A-Z Challenge

AprilA2Z Art Sketching through the Alphabet “F”

April 7, 2017 /

Hello, Kitten & Dawgs!  I’m delighted you joined me for the next A2Z alphabet prompt.   My brain flicked and flittered with “F” letter ideas. The first thing that came to mind was a fence. The fence needed more, so I added a bicycle but the word bicycle doesn’t start with the letter “F”, so I  penciled in a frog and fox and to make the picture complete I sketched in a bit of foliage (tree), fluffy clouds, and a flowing hillside. Now, that’s not bad for art sketching through the alphabet for the letter “F”, huh?

I liked this so much so I used the general idea to create a card for my mother’s 72nd birthday, which was this past Tuesday.

I used my Kimberly watercolor pencils to trace the image, applying a bit of water on a q-tip I ran it over the watercolors making it look like a watercolor painting.

After uploading Mom’s bday card I noticed somehow I missed shading one side of the fence posts, so I thought I’d try to correct this in Pixelmator. It isn’t purrfect but it helps and then I added a bit of noise to the image giving the picture a grainy texture. I kinda liked it and thought hey this is sorta like digital sketching. I know, I know, I’m getting really flexible with my thinking.

I usually share some Friday Sillies today but since I’m doing this all month I won’t be but I did think of a clever way to give you a dose of laughs with today’s prompt by sketching a funny face.

When I showed this to DH he said, ” When did you do this sketch of me?” I replied, “Before you got your smaller frames.” 😀

I have more “F” subjects to sketch but I’m getting short on time, so I will have to wait until after the challenge ends.  I think I may incorporate a weekly sketch into my blog routine, what do you think, should I do it?

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! 🙂

Freak me out, leave a comment! Are you having a funky good time or are you feeling a bit like a fruit loop doin’ the A-to-Z shuffle? Can you help me to figure out what my next “F”  illustration should be? Float me a line in comments with your suggestion!

I’m heading off to link up with other fellow AtoZers and you’re invited to come along.  I’ll see you on tomorrow for the next installment of Art Sketching through the Alphabet!

A2Z Art Sketching Through the  Alphabet post recap:

  1. “A” for Angels
  2. “B” for Boys, little
  3. “C” is for Cows, Chicken & Chicks, and Big Cats
  4. “D” for Dog
  5. “E” is for Elephant, Eagle, & Elk

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58 Comments

  • Shilpa Arya

    April 11, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    Your illustrations are too good! If I end up writing a children’s book which is pending since a year I would be asking you for illustrations for sure☺️.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 10, 2017 at 7:34 am

      Lee, this sketch just sort of evolved capturing the “F” elements into one picture nicely. Ah, I’m glad to hear I earned an “A” on this post! 🙂

  • Birgit

    April 8, 2017 at 12:29 am

    Loving this pretty scene in black and white and colour. I love the little fox looking through the fence:) I would love to see more work from you in the future and maybe you can even tie one drawing into a BOTB post:)

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 8, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      Birgit, I think I might share weekly art sketches in my mid-week post, not-so Wordless Wednesday at the start to see how this goes and then decide where to go from that point. I’m thrilled about making my art sketches a part of my blogging world and am excited to see where this will lead, especially with the creation of my next children’s story. Thanks for visiting, my friend!

  • XmasDolly

    April 7, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    Well, I was gone all day & my comments show it. I had to go get a bone density test today & my yearly mammogram & my boobs feel like pancakes… OUCH! You see my mom had a mastectomy in 1961 so they say I’m more at risk… 🙁 Anyway what a FUN FRIDAY OTHERWISE & my posts show it too… Love Love Love your pics, but CAT I have to say that picture of the boy… he reminds me of mad magazine and your fences first I thought of was Huckleberry Finn…. What fun!!!! Have a great weekend my friend! hugs Your drawings are really so good!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 8, 2017 at 1:46 pm

