back to the drawing board...

...literally!! these past few months, as i have felt so sick, and been on the couch much of the time, i haven't even felt "up to" trying to keep up with art in any form. i have had a very uncreative three months. and while it's not entirely true that i haven't been drawing at ALL...

i don't think "draw something"s really count ;)

but i'm finally feeling better (and even starting to wean off my med!) so i've been able the last couple days to get back in my studio! i am still planning to complete the Open Studio Workshop assignments from Misty Mawn's class i took online for 5 weeks in january/february... so i started where i left off... on day 1! the next assignment was to draw an expressive portrait using as many dry mediums as you can. since it had been months away from the drawing board, i definitely thought drawing from a reference would be the best... so i did a self-portrait.

i don't love it. and i couldn't figure out how to work well with the pastels... so i went back and watched all the lesson videos - and came out inspired! :) i had forgotten hoe much i love watching Misty work. it always makes me laugh when i think the drawing is just about perfect and she goes in and "messes" with it again, almost to the point of starting over (i need to be able to learn to do that with my own work - i have a hard time reworking it... usually just give up instead, as seen in this next portrait, where i just did not have enough patience to try to get the hands right, so i gave up on finishing the whole thing...)

i decided i need a LOT more practice, and am super-inspired to draw regularly in a sketchbook. just so many possibilities when you can draw a portrait or figure with the expression you're looking for... this next one was done with no reference - just drew a face. it's my favorite of these (though of course i see glaring imperfections that i would definitely "fix" if it was to be used for something specific)...

and the last (the LAST!!!) assignment of DAY ONE (!) was to draw your body as you feel it, not as you see it. so i used no reference and just drew this growing belly-body... my legs are too short & head is too big... but it wasn't supposed to be a good likeness anyways :)

do you feel like i'm looking at you?? (disapprovingly? ;) i decided to title this one "the skeptic", and purposely introduced NO color into the eye area framed by the glasses... i'm watching you...