Recent Class Drawings

 

Working on some drawings for my virtual Rumriver Art Center drawing class coming up soon, Sept. 30th.  Wow it's almost here but I'm feeling ready and I have some cool reference photos: some mine, some pixabay.com and one borrowed with permission from a friend.  The blue heron above is my newest reference and the one borrowed from a friend.  Her husband sets out nature cameras to capture wildlife and somehow makes photos from videos.  There were geese on the right side but cropping them out made a much simpler and better composition for the class.  There are so many things you have to think about when looking for class reference materials; good contrast, simple yet interesting, and follows lesson plans.  Then time to experiment to see if the sketch will work in the class time frame.  Preparation is work!  But the kind I like.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide © 

Cottage Drawing

 

Graphite pencils on mixed media paper, photo reference from pixabay.com.  I'm continuing to work on drawings for my upcoming virtual spring drawing class.  This will be an exercise in using textures.  I always have to work through my drawing ideas to make sure they will work for class projects.  I'm looking forward to this exercise, it was super fun.

https://rumriverart.com/classes/senior-classes/

The class will probably be posted in February but here is a link.  Check out some of their other classes.  Also the link indicates these are Vitality Senior classes but anyone can register aged 12 or older.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

 My Daily Paintworks Gallery is temporarily closed!  I plan to open again in the spring.  

Spring Drawing Class

 

Getting ready for my virtual spring drawing class through Rumriver Art Center, Anoka MN which begins March 25th.  I like to include a toned paper drawing with two colored pencils.  Many of my students are afraid of color so this is a nice introduction.  This piece was drawn on card stock since I ran out of toned paper but it worked.  A trip to Dick Blick was necessary (Gee Darn), they have an amazing selection of single sheets and pads of toned paper in their stores and online.  Like a kid in a candy store I couldn't just settle on one and ended up spending around $20 just on paper.  Art supply stores are dangerous for me.

My classes include all drawing materials needed: sketch book, 3 graphite pencils, blending stump and two erasers plus a sheet of toned paper and two colored pencils.  And you get to draw from the comfort of your home.   We have chat times, share times and questions are always welcome.  We work from photo references emailed to each student.  No worries if you are out of state, Rumriver Art Center will mail the materials to you for a fee.

The class will probably be posted in February but here is a link.  Check out some of their other classes.  Also the link indicates these are Vitality Senior classes but anyone can register aged 12 or older.

https://rumriverart.com/classes/senior-classes/

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

 My Daily Paintworks Gallery is temporarily closed!  I plan to open it again in the spring.  

Birdhouse Drawing and Student Work

 

This was the last project my spring drawing class worked on and it was challenging.  I gave the class the option of adding a bird as the photo reference of the birdhouse didn't have one.  Imagination and freedom to add, take away and include expression are important tools for making a work of art your own.  It's funny how allowing ourselves freedom to explore and imagine is hard to learn for a lot of people, me included.  

I love to see how different students handle the same subject matter, as you will see in the butterfly drawings below they are all unique and different in their own way.

Deborah A. Kirkeeide copyright

All work copyrighted by the individual artist 

 

  

Butterfly Drawing

 

My drawing class worked on this butterfly drawing last week.  This was an exercise working on a gray toned paper with white colored pencil.  I decided it might be fun to add some violet and purple pencil along with the white which worked out well for this photo reference.  I like to include at least one drawing on toned paper with white pencil to get students to think outside the box.  Our last drawing will be a birdhouse on gray toned paper with white pencil.  I will be posting that drawing soon along with some student work.

Last week my paints came out due to receiving some beautiful and amazing sunflowers for Mother's Day from my daughter and her husband.  I had an entire bunch of sunflowers to work with, 15 to be exact.  It took me a couple of hours just to set up the still life.  If you have any hope of getting a good painting then you have to start with a good composition.  Anyway I'll be posting that painting soon.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Window Drawing

 

This is a drawing I debated whether to add to the spring virtual drawing class that I'm currently teaching.  There ended up not being enough time for all the references I wanted to use.  I loved this window but it was very time consuming, so the reference will be added for homework or practice idea.  I draw all my photo references before having the class try them to insure they will work for our class time.  Extra practice for me which is a bonus.

I've been giving the class some challenging pieces and so far they haven't rebelled.  I try to balance the challenging pieces with some simpler ones.  Next week the class will be working on toned paper with an added white colored pencil, one of my favorite drawing techniques.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright 

Watering Can Drawing

 

My spring drawing class started last week and I've been busy drawing again, All Things Spring this time.  I found a bunch of photo references on pixabay.com, the watering can is one of them.  My students will be doing the watering can in our next class.  The watering can reference is a good exercise in negative space, the background is what makes this drawing so interesting, all the space around the can indicating plants.

I'm also busy sewing, it's been years and I needed some summer PJ's.  I looked all over the internet for PJ's and found only one thing which was priced at $100.  No way!  So I put on my sewing hat and got busy, it's been a nice break from painting.

I will post some more drawings soon.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright