some sketching...

Thank you all so much for the kind and caring words you left on the last post, and via email, regarding my Dad.  I appreciate it so much. Dad is doing much the same.  Morphine with sedative when required.  It continues to be a difficult time as it's so hard to see my Dad deteriorate like this. He is bedridden and sleeps a lot but we visit often. I'm going to pamper him with a manicure when I visit him tomorrow.  He enjoyed the last one I gave him.

I haven't found a lot of time for sketching due to visiting my Dad so much but I have grabbed pockets of time where I've been able to.  I'm not overly happy with the following sketches but I'm happy that I sketched something, at least.

On December 4th, Brad had an appointment at Vision Australia to register and become a member. He and I went crazy in their gadget shop for the visually impaired! I bought myself a magnifier lamp which has already come in very handy on my art desk.

Before Aaron went back to school after the Christmas holiday break, we took a drive out to the new Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert.  It was lovely!  We will definitely be visiting again although, next time, we will take insect repellent!  I managed a very quick sketch of  my view before it started to rain, forcing us to head home early.  It was a nice day out regardless.

I've been taking Liz Steel's 'Sketching Now' online course which has been fantastic. Twelve weeks of fun and learning.  Liz is such a good teacher and puts so much time and effort into covering even the small details.  She is very in-depth and explains everything so clearly.  I've read and watched the videos each week but, as my free time has been limited, I'm only just starting to do homework where I can. Thankfully, the class material will remain available for at least twelve months which should give me plenty of time to catch up.

I created a colour mixing chart from my palette thanks to this very helpful post on Jenny's blog - How to make a watercolour chart. I had so much fun doing this that I'm sure it won't be the last colour mixing chart I do.

Another online class I registered for on Craftsy was Sketching People in Motion by Marc Taro Holmes.  Oh my, another gem of a class!  Marc is an amazing teacher and I'm keen to put some of his techniques into action.  I've actually been enjoying quite a few of the courses on Craftsy of late. Their classes are quite reasonable in price and they give life-time access...can't complain about that. 

I was one of the lucky backers who helped to make The Perfect Sketchbook a reality.  It was the brainchild of Erwin Lian Cherngzhi.  This sketchbook is gorgeous and a little bulkier in size compared to the Moleskine pocket watercolour notebook. I feel privileged to own one because I'm not sure that they will be produced again. It was a one time thing, however, Erwin did mention that he may attempt it once more for an A5 sketchbook.

I was very excited to receive my order for a carbon pen and cartridge from The Goulet Pen Company on Friday!  It was beautifully packaged and they even included a little treat.  I'm fairly new to sketching with fountain pens.  I only have two so far...notice that implies that there will be more. Me thinks I'm developing an addiction.  I LOVE sketching with my Lamy JOY and now this Carbon Pen.

To add a lovely end to my week, I had my two beautiful Granddaughters come for a sleep-over. Their Mummy and Daddy went out for a Valentine's dinner and a movie.  We had a great time with Mikayla and Maddy and I'm sure they enjoyed their visit too.  They have not long left to go home, bless their little hearts.  I miss them already.

Today, I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches HERE.

Until next time.....

I'm calling it quits...

I made it to number 88 of the 365 daily sketch challenge before calling it quits.

 I just felt way too pressured by it.
 Who knows, I may try the challenge again for 2015.

For now, you will still see regular sketches from me

but I have given myself permission to miss some days here and there.

I will continue to sketch directly with pen unless stated otherwise
 but I plan to vary my sketchbooks a bit.
The sketches below are all done in my Holcroft A6 travel journal.

I bought this little turtle figurine when I called into Mr Toys to buy a jigsaw puzzle. 

Mum, Brad, and I love working on the puzzle together. 

I also bought one for Mum to take home with her to keep her occupied when she's on her own.

Mum said it has helped keep her mind off Dad being in the home.

Our weather has been unbearably hot and humid of late.
So much so, that I invested in an industrial fan,
an evaporator/cooler fan,
and some block-out curtains.
Every little bit helps.
Today is officially the start of our summer.

OH dear, this Buddha does not look very impressed with the sketch I did of him. lol

Bradley and I attended choir practise last week
and look what I spotted in the Mater Children's Hospital foyer.
Bananas in Pyjamas caught with their pants down!

One of the feathers in my collection.

My sister dropped in some little tomato plants for me.
I just need to plant and stake them.
I sure hope  they provide an abundance of tomatoes.
We had a super-storm on Thursday
and it caused a lot of damage right across Brisbane.
Reece said the storm pelted them with golf-ball-sized hailstones in the city.
It was like a war zone in some areas.
Luckily, we only got ½" hail here.

