Monday, January 31, 2011

February daily drawings



Drawing more is one of the goals I have for this year.  I adore drawing in all forms, but found myself pulled into printing and painting more over the last year, with drawing not as frequent.  Its very true that saying "Use it or lose it." and especially so with drawing.  Its a skill that needs daily practice to remain sharp.


I've decided to push myself to draw something daily during the next month.  It may not be a finished drawing or even turn into one, but it will be something that requires dry media applied to paper. 

Jonathan Manning (aka Blade) started a Daily Drawing Challenge on his blog The Artistic Biker.  He posts an image each day and people can draw it and post it optionally on a Flickr group as well.

The item for January 26th was a teddy bear.  I always have a soft spot for bears and they're lovely to draw, so this is the result of a lunchtime sketch. 

Anyone else up for some daily drawing in February?  You can use the Artistic Biker or other drawing challenges for inspiration or simply choose something close by to draw from life.  The important thing is just to draw and keep those skills honed. 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw! So lovely and sweet.

Jonathan "Blade" Manning said...

My wife said, "That's my bear! Tell her it's BEAUTIFUL!" So here I am telling you that's a great job on that bear and I can't wait to see more!

Vicki Holdwick said...

Oh, Jeanette,

He is so cute.

xoxo

Jeanette Jobson said...

Teddies are such fun to draw and paint Cynthia.

Thanks Blade, glad it met with everyone's approval! :) Thanks for the inspiration.

Vicki, thank you. There's something so appealing about bears isn't there?

Lydie said...

It's all the sweetness and the confidences of childhood resurface with this sweet little bear.
I agree with you on the requirement of a constant exercise in drawing, I'll take a look at the link you put ...
Thanks for your answer about the fish.

RH Carpenter said...

Teddies are so wonderful and evoke so many wonderful memories for us - this one is lovely and I can tell he'd be perfectly cuddly and understanding when you left him in a corner and ran off to do something else. Your drawing challenge is great and I hope you do more (something I, too, tell myself to do so perhaps I should give myself a February challenge, too). Perhaps a theme of toys?

Sandra Busby said...

This really is a very good idea and I need to do more drawing too.
This bear reminds me so much of my Dad's childhood bear which he still has! Adorable! :0)

Parisbreakfasts said...

like an old Master drawing...

Jeanette Jobson said...

Lydie, I agree, bears are full of nostalgia aren't they? Drawing at any level is such a useful exercise.

Rhonda, I have a stash of teddies in a cupboard upstairs. I should draw a few more of them.

Toys would make a perfect challenge to draw. I'd highly recommend it. I know I'll be drawing each day this month.

Sandra, each time I pick up a pencil I remember just how much I love drawing. Funny how bears stay with us for many years.

Paris, I only wish it were, but thank you. With the right lighting and colours it could pose as an old bear...interesting concept you've given me. :)

Yelena Shabrova said...

Lovely bear, Jeannette. Daily drawing is what I've being trying to do for 2 (3?) years now. Failing miserably so far, even though I know for a fact that when I draw daily serious projects progress more easily. But at least my no drawing gaps are getting shorter now :)

Threadspider said...

He's a wonderful bear. And I think I am up for a daily drawing challenge. I need the impetus and discipline!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Yelena, I will have more detailed drawings completed this year and getting into the habit of drawing daily is such a good thing I agree.

Good idea Threadspider, nothing improves skills better than daily practice. I'll keep an eye out for your drawings. :)