Princeton 2009

Princeton 2009, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

Kolejny szybki szkic z delegacji (Princeton 2009). Ten budynek nalezy do Uniwersytetu w Princeton.
Czuje sie tak, jakbym chciala rozpoczac cos nowego, jednoczesnie czekajac, az ktos wskaze mi kierunek. Rozpoczelam czytac ksiazke pt. "The City of Dreaming Books" napisana przez Waltera Moers'a. Jak do tej pory (str.50) wspaniala, w sam raz na dlugie jesienne wieczory (basn dla doroslych). Troche odetchne od tych wszystkich poradnikow ze wskazowkami jak rysowac, jak zyc...
Ciekawe, ze im wiecej czytam tych poradnikow tym mniej rysuje.
Generalnie to wpadlam na swoj blog przede wszystkim, zeby znowu pomarudzic troche na brak weny, na to ze nie rysuje, na to, ze wstrzymuje sie od rzeczy i czynnosci, ktore tak naprawde sprawiaja mi przyjemnosc.
Chcialabym, zeby wlasnie to (kolejny wpis z narzekaniem) pomoglo mi wystartowac jak z procy ponownie, tak jak kiedys pomagalo, ale wraz z uplywem czasu od jednego rysunku do drugiego...przekonanie samej siebie, entuzjazm gdzies wyparowal i pozostawil mnie zupelnie bez energii.
Wiec musze wymyslic cos nowego, cos co znowu na mnie zadziala:)

Dziennik Malych Radosci: "Sciana deszczu za oknem mojego samochodu i gdzies zapomniana muzyka Sarah McLachlan snujaca sie z odtwarzacza CD".


Another quick sketch from my business trip (Princeton 2009). This building belongs to Princeton University.
I feel, as if I want to start something new, waiting at the same time, for somebody to direct me. I started reading a book "The City of Dreaming Books" by Walter Moers.
So far (page 50) exellent, perfect for the long Autumn evenings (fairytale for adults). I might catch some breath from the "How to draw..." , "How to live..." and all advise books I surrended myself with. Funny thing that the more I read these books the less I draw or paint.
Generally speaking I popped into my blog just to mourn a bit, that again I encounter some kind of a creative block, that I stopped drawing and that I stop myself from anything that brings me joy. It used to help me, I mourned a bit here and was ready for another battle with drawing, but not any more. Nothing seems to work anymore. My enthusiasm vanished and left me with no energy. I guess I'll have to find something else that works for me:)

Joy Journal: "Heavy rain outside the car window, and long forgotten music by Sarah McLachlan from CD player."

Princeton 2009

Princeton 2009, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

Princeton Peace Fountain. Niezbyt wiele czasu na szkic i zimno niestety. Trudno tez wrocic do szkicowania po tak dlugiej przerwie. Uf, uff ponownie zbieram sie w calosc.

Princeton Peace fountain. Not much time to get comfortable. I find it a bit difficult to get back to drawing after the last break.
Uf, uff again I am putting myself together.

Joy Journal: "It's a bit early but I loved it when I heard christmas song. It made me feel so warm inside:)"

Telefony, wszedzie telefony

Jeszcze dwa lata temu chcialam calkowicie pozbyc sie wlasnego telefonu komorkowego. Gdziekolwiek jestem...kazdy mnie moze dosiegnac poniewaz mam przy sobie telefon komorkowy. No wiec, dzisiaj posiadam dwa telefony komorkowe (prywatny i sluzbowy) oraz jeden telefon bezprzewodowy, z ktorym ze wzgledu na moja prace nie moge sie rozstawac od 8.00-17.00
To by bylo na tyle z mojego planu...rozstania sie z telefonem...

Two years ago I wanted to get rid of my own mobile phone. Wherever I am...anyone can reach me because of my mobile. So, today I've got two mobile phones (private and work one) and one landline phone at work from 8-17.00
That would be all from my plan to be...phoneless...