      Marie, It’s difficult to stay visible in Blogosphere when you have appointments. My life is a bit topsy-turvey between DH’s weekly retinal re-attachment post-op visits and my various doctor appointments. That’s just part of playing catch up after not neglecting health issues due to no insurance but thankfully we’re getting things taken care of at last. WOW, I did not know that your mother had a mastectomy! That was a lot of years ago, too. Things have changed a lot in the 55 years since she had her mastectomy. Heck, even mammograms have improved a lot over the past 17 years. I remember my first one in 2001. It was a very painful experience but then I had a second one in 2013 and it didn’t hurt nearly as bad which was a happy surprise. Speaking of mammograms, I need to set an appointment up this spring. There’s just too much to do. I’m glad you found time to visit and that you enjoyed my sketches. Have a good weekend, my friend!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 8, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      Alana, Sketching a giraffe is a great idea but I decided against drawing one this time. There’s aways another opportunity for me to try my hand at it, though. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 8, 2017 at 10:50 am

      Myke, you don’t see baskets on bicycles too much today unless it’s on a small child’s bike but it was common when I was a little girl. It seems like my first bike had a basket and I remember my best friend’s mom’s bicycle had a basket. Baskets were not only pretty but practical features. By adding this element it gives my picture a vintage feel. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Mary B

    April 7, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    Cathy,

    One can clearly see that you put a lot of effort into your theme this year. I love that you took your sketch and made a similar looking card for your mother. Those are the best kind of gifts to get.

    ~Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle
    #AtoZChallenge 1970’s Billboard Hits

  • Debbie D.

    April 7, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    This is your most ambitious work yet, Cathy. Great job! 🙂 Love the detail. The funny face brought a smile, too. Yes, I’m feeling a bit like a Fruit Loop at this point. Looking forward to Sunday. Have a good weekend!

      • Cathy Kennedy

        April 7, 2017 at 4:18 pm

        Debbie, thanks for the encouragement to continue sharing my art. I plan on doing it! Oh you said you’re a bit like a Fruit Loop, are you co-hosting this year? I can’t remember. It’s hard to stay on top of everything even having all my posts done. I can’t imagine what all the co-hosts are dealing with about now. Have a good weekend!

        • Debbie D.

          April 7, 2017 at 4:52 pm

          They don’t have co-hosts this year since there’s no list. 🙂 I’m just suffering a bad case of internet fatigue and am way behind with visits and comment responses. 😛

        • Cathy Kennedy

          April 7, 2017 at 5:19 pm

          Ah, I was unaware there are no co-hosts this year. I’m not sure why a daily isn’t kept, though. I think this would enhance everyone’s experience to now what type of posts to look for because it’s very overwhelming to find what I want in comments but I’m not letting this stop my fun.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Debbie, oh you flatter! You made my face flush with your comment “most ambitious work”. It was a fun sketch and I loved using it for Mom’s bday card and I had a blast drawing the funny face. Tom pointed out he looks like Alfred E. Neuman and I agree. I’d like to do more comic style faces like this one. 😀

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      Janet, so happy that you liked it! 😉 I wished I had watercolor paper for Mom’s card, though. It curled a bit, so I had to lay a book on it to flatten it out. 😀

      • Alex

        April 7, 2017 at 3:51 pm

        Half my watercolor papers buckle badly too. That’s one of the reasons I like Arches, it does really well in that department. (They’re all 140#, which is standard ‘I’m not adding a ton of water to this’ weight.)

  • lorigg

    April 7, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Fabulous F artwork. I think you should add it to your blog routine after the challenge, they are delightful and fun. At least your words and images give the impression you are having fun.

  • lissa

    April 7, 2017 at 11:55 am

    that sketch looks good, love the bike.

    it’s the ears that makes that face funny, to me anyway

    as for doing a sketch for your blog, you should only do it if you enjoy it.

    have a lovely day.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Lissa, The bike adds a nice touch to the fence sketch. It gives it that warm, vintage feel or at least to me it does but I believe my friend Tom pointed that out, too. The ears definitely contribute to making the funny face funnier. When I saw the image online, I knew that was a purrfect fit for today. Oh, I agree you gotta love something to share it with others and I’m truly enjoying sketching. I hope everyone sense my enthusiasm and passion. Thank you for stopping by!

