My Mini Sketch Book

Went to Ben Franklin the other day and I saw the cutest little black sketch book. I've decided to go mobile. The book is small, so I can think of one thing to draw or color, and I don't have to make a big commitment in work or skill. It's just fun. I bought some colored pencils for portability. Actually, the pencil drawings don't photograph well, but these pastels do. On the trees, you can see the outline of the pumpkin I drew on the previous page.

Autumn Leaves

A couple weeks ago, I went walking in the woods with two friends, and we collected leaves. I put them in a book, and at the suggestion of my friend, tonight pulled some out, and traced their outlines on black paper, and colored them in with oil pastels. The last two days, it's been cold, windy and rainy, but the colors are in full swing, brilliant yellows, oranges, golds, and reds. It's almost sad to take it all in, knowing this blanket of color will be gone soon, replaced by browns, grays, and whites and naked trees.

Sunflower

I had the need for control, so I used plain old Crayola crayons for this one. Then the colors aren't as bright, and it's shiny to photograph. I could have relinquished control for a more vibrant, brilliant flower. Still, there's something weird and subdued about this one. It's kind of how I feel right now.

Autumn Flowers

I'm really going through a sunflower kick, but when it came time to sit down and do some flowers, orange autumn flowers came to me. I'm out of practice experimenting with color, and shading. Still, I'm happy with the goofy design. I've accepted the fact that summer is gone, and I'm welcoming autumn. It takes a while for me to make friends sometimes.