigma micron pen.

Sketchbook Project 2012: Analog vs. Digital

2012-02-04T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Analog vs. Digital. Pigma micron pen.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Orderly vs. Scattered

2012-01-30T12:00:00.002-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Orderly vs. Scattered.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Casual vs. Dressy

2011-12-30T12:00:00.002-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Casual vs. Dressy. Pigma micron pen in sketchbook.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Off vs. On

2011-12-28T12:00:00.002-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Off vs. On. Pencil in sketchbook.

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Heads vs. Tails

2011-12-26T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2012: Opposite Day. Heads vs. Tails. Pigma micron pen.

Sketchbook Project 2012: Positive vs. Negative

2011-11-30T12:00:00.001-05:00

Sketchbook Project 2012: Positive vs. Negative. Pigma micron pen.

Sketchbook Project 2012: Patterned vs. Plain

2011-11-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

Sketchbook Project 2012: Patterned vs. Plain. Pigma Micron pen and Prismacolor pencil.

I signed up for another Art House Co-op Sketchbook Project, this time with the theme "Opposite Day." I've been slow to get started this year, but thankfully the new sketchbook has higher quality paper and fewer pages, so I may be able to meet the deadline after all.

Sketchbook: Chocolate

2011-11-21T20:52:00.000-05:00

Ghiradelli Chocolate. Pigma micron pen in sketchbook.

Sketchbook: Crabmeat

2011-09-29T12:00:00.004-04:00

Crabmeat. Pigma Micron Pen and Derwent and Prismacolor pencils in sketchbook.

I like drawing cans and other types of packaging as a way to try out different lettering.

As for the crabmeat, I used it to make my own version of this fish taco recipe. Delicious!

Sketchbook: Clementine

2011-09-27T12:00:00.015-04:00

Clementine. Pigma Micron Pen and Prismacolor pencils in sketchbook.

I find bowls to be nearly impossible to get right. It probably didn't help that I rushed this drawing (the temptation to eat the rest of the fruit was just too strong).

Sketchbook: Belt

2011-09-25T19:02:00.000-04:00

Belt. Pigma Micron Pen in Sketchbook.

Sketchbook: Chair

2011-08-18T22:11:00.000-04:00

Chair. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook.

I was on vacation recently and stayed in a house in the Adirondacks. I thought one of the somewhat dilapidated chairs there would make for a good sketch.

Sketchbook: Tea

2011-07-21T10:00:00.002-04:00

Tea. Pigma Micron pen and Prismacolor Verithin pencils in sketchbook.

I'm always trying different varieties of tea, and a new favorite is Stash's Mango Passionfruit.

Sketchbook: CD Player

2011-07-18T12:00:00.001-04:00

CD Player. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook.

I got this CD/tape player before I went to college (a long time ago!) and it has served me well. I still use it on occasion to listen to music or the radio as I draw. Soon I'm afraid it will be a relic of the past.

Sketchbook: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

2011-07-16T12:00:00.001-04:00

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. Pigma micron pen in sketchbook.

I recently finished reading this book, and although it's a bit different from my usual taste, I enjoyed it. And the delicious-looking slice of cake on the cover made it irresistible to draw.

Sketchbook: Stove

2011-07-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

Stove. Pigma micron pen in sketchbook.

I've drawn part of this before, but here is a slightly different view.

Watercolor: Clematis

2011-06-13T18:00:00.009-04:00

Clematis. Watercolor on paper. Copyright 2011.

We have a trellis next to our porch that is filled with these beautiful purple flowers. I don't know flowers very well, but from what I can tell, they are some variety of Clematis.

Sketchbook Project 2011 Digitized

2011-06-06T20:04:00.000-04:00

I received word today that Art House Co-op completed digitizing my Sketchbook Project. Earlier this year, I documented my progress here on this blog, but to feel as if you're flipping through the book, you can click on this link: http://www.arthousecoop.com/library/1170

Sketchbook: Leaves

2011-06-02T12:00:00.002-04:00

Leaves. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook.

Sketchbook: Watering Can

2011-05-31T12:00:00.001-04:00

Watering Can. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook.

Colored Pencil: Japanese Doll

2011-05-17T22:46:00.000-04:00

Colored Pencil: White China

2011-04-29T12:00:00.004-04:00

Colored Pencil: Necklace

2011-04-27T19:00:00.002-04:00

Sketchbook: Boot

2011-03-21T20:45:00.000-04:00

Boot. Uni-ball Signo Gelstick pen in sketchbook.

I've not been a very faithful sketch-blogger of late, but there is no time like the present to get back into it!

Tea Cup

2011-02-28T12:00:00.003-05:00

Tea Cup. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine.

Here is another old drawing from a couple of years ago. You can see other tea cups I've done here and here.