Joy journal: "Goraca poranna kawa przygotowana przez Neethu."
"Hot morning coffee made by Neethu."

a boat

a boat, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

" I promise myself...
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achevements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.
To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me."
Christian D. Larson (1874-1954) "The Optimist's Creed"

Happiness

happiness, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

Recently I haven't been doing much of drawing or painting. Just a few spare moments here and there torn from the every day busy schedule. I also decided to find out what does really make me happy. If I was to make a list of things, activities, what would I have found there. Maybe it's because I haven't been laughing much recently...

Joy Journal: "20min of a calm mind, no thoughts, no rushing just here and now:.

"At the gate"

At the gate, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

"I promise myself...
To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.
To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own." tbc

Joy Journal: "One hour of listening to my favourite music."

by the lake

by the lake, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

I'm so glad it's Friday (!) and that I was able to do another drawing.
Life is good...Life Is Good.

Joy Journal: "quiet evening after busy week."

Letting go (Shakti Gawain)

Richmond Park, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

Let us imagine that life is a river. Most peoplel are clinging to the bank, afraid to let go, and risk being carried along by the current of the river.
When the pain of hanging on becomes greater than the fear of letting go, we let go and the river begins to carry us along safely. Once we are used to being in the flow of the river, we can begin to look ahead and guide our course. We choose which of the many branches of the river we prefer to follow, all the while still going with the flow. We can ejoy being here now, flowing with what is and at the same time, guide ourselves consciously toward our goals by taking full responsibility for creating our own lives.
"As I relax and let go, I flow toward my greatest good"

Joy Journal: "Yoga class last night".

EDM #176 "Draw something Summer"

EDM #176 Draw something Summer, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

I guess I have to get use to cycles in my life. I can draw and paint for two weeks and then don't touch pencil for two months. No point in forcing myself - it's just the way it is and if I try and fight against, it just gets worse. Stubborn I am.
In the first few weeks when I couldn't even look at my sketchbook I was trying to get inspiration from my blogging friends but despite all beautiful art I saw, I was like an empty pond with no fish.
I had to replenish my own ideas, my creative self and so I did.
Quick update.
I finished my foundation course which was an amazing experience for me. I didn't feel like creating much of drawings and paintings since but have been busy decorating my house, building porch and having guests around.
Time has come again for me to get back "on horse" and start drawing. My attempt at EDM #176 "Draw something summer". I am still due for holiday this year which for me I guess will come in December.

Joy Journal: "Kleenex Balsam tissues. I have sneeze all year round and these are the most delicate tissues I came across."

pirate

pirate, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

I saw this picture in news and I just wanted to draw her. It's the same feeling when I see captain Jack Sparrow. Freedom, adventure and a scent of wildness.
Sometimes I like to leave the sketch unfinished, especially now when again I am working on my perfectionism... Just let it be:)

Joy Journal: "picking the pencil to draw".

Airport and Travelling

A few entries in my sketchbook from latest Business Trip. I've noticed that most of business people travelling are men, they all wear black suits and colourful ties, they all look tired.

In a matter of fact I am tired today and although it's my names day...I am just going to relax and do nothing.

Sleeping on the airport bench.

15 min sketch from photograph, biro pen (from Barclays bank:)

Joy Journal: "I booked tickets for concert in November!!"

"Control"

Gordon Brown, originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

Life, if you chase it, will exhaust you to death. Time, chased as a bandit, will behave like one: always one step, one room ahead, will change the name, hair colour to run away from you. At some point we have to stop because time will never s t o p. We have to admit we cannot catch time. That catching it is not a point. We have to let contentment into our lives. Let go of control. Observe what's happening around. When we do so, life still goes on. Where did the thought that managing each moment is so important come from? Why not leave it in peace? (my translation from "Eat, Pray, Love" E. Gilbert)

Joy Journal: "Visiting old friends."

From "Criminal Records"

From "Criminal Records", originally uploaded by anecik_sz.

