Tag: Charcoal

Day 239

It was an early start to the day and I indulged in too many ‘Good Mythical Morning‘ episodes, while indulging in too many coffees. Once 8.30 am came around I was bouncing and ready to workout. It was another solid workout. I’ve really been pushing hard this week and for the most part, it’s been feeling great.

Then I moved on to art. It’s been… a day. I really wanted to try creating art with charcoal and pencil. I had a couple of ideas and just jumped in to try them. The charcoal was a lot messier than I thought and it didn’t apply well over the pencil. Even though it’s a bit of a disaster, there is something about it I like.

I tried a couple of pencil and ink sketches but I only finished the sketch of a ladybug and flowers. With a little digital help, the colours turned out pretty nice. I’m proud of myself for trying to do my own thing with no references.

I also worked on French and started putting together my plan for ‘Project Penguin’ that will run for all of 2020. I have about half a years worth of ideas already. I feel like I’m biting off more than I can chew but what’s life without a challenge or two?

I hope your day has been filled with the things you love.

Tilly

Day 235

Today was a good day but it feels like I’m missing something. I woke at 6.30 am and convinced that Homer would get me up around 7 am, I decided to stay up. Homer dog didn’t even get out of bed until 9 am. I would have got a sleep in.

I did get a chance to catch up with a friend in the early morning, so it was definitely worth getting up when I did. I probably overshared again. I’ve had that ‘sinking’ feeling all day.

A big portion of my day was spent in WoW. No surprises there. It was enjoyable enough.

In the afternoon there was a little art. I found a Youtube video; How to Draw a Landscape with Charcoal. I mostly watched the video. I didn’t really. I skipped in big time chunks to see the process and then just went for it.

We finished the day with a delicious vegetarian meal; Fully Loaded Baked Potatoes. The ‘bacon’ is made from mushrooms and it was super delicious. It tasted like the best parts of bacon and just melts in your mouth. Try it!!

I hope you’re having a deliciously satisfying weekend. Take care.

Tilly

Day 234

I started the day late and I can’t really remember why. There was conversation, there was coffee but I don’t feel that was enough for such a late start. Eventually I got into gear and got to a workout. Seeing it was the last one for the week, I pushed even harder than normal. It felt good.

Then I spent hours looking at charcoal drawing videos on Youtube. Once again, I was ill prepared for what I was attempting. Most of the videos I watched, people would use a range of pencils, sticks, fancy erasers and something for drawing white highlights. I only have black charcoal sticks and a basic eraser. That didn’t stop me from attempting; Deer in Misty Woods. The deer would have been much easier with a charcoal pencil.

The afternoon was filled with lots of creativity. For the first time in months, I worked on writing a story. I was inspired. Thank you, inspiration, you still have me smiling. Although, I didn’t get anything finished because I kept bouncing between creative things.

In between writing, I started singing. I recorded a number of songs. Songs I actually liked. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to share them though. There is still room for improvement.

I also stuffed French in there. I’m worried about this new batch of French words. I finished the learning levels and I’m still unsure on most of the words. Maybe I just haven’t been as focused this week? Or maybe it is just getting harder? Either way, the next week of practice feels a little daunting.

Tomorrow is the first day of the weekend and it’s a day of relaxing. I will still try and get a little art done. I’ll need something to lift my mood by the afternoon, I’m sure.

I hope your weekend is filled with good friends, good food and good feels. Happy Weekend.

Tilly

Day 233

I woke up around 7 am and did the usual sitting, staring and coffee until hubby left for work. Normally I would jump into a workout but instead, I spent time with wifey. She wasn’t feeling the best and needed a distraction. I am a marvellous distraction.

A couple of hours later, I got to working out. I pushed really hard and made everything ache and it felt so good.

I wanted to do another charcoal portrait, but after four or five rough pencil sketches, I knew today was not the day for it. I found a cute photo of a baby elephant and attempted that instead. I chose this reference because you couldn’t see its feet, which meant I would need to try drawing grass.

