Resting Kitten

"Resting Kitten"
Approx. 6.75 x 10 inches
Graphite pencils on 500 series Bristol

    I can't believe it is Friday again already. Wow...the week really flew by for me! So here is my face, and a little more, for Friday Face Off...yes, another kitten, but the last one for a while. This one was more challenging by far than any I have completed to date. That soft, fluffy fur that kittens have before they reach adulthood can be rather difficult to express in pencil. I hope I have done him, or her, justice. I love the expression in his/her eyes, as though there might be some mischief in the works. I love cats. You never really know what they'll be up to next.

   I'd like to thank everyone who commented last week. I truly appreciate your kind words and interest in my art. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. See you next week...

Colored Pencil: Kittens in a Cup

"Kittens in a Cup"
Approx. 6 x 6 inches
Colored pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper

       Aren't these the cutest little fellows? I know I said that I was finished with kittens for a while, but this was a piece that I started years ago and needed to finish. I have quite a few that need finishing and yes, one of them is a kitten...sigh.

   I thought these would be cute for Friday Face Off, and I may, or may not be finished with them. Every time I look at them I see a little something that needs to be adjusted, if I really want to be picky...and I usually am, lol!

   This is my first attempt at using the pastelmat paper for colored pencils and I did find it challenging until I got use to the grainy texture. I like it, though, because you can apply many layers of colored pencil. I think the oil-based type works best. 

   Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind comments. See you next week...

Sweet Snuggles (Kittens)

"Sweet Snuggles"
3.5 x 2.5 inches
Graphite pencils in Strathmore 500 series vellum Bristol

       This little drawing is the last of the kittens for a while. I've decided to try my hand at drawing some cute bunnies and other baby animals. Even these tiny drawings take me hours to complete, but it is a good feeling when I finish one. I'm always trying to do better with each drawing. Even if I don't see much improvement, I usually have learned something new, and that makes it worth while. 

   Thank you for your interest in my art, and for taking the time to read my blog. I do try to keep things short, as I know how valuable everyone's time is. Take care, and have a lovely weekend! :-)

Another Sweet Kitten

 

"Sweet Kitten 2"
3.5" x 2.5"
Graphite Pencils on Strathmore 500 series Bristol

   I love to draw cats and kittens. They have such uniquely expressive faces and are so entertaining. At my previous home there were many stray cats. One raised her kittens in our back yard, and I spent many happy moments watching them play. Where I live now I have only seen one cat, and that only a few times. I miss them.

   I have returned, after much experimentation, to my all time favorite paper, Strathmore 500 series vellum Bristol. For the way in which I work it has the perfect texture and accepts many layers of graphite pencil. It is also quite sturdy and holds up well to repeated erasures. 

   Thank you for visiting my blog. I wish you a safe and relaxing weekend. :-)

Cute Hedgehog

 

"Cute Hedgehog"
2.5" x 3.5"
Graphite pencil on Strathmore 500 series Bristol

   It's been a long while since my last post, and needless to say I haven't done much drawing in the past year. This year I hope for better things and more time spent creating the art that I love so much. Beginning in January, I picked up my pencils again with the intention of spending at least one hour each day drawing. This little ACEO is the first one completed since making this commitment to myself. I thought that by this time in my life things would be a bit more settled and I would have time to cheerfully devote to my art. It hasn't exactly turned out that way, but I think one hour a day can be managed without the nagging feeling that I may be neglecting something else. 

   I am working on several larger drawings at the moment and have a couple more ACEOs now completed. I look forward to posting at least once a week. The larger drawings take at least a week to complete, sometimes more. I feel encouraged by what I have been able to accomplish thus far this year, and this schedule seems to be working well. 

   Thank you for your interest in my art, and have a great day! :-)

Candy Jar

"Sweets for the Sweet"
5" x 7"
Graphite on Strathmore 500 series vellum Bristol

      This little drawing took a long time to complete, small though it is. I was determined to get the candy wrappers right, meaning all the intricate little highlights and other features unique to cellophane wrappers. Then there were the wrappers inside of the glass jar...I think that was the hardest part, but I do love a challenge, lol! The dark background is all graphite, with the candy reflections lifted out with the kneaded eraser. So much fun! I have more drawings planned for the future featuring glass objects. I'm looking forward to a productive New Year. 

Happy New Year to you and yours, and thank you for your interest in my art. :-)

Playful Kitten

 

       Here is another little ACEO drawing that I did a few weeks ago. I love to draw animals of all kinds, but cats seem to be my favorite of the moment. I am working on a larger drawing of a cat similar to this one but without the towel. That towel was a challenge, by the way. lol!

   I am experimenting with some different surfaces as well. So far, my favorites are the smooth mat board and the Strathmore series 500 bristol. I have tried hot-pressed watercolor paper and Stonehenge, which I like very much when working with colored pencils, but not so much when working with graphite. I really enjoy more of a vellum surface when working with my pencils. 

Until next week, thank you for visiting my blog, and have a great day! :-)