While flicking through today's news during lunch break, Phil Spector's hair caught my eye. And then I found the story behind it...
Quick sketch and there we have another post.

Joy Journal: "Summer Time".

After The Break

That was the longest and the hardest break I've had so far from my blog. My time was split in between my new job and finishing my final project for Uni. I hope the break is over and I can go back to my sketching.

We went for a long walk with Nad in Richmond Park, so I took out my sketchbook to sketch a little, but it was so hot and sunny that it was quite hard to stay in the sun.

Joy Journal: "sunny, hot weekend"

One finished, another in progress

I finished "Wind" drawing and started another painting.

I enjoy drawing with chalk, this below was first one since a long time. I think I will try some more in this technique, and tinted paper makes interesting background.

"Wind" A3, chalk on tinted paper

watercolour on handmade paper

gdzie szukac Ciebie Boze mam,

w kamieniu, czy pod kamieniem,

plynacym strumieniu

pod mostem a moze na

jak przebierasz szybko nogami

gdzie jestes, gdzie spojrzec mam

w pustej przestrzeni oczy zagladam

mysli nigdy nie ustaja w biegu

codzienny ich potok do oceanu z tygodnia wplywa

Tu jestes, w tej sekundzie, ktora przeminela

w tej chwili, ktora przeskoczylam, ktora przeoczylam

w terazniejszosci na ktora nie mam czasu.

Joy Journal: "unexpected doughnut at work:)"

"Wind"

I do remember the first painting of a horse that I saw. It was a Juliusz Kossak's painting and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of an animal. Since then I've been drawing horses trying to compete with a famous painter...but of course never satisfied with my own creations. At some point I stopped.

Today I saw this horse on one of the photographs and felt like drawing it. And while I was drawing I suddenly recalled my love for these animals.

chalk on tinted paper, WIP, A3 size

Moleskine sketchbook, pencil HB

Joy Journal: "quick Easter shopping!!"

Easter Time

I would like to wish you All a Hapy Easter!

I don't know about you, but I am going to have some rest:)

Joy Journal: "I bought a car of my dreams!!!:)"

EDM #138 "Draw something soft"

Have you ever hold in your hands a small chicken like these three? These are the softest creatures ever:) That's my sketch for EDM #138 "Draw something soft". As soon as I finished this one I thought of a bigger scale painting (and I guess emerging Easter has something to do with these three down there:))

Moleskine sketchbook, Barclays pen (freebie), colour markers

Mixed media, printing ink, acrylics, pencil HB, A2 size

The last one is a portrait from advert I've mentioned in one of the previous posts People Don't Grow Old Like They Used To. His face seems so expressive to me, I couldn't resist to sketch it.

Moleskine sketchbook, Barclays pen (freebie)

Joy Journal: "doing some housework, it helps to take the stress out".

Still on a break mode.

No scanner I'm afraid. Just a photograph of a quick sketch.

Jean Rhys, author of a novel "Voyage In The Dark".

Moleskine sketchbook, barclays pen

Joy Journal: "long walk".

"A Break" - "Przerwa"

Finally! Wczoraj udalo mi sie pozbyc wszystkich nazbieranych przez ostatni rok magazynow! Zbieram je dla roznych celow - jako inspiracje (zdjecia), dla przepisow kulinarnych oraz cos interesujacego do narysowania. Wiec ostatni tydzien spedzilam na wyrywaniu, wyszarpywaniu i wycinaniu z gazet i magazynow zdjec, ktore do mnie przemawialy.

Znowu troche pusciej i przestrzenniej zrobilo sie w domu.

Finally! Yesterday managed to get rid of most of magazines that I've been collecting for the last year. I collect them for different puroses - as an inspiration (pictures), for recepis and for pictures to draw and paint. So last week I spent on tearing those pages apart and cutting out pictures which spoke to me.