After lunch I got to French. Every day I remember one or two more words but I’m having a lot of trouble with one of the practice exercises. Sometimes they will give you a number of words and you have to rearrange them into a sentence. I struggle. I mostly know what the words mean but I get confused easily when they’re not in the right order. Ugh.

By the late afternoon I wasn’t feeling great so I took a glorious nap. Never underestimate the power of a nap.

I hope your day has been everything you wanted and more. Smile, just because.

Tilly

Day 232

I had the same overwhelming dread that the last few weeks worth of mornings have induced. My inner child wants to spend the day doing carefree, self indulgent, easy things. My inner adult knows it should send that child to the naughty corner until the work gets done. Thankfully, my inner adult keeps winning and I push myself to be a functioning human.

After a delicious coffee and about an hour of random staring, an equally uninspired hubby dawdled off to work. That’s like the starting gun to my day, so I worked out. I was almost going to skip it and get straight to art but seeing I actually enjoy it when I get going, I got going. 30 minutes later, my arms ached and going back to bed was appealing. I pushed on.

I got straight into French. L’ordinateur est sur la table cafe. Hooray. I remembered a word from the ‘At work’ set of words. Three days down on this new topic and…I remembered one word.

I wasn’t feeling overly arty but I did want to do something creative (and something on my Happy List) so I sang. I spent about 40 minutes doing that and got pretty close to recording something I like. I know it will happen one day.

Once I was done singing, I searched for some inspiration for art-ing. I wasn’t even sure which medium I wanted to work with but after the ease of the charcoal drawing yesterday, I figured that would be my best option.

I chose a photo of Anthony Bourdain. He was one of my favourite TV chefs. I loved his sense of humour, his passion for food and he just seemed like someone I’d enjoy hanging out with.

There are a couple of things I would change about this portrait, if I could. The lips should have been a little higher and there is a fingerprint on his forehead that I just could not get rid of. It happened very early in the process (and I don’t remember doing it). I tried to erase it, colour over it, smudge it and it is still proudly there. I’m just going to pretend it was Anthony’s fingerprint of approval.

I spent the evening hanging with a friend and it was the perfect end to a really good day. I am smiling and it feels nice. I hope your day has been filled with smiles, joy, creativity and something delicious.

Tilly

Day 231

I woke at 6.30 am and started the day. By that, I mean I sat around half awake, sipping coffee until hubby left for work. Once he had, it was time to work out. I was looking forward to working out today and probably pushed a little too hard. My shoulder has been a little sore all afternoon.

For art today I used charcoal for the first time (after a suggestion from MJ Seal). I searched Youtube for a ‘how to’ tutorial and found what I thought would be something fairly easy; How to Draw a Bird Head. I used a charcoal stick not a charcoal pencil. I blended with my finger and a blending stick for the line work. It was fun and messy.

I also attempted another portrait sketch in pencil. I know I want to practice face features and I figure it’s the best way to make sure I’m practising them evenly. I referenced another photo by Johan De Jager of a man wearing a hat. I used a paintbrush to blend today. It was a little nicer than using my finger.

I had a hard time getting a good photo of this sketch. The light kept reflecting off the lead because it was so light. I started with a 5H pencil and planned on finishing with other leads but I just didn’t finish it. I put it in an editing program, worked the contrast more than I should but came up with something that I rather liked. It’s very grainy but I felt that gave it more character.

I had a really good French practice but weirdly, I still can’t remember any of the words. Le portable? Something about … e-mail? A few more days and I’ll have a better grasp on these new words.

I remember when I first started doing French, I’d feel so frustrated not knowing the words or not remembering the words. Now I know it’ll happen, it just takes time. I’m not stressed or worried about this aspect of my journey. Slowly but surely I will learn French. I’m growing!!!

I could have got more packed into my day but I have enjoyed the things I’ve done and I have a smile on my face. I hope that your day, whether full or relaxed, was one that made you smile.

Tilly