An Update for the end of the week

It's Friday. So I guess I should update, huh?
No more Zeke pictures to draw, so that means I'm running low on photos, right? Kind of sort of.
I'll manage to keep myself busy, I'm sure. But if the mood strikes you and you feel like tossing an idea my way of something to draw, feel free to email me: ASBTSF@gmail.com

Today I've been working on a 12" x 12" Mandala drawing. I haven't worked on one of those since 2007...oddly enough I found a whole bunch that I did between 2006 and 2007 that I never posted- guess I'll be busy scanning tonight and this weekend, huh? This morning I found myself starring at 2 that I have framed that I did in '06- and something inside me just clicked and I ran around my place looking for my protractor, ruler, black paper and colored pencils so I could haul all of that to work with me today. The one I was working on, but have since finished is a 12" x 12" with 3 mini- Mandalas. I'll definitely scan it this weekend so you can see it. I'm not sure I'm 100% fond of the creation, but it's interesting.

I do have a few more drawings that I want to work on, for my own personal sake. Then there are a few requests that are coming in- once I have the photos to draw from, I'll be able to start on those. I've also got that 3" munny to work on for my friend (not due until April though). The 18" x 24" 'secret' drawing that I keep mentioning is going to take awhile, so I might not mention it again until it's done. But yeah...while I have stuff to work on, I'm also discovering the 6 drawings a month goal that I set for myself is very attainable- so I'm always looking for the next thing to draw.

Anyway. That's the update for this week. Thanks to everyone who reads! I really appreciate it!!!

"Zeke the Pirate"

Title: Zeke The Pirate

Date Began: 02/24/09

Date Completed: 02/26/09

Media: HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B pencils on white inkjet printer paper

Size: 8 1/2" x 11"

Description: The last in the Zeke series, and by far- in my opinion- I think I saved the best for last. I love drawing kids, and Zeke proved to be a really great subject. In all of the pictures that Drew shared with me, not one of them wasn't portrait worthy, I just had to pick a few- otherwise I would be drawing Zeke for the next several years. I'd like to thank Drew for letting me rummage through all of his photos, for letting me draw his son, and for taking such amazing photographs. This is definitely, one of my new all time favorite drawings.

AAAARRRRRR!!!!!

Not another Zeke picture; and an update

That will be later this week :) (the Zeke picture that is...Update is below the picture details)


Title: "Untitled #4"

Date Began: 02/20/09

Date Completed: 02/23/09

Media: 2B and 4B pencil on White paper

Size: 8 1/2" x 11"

Description: A co-worker of mine last week, handed me a photo to draw for her husband. While the photo itself was kind of hard to see (grainy and pixelated due to it being an image printed on paper from a digital image-which was blown up from a 2" photo), I tried to work with it the best I could. It wasn't as bad as I had first anticipated (the final image here is attempt #3). I think the thing that was throwing me off the first two times was the man's eyes. I still didn't get them 100% right, and here they look kind of cartoonish- which believe me, I tried to fix. I really really tried to fix that. I'm not satisfied with his eyes, and maybe my co-worker won't be either when she finally sees it. In which case re-draw #4 will begin. And the more I look at it, I think his mouth is also throwing me off. GGGGRRRR. Maybe I should just spill some water on it and tell her I have to start over again anyway...
Good grief. I'm picky. (I just re-did the chin...before finishing my post...holy crap- I can't stop myself)
*Update*- She loved the picture...I am too picky.

So anyway, I have one more picture of Zeke to draw; my aunt contacted me to do a drawing for her husband's parents; my friend who just had a baby in November has some really cute pictures of her new addition that I'm dying to get my hands on so I can draw the handsome little devil; A previous client contacted me to do 2 drawings for her and her mom for Mother's Day; I'm still working on a giant 18" x 24" drawing- that has yet to be named, because I don't want to give anything away; I have a 3" munny that I'm still working on (since November- he's a gift for a friend, and since his birthday isn't until April 4th, I didn't think I needed to rush)...and I just made a purchase this weekend of a new camera...so maybe I'll start taking my own photos and drawing what I capture...there's a thought. If anyone has any tips or tricks for using a Nikon D40, please let me know. I bought mine used and it didn't come with an instruction manuel...so I'm winging it based off of what I can find using google and typing in "Nikon D40 instructions/tutorials/tips". Also if anyone knows of a place where I can get a fairly inexpensive fisheye lens that would be compatible with a D40, let me know. (hope that's a better update than the one on Friday- I was not in the mood to type.)

Update for the week!

Because my mom is commenting!!! :)

I am actually working on a few drawings- none of which are completed. Once they are, I'll post them up.
I've been knitting while at work this week, because I forgot that I had started making "squares" to eventually...10,000 years from now...make a blanket out of all of them- so I've been knitting squares- no pictures of that, sorry.