And again we gained more space at home:)

Wczoraj rowniez byl ostatni dzien w tym semestrze na uniwersytecie i zostalismy poproszeni o zabranie z naszych miejsc pracy niepotrzebnych rzeczy. Przerwa dwa tygodnie pozwoli sprzataczom na usuniecie gipsu, kleju, farb i innych chemikaliow, ktore uzywalismy i zostawilismy na podlodze przez ostatnich kilka miesiecy.

Wrocilam do domu z ogromna torba z ikei na ramieniu wypelniona farbami i innymi artykulami (lacznie z nicmi, plotnem).
Yesterday was also the last day of term at uni, and we were asked to clean up our workspaces so the cleaners can clean them properly. Two weeks break should give them some time to do it, although it's not going to be easy (we've used plaster, clay, glue, paint and other chemicals...).

I came back home with a huge bag from ikea on my shoulder filled with paint and other stuff.
Ciesze sie na ten odpoczynek od codziennych wizyt na uniwersytecie. Musze sie troszeczke wyciszyc i pozbierac znowu pomysly, ktore kielkuja w mojej duszy.

Na dzisiaj kilka cwiczen na rozgrzewke i rozluznienie linii

I am really looking forward to have some break from uni. I need to get quiet and get my thoughts and ideas together, which grow in my soul.

As for today exercises to losen up sketching lines.

at Costa Cafe, Moleskine sketchbook

Joy Journal: "Pretty Woman on TV last night"

EDM #71 "Draw something representing your favorite sport".

As I came across this challenge I've realized that I haven't been ice skating this year yet.

Moleskine sketchbook, few touches of china marker.

EDM #71 "Draw something representing your favorite sport.

Joy Journal: "(extra) large portion of chips with salt and mayo..."

People don't get old as they used to...

Recently I came across this advert "People don't get old as they used to, why should your money" (or sth very similar). I think it's really difficult to get older gracefully nowadays. All this plastic surgeries, botox, silicons etc. Magazines, television, adverts make us believe that we have to look young...all the time. Maybe we do...what do you think?

Gorgeous all over and no wrinkles.

It's all good, but as for me, I prefer all these wrinkles, interesting lines that makes face interesting and full of character!!!

How about swapping looking young all our time to feeling good about ourselves.

Wouldn't this make us happier?

btw this face is from the advert I've mentioned earlier.

Canson sketchbook, A4, pencil HB & 4B

Joy Journal: "my first painting framed."

EDM #216 Draw your inner critic

Now, look at this pleasant face...I have to put up with her every single day!!!

Let me introduce you to "My Inner Critic"

and...yes, I used a mirror for this one:)

Moleskine sketchbook

Joy Journal: "avoiding rain fall while cycling".

Colourful Landscape

Landscape
Originally uploaded by anecik_sz

I feel Spring in the air. Most of my recent works were black & white, so I thought it would be nice to have a few colours:)

Joy Journal: "catching up with few late works".

Saturday

I recently watched film "Ali" . Story of Muhammad Ali. If you haven't seen it yet it's really worth watching. I've done this quick sketch in my Canson Sketchbook. No pressure, just nice, easy and quick:) Canson Sketchbook, pencil HB & 4B, 45 min

Joy Journal: "long walk."

After Project Effect

Yesterday I had to go to see my GP. Nothing serious, sort of health check. While sitting in the waiting room I took my sketchbook out. I feel more confident with drawing in the crowd than I used to.

Joy Journal: "Dinner already made, just for warming up:)".

Through The Window (Last Day)

(You can find it on my blog that I repeat it from time to time as if I don't learn)

one of the things I've learnt during this project is that no matter how much I read about techniques, drawing, or painting the main thing is to actual draw, paint myself. Very often I just procrastinate dwelling on different possibilities.

Shouldn't I learn by now, since I've done that for so long?

monoprint, A3 size

Joy Journal: "reading a book online".

Through the Window (almost done)

This morning I went for Spring Hunting with my camera. My main aim was to take panoramic pictures of street where I currently live as I wanted to use it in my work. I managed to find Spring too:) Trees and flowers blossom everywhere!!!