Late again but, this week, I'm linking up to Sunday Sketches HERE.

More daily sketches, a dog and a flower

Yesterday and today were absolute scorchers! 

The humidity was horrible! 

They say temperatures will be back to the mid-30's from tomorrow. 

I sure hope so or I may just melt away. 

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Another week of sketches for the 365 daily sketch challenge. 

We have strategically placed a few of these 

ornamental black cats with reflective eyes around our garden 

in an attempt to keep neighbour's cats away. 

Those naughty felines have been using our garden

as their own personal toilet and I am not amused.

Some very quick pen sketches of people at the food court.

I finished my quad-rule sketchbook! YAY!

I decided to start another Holcroft travel journal for the next stage 

of the challenge, however, this time on plain white paper.
I must admit I'm loving the white crispness of the blank page.

I LOVE this brand of coconut cream/milk!

Rich, creamy and perfect for curries.

I keep the coconut milk powder on hand as a back up.

I was browsing photos the other day and 

decided to sketch this noisy miner from one of Beau's albums.
I did this one in water-soluble graphite with a touch of pen to define.
Yellow watercolour on the beak and eye area.

I borrowed Michelle's carpet cleaner the other day 

to shampoo the carpets. 

They came up lovely!

A poppy for Remembrance Day!

I'm linking up to Sunday Sketches HERE.

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Just look who had draped himself over the arm of the couch the other day.

Me - "Mr Cody you are NOT a cat!  You could fall and hurt yourself."

His response -
"Life comes with risks and I'll take my chances.
Now, leave me alone, you peasants! "

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Check out this gorgeous crimson mandavilla/allamanda (?) flower!

They have a few tripods of these gorgeous vines
around the nursing home gardens.
So pretty!

Happy Sunday to all!

Another week of sketches - 365 daily sketch challenge

More pen and watercolour sketches
for the 365 daily sketch challenge

Perhaps I should have called this one 'Bench-warmers'?

An imagination doodle with pen while watching TV.

I LOVE coconut oil!
It has so many uses and I was delighted to see it is now available
in a pump-action bottle. YAY!

Aaron moved his fish tank into the lounge-room
so we get to relax while watching the fish.
The angelfish are so graceful but can be big bullies in the tank.

My tea of choice is Twinings Green Tea.
This is the only green tea I can drink on an empty stomach
and not feel nauseous afterwards.
I do drink other brands too...
just not on an empty stomach. 

Yet another Buddha I have around my home.

I like the Tibetan-style Buddhas the best because 

they have a feeling of peace and tranquillity about them.

I bought a pair of Birkenstock sandals in an attempt to relieve
the problem I have with painful, flat feet.
Apparently, these sandals are good for that. 

I'm a little late but I'm linking up to Sunday Sketches HERE.

A week of sketches for the 365 day challenge

It's hard to believe we are into November already! 

Carrying on from last week, 

here is another week of sketches 

for the 365 Daily Sketch Challenge.

A pine cone I brought from my Mum's place. 

What I learned - Pine cones are darned hard to sketch!

Mum has been sleeping over two nights a week 

and we usually play a game of Yahtzee in the afternoon. 

This black Yahtzee set is reasonably new...

I love the black dice with red edges 

and the cool shaker cup!

Alas, one of my favourite tops finally bit the dust. 

I've had it for something like 15 years and

it was worn regularly during that time.

It was made out of an airy Indian cotton

and I knew it wouldn't last much longer 

as it has been looking a little thread-bare of late.

I half expected it to fall apart in the washing machine.

Thankfully, it saved me embarrassment by tearing 

when I was wearing it here at home and not when I was out and about.

Poor Jack has gone through hell this past week with itchy, inflamed skin.

I'm assuming it was caused by the scented products the groomer used on him. 

It could be that the trimmer head was quite hot by the time she got to Jack 

after grooming Cody.  The affected area is on his right side and underbelly only.

I had to put the cone hat on him to stop him biting at the affected areas. 

He has had an array of treatments such as chamomile tea swabs, 

coconut oil, aloe vera, goats milk soap baths, and even cortisone cream. 

All of the above were effective for temporary relief.

I had tried a cold tar shampoo recommended by a dog groomer

 to my Mum for her dog's skin condition,

however, it had Jack feverishly climbing the walls
 so I had to quickly re-bath him 

with the Billy Goat goats milk soap. 

