Canada Geese and Other Characters

The rain and the high winds we have been experiencing in Vancouver this past month has caused me to feel a little out of sorts along with just about everyone I talk to. When I sit down and work at designs I begin to feel so much better. This is my addiction and perhaps it is not such a bad one.

Christmas Card Ideas with Winds and Rainstorms

The wind and heavy rain this morning woke me up at around six a.m. I got out of bed and gave thanks to God for not having to go out into the storm to a job that took all of my energy for so many years. I do not have to do that anymore. I am FREE! I am retired.  These days I am so busy with exploring and learning I don't feel as if everything has stopped. I feel as if it is time for something new to begin while not being quite sure what that is.
Last night I tried out my new scanner with an old rough little sketch, took the scan into painter and painted with the watercolour brushes.
I may as well start playing with some ideas for my favourite time of the year while wondering just where I want to go with drawing and illustration.
Today on the agenda: a walk over to the book store to for a copy of Blogging For Bliss by Tara Frey and hoping to get myself on a new fresh track.
In my head: a new idea for a children's picture book inspired by Daniel and his love for the environment is humming away in my brain.
 

Portrait of Granny

On Saturday I attended a writer's workshop and found myself wondering if I had any right to be in the midst of a group of very dedicated children's writers. But it was interesting and productive and the workshop was well managed and things flowed quickly.

This morning I was having breakfast and as I looked around my studio walls an idea came to me for a picture book. I think I will dedicate this next week toward building it on paper.
Today I played with Painter11 again. With a really bad old photo of my grandmother as a reference I painted this portrait with digital oils.
My Granny died in 1962 at the age of 87. She was a sweet lady who took on the responsibility of my two year old brother, my eleven year old sister and me when our mother died suddenly. Granny never said much but she worked in her kitchen all day long making cakes and pies and jams and jellies and preserves. It's funny the things one thinks about when drawing for hours.

Two Halloween Witches

A couple of witches painted with Painter11 last night. I used the oil painting brushes.  I posted another witch one on maplepancakes blog to fit Illustration Friday's word of the week FAST.
It seems our Halloween is going to be soggy this year.

Digital Owl

It is getting close to Halloween and the spooky time of the year.
I had to draw this owl yesterday. I like this Painter11 program so much.
Maybe I should get a life?
Or better yet maybe I will try a for a witch and a few cats.

New Digital Sketch Fun

I found a new toy. What fun this is! Go to sketch.odopod.com and give it a try.

A Cow Stands In Grass Waiting

Last weekend I took part in the wet canvas weekend WDE event. One of the reference photos was of a cow and I could not resist trying out my painter program again.
I am posting the first drawing and the last. I also made up a new video of the steps. Why am I doing this? I suppose it is because I am so thrilled at the possibilities of actually drawing freehand with a tablet and the results are so sastisfying. Up until lately I have avoided drawing on the computer because it has felt like drawing with a brick. But now the cheapest tablet and the wonderful Painter11 software are a perfect match. And I am thinking about getting a higher end tablet eventually. Maybe I'll win a lottery or something?

Max In Painter11

This is little Max, one of the neighbourhood dogs. Max is interested in all the ladies.
I used pastels and oils in Corel Painter11. I captured the steps along the way and made a little slide show but I have no idea how to post it so I won't try.
This is one of two paintings I completed yesterday with Painter. I posted the other, a duck on my maplepancakes blog.
My own little dog is on new meds that are making her tired and low today. I am worried. But I hope she pulls through this latest challenge.

Indie in Digital Oils

I went back and reworked this. I adjusted the eye and added the background.
This one was a challenge but I am glad I gave it a try.

A Sketch of Indie

Indie is a sweet rather mishapen dog. His shoulders don't line up because of a benign tumour that doesn't bother him. He is much loved. I tried to sketch him from a very bad photo reference with bad lighting. The blacks are a challenge. This needs another try because his eyes aren't the same size.
But I thought I'd post it anyway.
I may fix this problem and re-post.

I tried this with Corel Painter pastels, moved over to painter oil pastels which seemed creamy and pleasant to work with.

Charlie, A Smiling dog

Charlie is another dog I wanted to draw. Again I was working with the Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet  and the chalks and pastels of Corel Painter Elements.
Incidentally, the Corel Painter Elements software comes with the Wacom as part of the package.

I saved steps as I worked so I could post it here to show the process. As you can see at one point I erased the body of Charlie and then I put it back in. I have reduced everything in size for the web post.
If there is anyone out there I'd love to get a comment or two.

Another Version of Digital Dog Drawing

Today I went back to little Poppie and with painter elements came up with this sketch which is an improvement I think.  Working from a photo held in my hand and drawing directly onto my new small Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet, Poppie came to life on screen. This is so much fun and my hands are clean with no chalks or pastels. Amazing technology. Thank you Corel Painter! I feel as if am so blessed to be retired in this time of technology.

Two Dog Portraits with Painter

These dogs are familiar friends in the neighbourhood. I have attempted to sketch them with the conte and pastels of Corel Painter. The poodle is Lily a family dog, and the other  dog is Poppie, a dog much loved by her owners.
Tomorrow I think I will try Charlie and Jack and Max, Tamara's park buddies. This is certainly different from working with real pastels, yet I am enjoying using the Wacom tablet this way. I have a lot to learn but I am being won over to this digital way of drawing.

Digital Art Again

I've been playing with painter again. This time I have manipulated a digital photograph of my darling grandson.

Oh my goodness. What to do next!

Digital Fish Painting in 7 Steps

Moving along, I have painted a fish,

working from my photo reference.