No. 30: Recent Daily Drawings

Save-the-date for the next group drawing challenge that will be happening February 7-14, 2024, and a few class announcements.

A Brooklyn pigeon, Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers, and various pipes.

I decided to just share some drawings with you today, without much writing, because I am all written out. I have spent way too much time working on my manuscript these past few weeks, and for me, writing is more exhausting than any of the other work I do. My hope is that my drawings tell their own stories, so here are a bunch of them, in no particular order, all created in the past month. Lots of shoes, a few animals, and a bunch of other random things from my adventures.

One thought I will add is something that often comes to mind, as it did this morning as I took another look at a few drawings. Are we ever fully satisfied with the work we create? Are you/have you been? Have you had moments when you thought, “I love this, and wouldn’t change a thing”? That sense of pride and satisfaction happens to me sometimes. I find that when it does happen it’s when I look back at my work with fresh eyes. Revisiting a drawing after a night’s sleep or even after a few weeks’ time—that is when my inner critic takes a back seat and I see a piece for what it is, flaws and all, and decide if it’s actually up to my standards. I always tell myself that the goal is to love and be at peace with the process so much so that loving the outcome is just a bonus. Maybe this is something to delve further into at a later date. For now, let’s just have a look at some drawings.

My sons handmade pants “stacking” nicely over his boots. I shared this as a note and it has received a lot of feedback on the history of hem length and this whole stacking phenomenon. I only realized after Substack re-stacked the note that there was a word-play connection.

A fluffy cat in a window, seen at eye level in Brooklyn Heights, and some new years flowers given to us from a close friend, sitting on our table.

Hot chocolate at La Mercerie in Soho.

The escalator at the High Street/Brooklyn Bridge subway stop. When I take the subway with my husband, he races to the exit and up the stairs because he can’t get out fast enough. I am much slower, and on this day the guy in front of me was even slower… so this is what I saw as I was trying to catch up.

Another small detail from a very full sketchbook page. This is the chef making omelets at our hotel.

Details from a museum visit with friends.

If you would like to join the smaller group of paid supporters as we embark on a Draw Your World Challenge that will run from February 7-14, we would love to have you. There will be five prompts to be completed in 8 days, and you can interpret them as you please. A little bit of writing will be involved as well. I am not too strict on how you create your artwork, but the prompts are unique and hopefully thought-provoking. All of the details will be sent out to paid subscribers by next weekend so that you can get started early if you would like to. The Draw Your World community is so generous, kind and inspiring, so I hope you consider upgrading and joining us!

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Class Announcements

Next week I will be launching my new class on Skillshare: Drawing Everyday: Using Shape & Light to Paint Everyday Subjects. Look out for the announcement!

In the meantime you can check out my other Skillshare classes here.

Join me for my next free class with Derwent on February 16th, at 2pmEST

Fill Your Pages From Edge-to-Edge with Derwent

In this 1-hour free class, we will be planning and filling a full spread in your sketchbook with objects and drawings. With uniform space between the items, the drawings will cover each page in a fluid and eye-pleasing composition. We will discuss the process of working from the outside in. Bring along a pencil to loosely plan the pages, and your Derwent Inktense paints to pull it all together. The objects that we will be drawing will be winter-themed. Feel free to follow along or just watch for inspiration! Register here.

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Ambassador and Affiliate Codes

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A new affiliate of mine is Soumkine in Paris. Their stationery, journals, and sketchbooks are so beautiful. Click here to shop.

All Canvas lights and accessories are 10% off with my discount code: SDB10.