Thankfully, it helped. 

Me thinks he will have to be a cone-head for another week 

just to be sure it is fully healed.

He is not impressed!

I've been practising people sketching for Sketchbook Skool homework.

The X-ray on my foot was clear apart from arthritic changes in my toes. 

The doctor has suggested I see a Podiatrist next as 

he feels my flat feet could be the cause of the pain.

Linking up with Sunday Sketches HERE.


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We visited Dad on Halloween and look who we bumped into whilst there.

 This nurse is SO lovely! 

He goes out of his way to make the residents laugh and feel good. 

He even dressed up for Halloween.

I know it's not a holiday Australia usually celebrates 

but Halloween has been steadily creeping in over the past ten years.

It's a fun thing for the kids and the adults.

I love Trick-or-Treaters coming to the door!

I had my bowl full of goodies ready and waiting for the Trick-or-Treaters this year

but we only had three come knocking.  I was a little sad 

but I guess it was better than having none like last year. 

Michelle (my daughter) said they were bombarded with Trick-or-Treaters.

I'm going to put out a big sign next year.

Another fortnight of sketches

Another busy fortnight has passed...

Here are more daily sketches for my 365 day challenge.
I always sketch directly in pen unless stated otherwise.

There have been recent changes in my art/computer room. 

I moved the computer desk out 

so that I could fit in a single ensemble bed.

This is for when Mum stays overnight. 

She has been feeling very lonely

since Dad has been in the aged care home.

I'm almost back on my vegan path from being a pescetarian.
Pescetarian - A vegetarian who eats fish.
I regretted giving up on my vegan path
as I believe that going back on dairy
caused me to gain weight.
I'm already feeling the benefits of being vegan again,
not just my health and weight loss but also my peace of mind.

I'm such a slacker!
I still haven't found time to get my foot X-rayed.
The pain comes and goes.

The chickpea curry was DELICIOUS!

It was a sad ending to a busy day.
Bella, Aaron's female budgie, passed away.
We have no idea why...
She was only four years old,
the youngest of our budgie family.
It was a tear-filled afternoon and evening.
We buried her in our back garden.
Bella's mate, Jacob, is looking for her and
we feel so sad for him.
R.I.P. sweet Bella ~ xo

Aaron decided it was best to replace Bella for Jacob's sake
so, after I picked him up from school, we headed off to the pet shop.
Isabell is around 6 months old.
We were told she is female but we are not entirely convinced at this stage.
Not sure what Jacob is thinking...

I signed up for Liz Steel's - Sketching Now - online course!!
She taught a klass in Sketchbook Skool
and it was awesome so I'm quite keen for her class to start.

I decided to sketch the doggy toy for this entry,
as Cody or Jack left it lying on the floor.
I really need to teach them to pack their toys away. lol
Sometimes, it looks like an obstacle course of doggy toys here.

The lovely Pink Lily tea cup, saucer, and side-plate set that
one of Reece's friends gifted me for my birthday a few years back.
I didn't sketch the side-plate.

In my early teens, I remember loving the lemony fragrance
of 4711 Eau De Cologne so, when I spotted it on special
at our local pharmacy, I just had to buy some.
It's retail price is normally around $50 but it was only $19.95 on special.
MY! How prices have escalated over the years....
The retail price was only around $4.95 back in my teens and it was a bigger bottle too.
When I apply it now, the fragrance instantly transports me back in time. 

A couple of months ago, Aaron and I bought some
foxtail palms for our back garden from a roadside vendor.
He had decent-sized pony tail palms at cheap prices so,
yes, I bought one of them too.
I re-potted it into a black ceramic pot and it sits inside the front entrance.
I was quite excited the other day to see heaps of new leaves sprouting forth.

NOTE TO SELF - I should never have used a brush pen to sketch a detailed subject
in a pocket sketchbook.  Brush pens are more suited to larger sketchbooks
for outlining rather than detailing.
Lesson learned.

It's supposed to be Patrick Swayze but I made his face too round/wide.
For this sketch, I tried out some water-soluble graphite pencils.
I wished I had started sketching with pen as
I find that I definitely second-guess myself too much when
I use pencil and I'm constantly erasing.
With pen, I'm more committed to the line and I can't help but feel
I would have managed a better likeness with pen.

I just didn't know when to leave well enough alone
but I did like how the hair came out.
I added a touch of pen here and there for definition.
I will definitely try sketching Patrick again at some point.

This week, I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches.