Mittens

Mittens. Prismacolor pencils and Sakura Pigma Micron pen on Strathmore Bristol Vellum.

Sketchbook: Crabmeat

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

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: Tea

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.

Colored Pencil: Japanese Doll

Japanese Doll. Prismacolor Verithin pencils on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. Copyright 2011.

Colored Pencil: White China

White China. Prismacolor Verithin pencils on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. Copyright 2011.

Colored Pencil: Necklace

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

Colored Pencil: Mello Yello Bottle

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

Illustration Friday: Sweater

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.

Sketchbook: Tomatoes

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: Page 36

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

Merry Christmas!

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.

Sketchbook Project: Page 22

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 19

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

The Sketchbook Project: Page 16

Plaid Sheets. Page 16 of my Sketchbook Project 2011: Jackets, Blankets, Sheets. Prismacolor Verithin pencils in Moleskine Cahier sketchbook. Copyright 2010.

The Sketchbook Project: Page 15

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

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

Still Life with Pottery

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: Play It As It Lays

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: Hydrangea

Hydrangea. Pen and ink and colored pencil in sketchbook. Drawn from a photo taken last summer. Copyright 2010.