Sketchbook Fun

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I generally paint without doing any preliminary drawing or sketching on my watercolor paper, but I tend to do lots of doodling and sketching at other times, sometimes in a sketchbook, sometimes on whatever paper is at hand. This sketching helps me learn proportions, but even more, it gives me a feel for my subjects, so that I feel like I know them before I try painting them. Here’s a page from my sketchbook from the last time Stephen and I ate out at our favorite restaurant, Mariner’s on the Hudson. Steve tosses bread in the water so that the ducks, geese, and fish come close for me to sketch or paint them.

Here are some sketches of a Rottie mix I did while chatting on the phone. I later did a watercolor of this dog. Sometimes I sketch with pencil, sometimes ball point pen and occasionally with Japanese ink brushes.

3 Replies to “Sketchbook Fun”

  1. wow melissa!! your skeching is just growing by leaps and bounds.. love seeing your work again.. so glad i found you !! stop by my blog if you have time!

    ps still havent gotten to the zoo..life got in the way!! but when i do, i promise to bring back some photos for both you and stephie!! won't be stephie quality.. but maybe you can figure out what it is..lol

    havea good day!!

  3. Thank you,Cindi, it's so good to hear from you. I miss you! Would love to see your photos when you do make it to the zoo.

    Thank you, Stephie! I've enjoyed your blog, too. It's cool to be able to see a progression of sketches and paintings all in one place, along with some narrative.