The Sketchbook Project Summer Tour

The Sketchbook Project has announced its summer tour schedule. I'm posting the link here in case any of my friends live close enough to stop by and view a few sketchbooks.

https://www.sketchbookproject.com/events

                                           "A Mouse Tale"

"Path"

I am finishing up my sketchbook for the 2015 Sketchbook Project, as it is due by the end of March. This week's Illustration Friday prompt is "path", so I'm using this illustration from the story as my submission. I will be posting the whole series of drawings very soon.

Lots of snow still on the ground, but last night we "sprung ahead" one hour for Daylight's Savings, so now the sun will be setting closer to 7pm. Some melting going on, but the temperatures haven't been much higher than 35 degrees F. The week ahead looks a little warmer-- in the 40's.

Have a great week!

"Sleep"

This week's Illustration Friday's theme is "sleep", so I am posting the last page from my sketchbook that will be submitted to the 2015 Sketchbook Project in March. They've extended the deadline this year, which will give me time to finish all the other pages that are in various states of completion. I'll post the whole story before I mail it in, so you can follow the adventures of Mouse, and understand why he's enjoying a restful nap.

Stay warm! Minus 3 degrees below zero this morning on my way to work! Brrr!

the Sketchbook Project continues...

I've been working on new illustrations for this year's sketchbook, which has to be mailed in by January 15th. This is the 4th year that I've signed up for the Sketchbook Project, and while I've always made the deadline, it's usually a race at the end. Guess that's what makes it fun and exciting!

I used colored pencil and pastel on this one.

                                               Still working on the next two drawings  

Looking forward to adding color to this one

Halloween came and went without too many "trick or treaters" at the door, which means leftover candy in the house. At work, there were door decorating contests, as well as faculty and student costume awards. Our costumes weren't super exciting but we had a good time with it in the art wing.

The Sketchbook Project 2014-15

I guess it's time to get started on my 2014-15 sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project. I believe this is my 4th sketchbook, and every year I kind of put it off during the summer, and scramble to finish it by the due date in January. This is the 3rd time my sketchbook will revolve around the adventures of a little mouse. Not exactly sure where he'll end up but I think he'll be visiting the homes of some nearby humans, and observing their activities.

The purplish sky didn't scan well. The pages are thin so the watercolor layer is a bit uneven, and the colored  pencil on top is not showing up as well as it does on the actual drawing. Oh well.

Enjoying a beautiful autumn day! The foliage is almost peak here, and the colors are lovely this year!

"Autumn Mouse" The Sketchbook Project 2014

The Beginning

The End

Good-Bye Sketchbook

Made the deadline for the Sketchbook Project  2014

See you this summer on the Northeast tour!

Get more info at The Sketchbook Project

The Sketchbook Project Countdown

Recognize this?

7 more days to finish this year's sketchbook and send it off! 

The countdown begins!

"The Autumn Mouse"

Time to start preparing for winter

Where to begin?

10 more pages to complete, and a cover!!!

Must be postmarked January 15th!

I'll keep you posted!

"Wild" Illustration Friday

Someone's having a wild hair day!

It has been windy and cool for the past couple of days, but the snow is gone and the plants are coming up. During my afternoon walk, I noticed a lot of crocuses in bloom, and daffodils that were getting ready to open this week. In my yard, the day lilies are about an inch or two high. I've also noticed that the male gold finches are quite yellow again. They are attracted to the thistle feeders, as are the pine siskins. Hopefully we won't have any bears rambling into our yard and tearing down feeders this year.

I'm working on a new print for a print exchange coordinated by the Brooklyn Art Library. The 12 prints have to be postmarked by April 30th. Eventually I will get 10 random prints mailed to me from printmakers all over the world. For the remaining 2, another one in my edition will go on to shows in NYC and California later this summer. The last one will stay in Art Library collection. I want to finish printing this week, so I can be sure the ink will be fully dry. Because I do multi-layered reduction prints with Akua inks, they can stay slightly tacky for a while. I'll post some images next week.

I hope everyone has a creative and productive week!