This contest had three categories – fireplace, snow, and pine. And of course I choose snow, because drawing snow in pen and ink should be easy……

I had to use the old garden shed as the subject for my snow drawing, I just can’t get away from the sheds! I’m pretty happy with the way this came out. I like the colors, the pen work isn’t too heavy, and I’m pleased with my snow-covered ground. My only complaint is with the illustration board. It is the hot press board from Crescent. The surface of the board is great for the line work. It held-up without getting fuzzy or scratched, I was able to go over some areas with the pen while the watercolors were still a bit wet. The watercolors sat on the surface and kept their intensity. But….the board is SO not white! I know most watercolor paper is off-white, but this is really bad. I guess I must continue my search for a hot press/smooth drawing surface that can stand up to pen work, and take some watercolor washes…looks like I need to do some shopping!

That’s all for now, I gotta go watch the snow fall…Erik

Hey all….

With the holiday quickly approaching, I thought it would be wise for me to bang-out a few more flower boxes! I’ve added three more flower boxes to my Etsy Store, and I’m hoping to add a few more next week. I just received a new order of old plates last week…and they look great! Some new states, some old, but plenty to choose from. If anyone has a special request, I may be able to fill it. I don’t have every state, but ya never know…I may have the one you’re looking for!

Here’s the link to my Etsy Store  – Click Me!

Happy Shopping…Erik!

Here is another installment for the Sketchbook Project.

I’m calling this one Anna’s Treehouse, she’s a friend of mine at work. She was looking through my treehouse book and suggested I draw a treehouse on a beach. And so I did!

I wanted to keep the open air feel of the beach, so there is no roof over this one, except for the palms of course. And every treehouse on a beach needs a tiki torch and a few tropical refreshments! As the gentle breeze blows across the sides of the treehouse I can almost imagine myself there. Thanks for the idea Anna!

Cheers…Erik

In my push to make more art, I committed myself to an online Holiday Card Competition, and a Holiday Artist Trading Card swap. Both of these are hosted on Grumbacher’s Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/Grumbacher

I’m real happy with how both of these came out. I designed the holiday card as a 5 x 7 folded card. I used 140 pound hot press paper. I couldn’t even begin to guess on the brand, at one point I bought several sheets, each of a different brand. As time went on, and I kept cutting the sheets down, and I forgot to label each piece.

I like the hot press paper because I can really lay down some nice pen work. Since I prefer to use the watercolors as a wash, the smooth surface really works well for that.

The ATC is the first one I’ve ever made. I’ve always thought it would be fun to try, so I did. It was fun! I’ll pop that in the mail tomorrow. If anyone reading this is interested in starting a holiday swap, let me know!

That’s all for now. I hope to get a few more treehouses finished this weekend, but who knows…

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my rambles and drop a comment…I do appreciate it!

Erik

I’m not feeling real chatty today, so here it is, my treehouse. I know I should elaborate about this more than I am, but I truly can’t come up with anything else to add to this! HAHAHA! Sorry folks…the tall silent has struck again! HA!

Happy dreams of treehouses…Erik

Alrighty now…two more treehouse drawings are complete!

I need to give credit and thanks to fellow artist – blogger JSD undercoversurfer for the idea for the treehouse on the side of the hill. She was kind enough to leave me comment about my last treehouse drawing describing what her childhood treehouse looked like. I’m sure this isn’t an exact match, but it was a great idea and inspiration just the same. Thanks JSD.

The second treehouse was my little nod to Halloween. I know it’s not real spooky, or even haunted looking, but I wanted the gnarled root walls to give it a spooky/creepy feel. I think that worked. I just couldn’t bring myself to draw a giant skull with a tree growing on top of it. Sorry folks…

Well, as I’ve said before, I’m not a talker, so this is all I’ve got for now. Feel free to leave me comments or questions. Both are always welcome!

Thanks…Erik

I keep telling myself I should try a different approach, something a little more abstract, less literal. But I’m real happy with the way these are coming out.

I wanted to capture the look and feel of a long abandoned treehouse with this sketch. I think this drawing captures that feel. My wife asked me how someone would climb into the treehouse since there wasn’t a ladder, a good question, but I intentionally left that detail out. I was afraid if I added a ladder, or rope, it would make the treehouse active. This way, the viewer can imagine how they would access the treehouse and make it their own.

I still have twelve more of these drawings to complete for the Sketchbook Project, that doesn’t sound like a lot, but I still wonder if I can keep coming up with ideas. But, each time I finish one sketch, I start getting ideas for the next one. I was hoping this project would get me back on track, and I really think it has. As I work through these sketches, and a few other little drawings I’ve been working on, I can see my technique starting to loosen-up. The pencil lines move a bit more freely, and I’m not as concerned about making a mistake. I think it’s safe to say I’ve found my rhythm again…

Thanks for stopping by…Erik

Treehouse 10-20-11

It’s really nice to get back in the groove of drawing and sketching. I’m pretty happy with these two drawings. To be my own critic about the ink drawing, I would have to say I didn’t get the door located properly. It’s a bit too far off-center from the peak for me, but since this is the official sketchbook it stays in the book. I also got a little heavy on the pen work a little early, I didn’t enough white paper. I think I may try this one again using just the pencils.

Treehouse 10-22-11

I’m real happy with the pencil rendering though. I was hoping to keep the bird’s-eye view for this one, I think that worked.

I’ll keep drawing and posting as the ideas keep coming. I think I’ll get this little sketchbook completed in no time!

Thanks…Erik

Treehouse 10-17-11

The Sketchbook Project Tour World Tour 2012 has begun! I was lucky enough to get the treehouse category. You can’t go wrong with a treehouse. Well, anything tree or house related is good for me.

The treehouse can be as simple as an old pallet with a rope ladder, or as elaborate as small vacation cottage. A treehouse can also be nothing more than a hole in a hollowed out trunk that gives squirrels a place to stay warm in the long winter months. It’s also the tangled evergreen  branches that give the cardinals shelter from the cold winter snows. It can also get you high above the ground giving you a new perspective on the world around you.

I guess it’s safe to say the treehouse, for me, goes far beyond just a hiding place for kids. It’s a shelter from all the things we need to protect ourselves from, it’s a place to escape to and imagine we are someone else, and it’s getting back to nature.

Erik….

I’m still waiting for my official sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2012. My theme is Treehouse…big shock, I know! I have a few ideas in mind, I just need to get them on paper.

I thought it might be time to try some new tools of the trade, and revisit some old favorites. I keep coming across pastel pencils in my art catalogs, I think it’s time to order a set and see what I can do with them. I also need to replenish my sad collection of broken-stubby colored pencils. While I enjoy the pencils and pen & ink drawing, I think it’s time to add a little zip of color to things. I keep trying watercolors, but I just can’t seem to get the look I’m going for. I think it’s time to mix things up a bit!

Thanks for stopping by…Erik