The Things I'll Do For This Book!

Who is the cheapest model you can get? No, not your kids... believe me they make you pay - its yourself! I am doing the chapter on face proportions and drawing the face. I did want to get across the point that most people do NOT follow the usual guideline for face proportions. You know the one: eyes half way between chin and top of the head, bottom of nose 1/2 way between eye line and chin, mouth half way between the bottom of the nose and chin. If we all exactly fell on those guidelines the world would be pretty boring and would resemble the Scott Westerfeld's Prettys. 

I knew that I wasn't close to those ideal guidelines but it is a bit surprising just how off I am, lol. Above is my photo looking as straight ahead as I could get. I've printed out the photo and drawn on top of it where those "general guidelines" would be. My eyes are above it... my nose WAY above it (I knew that), my lips too!

So here is my guidelines where they just are - not where they should be, lol. Do notice my ears are right where they are supposed to be, lol. 

and then above is applying those guidelines on my head from different angles. When the head is turned those lines curve with the curvature of the head. 

Enjoy this sneak peak... and no I do NOT wear my hair that way - ever! :-)

Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour Coming Up!

Last week I had a couple of days to work on my art/book and I'll see if I can come up with another sneak peak to share. This week I am substitute teaching again so this is my only art day to work. 

I do want to share with you all an upcoming tour I am am on: the Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour on Columbus Day weekend. This Sunday there will be a preview at Bagel Works in Keene from 7-8:30 where you can see one piece from all the artists on the tour, pick up a map, and mark where you would like to visit the following weekend. 

I won't be opening my studio for the tour - instead I will be at the studio of my friend Luann Udell - just like last year. Since I moved my studio from downtown and work in the back of the living room, I don't think anyone wants to stand on the treadmill to see my little work space. Luann has been kind enough to have me at her studio again which is great because her work and her space is so much fun. 

the Nose... book sneak peak

 I had planned on working on my portrait book this summer. I managed to make 6 still-lifes, but I just couldn't work on my book.   I've learned how to draw with my kids around. I started drawing seriously 8 and a half years ago after my youngest daughter was born and I taught myself how to work with constant interruptions. You would think that as they get older, you would get less interruptions, but honestly I think its gotten worse, lol. The typical day this summer consisted of 4-5 meals a day, driving them places, having friends over, lemonade stands, hiking, biking,  applying many band aids, etc. Okay maybe they didn't have 5 meals a day but it certainly felt like it!

The reason I could work on drawings this summer but not my book is because it takes a completely different kind of attention to write. Writing, I think, is THE biggest brain teaser! What a difference a break makes though. I came back with fresh eyes last week and have whipped it into shape. I've reorganized things and have figured out the answer to some of the things I was stuck on. Maybe the kids nagging me was meant to be, lol.

So above is another sneak peak: my example of a straight on nose. :-)