For my project "Through the Window" - another monoprint. Traffic Jam's when you are on the bus give me opportunity to take pictures:)

monoprint, A3 size, newsprint

Joy Journal: "Spring Hunting".

Through the Window ("Przez Okno")

A quick sketch I've done while looking through the window of Avionics, a building where my art work space is:) One of these bikes is mine, the weather is beautiful, warm, sunny:) it's so much better to jump on the bike in the morning and cycle to Uni, catch a fresh air and just enjoy day waking up to a new day.

Usually when I cycle I feel good throughout the day, whereas when I take a bus I feel sleepy and my brain is dead (sort of;)

Bikes shelter.

monoprint, A3 size

Joy Journal: "sunny day."

Through the Window ("Przez Okno")

As the weekend is coming to an end, I have to set up an aim. Last week we had one day workshop where we had to produce min 10 drawings which were related to the projects we are working on currently. It was a real enlighten day for me, as again, I realised that I need to work on my drawing skills no matter what. Working from photographs, working from life, working, working, trying new approaches (as with Face a Day project) helps me to progress.

I can do a lot in a day time, it's just that I get stuck among all students working on different projects. I know, I know, I will always find sth or someone to blame. But this time is different, this time I know what's "wrong" with me and I'm going to work from there.

Another approach I took was asking myself a question: What would I like to hang on my house walls from my own body of work? What would I like to have framed?

Hence, I'm currently looking for a cheap, old picture frames so I can have my own work framed and hanged:) Very ofter it's just a matter of asking the wright question to realise what I want.

btw. do you know where I can get cheap frames from???

monoprint, A3 size

Joy Journal: "sipping coffee in the garden."

Through the Window ("Przez Okno")

Yesterday was Friday the 13Th, but it's not the reason why I missed one day of my project.

Nothing more to say I guess. I'm just too overwhelmed with what's going on around me, I will make an update on this soon.

For now, monoprint, I really like this technique!!!

Joy Journal: "Shopping, shopping, shopping:)"

Through the Window ("Przez Okno")

wiem, ze to jest niegrzeczne, ale nie moge sie pozbyc pewnego nawyku. Gdy wracam do domu lubie patrzec na domy i okna. Nie, zebym patrzyla sie we wscibski sposob, ale milo popatrzec na usmiechniete rodziny, dzieci, rodzicow i cieplo w domu.

Czasem zdarzy sie niezapomniany widok, jak starszy mezczyzna wypisujacy kartki swiateczne, albo mala dziewczynka otoczona rodzina spiewajaca i grajaca na pianinie.

Ten wlasnie moment zostal mi w pamieci.

I know it's rude, but I cannot get rid of this habit. Usually when I come back home from Uni it's dark, and I like looking at people's houses and windows. It's not that I'm curious, or want to gossip about someone, but it's nice to look at happy families, children and parents, warmth of someone else's home.

Sometimes I am lucky to come across unforgettable views like an old man writing Christmas greeting cards with his daughter sitting next to him, or a small girl singing and playing piano, surrounded by her family.

This particular moment stayed in my memory.

Joy Journal: "text messages from Nad, always make me smile:)"

Through the Window ("Przez Okno")

Ok people, here I come. On my last visit to Poland (Feb 09) I took some photos from the car when I was driving from the airport and back. The car has a whole in the floor and it was raining so the steam didn't leave the car making the outside view more misty and foggy than it really was. Anyways, later on while going through photos I've taken I thought that I would like to do some drawings and sketches from them.

So that's how I came up with my new project...

New project that I called "Through the Window". I am going to draw and sketch everything that I like that saw through the window (car window, home window, bus window, school window, shop widow etc.). It might be location drawing or drawing from photo that I've taken.

I will carry on for a week and see where it takes me:)

That's the first one. Monoprint on newsprint

A4

Joy Journal: "lower price for oyster weekly bus pass:)"

Face a Day #14

My project Face a Day is finishing today. I am proud of myself that I've managed to accomplish it and I didn't fail. Thanks to setting up this project I know better now how to trick my inner critic and more of how I like to work.

