Today I used some modelling clay to do a study of the eye. Understanding the structures that make up the eye is helpful when it comes to sketching, but it's definitely a challenge to render it in three dimentions!

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 10cm x 8cm and 6cm x 5cm, graphite on sketchbook paper and modelling clay

I'm back working again on my speed. The challenge, of course, is also hitting the mark with accuracy...

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 12cm x 13cm, graphite on sketchbook paper

It's been another busy week of all non-art-related things, but I'm back at it again.
Here's a glimpse into my sketchbook today with some Christmas planning:

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 15cm x 16cm, digital ink

I'm trying a different take on portrait-making today, working with shape and tone instead of fine detail:

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 9cm x 12cm, graphite and coloured pencil on sketchbook paper

Incorporated all that eye practice into a portrait, but I got kind of bogged down in the challenging digital media I was using:

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 11cm x 10cm, digital oils

I find water-soluble graphite works very well for creating subtle gradations in tone when sketching eyes:

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 13cm x 14cm, water-soluble graphite on sketchbook paper

A bit more practice in charcoal (and hopefully not as creepy as last time?):

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 12cm x 10cm, digital charcoal

Working in digital conté today:

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 12cm x 10cm, digital conté

I'm continuing to look for more challenging ways to draw and paint eyes (and noses). Painting in oil definitely fits the bill!

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 10cm x 6cm, digital oil

I've realised that over the years I've amassed a reasonably large collection of waterproof ink pens for sketching, having made more than a few messes by unwittingly introducing water and liquid media to an ink drawing. Now I have left only one basic black ink pen that will run with water, and I've found I kind of love it! I like the unexpected purple blooms of inky water that I can produce, and the way that I can work back and forth with softening areas and making other areas crisp and dark with another application of ink once the paper dries. This media worked very well for today's quick ink and wash of houses by the water:

©2015 Jennifer Georgeadis. 16cm x 15cm, ink on sketchbook paper