Tuesday, August 18

Lazy Days of Summer


For this Creative Tuesday theme, I wanted to do something totally different for "summer" where one might expect something brighter, using "hot" colours perhaps. Before starting then, I picked up some blue paper at the art store, providing a cooler shade for the scene forming in my head. I also had this urge to try my hand at charcoal for this piece. Using traditional charcoal sticks allowed me to draw looser, "lazy" flowing lines quickly, then all I had to do was use a white charcoal pencil for highlights and what have you.

Other than running out to grab some spray fixative, this whole thing took me about 45 minutes to draw, including the initial pencil sketch beforehand! Inspiration, I tell ya. It reminded me of the days doing quick charcoal figure drawings way back when, except this time I had no model! (Well, OK, I did ask Alexandra to pose with a broom stick briefly to capture how the boy's right hand might look; the same with the left, although no ice lolly in hand, mind you — didn't want our little Brendel jumping up with excitement!)

Speaking of excitement, today is Alex's birthday. Ironically enough for summer, we're bundling up in lumberjack shirts for a quick drive to the mountains for breakfast and a morning coffee then perhaps a walk around one of the lakes up there.  Yes, it is actually starting to cool here this week. It's meant to be 67F in the mountains with rain (20 Celsius). How absolutely divine. :)




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20 comments

  1. How talented are you. This is beautifully done. Your sketching is marvelous.

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    1. Thank you CarolAnn! i really appreciate that. Thanks for visiting. :)

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  2. Happy Birthday to lovely Alexandra!!! I love the blue of the summer piece and the charcoal effect. I am totally getting the summer ambience here,

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  3. You threw me off with 'moi', I did think we had a new participant, lol.

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    1. I was thinking that might be the case for some. Love to come up with something creative but that was the best I could muster at that mo. :)

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  4. I was like Christine, I thought 'moi' was someone new. didn't really check the url as I often do not.

    this piece makes me think of tom sawyer and lazy summer days, so it's quite perfect for the theme. your free style works really well for this. I especially like the dog and the popsicle which you call ice lolly which I think sounds so much nicer. I also like that it has only the blue of the paper and the black and white. it would look quite different in full color, wouldn't it?

    have a lovely day.

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    1. You know what? I was actually thinking of painting in the ice lolly orange as I so loved those as a boy but decided to leave it as is. It WAS fun using charcoal again, must say. Might use that again.

      Thank you.

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  5. Perfect in every way.... I agree with Lissa ~ Right out of Tom Sawyer. It's darling in it's concept and every detail is striking, even the drips of popcicle for the doggiel This is just a marvelous piece...needs to be matted and framed. so cute for a boys room.

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    1. Thank you, Wanda. It's funny you bring that up as I never know what to do with my pieces when done. Currently this is rolled up sitting on top of some bins now in the basement!

      I've never really been into fishing but love the idea of a kid doing that on a lazy summer day. :)

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  6. A wonderful piece of work no doubt. Well done.

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    1. thanks so much Blogoratti for visiting and giving me your awesome thumbs up!

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  7. Hi Michael, I love how you think outside the box. I'd never thought of using blue paper. I love the boy and your doggie. Glad Alexandra was able to pose for you. And Happy Birthday, Alexandra. You share the same day as my son. :-D

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    1. Happy b'day to your son, Tracy!

      Thank you for your comment too. I do try to give a different angle on things most often as I love that part--coming up with the idea, FAR more than the actual execution. I guess that is why I do design! :)

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  8. P.S. I didn't know who "Moi" was until I clicked the link. LOL And I do hope you and Alexandra enjoy your day together. :-)

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  9. Well done. Love the blue paper bit. And also, a much better job with your copyright. Located where it doesn't pull away from your wonderful art.

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    1. Just as long as no one can photoshop it out! Hee. thank you.

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    2. That's true, though these days, I'm sure some can. I know of one who had a program that removed such things. I don't know what the program was though.

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  10. HI Michael,
    Love your Moi. We are currently in a Tim Horton's shop with Wifi - only Wifi around on our holidays. That's a Canadian coffee shop!. Love this idea with the blue and white. You have captured such a carefree summer outing.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. Thank you, Janis. And I'm terribly sorry for the late reply on this one. Hope you have a nice Christmas.

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