Sketchbook Project Update

I had pretty much given up any hope that I was going to finish

my Sketchbook Project by the 15th.

I lost all steam after my trip to Kansas in September.

What was I thinking that I could do this?

This is dumb, who is going to see and care about this?

I did some stuff here and there, but left a lot of partially done pages.

These two drawings have been in pencil for months.

I originally did them because I was practicing drawing Legos

for a little boy I babysit for.

I was going to make him a painting, which has been sitting

half done for just as long. I sort of hate it.

Sophie, an 8 year old I babysit (little boy's sister) for

is my best supporter.

A few days ago she saw me working in the sketchbook 

and goes "Oh yeah! How many pages do you have left?"

I sheepishly looked at her and went 

"Ummm...a lot. And I haven't finished a lot of pages too.

There is no way I am going to get this done in time."

She demanded to see my Sketchbook, to which I obliged.

She marveled at my most recent drawing

My mom gave me this bizarre bird pen for Christmas,

so I brought it to work--and all the kids love it.

Sophie was amazed at how good it was and says,

"Dawn, you must be one of the BEST drawers in all of Virginia!

You have to finish this in time. You only have 9 days. Tonight

I want you to draw this pepsi bottle, and start finishing those pages."

Yep, all of this coming from an 8 year old.

She boosts my ego even though I know I am not even 

close to being one of the best drawers in Virginia!

So, I listened to Sophie.

When I saw her the next day, I showed her the sketch, which she loved.

Her next project for me to tackle was finishing ALL of my unfinished pages

(hasn't happened yet), along with drawing a Sharpie

and scissors that were on my desk.

I couldn't help but to listen and oblige.

Not finished yet, I still have to color it in.

Of course she gives me all circular objects!

Drawing circles in perspective (aka: ellipses) is HARD.

I then worked on old pages, because she asked so sweetly.

How can you let a kid down?

These spreads were unfinished since September.

We went on a Party Bus, and yes it did catch on fire

(not while we were in it),

and yes it did get caught up in a high speed police chase

(also not while we were in it).

I also got an entire beer poured all over me

by someone who was drunk and walking around a moving bus.

NOT COOL.

This page was inspired by a pair of hairbands

sitting on my bathroom counter that I 

found to be in an interesting pattern.

Funny the things that strike you.

This spread was fun.

I had previously Gesso'ed these pages,

and watercolor on top of gesso gives out an interesting texture.

The gesso is very non-porous. and I really like the effect.

That website is real! It has a step-by-step demo

on how to draw a marble and color it in with colored pencils.

Mine looks horrible in comparison, but I do like it.

I'm not sure if I didn't press hard enough,

or if it was the paper.

Lastly, I am trying to draw my cat, Jack,

from when he was a wee babe.

As you can see, its not very good!
Sure it looks like a cat...but thats about it.

Any seasoned drawers out there want to give me some pointers?

Also, while this is in my Sketchbook, I also am

drawing this for the Sketchbook Challenge

Each month for the year, this blog puts out a theme,

and you can make as many sketches that fit that theme.

They even have a flickr group!

It seems lots of people are participating in this challenge.

I really want to try and expand my drawing skills this year,

and I know myself well enough that I am going to need

a little motivation.

I so hope this is it. It looks like fun!