Rolf Harris Impressionism Class

Right now I am so inspired by Jamie Oliver's Dream School. He's bringing together the world's best in each subject he wants to have teach at his school. I recently enjoyed Alvin Hall teaching Maths Class, as Maths is one of my weaknesses, and he teaches it in a really interesting way, and makes it relevant to our everyday lives!

But I wanted to post this Introduction to Impressionism by Rolf Harris, where he inspires and amazes the kids in this school. I really enjoyed watching it, and it really made me want to have a go at it. Even though I don't use paints, I believe I could use similar rag blending techniques using graphite pencil to create similar impressionist paintings. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you do as well.

Rolf Harris Impressionism Class

New Sketch - Alarm Clock

Today I'm working on some Still Life practice, so I tried drawing my alarm clock. I think I need to practice my ellipses! This clock is not perfectly round, which seems to have made it doubly hard for me!

I have been inspired today by Vivien's Still Life Challenge, where she's challenging artists to try doing an unusual contemporary Still Life piece. I'd love to try this, and we have until the end of April I believe to get some practice in and some ideas together. I've seen one idea she suggests in her Still Life posts, something she did when she was 15, was to collect one item and draw it, then go pick another item and sketch that in, and keep going until she builds up a nice composition. Which sounds unusual but turned out pretty well for her!

Another idea I've seen from searching up various Still Life's, is where you pick items that mean something or represent something about you. And they called the piece "All About Me." What items would you collect if you were going to do a Still Life piece of objects that represent you? A fun challenge I think!

New Sketch - ''Glamorous Singer''

Here's a new sketch I did today of a singer. I'm trying to improve my figure drawing skills, I think my figures are improving slowly, I just need to challenge myself more with these - I fear doing figures because I know I struggle with them!

I'd happily welcome any constructive criticism!

Sci-fi Sketch: Spaceships & UFOs

Today I fancied something different. I've been looking at sci-fi spaceships all afternoon, and eventually chose to have a go at designing my own. I can see I need a lot of practice! I think if I try sketching real submarines, aircraft and ships, it should help a lot with learning to draw similar vehicles. I also think sketching shiny MP3 players, CD Walkmans, etc. would also be good practice. They are made of shiny metal in futuristic styles, and may inspire me to do new and exciting spaceships.

Landscape Practice

After yesterday's abysmal landscape, I decided to spend today's sketch time on trying to improve my landscape skills. So today I worked on my grass, and a tree sketching. I think my grass is looking quite good in the end, I do need practice putting it in a scene and making it look real. At least that's the idea! I'm also hoping to improve my trees, these are a start.

An Abysmal Landscape!

Today I think I have relearnt how much I need to work on my landscape drawing! I know my landscapes aren't usually the most detailed, and now I think I can see why! I tend to shade the grassy areas smooth, I don't think I am good at adding the detail yet. This sketch is approximately 4 x 3 inches, done with a blunt 2B pencil and a B pencil. I really need to practice my grass and trees!

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sketch #6 Sea Serpent

Today I nearly ran out of time in the day, I literally sketched this in 15 minutes before I went to bed! It's a small sea serpent inspired from a childrens drawing book. Drawn with less details to make it quicker to do, but I did enjoy adding the pattern and changing the shading for under the water and above it. A fun sketch.