A-Z Challenge

#AprilA2Z Art Sketching through the Alphabet “B” + #4M

April 3, 2017 /

Hello, Kitten & Dawgs!  I’m delighted you joined me for the next A2Z alphabet prompt. Hopefully, you saw Saturday’s post of my angel sketches but if not you can always take a look now. Just a reminder in my side menu you’ll see a list of my recent post for your convenience. This month I will not do multiple daily blog entries instead, I’ll bundle these into one post to keep confusion down along with the appropriate hashtag.

Today’s alphabet prompt inspired sketch is boy, as in little boys.  Years ago, I wrote a children’s story about my little brother.  I haven’t done anything with it because it needs pictures but I felt inadequate to draw them but who knows by stepping up to this month’s challenge maybe I will feel confident to take a stab at creating my own illustrations.

Keep in mind the only art experience I have is a couple of years from high school.

This is my first sketch.  I modeled my little boy from a Pinterest image. Originally I had only the little boy but after working with other drawings for a few weeks I went back to this and added more content breathing a little life into the picture.

That’s when I decided to try drawing another little boy sketch using a different image I found that had instructional steps.

 

Feeling inspired I got ambitious and tried drawing a portrait of my little brother, JC, with this old photo.

Can you see a slight similarity? Go ahead be honest! If I stretch my imagination I’d say yes but I’m doing a lot of stretching I tell you.  lol I really admire people who can draw others. It’s an amazing talent!

Obviously, these sketches can stand a bit of improvement but there’s always time to tweak my skills.  The biggest thing is I am finally putting action behind my words, instead of wishing, wishing, wishing my dreams away. 🙂

 

Mondays are all about the mewsic and I can’t let it pass without sharing some tunes with ya and you’re invited to step out on the dance floor with Monday Music Moves Me ladies – Marie, Stacy, Colette, and myself! The music theme is “Freebie pick” this week, so that means anything goes!

Please note…I do not manage the below linky. I am only a co-host. This is XmasDolly’s little baby and meant for mewsic participation only. Non-mewsic entries may be deleted or labeled. Thanks! 😉



I thought it was only fitting to keep with the alpha prompt and my art subject today, so give it up for Boyz II Men!

 

[tweetthis]Catch #AprilA2Z Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “B” & boogie with the #4M gals! #music #boys #art[/tweetthis]

 

Hopefully, what I share with you every day will encourage you to do something that interests you that you’ve long put off because like me you just don’t think you can. My advice is, just do it! Maybe, you’ll be surprised. I know I was! 🙂

What should I sketch next using the letter “B” for inspiration?

I won’t be around Blogosphere much this afternoon. I need to see my doctor about my ear but I’ll be by to see you asap.  Right now, I’m heading off to link up with other fellow AtoZers and you’re invited to come along.  I’ll see you tomorrow for the next installment of Art Sketching through the Alphabet!

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52 Comments

  • Colette S

    April 6, 2017 at 11:23 pm

    Cathy you do have the talent. I love how light you are with the shades. I desire to start sketching again. Perhaps soon.
    I would love to shade it in like that.

    And Boyz to men, I wonder where they are now!

    Thanks for the fascinating sharing Cathy! Aloha and hugs

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 7:01 am

      Colette, If you like to draw then own your passion and make it happen. Don’t let years slip away from you like I did. This is a regret I have of what if I tried sooner, could I be using my talents to earn a living or making someone’s life better? Who knows what would be had I picked up my pencil sooner other than God? Or…maybe this is my time to shine through Jesus because THIS talent comes from the Lord. Be inspired and encouraged to try!

        • Cathy Kennedy

          April 8, 2017 at 2:21 pm

          Colette, whenever life’s struggles cloud our hearts then it’s hard to push back to fight, so P.U.S.H (pray until something happens) hard! You’re not alone in this fight. Just remind yourself this doesn’t come from God and these feelings are designed to steal your joy. Don’t let the evil one rob you of happiness of life! I’m standing with you in prayer for God’s grace to cover you during the storms. XO

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 8:45 am

      Michelle, Thanks for dancing with me and I’m glad you like my little boy sketches. Let me hop over to see what we’re dancing to at your place!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 7:03 am

      Suzanne, listen now if you need help with stick people you need to talk to a renowned stick people artist. Luckily, I know one personally, here’s example of his work. Do you know the artist? Yep, that’s right…DH! 🙂 Thanks for visiting. I’m running behind but I’ll see you soon.