I am starting a new project tomorrow:)

If you are interested please pop in to check it out:)

I didn't go to Uni today as I am sick, I have a huge sneeze (by huge I mean sneezing at least 20 times a minute, and water coming out of my nose like from the tap) and all I could do is to fall asleep:)

canson sketchbook, 1 hour, pencil HB, 4B & 6B

Lenny Henry I was watching tv while updating my blog last night and saw him. I thought he's got and interesting face:))

Joy Journal: "Kleenex balsam tissues!!"

Face a Day #13

Pencil HB & 4B, Canson Sketchbook, less than 1 hr

Ok, that's my "late night" version of Jack Nicholson. I had a busy day at Uni and came back tired. I've done this portrait between 8 and 9 pm. Not that I am happy with it... The thing is I've done it and can do many more of Jack in the future. That's the whole point - more to come, more to be done, more art material used. I love to sharpen my pencils because I know I'm using them. Long time ago I got this set of artist's pencils. Nice case, all perfect and I didn't use them...

Now all I want to do is to use my materials, so I can stock up again:)

Good night for now, I can finally lay my body in bed so I don't have to carry it's weight:)

Joy Journal: "experimenting with media, making mistakes"

Face a Day #12

well one more for my project "Face a Day":) Leroy Allen Skalstad photostream on flickr

We had really funny weather today in Sutton. One minute you think it's Summer and the other rain, cold and wind make you think it's Autumn. I wish it was Summer...but at least the day gets longer by day. Last weekend of March we change time to (so called) Summer Time:)

Pencil HB & 6B in Canson Sketchbook, 1 hour

again will upload better quality copy after scanning

Joy Journal: "Shopping around."

Face a Day #11

That's my friend, Zosia, with her daughter Emilka:)

It's her birthday today, so I thought of a quick sketch. Hope she'll like it.

Pencil HB & 4B, Canson sketchbook, 1 hr 30 min

Joy Journal: "day off"

Face a Day #10

I was thinking, that one of the sayings I remember of happens to be true. The saying goes more or less "if you don't care about your writing you do not care about your thoughts." Yesterday I was tired and drawing was difficult, and I wasn't too happy about the result. But still I've done my bit. Today I felt better and I had some rest hence my drawing looks more fresh.

I have to remember to put all my effort in my drawings so that I can say I've done my best.

There are going be drawings I don't like, but there will also be drawings like this one...that I am quite happy about:)

Pencil HB & 6B, Canson sketchbook, 1 hour 15 min

portrait of a girl from Matt's photostream - Please do check his amazing portraits of children.

Joy Journal: "being less critic about my own work."

Face a Day #9

Last two days were really hectic for me, and I had to strech myself to do this portrait. I am tired after whole day of visiting London galleries. If you ask me, it's much better to choose just one or two and find some interesting works in there rather then run from one gallery to another.

So, this portrait is one of these that I wouldn't like to post at all. There are so many wrong things in it. But my project is not about perfection but continiuality, putting marks in my sketchbook.

Pencil HB and 6B, Canson Sketchbook, 1 hour

Portrait is drawn from photography by Steve McCurry. Please make sure you visit his website!

I thought the Spring is on Her way two days ago...therefore this quick sketch...

I was wrong. Instead of Spring we've got Winter back:)

Joy Journal: "visiting old streets of London."

Face a Day #8

I had a really busy day today!! Got home around 8 pm, and managed a quick sketch.
that's a drawing from wd9hot flickr site.

Pencil HB, 8B, Canson Sketchbook, 1 hour

one more thing...my scanner is not working, so it's a photo of my drawing. I will upload the scan as soon as I get a new one:)

Joy Journal: "Coming back home after a long day of hard work in a comfortable car:)"

Face a Day #7

William Wharton is one of my favourite writers. He's books especially "Late Lovers" and "Al" are just amazing way of showing life not the way....it "should be":)
He died last year, I didn't know until yesterday.
I thought he will always be there...writing and painting.

