Raccoons have more fun, sketching the wild life, Creative Tuesdays

Sketching thieving raccoons in copic markers and micron pen for the Creative Tuesdays theme Trio.

These raccoons are indulging in the opposite of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.  Because raccoons are shameless.  I like to think I have strict rules about anthropomorphizing animals in my art. (However, the fact that in a recent post I stuck party hats on bluebirds probably weakens my argument substantially....) Animals should be drawn they way they are.  With their natural character shining through.  (As in, pants on monkeys really freaks me out...)  But, I'd swear I drew this sketch from a photo reference (if only it were true) because raccoons are up to no good.

I'm pretty sure the raccoons who invaded my trash can last night were familiar with their reputation, because they stuck to their thieving script.  I'm pretty sure they discuss their plans over a late night games of poker and low balls of whiskey.  It was just that coordinated.  They had clear roles.  The kind of roles that develop after years of working together.  Evaluating what works and what doesn't work.

The small one leaps on top, the pudgy one (clearly the leader) pushes from the bottom.  The nimble one slides through the lid and starts passing the good stuff out.  I can't be sure, but I think the leader might have had a pinky ring.

It was lightening fast.  I'm pretty sure they had pillow cases for their haul. They have left their mark. The remaining trash is arranged suspiciously like a smiley face. 

Until next raccoons, until next time!
  

White Peony in a Jar

Peony sketch done in pencil, copic markers, and micron pen.

You know summer is underway once the peonies start to bloom.  They haven't shown up here yet, but they are one of the first flowers to arrive.  Peonies are so beautiful, they are like the champagne brunch of the garden.  They don't last long, but they sure do make a statement. 

I don't have much to say about peonies.  So, let's talk about brunch.   There's so much more to say about brunch, don't you think? Although I don't much care for champagne or even mimosas, (I love the idea of mimosas, I'm just consistently disappointed in the taste.) I love fancy brunch food.  Especially buffets. I am a sucker for eggs benedict and Belgian waffles.  And, any occasion that gives me the opportunity to eat both of these at the same time is one of jubilee. 

Of course, the strategy of fancy brunch is to load up on cut fruit.  But, that never works.  I love fruit, but I can get cantaloupe at home. Instead, I load up on the little desserts and cakes they serve in miniature white cupcake wrappers on silver trays.  Visit the omelet station.  It's important to make sure those guys with the tall paper chef hats don't get lonely.

I can't remember when I had an occasion to attend a fancy pants brunch, but I'm guessing that's probably a good thing.  Fancy occasions that require stretchy pants should probably be rare. 

Happy Bird-day to You, Sketching party birds

Sketch in copic markers and micron pen.

So, the theme over at Artists' Playroom (and you should totally join us!) is birthdays.  Jenn, who hosts the Artists' Playroom is having a birthday this week and wanted us all to celebrate with her.  So, these little birds are having a surprise party.  Only trouble is, they're having trouble keeping quiet about it. in fact, they won't shut up. The especially like to sing about it at five in the morning.  While sitting on the gutter, on the roof, right outside my window... Grrrr....Stupid birds. Anyway, they hope that Jenn has a great birthday!

I feel like this little drawing is crying out for a caption.  So far I have:

"and a one, and a two..." but you have to have seen Lawrence Welk for that.  And I will not admit to that.

"what do you mean we don't need noise makers?  No one needs noisemakers..."

"did you sign my name on the card?"

"once more, with feeling!"

What do you think?  Do you have a caption for this one?

Sunset Road, Inspiration Point

This week over at Artists' Playroom, the theme is artists that inspire you. Jenn always manages to come up with clever themes, and it's fun to see what other people come up with.  With this week's theme,  I admire so many artists, both living and dead, famous and not famous, it was a little hard to narrow it down. 

But, the theme had some fine print.  It talks about artists who you wished inspired you more.  And for me, that would have to be Wolf Khan.  He combines color field and realism in beautiful pastels and oils.  Orange trees spring up behind purple lakes and that kind of thing.  I have been trying to be a little looser, a little lighter, in the way I use color.  So, I really enjoy the palette and mood of Wolf Khan's work.  (And if you check out the link, my drawing above looks nothing like his.  Sigh.)

I'm not much of a pastel person, even though I admire the work of pastel artists.  It's just that pastels give me the shivers when they hit paper.  (Does that ever happen to you?)  So, I used oil pastels and was quickly reminded that they are not the same thing as pastels.  At all.  It  is much harder to blend oil pastels. But, I still really enjoyed trying a new approach, wrong materials or right materials, success or no success!

Who inspires you?