The Challenge for June: Turn Your Back

This month we are challenged to pick a subject, study it carefully, then turn our back on it and draw or paint it. With no peeking.

Kathy's response to the challenge:
Source Photo: Grabbed this photo found on one of my favorite Facebook sites: "Birds." 

Process: Studied it. Turned my back.  Drew with some fun Tombow Dual Headed Brush Pens on 6"x4" Strathmore Toned Blue paper ... all from Ralph's Art Supply.
This is pretty much my default behavior. I usually study a plant, animal, etc. and then stylize without looking at the source, especially if it's a photo. Since I put him a little too close to the right of the paper, added a few weedy stems for him to add to his nest.

Kathy Garvey 

For more little birds, visit my Etsy shop. 

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"Adeline and Jake"

by Denette Schweikert

This is a "painting" of my grandchildren who live in Seattle.  As you tell, I don't do well painting without seeing a photo right next to me.   

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Carmen's response to the challenge:

I stared at this photo and thought I could remember all the elements in it, but in looking at my painting, I was surprised that I forgot all about the proportions of the building and the tree. Both are too tall! Also, I didn't remember that the treeline tapers down to the left of the tree. 

It's amazing what you don't remember even though you were concentrating. It can shake one's belief in eyewitness testimony!

Carmen Beecher

carmensart.etsy.com

carmenbeecher.com

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 Mary answer to the Challenge.  I loved this challenge as it really teaches one to be more observant.
I didn’t love my result, I need more practice.  For some reason the pictures will not upload.

30 Faces in 30 Days: Day 30

This is my last drawing, number 30, and for some reason, it was the hardest one. I thought I'd finish with the iconic Bob Dylan, whose timeless song, Blowing in the Wind, is so meaningful today, even though it was written 58 years ago.

Yes, how many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

Yes, and how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take till he knows

That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind

The answer is blowing in the wind.

30 Faces in 30 Days: Day 29

If you are a fan of home improvement shows, you will know who this is. 

Carmen

30 Faces in 30 Days: Day 28

This is a little Navajo toddler. The Navajo Nation is in great danger from COVID-19, having more cases per capita than New York or New Jersey. South Korea has sent 10,000 masks and other PPE to the Navajo, honoring their service as "code talkers" during the Korean War. Native American soldiers cleverly used their native language as code for radio transmissions for the American military.

Carmen

30 Faces in 30 Days: Day 25

Time for me to lighten up, and Mr. Bean is always good for a laugh. I managed to spill water on my drawing before I got to the shading and the paper got wavy, but I like it.

Carmen

30 Faces in 30 Days: Day 23

This is getting harder all the time, I think because life is starting to interfere. My to-do list is sneaking up on me. Anyway, here's Georgia O'Keefe.

Carmen

30 Faces in 30 Days: Day 22

I did not exaggerate a single feature on this man; it looks just like him. Doesn't he look like Henry the Eighth, with that tiny mouth and tiny eyes?

Carmen