Pen and Ink Portraits

Along with my painting, I have been having a lot of fun sketching with pen and ink. It started out with the challenge of doing a drawing a day. And then, without really planning to, I moved from sketching inanimate objects to drawing people. There is something about capturing the likeness of another human being, on paper or canvas, that I cannot resist.

One drawing led to another and soon I was accepting commissions for small, 4 x 6 inch, pen and ink portraits. They make unique gifts that become family treasures. And from those original portraits I have also had requests for giclee prints. The prints become additional gifts to extended family members.

Here are some of the portraits I have sketched recently. Enjoy!

Draw Every Day

The thought of drawing every day used to overwhelm me.  Perhaps it was because an art professor in college once told me that every artist should draw at least two hours a day. He did draw and he was good at it. But did I really want to devote that much time to it each day? No. And so I didn't. Painting takes up most of my time. It was a good excuse.

I really wanted to draw though so I started out with lower expectations than the two hour challenge. What if I drew for 5 minutes, or ten. Or maybe at the most 30 minutes? Surely I could carve 15 minutes out of my day for drawing. Plus, it became self motivating when I was giving out sketch books like the art fairy to my adult children (who are artists) and challenging them to draw. And then when my son, Adam, challenged me to a drawing a day, I had to walk the talk.

I've heard it takes 3 weeks to develop a new habit. Now, almost 2 months later, if I don't take a few minutes out of my day to sketch something, I miss it. There is satisfaction in the doing. My eyes are getting stronger. I'm training them to see form, shape and shadow with confidence and much more quickly. To speed things up I usually use a pen so that I don't take time to erase and try and make it better.

I encourage you to draw. Don't let it become a big deal. Make it fun; draw what you like and what inspires you. It doesn't have to be perfect. If you only have 3 minutes, take 3 minutes. Keep it simple. And you don't have to show anyone unless you want to.

Here are some samples of what I have been drawing. Below each sketch is my inspiration for drawing it.

I like to think of each new day as a blank canvas. An opportunity to start anew with fresh ideas, hope and expectations for great things to happen. (I set up a miniature easel and canvas on my table.)

One of my favorite old paintbrushes.

A feather floated off the table where my husband ties flies.

My favorite honey jar.

I enjoyed a few minutes outside on a warm October day looking up at this small tree branch.

This is one of the last jars of canned peaches that I put up last summer. I hadn't canned peaches in years.

I attended my granddaughter's birthday party. I sketched quickly before the candles were lit. I gave her the sketch as an extra little gift.

I've been trying to drink more lemon water.

My Christmas cactus bloomed early this year. I loved the strong lines and bright red color. Drama.

Mother and Child: Pen and Ink Sketches

Here is a collection of pen and ink sketches I have done in the last few years. In honor of mothers everywhere, enjoy.

A Mother's Love

.

Her love is like an island in
life's ocean vast and wide...

A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide,

'Tis bound on the North by Hope,
By Patience on the West

By tender Counsel on the South,
And on the East, by Rest

Above it like a beacon of light
Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;

And thro' the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.

Author Unknown

Painting Sheep I: 1st Session

One of the lovely aspects about the countryside of Northern England is the hillsides that are dotted with sheep. It is a wonderland of rolling green pastures, stone fences, and grazing, happy sheep. I couldn't get enough of it. I literally sometimes yelled, "Stop the car! I must photograph those sheep!" And there was such a variety of them; I had never thought about all the different types of sheep that exist - all distinctly with their own look. All waiting for me to paint them.

Sheep Painting Study I
oil on panel, 10x8"
Session 1

This is the beginning of my first color study of some sheep that seemed so comfortable with me there, my camera in hand, snapping photos of them as the gorgeous light rested on their backs. When the sun shines in North Yorkshire, everything glows.

Visiting Edinburgh, Scotland

The Assembly Rooms of the Church of Scotland
5 1/4 x 3 1/2", pen and ink

It was an incredibly interesting and enjoyable visit to beautiful Edinburgh. The sights and sounds of the city resonated with the rich history of the Scots. After we visited the National Gallery, I took a break and decided to draw a portion of the city's skyline from a nearby park and walkway. (Viewing great art makes me want to create art!) As I sketched, I could hear the lively music of Clanadonia, a contemporary Celtic band that was performing just outside of the museum. Their music just added to the fun!

Sketching the skyline of Edinburgh.

Path To Pateley Bridge III: The Country Estate

Path To Pateley Bridge III
11 x 9", pen and ink

I had no idea that drawing this country estate would be so much fun! I also realize that if I had walked this path to Pateley Bridge at any other time of the year, the leaves from the branches would have blocked my view. The barrenness of winter can reveal many secrets. I might have seen a glimpse of it, but not this. 

I love England in the winter. 

Path To Patelely Bridge II: The Bridge

 Path To Pateley Bridge, II
11 x 9", pen and ink

There is a beautiful, meandering river called the River Nidd, that eventually winds its way beside the path to Pateley Bridge. Being January, the trees beside it are without leaves but have moss growing up  their trunks. The water is calm and acts like a mirror, reflecting the trees and blue sky. The scene is soothing and peaceful.

The bridge in this sketch crosses over the river leading to an estate which looks more like a small castle. Since I have always been fascinated by bridges and anything that resembles a castle, I will draw the estate next.

Path To Pateley Bridge

  "Path To Pateley Bridge"
11 x 9", pen and ink

This blog post feels like it has been a long time in coming. For months I have known that I would be traveling to England to stay for several weeks. Having never been before I was so excited as I planned my trip. I had many questions but one thing I knew for sure, it would be completely different in many ways from my home state of Colorado.

I am staying in a little village in North Yorkshire called Glasshouses and from this village is a path (just over a mile long) that leads to a slightly larger village called Pateley Bridge where there are restaurants, a tearoom, art galleries, antique shops, a butcher, a bakery, a tempting candy shop and even a cobbler's shop. There is so much charm here I can hardly take it all in.

I haven't had too much time to explore yet, but I have taken time to walk on this beautiful path and
since I am more familiar with it than anything else right now, I decided to sketch it first.
Even though it is January, it feels like early spring. The grass is deep green, bright green moss covers the low stone walls that border each side of the path and then there is ivy growing everywhere along the way, even on the tall trees.