Drawing Baby Joshua

A busy Saturday taking a group of seven giggling, sugar infused 10 year olds to the bowling alley for a belated birthday celebration (September is bad time for birthdays in our family - soccer season followed by the holidays...next thing you know, you're having a birthday party in January).

So, I didn't think I'd be getting much in the way of art done this weekend.  Certainly, no painting endeavors.  But, as it turned out, it was my turn to be in the nursery at church.  We have one baby there, and he was kind enough to let me sketch him.

Top: The "I'm growing weary of these toys" look
Bottom: Sleepyhead

He was actually a good model as far as babies go - he was fascinated by the scratching of my quickly moving pencil so he would hold his position for a decent amount of time.  But, it's always challenging to draw a moving subject.  However, sleepy time came quickly and then drawing is a whole lot easier.  You have to grab drawing opportunities wherever you can find them sometimes.

Now, I'm off to read some chapters for a literature study I'm leading with my homeschool group.

Where did the last year go? Here's a Clue...

Well, it's been over a week since her actual birthday, but this picture was done right around then in the ol' sketchbook. Can't believe she's already 1 year old!!

She's very busy and quite the handful, but I'm seeing some opportunity to spend some time on developing that picture book idea previously mentioned. In the meantime, I don't see much opportunity to add much color to this blog - pencil and paper are just so simple and handy. Perhaps when I finish unpacking studio stuff over Easter Vacation, then maybe I can at least locate my colored pencils.

Until then, there'll be lots of baby and dog pictures in pencil.

More babies

You'll probably be seeing a lot of baby and dog sketches these days as I'm building that visual library for my children's book idea. Here are a couple I did quickly today. I think Lindy's legs are too short - there's that proportion thing again. But, I sensed that as I was doing it. Unfortunately, she was moving a bit as she slept, so I was rushing a bit. Still, I think I should take the time to capture the proportion first, details after that.

Anyway, I wanted to get some different angles, perspectives, and practice some details of the face and feet.

Babies and Dogs

One thing that's sweet about having a very young child and a dog is that the picture book ideas just reveal themselves as you watch them interact. I've got a couple that I think might be worth pursuing. So, today I was motivated to start doing more sketches of Lindy while she's still small. I want to catalog a lot of different poses for when I have time to work on a book.




She happened to be napping on the floor this afternoon (hey - if she's sleeping well where she's at...). I liked the angle I could see from my spot on the couch - a little foreshortening. Unfortunately, I didn't work small enough to fit in the foot that was hanging out of the blanket. But, I was happy with how it came together since I was working really quickly - you never know how long she's going to stay still (even when she's sleeping). The other sketches were done really quickly since she was awake - hard to get the right proportions!

I'll be sketching the dog, too.

So much to do, so little time...

Well, can't say I've had time for any art!!! The baby is starting to settle into some good sleeping patterns (Woohoo). But, she lost a lot of weight and wasn't gaining it back - she dropped a whole pound in her first week of life and then gained only 3 oz. back during her first month. It was very worrisome, to say the least. Nothing can tear you apart like the thought that your baby isn't thriving or is suffering in some way. But, praise God! Combining nursing and formula seemed to solve the issue - she's gained over a pound in the past week! She's got rosey cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes, now. She smiles and coos - so happy!

Another distraction is that we've officially put our house up for sale as of today. That has meant a lot of cleaning (me having to be a drill sargeant in making sure the kids pick up their messes), and finishing a few unfinished projects around the house. I recently repainted all the kitchen cabinets and put new hardware on the doors-n-drawers. So, at least I've gotten to paint something.

Yet another distraction was the recent Jesusita fire down in Santa Barbara. While that was about an hour away and our home was in no danger, it did come within a few miles of my husband's work. He had to be evacuated last Friday. The last thing we need is for him (primary breadwinner) to lose his place of employment. Praises (again) that his workplace was spared.

We'll see what happens as the school year comes to a close here soon. Maybe there'll be time to draw again soon.

Illustration Friday: "Fleeting"

Miracle of miracles! Not only did I find a few minutes to draw, but I actually have something to fit the theme!

Fleeting = the time I have to draw.

Fleeting = the time that she will stay asleep.

Fleeting = the time that she will hold this position (hands and head moved several times during this drawing).

Fleeting = the time that she will be this small.

Home from the Hospital...

At last, a moment.

Our 4th child was due March 20th and it just so happened that I went into labor on that evening. But, little Lindy Ann arrived around 2:00 a.m. on March 21st. I spent a couple of days in the hospital and we came home Sunday night.

She actually slept pretty well in the hospital and I took a few minutes to sketch her. I had to share a room, so these were done in very low light as it was the middle of the night. But, I think I captured her pretty well.

Things are going pretty well. Hopefully, I can get a few more sketches done at some point. I have a lot of help - sometimes too much - from her older siblings (who just LOVE her and argue over holding her).

Career Path - Plan B...and Other Things

I've recently discovered sites like iFreelance and have browsed some of their illustration jobs for potential shots at getting some experience under my belt. As I looked at the descriptions and deadlines, it occurred to me that I might need to rethink my book illustration plans. The few listings that were of any interest to me had 4-6 month deadlines. Those projects would most certainly be disrupted by things like giving birth to baby #4 and adding a newborn to our menagerie.

Since my other kids were getting older and more independent, I was working toward illustration knowing that I would have access to "time" more than I used to. So, realistically, I don't think I could attempt a book project for a while.

Being a children's book illustrator is my ultimate goal. But I started to think that, in the meantime, a good area to focus on a gain experience might be with greeting cards. I don't know how many people out there do that (I'd love to hear about the pros and cons from anyone with experience - what do people charge for such projects?). I was a little discouraged to think that my illustration plans would be pushed back, but this strikes me as a lot more do-able.

So, I think that's what I'll research at the moment - provided our computer doesn't die. It's behaving worse than dial-up at the moment so I'm a little concerned. I made CD back-ups of all my photos that I stored on this thing last night (just in case). If I suddenly disappear for a little period of time, then it's because I threw the computer out the window.

As for the picture above, it's just one from the sketchbook from about a year ago. I may have posted it before, but I don't remember. It doesn't have anything to do with the topic - I just don't like to post without a picture on an illustration blog. Perhaps these could be characters for some sort of greeting cards...who knows?

Checking in with BIG news!

Hi everyone! Just checking in briefly. We're getting ready to go on our camping trip this weekend and I hope to relax and do some drawing there.


It has been difficult to get to the studio recently. A big reason is now visible in my sidebar - we're expecting baby #4 due March 20. SURPRISE! That was probably my 4th choice of sidebar widget, but I couldn't get any of my favorites to work properly.

Anyway, one of the early pregnancy side effects I always have is extreme sleepiness. I feel OK first thing in the morning, but quickly hit a wall and have to lay down. I'm taking advantage of that while I can, before the school year gets underway.


I don't get morning sickness too bad - just a little queasiness and have to keep eating little snacks to feel better. Drawing has been a bit of a problem - something about being so focused close up and the motion of my hand. It's kind of like reading in a moving car. I guess that explains why my last drawing made me nauseous.


Of course, this might change the timeline as far as an illustration career goes. We'll see how it all unfolds!