Deadlines

Yesterday I finally made the decision to give myself deadlines again. I know I'm going to off on my goal for the year, but I feel that giving myself a deadline will make me work a bit faster anyway.  At first I was going to give myself until the end of the month to finish the drawing I'm working on, but I think that is a bit too close to be realistic, so I'm thinking about the 14th or 15th of next month would be a good deadline.  I have plans for my next drawing already, which will be another gift.  This one I've been toying with the idea for awhile, and I've come to the realization that sometimes time is of the essence, so I'm not putting it off anymore.  I will be asking permission of the proper people to be posting the work in progress (this time the models are not the gift receivers so that makes it easier).

Working...

     I just finished up a little progress on my drawing.  I started adding color to the first face.  I was going to finish the whole composition in dark umber, but then I went to start drawing in the second face and it wasn't working out.  I need to more finely settle where the first face will be so I can draw in the second face with the first as a basis.  The color is going rather quickly, so it shouldn't be too long before I can start back in on the second face.
     I still haven't done any sketching, though I keep saying I am.  Today I was thinking about sketching some images from my dreams. One would actually be a painting I dreamed I had done, another is some imagery involving my hands that I found rather disturbing.  The painting I've been wanting to find a way to do since the dream, especially since in the dream I said it was the best one I had ever done.  The other dream just keeps sticking with me, and hoping maybe by sketching it, I can turn it into something positive.

Working

I was working today, and even though I don't feel comfortable posting photos of my drawing just yet, I do want to talk about it.  I'm laid in a good bit of the first face just in dark umber.  I really like how it's looking but I think I'll have to start adding in some more colors soon.  I keep telling myself all the changes I'll make, when I start adding in more layers.  I think I'm going to have to see that happen soon.  Part of me was hoping do the whole composition in a layer of dark umber, then layer over it with the rest of the colors.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.  It would be a first for me though and I might benefit from it.  I might try to keep pushing myself to just stick to this layer.  I'm thinking though I love where it is going, part of me feels the eyes need to be fixed but I think that will happen when I add color in.  I think they'll look great in color and I fix some of the issues I'm having.

Working again

     It has taken me awhile to pick up a pencil again, but I've done it.  I got a bit of work done on my new drawing that I can't post on here.  I'm working on a gift and I don't feel comfortable posting it online for several reasons.  Mainly it's a gift but also I prefer to get permission before displaying someone's likeness on the web.  So far I'm feeling good about it though, and my daughter seems to think it looks about right.  She's been very encouraging. 
     My plan to post sketches everyday fell apart when I found that sketching for that purpose was not at all fulfilling. I may sketch, but not for the sole purpose of a daily post.  I'm not sure yet, but I think I could stand to do some quicker pre-sketches for drawings I'm considering.  I'll also have to go through my idea book and take some reference photos too soon.  I'm starting to feel inspired and motivated again, which is very good.