Forks

2011-02-24T22:19:00.000-05:00

Four Forks. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine.

I haven't drawn anything this week that I feel is worthy of posting, so I dug out an old Moleskine and found some drawings from a couple of years ago. Here is one of them and if it looks familiar, it's because I visited this theme before.

Colored Pencil: Mello Yello Bottle

2011-02-15T12:00:00.003-05:00

Mello Yello Bottle. Prismacolor Verithin pencils on Strathmore Bristol Vellum.

Illustration Friday: Sweater

2011-02-13T15:18:00.000-05:00

Sweater. Prismacolor Verithin pencils on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. Copyright 2011.

It's still sweater weather here, but I'm really looking forward to the end of winter. Maybe that is why I'm gravitating toward anything colorful these days.

Watercolor Pencil: Polka-dot Socks

2011-02-09T12:00:00.002-05:00

Polka-dot Socks. Prismacolor Watercolor pencils on paper.

Looking at illustrations by Maira Kalman the other day made me want to use some bright colors in my own drawings, so here is an attempt.

Sketchbook: Kitchen

2011-02-07T12:00:00.002-05:00

Kitchen. Paper Mate Gel-roller pen in sketchbook.

We recently moved, so I have many new subjects to draw. I'm really liking this flat-surface stove-top. So much easier to clean!

Sketchbook: Tomatoes

2011-02-04T12:00:00.002-05:00

Tomatoes. Prismacolor Verithin pencils in sketchbook.

I took a little break from drawing after completing my Sketchbook Project, but I couldn't stay away from it for too long.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Cover

2011-02-02T12:00:00.027-05:00

Cover of my Sketchbook Project.

Although I've been posting the final pages over the last couple of weeks, I turned in the sketchbook on time, so it should be going on tour starting later this month. Since more than 28,000 people participated in the project, it will be interesting to see how often my book gets checked out, if at all.

I enjoyed taking part, and I'd encourage anyone to try it. It helped me to really explore a theme and forced me to draw more regularly.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 41

2011-02-01T12:00:00.005-05:00

Rear view of a jacket. Page 41 of my Sketchbook Project. Pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 40

2011-01-30T12:00:00.002-05:00

Sheet Music. Page 40 of my Sketchbook Project. HB pencil in Moleskine Cahier.

The music is an arrangement of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" for violin, but don't look too closely or you'll find mistakes in my drawing of the notes.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 39

2011-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

Snuggie. Page 39 of my Sketchbook Project. Marker in Moleskine Cahier.

Yes, this is me wearing a Snuggie (or rather, an imitation called Cuddle Me). It was the ubiquitous Christmas gift this year and we didn't escape without one. I've found it's really quite nice for keeping warm while drawing.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 38

2011-01-26T12:00:00.002-05:00

Jacket. Page 38 of my Sketchbook Project. Marker in Moleskine Cahier.

In order to work faster on these last few pages of the project, I used a broader tipped marker instead of the Pigma Micron pen. I think it gives the drawings more of a comic book feel.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 37

2011-01-23T12:00:00.003-05:00

Sheets of toilet paper. Page 37 of my Sketchbook Project. Pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 36

2011-01-21T12:00:00.004-05:00

Buffalo Check Blanket. Page 36 of my Sketchbook Project: Jackets, Blankets, and Sheets. Colored pencil and pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 35

2011-01-19T12:00:00.003-05:00

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 34

2011-01-17T12:00:00.004-05:00

Sheets of Paper. Colored pencil and graphite in Moleskine Cahier. Page 34 of my Sketchbook Project.

Not to worry--although I'm only showing you page 34, I sent in my completed sketchbook on Thursday in time for the original postmark deadline. I'll be posting the final pages over the next couple of weeks.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 33

2011-01-14T12:00:00.001-05:00

Blanket of Snow. Page 33 of my Sketchbook Project.

Of all the drawings, I've done for this project, I think this one is the one with which I'm least happy. It was intended to be a sketch of a blanket of freshly fallen snow, but turns out that the window pane dominates the scene. Due to the deadline, I wasn't able to redo it as I would have liked, but I reminded myself that this is a sketchbook after all, and every drawing need not be so finished-looking.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 32

2011-01-11T12:00:00.002-05:00

Columbia Jacket. Prismacolor Verithin pencils and Pigma Micron Pen in Moleskine Cahier. Page 32 of my Sketchbook Project.

I dug out my husband's old jacket and found in the pocket the boarding pass from when he flew to propose to me two years ago at Christmastime.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 31

2011-01-07T12:00:00.001-05:00

Pillow Case. Page 31 of my Sketchbook Project. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 30

2011-01-05T21:38:00.000-05:00

Baby Blanket. Page 30 of my Sketchbook Project. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

I dragged this blanket around until I was about four. The front is ugly polyester, but I loved its soft flannel border and backing.

Sketchbook Project: Page 29

2010-12-31T12:00:00.001-05:00

Closet doors. Page 29 of my Sketchbook Project. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

Sketchbook Project: Page 28

2010-12-29T12:00:00.002-05:00

Dryer sheets. Page 28 of my Sketchbook Project: Jackets, Blankets, and Sheets. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

Am I running out of ideas for this theme? Perhaps.

Sketchbook Project: Page 27

2010-12-27T12:00:00.007-05:00

Pretty Jackets from Anthropologie. Page 27 of my Sketchbook Project. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T12:00:00.003-05:00

Christmas Gifts. Colored pencil on paper.

Last year at this time, I was working hard to finish this drawing while the presents were still wrapped.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my blog readers! Thank you for stopping by.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 26

2010-12-22T12:00:00.001-05:00

Curled up under a blanket. Page 26 of my Sketchbook Project: Jackets, Blankets, and Sheets. Pencil in Moleskine Cahier.

As I write this, it's 16 degrees outside--perfect weather for curling up under a blanket with a cup of tea and a sketchbook, which is exactly what I did.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 25

2010-12-20T12:00:00.007-05:00

Daguerreotypes. Page 25 of my Sketchbook Project: Jackets, Blankets, and Sheets. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 24

2010-12-17T12:00:00.003-05:00

Book Jacket. Page 24 of my Sketchbook Project. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

Lately, I've been choosing to read books from Time's list of 100 best novels. I'm currently working my way through Herzog by Saul Bellow. I'm enjoying it, but it's slow going, since I'm focusing much of my free time on finishing this sketchbook.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 23

2010-12-15T12:00:00.003-05:00

Sketchbook Project: Page 22

2010-12-13T12:00:00.002-05:00

Pendleton Blankets. Prismacolor Verithin pencils and Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

These patterns looked fairly simple to draw, but they became much more time consuming than I imagined. Then the scanner did not pick up the colors as well as I had hoped. Sometimes that's just the way things go.

Sketchbook Project: Page 21

2010-12-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

Sketchbook Project: Page 20

2010-12-08T12:00:00.002-05:00

Sketchbook Project: Page 19

2010-12-06T12:00:00.001-05:00

Sheets. Pigma micron pen and Prismacolor Verithin pencils in Moleskine Cahier.
Page 19 of my Sketchbook Project: Jackets, Blankets, Sheets.

Sketchbook Project: Page 18

2010-12-02T12:00:00.003-05:00

Sitting in the Snow. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier. Page 18 of my Sketchbook Project.

I drew this from another childhood photo of my husband.

Sketchbook Project: Page 17

2010-11-30T12:00:00.006-05:00

Blanket Patterns. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier. Page 17 of my Sketchbook Project.

I'm not even half way through this project yet. I really will have to ramp up my efforts to finish in time!

The Sketchbook Project: Page 16

2010-11-24T12:00:00.003-05:00

The Sketchbook Project: Page 15

2010-11-20T21:00:00.023-05:00

Red Jacket. Prismacolor Art Stix and Verithin Pencils, and Pigma Micron 05 pen in Moleskine Cahier. Copyright 2010.

I often listen to This American Life or other radio podcasts while drawing. When I look back at the drawing, even months later, I can usually remember what I was listening to at the time. This drawing will always remind me of the episode Crybabies. Maybe I've stumbled upon a memory trick I can put to real use someday.

The Sketchbook Project 2011: Page 14

2010-11-16T12:00:00.011-05:00

Blue Jacket. Prismacolor Verithin colored pencils and Pigma Micron 08 pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 13

2010-11-11T12:00:00.005-05:00

Page 13 of my Sketchbook Project 2011: Jackets, Blankets, Sheets. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier. Copyright 2010.

I recently sewed a button back on my husband's tuxedo jacket, which gave me the idea for this drawing.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 12

2010-11-09T12:00:00.004-05:00

Couch with afghan. Pigma Micron 08 pen in Moleskine Cahier. Page 12 of the Sketchbook Project 2011: Jackets, Blankets, Sheets.

Sketchbook: Milk

2010-11-04T12:00:00.003-04:00

Milk. Pigma micron pen in sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

A milk jug with an exaggerated cap. It really would help to sketch in pencil first. Oh well. Next time.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 11

2010-11-02T12:00:00.004-04:00

Toga. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier. Copyright 2010.

I was thinking of Halloween costumes when I drew this page for my "Jackets, Blankets, Sheets" Sketchbook Project.

Sketchbook: Socks

2010-10-26T12:00:00.008-04:00

Socks. Pigma micron pen in Moleskine.