But yeah. That's about it. Not much for an update, and no cool pictures to show. But I promise, as soon as I have something to show, I'll post it. I haven't forgotten, just have been kind of busy.

Thanks for commenting mom! It makes me feel like someone might actually be reading this blog, besides myself!

"Green Thumb Zeke"

Title: "Green Thumb Zeke"

Date Began: 2/11/09

Date Completed: 2/11/09

Media: 2B and 4B pencils on white ink jet printer paper

Size: 8 1/2" x 11"

Description: The now famous Zeke watering his parents lawn I'm sure. Thanks to Drew for letting me draw his kid for the umpteenth time- I have one more to do and then my Zeke Series will be done (unless some more cute pictures surface and I can't hold back).

I'm rather excited for this weekend. Today is my dad's birthday, so we'll be going to dinner and he'll get his present, which means I'll be able to post it later. Tomorrow I get to chop all of my hair off, which I'm both excited and scared about (I'll miss my long hair, I always miss my long hair when it's not long). And also, tomorrow is Valentine's Day...in case you live under a rock.

(and I just now noticed that the monkey is missing something on his chest...wow...it's supposed to say "I *heart* U"...however I've neglected the heart and the U-well on this image anyway- the original has been fixed.)

"Zeke holding hands"

Title: "Zeke Holding Hands" (not sure of the title)

Date Began: 02/09/09

Date Completed: 02/10/09

Media: 2B and 4B pencil on white ink jet printer paper

Size: 8 1/2" x 11"

Description: Drew's kid again. Still cute, although I think I may have jacked up an eye from the looks of it posted here. Thoughts?

I picked this one to draw because I always love to draw babies, but also because it showed an adult hand. I really need to practice more drawing hands and feet- but I like how this turned out.

I have 2 more to draw of Zeke, and I'm not sure exactly which one to do next. Both photos are really cute, but one in particular I've been putting off because I'm hoping that it becomes my favorite drawing of all time- I don't want to give anything away as to which picture I picked. But I will post pictures as soon as the drawings are done.

Monday

The good news is: I finished my dad's birthday present on Saturday!!!
there's no bad news, so I don't know why I started off saying that.

I've got some more drawings to work on of a cute kid this week. I'm also working on a giant drawing, a valentine's day present for my valentine, and a munny that was somehow lost in all of the munny craziness and only needs one more coat of paint and some finer details worked in...and maybe a clear coat. That should keep me busy for awhile, huh?

Pictures when things are complete, or able to post so as to not ruin any surprises.

BUY MY BOOK!!!

"Driving"

Title: "Driving" or "Zeke Driving" or "Can't wait until 16" or "Let's go for a ride dad", I can't really decide

Date Began: 02/03/09

Date Completed: 02/05/09

Media: B, 2B, 4B, 6B pencils on white ink jet printer paper

Size: 8 1/2" x 11"

Description: Another one for my friend Drew. His kid is too cute for his own good and now I have too many pictures to choose from to draw. But that's a good thing. I have 3 more that I want to draw of Zeke (the kid in the drawing)...so expect to see his adorable face a few more times.

This one took me a few days to complete, which is alright, I wanted to take my time and not rush it, to be able to concentrate on the shadows and detail in the clothing more carefully than normal. Although I did kind of rush the steering wheel...sorry, that was the last thing I was drawing and I was eager to sign it and call it complete.

So anyway...another one done...more to finish. The other two that I did for Drew, here and here, ended up in my book that just came out.

What's that? You hadn't heard about my book??? (:) hehehe-shamless plug) It went up for sale earlier this week on Blurb.com. You can find a direct link to purchase your copy to the right of this blog post. (HA!)

Anyway. That's about it for now. Hope everyone is having a great week!

The Cat is Out of the Bag

I made a book. That's what all of the secretive crazyness was starting mid-2008 until now.

A Book. Vol. I to be exact. More Vol.s to come when I can figure out what to fill the pages with.

I actually almost revealed all last week, but I wanted to see my copy first to make sure it was presentable to the public.

It's presentable.

If you are wondering whether a drawing I may have done for you is within the pages, then you'll just have to buy a copy and find out...or, you know...contact me to find out (ASBTSF@gmail.com).

The link to buy your copy is to the Right- feel free to check it out!

my post has vanished

I typed it. Many many words were typed. Talking about my website and Groundhog day and how I really really wished that today does not turn into a Bill Murray movie because the likelyhood that I might kill someone is great (it's a Monday).
But, because of the vanishing of a post I'm taking that as a sign.

So instead I have this:

Thanks to everyone who has visited my website! You all are fantastic, and I really hope that you like what you see. In the coming months I may or may not re-format my gallery page. However I don't want to offend any clients- so we will see. I hope to have it updated this week with some new pictures.

Hey, it's February...do something with your 2009 already!