Saturday, April 05, 2008

Starts and ice

Icy forest at the edge of the meadow

Path to the back door

Bending under the weight of ice

Iced rosehips

Living on the edge of the world - or at least on an island in the North Atlantic - one of the heralds of spring is freezing rain. I can't begin to tell you how much I hate freezing rain. Chipping it off your car, sliding across every outdoor surface, trees bent to the ground and branches snapped with the weight of it, power disruptions, the list goes on and on.

But despite its treacherous nature, it does have a positive side which is very interesting pictures of the objects that it coats. These images were taken a week or two ago after a night of freezing rain. I had the forethought to have my car in the barn that night or it probably would have taken me 20 minutes to get the ice cleared from it.

I have a thousand ideas in my head for drawings but can't seem to settle down to one, so I end up with lots of starts. In their own right, they're good in that they keep my drawing hand in practice, but I really need to put some thoughts into action.

This sketch is of a reference image I have of a chimpanzee at a rescue sanctuary. The sadness in the animal's eyes is evident already. The eyes were what attracted me to the image and I should pursue this one. But first I must put it onto some decent paper.

5 comments:

"JeanneG" said...

Such a pitiful little guy who doesn't want to be behind bars. You have sure captured the look in the eyes.

So unreal to see that much snow and ice. Especially when I look outside my window and it is sunny and the pear and apple trees are so full of blooms.

Jo Castillo said...

The ice is amazing. We get ice storms here, usually in January, our last was 2007. None this year. Whew. It was close to 80 degrees F. this week so I really feel for you. Brrrr.

The drawing is so well done.

Sorry I am so behind in commenting. May catch up in the summer. Ha.

Mary said...

Jeanette this drawing has so much expression in the eyes and sure did capture the sadness. Keep it going it is a good one!

Jeanette Jobson said...

At least he is safe in a sanctuary Jeanne so hopefully he'll get his sparkle back.

Yes climates are so different, aren't they?

80F Jo - lucky you. Its bright and sunny today but still only 0C. Sigh. Its coming, just taking its time.

Thanks Mary, I'll be working on this one when I can. I love the look on the ape's face.

Robyn Sinclair said...

It's a powerful drawing already, Jeanette, my eyes filled up as soon as I saw it.

I love the icy rosehips. I can't imagine your climate. I really must stop moaning about the Tuscan cold.