Another older drawing from last fall. I was doing sets of three, such as the hats and the ties.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 9

2010-10-21T12:00:00.002-04:00

Pigma micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

Drawn from one of my favorite photos of my husband as a child. I thought the mixture of patterns of the blankets and sheets made it perfect for this project.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 8

2010-10-18T12:00:00.003-04:00

Illustration Friday: Spooky

2010-10-17T16:25:00.000-04:00

Spooky. Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine Cahier.

I know--not the most creative Illustration Friday entry. This is also page 10 of my Sketchbook Project with the theme "Jackets, Blankets, Sheets."

The Sketchbook Project: Page 7

2010-10-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

Back and front. Pigma micron 01 in Moleskine Cahier sketchbook.

Sketchbook: Leaf

2010-10-12T12:00:00.005-04:00

Leaf. Sepia-colored Pigma Micron pen in Moleskine. Copyright 2009.

I've had little time for drawing anything besides jackets, blankets or sheets, so today's entry is one from last fall.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 6

2010-10-07T12:00:00.002-04:00

The Sketchbook Project: Page 5

2010-10-05T12:00:00.004-04:00

The Sketchbook Project: Page 4

2010-10-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Sketchbook Project: Page 3

2010-09-28T12:00:00.012-04:00

Blanket. Ballpoint pen in Moleskine Cahier. Copyright 2010.

As I was working on this sketch, I realized that it is a lot like my drawing of a scarf from a while back, but because it's a part of my Sketchbook Project, I felt like I had to finish it anyway.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 2

2010-09-23T12:00:00.003-04:00

The Sketchbook Project: Page 2. Pigma micron 01 pen in Moleskine Cahier.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 1

2010-09-21T19:12:00.000-04:00

I signed up for The Sketchbook Project and my theme is "Jackets, Blankets, Sheets." This is my first page. You will see many drawings on this theme until the January deadline!

Still Life with Pottery

2010-09-16T12:00:00.007-04:00

Still Life with Pottery. Colored pencil on paper. Copyright 2010.

I set up my collection of Tobe pottery for this still life. During my year in Japan, I lived a bus ride away from the town of Tobe, where the pottery is made. After spending hours looking through the warehouse there, my friend and I each finally settled on a few pieces for souvenirs. Little did I realize then that the pottery was readily available in the local department stores and I would receive more of it as parting gifts.

Sketchbook: Faucet

2010-09-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

Sketchbook: Coffee Maker

2010-09-09T12:00:00.003-04:00

Sketchbook: Tea Cups and Saucers

2010-09-07T12:00:00.012-04:00

Tea Cups and Saucers. Pen and ink in sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

I have now spent more time drawing these cups than drinking from them.

Sketchbook: Ties

2010-09-02T12:00:00.010-04:00

Sketchbook: Hats

2010-08-31T22:29:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook: Watch

2010-08-26T12:00:00.003-04:00

Sketchbook: Truck

2010-08-24T12:00:00.006-04:00

Truck. Pigma micron pen in sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

What does one do when stopped for nearly two hours on the highway? Thankfully, I had my sketchbook with me. (Credit on this drawing also goes to my sister who filled in a few of the details once we slowly got moving again and I had to focus on driving.)

Sketchbook: Sandal

2010-08-19T12:00:00.001-04:00

Sandal. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

I've learned from the amazing Andrea Joseph that when in doubt, you can always draw a shoe.

Sketchbook: Yarn

2010-08-17T12:00:00.001-04:00

Sketchbook: Play It As It Lays

2010-08-12T12:00:00.004-04:00

Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion. Pigma micron pen and colored pencil in sketchbook.

When I read Didion's Year of Magical Thinking a few years ago, I found her writing spare but powerful. This older work of hers is beautifully written as well.

Sketchbook: Thinking of You

2010-08-10T12:00:00.002-04:00

Sketchbook: Folding Chair

2010-08-05T12:00:00.001-04:00

Folding Chair. Pigma Micron 01 pen in sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

I've drawn this chair a few different times from different angles. I can't seem to get it right. Maybe next time I will sketch it out in pencil first.

Sketchbook: Street Scene

2010-08-03T22:15:00.000-04:00

Street Scene. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook. Copryright 2010.

While on vacation last week, I sat on the porch of our rental and drew the houses across the street. Sadly, this was my only drawing. Sometimes I get more done when I'm working full time. Strange how that happens.

Sketchbook: Colored Pencils

2010-07-29T12:00:00.003-04:00

Sketchbook: Hydrangea

2010-07-27T12:00:00.002-04:00

Sketchbook: Pond

2010-07-24T12:00:00.004-04:00

Pond. Pigma Micron pen in sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

I don't often sketch outside, but since it is summer, I thought I should try the view from my patio at least once.

Box

2010-07-22T22:29:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook: Thread

2010-07-17T12:00:00.000-04:00