Man with a mustache

Well this one turned out better, though my markers are running out at this point. Due for a visit to Blick. His face is rather less long and narrow than in the tintype I referenced, and his body slightly more awkward; diminished— but I like the effect. He looks terrifically in earnest. (I realized part… Continue reading Man with a mustache

portrait of a woman with a comb in her hair

Another study, using markers, from an old photograph. Not as successful, nor as interesting as yesterday's, but the point of studies is practice, not perfection.

a new portrait study

Started a pencil portrait study on the weekend, but I wanted to do some fast and loose work to get back into the swing of drawing, so markers and Moleskine tonight, and my collection of Victorian and Edwardian era portraits. This is a cropped photo from my phone taken about midway through. Full finished study… Continue reading a new portrait study

Another bone box

This delicate little thing was found on the Farm by my mother, and she of course saved it for my collection. Can't be quite sure what sort of bird it's from; a long, slender beak may speak to the anatomy of a Starling, but it seems a bit small. Whatever it was, it casts quite… Continue reading Another bone box

some drawings from the moleskine

I did some drawings last night for the first time in awhile. Felt good, was feeling natural again despite the need to wear specs (ugh—my continually waning close-to vision). The pen is a Pilot P-500, extra fine point. I like these pens because the ink is not waterproof, allowing for the watercolor-esque smearing. More after… Continue reading some drawings from the moleskine

McCarthy’s ‘Doldrums’

Just sharing this beautiful image, the latest print from Dan McCarthy. I've been a fan of his work for years and own a number of his prints. We did a print swap years ago, and I've bought some in the intervening years. Always stunning silhouettes, and this one is no exception.

These are cartoon legs, but I am a cartoon

'Nother drawing. These are nighttime shadows—movie-watching shadows. But I'd have liked to've been on a beach. Would like to be on one now, but work.

An assignment to make me better

This creature, hiding his hands for so long, grows a new protective limb; a second ribcage around the heart—an Odalisque refusing intimacy; allergic to vulnerability. My hands are prettiest when they are smeared in ink, paint, any pigment; any evidence of my stock in trade. Drawing is my origin, my core. It’s something I have… Continue reading An assignment to make me better

Diminutive forests, captured

After spending awhile wandering Green-Wood cemetery, Zac and I managed to gather a great many twigs and sticks from various fallen limb debris. We reconvened, each with our collections; checked their sizes and sturdiness against the two halves of a cigar box (which had been stained and prepped a few weeks ago), and edited out… Continue reading Diminutive forests, captured

Winter pursuits: reading

January has been a month of much reading. It started out with a lot of watching, but morphed into a tuneless, commercial-free zone of reading. I’ve nearly read this personal finance blog from beginning to (almost) current; and stumbled upon sexpigeon this week, which is hilarious in a quiet, actual person voice kinda way; been… Continue reading Winter pursuits: reading