EDiM #15 and some coloured pen sketches

Swapping my  EDM challenges around, I did number 15 Draw a tree or trees, leaves or branches today, instead of 14's what you see in the morning when you get up. Above is my loose interpretation of this challenge as I am getting a little bored of drawing objects. I was sat in OZone cafe (for the 2nd time that day) waiting for friends and drew the buildings across the road, framed by palm branches and the bushes of the garden. I started with the phone aerial as that is what first caught my attention.

When studying the buildings here, you notice that nothing is square... balconies on the same floor tilt in different directions. Floors are built up at different times and are also on different angles, but only slightly. Makes everything look slightly off when you draw it. Oh well, that's what urban sketching is about I guess. 
 Friday's first sketches were done with my new coloured pens whilst waiting for a friend to have lunch. OZone is a great space to draw, with lots of people to watch. I'm pleased with the way I suggested the fat man's form without actually drawing an outline. The lady on the left had fuchsia pink glasses, but the rest of her was a drab brown. Were they her touch of rebellion or individuality?

Once again, I apologise for the quality of the pictures on my blog, but I do not have my scanner here and have to rely on my camera.

EDiM - # 13

I drew the hotel phone last night. I intended it to be just in line, but did the shadow and then just continued. Every time I use the phone it amazes that someone would bling a utilitarian object like this by adding a shiny blue bead.

My first courses, here in Sudan, have just ended and among the farewell gifts is a set of Staedtler coloured pens - think I shall go out later and test them out. Look out for some coloured pics later.

EDiM - artistic license with #12

Number 12 is draw what you ate for dinner. Now Liz (here) and Alissa (here) actually painted what they were eating, but my spaghetti came over-cooked and a nasty uniform orangy colour, so I didn't want to eat it let alone draw it. Instead the fresh orange juice, which was delicious and came in a round/square glass, cried out to be painted. Therefore, I'm using the artistic-license card and submitting this as my painting for today's challenge.

Early morning sketch & EDiM #11

Sat in the bus outside the hotel, waiting for the other passengers, I was inspired to sketch the 2 security guards. Sadly, the others arrived before I could draw too much detail. On the right, is the guard hut where, in 2 months, I have never seen a guard as they always sit alongside it. On the left is the hotel bus.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a bling wearing person. However, last year I arrived in Italy without my sunglasses and this was the best (of a bad lot) that was available in Rome duty-free. A little worrying is the fact I am still wearing them. I think this challenge is sooooo boring as a consequence I didn't spend long on this painting and it shows.

EDiM - # 8 a watch & # 10 hand

I've been sick the last two days, but as I do not want to get too far behind on the challenges, I combined these two. Unfortunately, I was really not in the mood to draw, I totally bodged the composition, then the phone rang and I had to move. After the call, I couldn't be bothered to continue, so I took a quick photo, which is a strange colour,  and posted for all to see. Let's hope I'm in a better frame of mind for tomorrow's glasses.

EDiM - #9 Organised chaos (2 versions) & Ozone people

I have swopped challenges 8 & 9 as there were good opportunities today. Looking out of the window I saw some construction guys removing tape from a building, eight and nine storeys high: a perfect example of organised chaos.

 

Then version 2 is of my rubbish bin as the cleaner doesn't come on Friday and had got filled with plastic bottles, T-bags and tissues. I don't normally drink Pepsi, but when I came home from my dance class on Thursday I was desperate for some sugar aka false energy.

 

Finally, whilst waiting for friends in Ozone last night I tried to draw some people, but it was a bit too dark to see what I was sketching.

I am very pleased as I have completed the day's challenge (twice) and it is only 10am, so I better getting on with my marking, which is what I have been putting off.

EDiM - # 7

Another uneven drawing... I must practice curves and getting opposite sides even. Anyway, today's challenge is to draw a bottle, jar or tin from the kitchen, which is difficult as my "kitchen" consists of a kettle, fridge, & sink. The solution, room service delivered a tin dome food cover with my noodles and above is my response to the challenge.

EDiM - # 6 well-loved object

This was a difficult challenge as I am away from home and traveled with only 20ks of luggage plus hand luggage. Here, I no longer love my laptop as it is dying on me; won't connect to the internet, battery won't hold its charge etc. Even if I was at my parents, most of my things are in storage after being shipped from Oman or already stored in their attic.

I decided to draw this object as an ironic take on the theme as I guess it was loved enough by someone to be brought to decorate my hotel room, but I think it is horrible. To appreciate how dreadful this is imagine a lopsided bottle covered in rough plaster except for an odd shape in the middle where the clear-glass can be seen. The plaster has been painted blue and white with glitter randomly applied. Inside it is filled with water, a bit of chicken-wire and plastic leaves. Around the neck are random plastic leaves and balls, ribbon, string and a bottle top, although it's sealed. Bet you are jealous you haven't got one!

Being self-critical, whilst looking at the picture this morning before posting, I see my drawing has not been accurate. I have made the neck too short and even though it is lopsided, I have not accurately got the shape. There's another bottle to be drawn today for #7, I think I shall have to concentrate harder on the initial drawing and not to be in such a hurry.

EDiM - # 4 & 5

As I will be very busy today, I cheated last night and drew challenges 4, a mug, and 5, a bed, together. The mug is a very boring white one, but the only one I currently have access to in my hotel. I wanted to draw a flower bed for today, but I do not think I will have any spare time.

Don't forget to check out the other fab artists participating in EDiM, there's a list on my last post.

EDiM - #3 & USk theme - construction.

EDM drawing #3 took a long time... I was not inspired by today's challenge. My best excuse is that I got a bad case of hiccups and couldn't draw, but I refused to give up on EDiM on day 3.

After the hiccups, I sketched the scene above from the bedroom window (9th floor), of a concrete delivery at the construction site just up the road. I found the perspective difficult from this height, but as it is over 40c outside this is the easiest way to sketch during the afternoon. This was drawn for the USk theme of this week.

Before that I had completed my IF illustration Cocoon, and afterwards I popped to the supermarket, had a chat with Sami (a very cute Eritrean guy) and then finally  I drew the challenge. It is my work handbag, which is big enough not only to carry my purse etc. but also my diary, camera, moleskin and various pens.

I recommend you check out the others participating in Everyday in May. They are:

Liz flickr or blog
Alissa flickr
Wendy (QuirkyArtist) flickr or blog
Jennifer Blog flickr
Sandy blog or flickr
Deborah blog
Margaret blog
Anna blog
Marthann blog
Yasemin blog
Carol blog
Anita blog flickr
Matthew flickr
Johanna blog
& finally me.