Pencil HB & 6B, Canson Sketchbook with extended bottom and right side...

1 Hour - hat's fault!

Joy Journal : "feeling rain drops on my face."

Face a Day #6

Today I've got someone special - Anais Nin. I came across her books recently, have already read "Under the Glass Bell". I recommend her books for a great shift of perspective. More you can find in here:) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana%C3%AFs_Nin

Pencil HB, 8B and charcoal, Canson Sketchbook - 50 min.

Joy Journal: "Decisions, decisions."

Face a Day #5

Wislawa Szymborska, Polish poet, essayist and translator. She was awarded the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature. More info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wislawa_Szymborska. Very interesting and modest person.
I'm glad I've started this project. I found that I can trick my mind and inner critic. It's only the case of finding the way. It's so difficult to be gentel with oneself, but from time to time I manage to ask myself "how do you feel?" as if I asked my friend. And it helps:) Puts me into perspective.

Pencil HB, 6B & 8B, 1 hour

Joy Journal: "smell of wooden pencil."

Face a Day #4

Amy Johnson CBE, (1 July 1903 – 5 January 1941) was a pioneering English aviatrix. Flying solo or with her husband, Jim Mollison, Johnson set numerous long-distance records during the 1930s. Johnson flew in the Second World War as a part of the Air Transport Auxiliary where she died during a ferry flight.

pencil HB, 4B & 8B, 1 hour

I haven't got a scanner at the moment, but on Monday I'll try to scan this drawing and the previous one as the quality of originals is better than what you can see here:)

Joy Journal: "an offer (will say more about it in time:)"

Face a Day #3

Franciszek Starowieyski was a famous Polish painter. He died on 23rd Feb 2009. Please google his works, some of them are amazing.

HB pencil A4 Sketchbook, 50min

Joy Journal: "Finally Friday:)"

Face a Day #2

This is one of my old school friends, he doesn't know it, but he helps me so much with his encouraging emails once in a while.

Hope he doesn't mind me sketching him...sketch done in less than an hour. Joy Journal: "Life drawing session this evening."

Face a Day #1

the whole point in starting "Face a Day" project is to build up a body of work. You know, when you promise to yourself one day I'm going to do this, one day I'm going to start, one day I want to be good at drawing / painting / etc. It's all fine, wishful thinking.

Well, instead of saying one day, I say, I want to be able to look back at my work and actually see it, contemplate on my mistakes, bad lines, poor shading, being able to browse in my used sketchbook. You know how sad unused sketchbook looks like?

I'm aiming at 14 days (as a starting point, 14 days sounds better then two weeks:)

please feel free to join me:) it's always good to have company:)

btw. none of the drawings is going to take more than 2 hours.

Canson Sketchbook A4, pencil HB & 4B

Joy Journal: "nice cup of earl grey tea with lemon and sugar."

Face a Day

From tomorrow onwards I will be aiming at sketching a face a day. That's for my new project "Face a Day" which developed from my recent work on portraits of my family. Although I've got a good memory if it comes to faces of the people I meet (opposit to remembering their names...I'm really bad at this one) I enjoy drawing portraits.

Moleskine sketchbook HB pencil

Joy Journal: "back on my bike again:)"

Collage

Still work in progress, one of my collages. Words included as per Creative Every Day theme for February. Finally...!!!

acrylic, charcoal, ink, printouts (WIP)

Joy Journal: "I found this book - Andrew Wyeth on his art. Good to know that famous artists share similar fears."

Nature

Two quick sketches, one (top) two weeks ago I saw this tree in the morning on my way to Uni. Beautiful sky and fresh air reminded me of Spring. Couldn't resist a quick sketch.

Bottom one is from Poland. On my way back to the airport. That's one of the unfortune ones. I wanted to achieve a fog effect...yeah...:)

Joy Journal: "quiet home after a long day."