20 minute sketches

Well, I haven't been doing much painting or drawing over the last few weeks; I've been finding it hard to get inspired. However, last night I did do a couple of 20 minute sketches of a shoulder bag I bought at a local charity shop (I'm planning on concealing a small sketchbook in there, and doing some covert cafe sketching, perhaps, if I'm ever brave enough...) I still haven't learned to get the drawing positioned properly on the paper, as you can see :)

Watercolour and ink, both about 12 by 9"

20-minute challenge

Three more 20-minute challenge sketches, all from life and each completed within 20 minutes.

Watercolour and ink, each about 5" by 7".

20 minute challenge

Here are another couple of 20 minute sketches (just to prove I've been keeping the brushes wet!)

20 minute challenge

Here's another 20-minuter. Fun to do, and a nice combination of colours I think.

20 minute challenge

Here's another 20-minute challenge sketch, some Chinese Lanterns from the garden in a miniature pot. 5" by 7", watercolour and ink.

20 minute challenge

A bit of discipline! I had a look at the blog 'The Twenty Minute Challenge' and thought it'd be a Good Idea - maybe I'll learn to pay attention when I'm drawing! Anyway the idea is to draw/paint something from life, with a non-negotiable 20 minute time limit (no fiddling later either). The value of this, for me, is that it forces me to look hard at what I'm drawing/painting, and simplify what I see.

So here are my first two 20-minuters. Neither are particularly good, but both have been useful in focussing on shapes/contrasts etc. I'm going to try to do these fairly regularly, so hopefully my drawing from life will improve!