  • Birgit

    April 3, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    I hope it went well with the dr and that your ear is ok. Your little brother turned out well and one can see the resemblance in the cheeks and eyes. I love the first drawing with his Alien shirt…very well done along with the other boy happy as a lark with his tire swing. It’s hard to do something that you have not done in a long time and showcase it here but I commend you and you have talent

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 6:55 am

      Birgit,

      Thanks for asking about my appointment. The doctor put me on a steroid nasal spray which is supposed to help with the fluid in my inner ear and an antibiotic ointment for my nose. I have this stupid condition called folliculitis which I’ve known about for two years but I did not know that it managed to affect my nose, too. *slap forehead* It’s really difficult to clear up. Anywho, if the nasal spray doesn’t work then he suggested making a tiny incision in the eardrum to drain the fluid and if that doesn’t work then we might consider tubes but the problem is I may not be a good candidate because my eustachian tubes are really small. Keep your fingers and toes crossed with a prayer on your lips the spray works. 🙂 Thank you for the sweet words regarding my little boy artwork. I have lots to learn but am feeling pretty energized to keep at it until I can draw whatever I want without looking at anything. I reckon this will take some time to accomplish but that’s ok. I’m just happy I finally took the first step. Let me dash over to see you now!

  • moondustwriter

    April 3, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    Keep sketching your brother’s face you will get it. Enlarge the original so you can get more of the details of his face.

    I decided to work on profiles 2 years ago. I still have a long way to go but it’s a fun challenge.

    Happy A to Zing
    A Piece of Uganda

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 6:46 am

      Excellent idea to enlarge the photo! I did this a bit but maybe I need to zoom in a bit more to study the details. That’s awesome you’re doing profiles. Have you ever shared your work on your site? It would be neat to see. Thank you for visiting and I’ll be by to see you soon!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 6:43 am

      Doree, thank you! Well, what’s stopping you? Just draw! I kept putting this off year after year after year and it just wasn’t happening until now. I’m glad I took this first giant leap and now I can’t stop jumping! Thanks for stopping by for a visit and be by to see you soon! 🙂

  • Manisha Awasthi

    April 3, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    Loved your sketches. They are too good.

    I once tried to put together a sketch of my boyfriend (now husband) from a photo and only I was able to find the similarity. 🙂

    Manisha from The Nimble Mime
    A to Z Theme: Flash Fiction

    Letter B: Battles

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 6:42 am

      Manisha, Hmmm, you know what? I need to try to sketch a photo of DH & me. That would be kinda cool or maybe kinda scary. I don’t know which but I’m definitely going to try! Thanks for the inspiration!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 6:18 am

      Mary, thanks! I never listened to Boyz II Men other than on occasion where my blog visits took me to someone’s site who shared their mewsic but last year or the year before one of the singers from the band was on DWTS. That renewed my interest in their tunes and I discovered that they harmonize really well. I’m playing catch up this morning from yesterday, so I’m heading your way now!

  • Eva

    April 3, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    As someone above, I also think that sketching people is a difficult matter. But it is just question of keep trying. On these days, I mostly draw envelopes and on my journal. I’m not that good, but I know that people smile when they receive them by post.
    I like your boys!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 5:55 am

      Eva, You know I remember sketching envelopes when I was in school and I enjoyed doing stuff like that. Another thing I liked doing was drawing boxes and ribbon. It’s funny how I forgot about such simple things as this that made me happy to draw. Oh yeah, anytime someone gets something that’s hand created then it really lightens their heart and day because they appreciate the love in it. Thanks for visiting!

  • XmasDolly

    April 3, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    Great similarity girlfriend! You’re doin’ great! I forgot to put up my own linky this morning aughhhhhhhhh I’m such a boob sometimes! Anyway… Luvin’ Boys to Men too! Always did love their harmony. CAn’t talk longer have to run to physical therapy 3x a week now. MY BODY HATES ME!!!! 🙁 Luv ya gal!!!! Hope you liked mine too!!! hugs….

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 4, 2017 at 5:52 am

      Marie, thanks! Yeah, it’s a bit of struggle to try to remember to visit the A2Z site every day to add your daily URL and when you’re busy doing things away from home then it adds a bit of chaos in the mix. lol Keep the physical therapy going and get yourself better! Hugs!

  • Sharon

    April 3, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Perhaps you could add these sketches to your story in the form of a memoir. They really are precious and yes I do see the resemblance!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      Sharon, I thought about writing my memoirs but I can’t recall enough interesting things to write. Maybe it’s just a matter of putting memories down before it amounts to anything in my mind. I don’t know but I do have story to share that was inspired by something my brother said once, so that’s what I’m gonna share with the world eventually. Thanks for visiting. I’m off to see you now!

  • lorigg

    April 3, 2017 at 10:07 am

    After your angel sketches on Saturday I looked forward to today’s sketches which did not disappoint. With all the practice you are getting I am sure you will have ideas and some skill to illustrate that story yet. I enjoyed all three sketches you included today.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Lori, Oh you know how to make a girl happy with your return visit. My goal is to get plenty of practice under my belt and after April I will begin illustrations for the children’s story I wrote about my brother. Thanks for the encouragement and support, dear! Next stop your place!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 11:58 am

      Shubhangi, thank you for the return visit and yes sketching people is hard. Maybe one day I’ll get it down pat. Happy a2zing and please join me tomorrow!

