Thursday, July 24, 2008

Cosmetic Surgery and Flowers


This was one of those 'quickies' that just did not go well at all. I used my Lamy Safari fountain pen and attempted to sketch my fireplace from a position on my sofa that Houdini would have been proud of while watching a film, that I'd flicked over to half way through, that made absolutely no sense to me at all.
When I finally got up from the sofa and looked at my sketch I hated it...You know that feeling right, when you have the sudden urge to rip it from the book because it's spoiling everything?
How precious our supposed 'sketchbooks' become!
Instead, I took it into the studio and gave it some cosmetic surgery which I think improved it....slightly!


This is another of those quick sketches that was a bit of a flop, sketched in record time while visiting a friend for coffee. I put my surgeon gloves on, grabbed my scalpel (white gel pen) and got a little creative and I like how lively it turned out.

I think I'm getting rather good at surgery.
Now I know you are tempted, I can understand that, but I'm sorry to inform you that I am not accepting clients at this present time.




15 comments:

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Im back on air - new 250GB hard drive 2GB RAM etc etc and great 3in1 which takes all types of memory sticks/card readers and prints photos direct or scans to anywhere I want. Magic. We shared cost via joint account and my art account but after 7 years thought I deserved a new BIG friend. By the way, must have drunk too much the night I had a quick peep at Harry - Ive looked again and still see him in the 'face'!!!! but what a contortionist with feet facing the wrong way. !!! Recognise your lovely smart fireplace even if you dont think its any good. .

Anonymous said...

Nice, Anita! And yes, I know that feeling of OH, NO, THAT one is SO UGLY! I've missed by a mile on some of my sketches of my husband--eek! Just a reminder to keep me humble, I guess...;-)

And by the way, I DO appreciate not having to worry about waking the poor man, who was up wandering the house again last night...

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Anita - your fireplace is not that bad, you should see the camera sketch I tried to do last night, twice! I'm not even going to post it, it's so bad! Your second sketch is wonderful! :) Marva

Spinneretta said...

I've had those kinds. I just dont post them ;) Although I DID do a sketch of what I see first thing... since I wear glasses it is a fuzzy view and I was considering some watercolour surgery, which seeing yours I think is definitely a good idea!

MaryO said...

Nice piece of surgery there, Anita. I must learn that technique!

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...

I'm STUNNED I saw this on Flickr and commented there how nice it was... popped over here to she what you had to say ... and find out you hated it... Well shut my mouth... I'd think your grocery list is good...

Deb said...

Gee, Anita.....I like your quickies! They have a very appealing quality.

mARTa said...

Oh I like them all! are you sure you aren't taking clients? Darn, I have a stack full I could send you!

Terry Banderas said...

Anita--

I enjoy all of your ink with color wash sketches. It's the way I do lot of my art. Have you ever tried throwing color down first then coming back over with ink? It's a fun way to work. Many times I really do not like what I have done. But I put it aside, tweak it weeks later, then post it. Some of what I really do not like is liked by those in cyberspace. See you around. Hope all is well with you and your family.

Joan said...

Anita, I think you're too critical of the quick sketch. It looks good to me!!! I like the bottom one of the flowers against the brick wall!

E-J said...

The flowers are gorgeous!

Margaret Ann said...

Ahhh...it's so refreshing that you are normal like the rest of us...LOL :) Love these sketches...you should just see what I consider horrible!!! You would go screaming into the night...LOL

I just presented you a special award on my blog...pop on over when you get time! :)

Margaret

Don McNulty said...

Great flowers, even greater background.

kazumiwannabe said...

The surgery effect on the flowers is really gorgeous! The other one is nice too, even before the surgery... Like Capt Elaine I was surprised to read your take on it!

Anetka said...

I like your persistance and not giving up on this sketches:) Love the sketch you've done at your friends' place:)

The most important thing for me is to keep on sketching and not worring about the result (I know the feeling when it comes out and the only thing you want to do is throw it away or tear it into small small pieces!!!) but hey, that's the only way we learn:)