#31

Well, I made it through my first month. I think this project has helped me focus. There were many weak entries, but I have hopes for the future...

PaperMate Sharpwriter #2
Time: 30 minutes

#30

Done with Design Ebony pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#29

2-B Charcoal pencil
Time: 30 minutes

#28

Another totally invented self portrait.

2-B pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#27

It's funny. This is a completely invented self portrait. In many ways I think the likeness is better than in many of the others. Hmmmm.

Done with some Uniball pen I found in the faculty lounge
Time: 10 minutes.

#26

My wife says I make myself look too ugly. This one began as a more flattering picture. I don't know what happens. The TRUTH?

I did this during a break at school.

2-B pencil
Time: 20 minutes

#25

Done with a 2B Lyra Art Design pencil
Time: 35 minutes

#24

Design Ebony pencil
Time: 30 minutes

#23

Graphite
Time: 30 minutes

#22

Graphite
Time: 20 minutes

#21

We did a caricature exercise in my Drawing II class, so I thought it only appropriate to throw a couple in at this stage.

Done with a Faber-Castell Pitt artist pen (Brush)
Time: About 30 seconds each.

#20

Done during a break in class. I had to use a stainless steel bowl for a mirror.

HB pencil
Time: 10 minutes

#19

Another small sketch, Kimberly HB pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#18

Small sketch, Kimberly HB pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#17

A fussy little drawing tonight.

2-B pencil
Time: 30 minutes

#16

Not my night. If this weren't the third attempt I might have another go. Still, love using conté and certainly be using it many more times in the future. Somewhere in this is a lesson to my students. They won't all be good, but keep pushing and get what you can out of it. You'll need it on the next one.

Done with red conté .
Time: 30 minutes

#15

Done with a Pedigree red marking pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#14

Done with a pencil I found that had pictures of ghosts and bats on it.
Time: 10 minutes.

#13

Done with a General's 6-B extra soft charcoal pencil
Time: 20 minutes.

#12

I do a lot of my drawing demos with a litho pencil. I really enjoy its touch and immediacy. It lends itself to a kind of looseness that I may have failed at here.

Done with a #4 William Korn's Litho Crayon
Time: 20 minutes

#11

Some of these start out so badly it's embarrassing. This one was giving me fits but I kept pushing and arrived at something I kind of like. I had to switch pencils to do it though. The dull Design Ebony was giving no joy tonight, so I swapped out for a sharp 2B and was able to get some characterization. My original expression was more of a teeth bared affair, but that had to be changed as well.

#10

A very small drawing, about 2" x 3"

Done with a 2B Lyra Art Design pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#9

Another expression study.

Done with a Design Ebony pencil
Time: 25 minutes

#8

Not thrilled with tonight's entry. It's hard to maintain a grimace. I may be teaching a facial expressions drawing class next fall for illustration students and hope to pinpoint all key indicators of different expressions and emotions.

Done with a General's 6-B extra soft charcoal pencil
Time: 20 minutes.

#7

Not much time tonight--it's my anniversary. And son #1 took too long to sleep.

Done with a Staedtler 0.5 pigment liner
Time: 10 minutes

#6

Done with soft vine charcoal on peach charcoal paper
Time: 20 minutes

#5

Just enough time for a very quick sketch tonight as well. Part of my goal for this is to figure out how to organize my studio time better. This is something I've struggled with since I was in school. I accept any and all advice.

Done with a Marks-A-Lot FineMark permanent marker
Time: Ten minutes

#4

While doing this one my three year old son, Ben, came into my studio and asked what I was drawing. "A picture of Daddy," I said. "Again?" he asked. "That's not very original."*

*Some prompting from Mom.

Done with a Paris Conté pastel pencil
Time: 20 minutes

#3

Part of the challenge of this project is to make sure I have time to create and post daily. Those who know me know I have a family and what amounts to a full time job teaching at two colleges. My students are expected to draw in their sketchbooks every day, and I feel it necessary to follow my own advice.


Done with a very dull Design Ebony pencil
Time: 15 minutes

#2

So, I thought maybe a set of rules or guidelines for this project is in order. I hope to create each piece on the day that it is posted, rather than "pre-make" them. I hope to explore as many techniques as possible. The material and approximate creation time will also be posted. Any particular story regarding the piece may be included.

My wife thinks this project is self-obsessed. And I agree.

Today's drawing was done while I was with Simon at the hospital. He's been there about a week with pneumonia, and is coming home tonight. I was with him while Rebecca took Benjamin to the mall for lunch and to buy Simon a teddy bear, the first time she's been outside the hospital since the 28th of December. I did the drawing in the bathroom mirror while Simon slept. His awakening interrupted any further resolution I might have done.

2B Lyra Art Design pencil
Time: 10-15 minutes

#1

The first one. Just a quick pen sketch.
It's been a while since I've done any serious drawing, as my paintings from the last ten years or so have been derived from digital photography. Most of what I draw is in the form of demos and quick throw-away sketches in the classroom. I am hoping this project will stretch some unused muscles.

Done with a Staedtler 0.5 pigment liner.
Time: About 15 minutes.