  • Thomas Anderson

    April 3, 2017 at 5:44 am

    Hi, Cathy!

    Happy Day #2 of the Challenge! I am enjoying your sketches, dear friend. I like the detail you added to the first boy drawing. You even remembered to give him ripped jeans. 🙂 I also like the second little boy and, when you mentioned instructional steps, you reminded me of something I haven’t thought about in many years. In the 1950s I watched a 15 minute long syndicated TV series called Learn to Draw, hosted by self-taught artist Jon Gnagy. It was mostly a children’s show and I was fascinated with it. Using Gnagy’s step-by-step instructions in one of the episodes, I drew a colorful clown portrait with colored chalks. My parents thought was so good that they had it framed and hung it on the wall.

    Yessum, I would say the third sketch very closely resembles your brother – the cheeks and the eyes especially. Good job! Is that you standing in the back, Cathy? If so it is the first picture I have ever seen of you. It’s nice to see what you looked like as a girl. You were very cute, but I thought you’d be holding a kitty instead of a bunny. 🙂

    I enjoyed the group harmony on Boyz II Men. I’m sorry your ear is still giving you problems, dear friend. I hope your doctor can help you today. Have a safe and happy one, Cathy!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 7:06 am

      Tom,

      Good morning, my friend and thank you for hanging with me for day two of the A2Z challenge. I’m in awe of everyone’s comments that they see my brother in my sketch. To my eye, the resemblance is vague but I wanted to share it none the less because that’s just part of the whole fun of this challenge to demonstrate the good and not-so-good artwork.

      I think kids, not all, have a natural tendency at being artistically creative. I think it’s because they don’t have the same fears of failure as one does as they get older. I think that’s wonderful your folks loved your drawing so much so that they actually framed it. The best my kids got was to get theirs hung on our refrigerator. lol Not that that’s a bad thing, I was very proud of what they did and their drawings were on display until a new work of art was created or I just ran out of space on the fridge door. 😀

      When the kids were young, we always liked watching Bob Ross. He makes the art of painting look so easy and he’s so likable. I’d love to learn how to paint and I have future plans to try.

      Yep, that’s me standing. It was Easter 1971. My brother and I are holding our toy bunnies that the Easter Bunny left for us. 🙂 I don’t recall having too many stuffed toys as a kid and as much as I like kitties I had more dogs for pets than cats. When I was a teenager I had an indoor cat, who I named Fred. Guess who gave me that suggestion? Yep, DH! I don’t know how he comes up with his names but I sorta liked it and so my little red striped cat was named Fred. Unfortunately, my daddy got rid of good ole Fred. I don’t know what he was thinking but I guess he didn’t like having Fred inside the house and he wound up giving my cat to an uncle’s kids or at least that’s the story I remember him telling me. I was crushed but I survived and I don’t think any less of my daddy for doing it unlike some kids do today.

      Oh, I hope the doctor can help, too. I’m going to an ears, nose, throat specialist who will know more how to handle my situation than a general MD. I’ve had lots of ear problems as a kid and several times as an adult but this is the worst I’ve had since 2004. I suspect my right eardrum is ruptured and that’s why I still am not hearing too well out of it but I also think I have some infection that may have moved into my other ear. I may not learn everything today but I think I’ll have a good idea by the time the appointment is over what to expect. We’ll see! Thanks for stopping off this morning and I’m glad you enjoyed the harmony of Boyz II Men, my friend. Have a beautiful day!

  • Linda Gardiner

    April 3, 2017 at 5:16 am

    Your sketching skills look great to me! Just so happens my “C” post tomorrow is about sketching. Feeling a little sheepish about it now. Check it out if you have a chance. Practice practice practice seems to be the key. Something I’m working on.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 6:44 am

      Linda, Oooh, tomorrow’s post is about sketching! Brilliant, I can’t wait to check it out. Yes, yes practice is the key! Now that I’ve started sketching I don’t want to stop! I’m so happy I made this my theme for the month. It’s really just what I needed. 🙂 Now, I’m off to visit you this morning!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 6:42 am

      Tasha, thank you, you’re much too kind. I believe all of my readers are such wonderful encouragers. I’m just looking forward to growing with each sketch I create. I’m eager to see my doctor. I’ve experienced problems with my ears since December. Thanks for your concerns. Have a good day. I’m visiting you next!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 5:33 am

      Debbie, thanks I tried. I guess others may see more of a resemblance to my brother in my sketch than I will just because I’m too close to the subject. You’re a great encourager, my friend and I really appreciate it! I’m hopping over to see you now, have a good day!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 3, 2017 at 5:30 am

      Thanks, Lee! You’re so kind and awesome for visiting me when you have your hands so full with a zillion other A2Zers. Have a good day and I’ll be over later!

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