It was bound to happen. I made a valiant effort to sketch every day in May, but last week I finally had to call it quits. You see, I’m leaving next week to teach two workshops in the Cotswolds, and I’ve been swamped with all the busywork that entails. In addition to the dreaded task of packing for a three-week teaching trip, I spend hours each day on the computer working on emails, teaching schedules, lesson plans, travel arrangements, and so much more. Trying to keep up with sketching and blogging, in addition to preparing for the trip, proved to be too much. I’m only human, after all.
My last few sketches were simple ones like this line drawing I did one evening from a photo I took in Orvieto, Italy, last September. I may get around to painting it some day, but it’s not happening this week.
One day I was on childcare duty, so I let my eleven-year-old granddaughter, Callista, fill in a page in my sketchbook…
She had gone on her first overnight Girl Scout campout the weekend before, so she added a camping sketch of her own to the ones I had done when we were camping at Prince Gallitzin State Park. I like having it in there with the others, even if I can’t count it as one of my May sketches.
The last page I finished was from May 22 when I drew a grid of circles and filled them with snippets of things that happened that day. The most exciting part of the day was when our new built-in cabinets were finally installed next to the living room fireplace. We’ve been waiting for them since January, and I’m so happy with the way they look in the room. Like they’ve always been there!
I did the drawings for this page with a fountain pen and black ink then added shades of grey using Royal Talens Ecoline Watercolor Brush Pens and Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens. It was a quick way to add dimension to the sketches without taking the time to paint them with watercolor.
I’ve never used brush pens before, and I liked the speed with which they enabled me to finish the page. I did miss having color on my mini sketches, though. The page looked dull with nothing but shades of black, white, and grey. So, I opted to use a bright pink Ecoline Brush Pen and apple green Staedtler Triplus Fineliner for the lettering and border. It helped brighten things up a bit but I still prefer a full-color sketch.
I have to admit that I’ve been stressing over not finishing my Every Day in May challenge. Not because I have anything prove, but because I like closure. I enjoy completing projects. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to set my mind to something, stick with it, and accomplish what I set out to do.
But, in the end, my obligation to the thirty people who are coming to my workshops in England had to take precedence over my personality quirks. Does it really matter at all in the whole scheme of things that I didn’t do nine more sketches in May 2024? Absolutely not.
But I’m so-o-o-o happy that I took the time to complete twenty-one sketches! With all that I have had going on this month, that, in itself, is a miracle.
I had fun trying some new materials and techniques, and I captured a lot of memories. I remembered how much I love doing these sorts of casual everyday sketches…just for me.
Now I’d better get started on my packing! I’ll be back in touch in late June. While I’m away, be sure to check my Facebook page for photos and updates from my travels.
4 Comments
I would be so happy if I had one sketch like this! LOL These are all amazing and your granddaughter did a fabulous job. I just had a horrible non-colonoscopy experience. I was poked 7 times for an IV in random, not fun places and the doctor couldn’t get anything to work. When he said, “Are you sure you don’t want me to try your neck?” I was done! Anyway, this brightened my day and made me want to focus more on my everyday practice. You do such beautiful work and I love seeing what you have done! And it’s ok you didn’t finish. Priorities are important so give yourself some grace. I understand about closure. We just have to keep on keeping on! Safe travels!
It sounds like you had a horrible, no good, very bad day! I’m glad I could brighten your day a bit. I appreciate your kind support, Tina.
Haha, yes! I take it all in stride though. Thanks for your response!
Wonderful, as always!!