Bird-cherry tree

This week I was out of space.

 Hoping to have some personal time next week.

River sketch

I had big plans for today's nap but ....
15 minutes outside and running back home to pick someone who just woke up.
Kids teach us how to value time and how to use it more efficiently.

The clouds

Drawing the clouds while talking to my manager.

Early Spring in Pink

I killed free time today preparing the ad for Etsy.

Early Spring in Pink on Etsy

Back home

Drinking coffee at the little lake

Experiment with unloved colors

I tried to use the colors that I never normally use. Could not resist to add burnt sienna and crimson to the palette. One can hardly tell that these colors are unwanted, right?

Composition is not cool, I know.

Farewell

Practicing composition - come up with the theme first, come up with an idea for the drawing next. This is what I think might fit the theme "Farewell".

It does not make sense to spend hours trying to draw perfect figures, background etc. Sketch the idea and you are done.  

Very helpful exercise.

and the prep work which is funnier than the final result. First idea was that the man is saying good bye to his leg, that was just cut in the hospital

10+20 minutes

I simply cannot force myself to draw black and white. The only way is probably to take just one pencil and leave the rest at home. I planned to draw 2-3 quick sketches and then I got carried away by a beautiful puddle.
It feels like a little adventure to step outside for a little bit and draw whatever...

p.s. one more black and white. usual view from the window

     

10 minutes sketch

I went to a park while my men were napping and chose to walk today instead of hardcore painting. I stopped to draw this little black-n-white.

How-NOT-To

I am normally OK with the failures but this is something I always try to avoid: trivial composition and obvious "girlish" style.

Yellow and stuff

I can say disgusting this and disgusting that but the overall impression is not too bad.

Nothing done

I had a very brave idea to paint outside when it gets dark but the day happened to be long and stressful.  All I have to share is this. We saved a few dandelions before they died under lawn mowers.

Water

This 10"x8" sketch is almost done. I may continue working on the details but this might kill fresh colors. I am curious if one can guess my attitude to water by looking at my paintings. Well, when I die, some art historians will cover this in my biography lol.

Portrait by unknown artist

Happy Monday!

Victory day

Every year I feel home sick on this day. Not because I am a patriot of any kind. I want to be around people who feels deep in their hearts pain and loss, joy and gratitude to our grand parents for saving so many countries from Nazis.
I worked on this sketch with these bitter-sweet feelings and thoughts. Spring arrived to Catskills!

Version # 3

Usually I get bored when I work on a drawing couple of days in a row.
And yes, it was boring :)

Special offers

Babysitters special: wake up after day's nap as late as possible
Mom's special: wake up after day's nap as early as possible
Today is Mom's special!

Spring is slowing reaching us up in the mountains

Sunset light and colors

It became somewhat difficult to walk with this little munchkin. He wants to go not necessarily where we want him to go. Anyway, I am cherishing every moment of these Spring days.

Deja Vu

Today I returned to the same spot where I painted last Saturday. It does not happen too often that the weather stays the same for both sessions. Needless to say that it is almost impossible to arrange for a second plein air session. I lucked out!