  • Alex

    April 7, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Awww wittle foxy! And a bicycle!
    Love the version you did for your mom too. ^^
    Speaking of shadow, I wish I’d remembered to do more with shadow on my faerie. But I’m bad at drawing from the imagination in the first place so I’ll be happy with it and pretend there’s no shadow because magic. 😉

    You should definitely add weekly sketching to your blog routine! I’d love to see more and when you find something you enjoy you should grab it and hold on tight. Take it from someone who occasionally loses the ability to enjoy anything. 🙂

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      Alex,

      I’m glad others like you are interested in seeing more of my sketches beyond AprilA2Z. I plan to sure my contributions, maybe temporarily in my not-so Wordless Wednesday post. This seems like a good fit anyhow. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words and encouragement!

  • Suzanne Gunter McClendon

    April 7, 2017 at 7:43 am

    Yes, I think it would be a great idea for you to incorporate your sketches into your blogging routine. You do an excellent job with them. I love the pictures you’ve shared above, and especially the cute little frog. 🙂 A belated Happy Birthday to your mama.

    Suggestions for “F” sketches…fish, food, flies, floppy hats, flip flops, fireworks, flags.

    Thanks for explaining about how you used the watercolor pencils. I have some now, too, and look forward to using them soon.

    Have a blessed day!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 8:41 am

      Donna, I definitely will keep sketching even if I don’t share my drawings but in sharing it keeps me committed to my passion. I hope you find your way back to doing the same!

  • Jaishvats

    April 7, 2017 at 6:59 am

    I think that bicycle would be complete with a bunch of Flowers in the basket?? What do u think? Happy bday to your mom.my mom turned 61 on Wednesday 🙂

    jaishwrites – F for??? (flashfiction)

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 8:34 am

      Yes, flowers in the basket is a fantastic idea and I almost drew them but I’m not too good with the small details. Sketching a big basket of flowers sounds nice, though. Thanks for the bday wishes to my Mom and happy birthday to yours!

  • Thomas Anderson

    April 7, 2017 at 6:44 am

    Good morning, Cathy!

    I will answer your question right away. Yessum, I would enjoy seeing a weekly sketch feature on CAAC because you are dang good at drawing them. Your first sketch of the picket fence and bicycle with added elements of frog, fox, tree + foliage, fluffy clouds and flowing hillside, is an eye pleasing composition. It has a calming effect on me. It is nostalgic, reminding me of the simpler, happier days of my youth when the world moved at a much more leisurely pace. The little fox seems to be peeking through the fence posts and eyeing the frog, perhaps with a meal of frog’s legs in mind 🙂 With a few changes, including the substitution of a napping kitty for the other animals, plus a watercolor treatment, the image takes on more life. I’m sure your dear mother was overjoyed to receive that handmade art card for her birthday. Your mother is less than 5 years older than Shady! I like how you “aged” the picture by adding noise to produce a grainy effect. Your creations are suitable for framing, Cathy!

    Your funny face sketch is also terrific. it reminds me of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman:

    http://www.taunus-zeitung.de/storage/pic/importe/fnpartikel/rhein-main/hochtaunus/291555_1_tzh_alfred_180513.jpg?version=1368839227

    Have a wonderful Friday, dear friend Cathy, and I will see you tomorrow!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 8:16 am

      Tom,

      You’re such a dear. Thank you for such heartfelt compliments, my friend. I agree the funny face drawing bears a resemblance to Alfred E. Neuman. DH used to read Mad Magazine as a boy. He has a good sense of humor and is quick witted. Unlike him, I’m slow sometimes to catch the punchline and rarely able to dish out a great comeback. At least DH keeps me cracked up with his instantaneous comments. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a fantastic day!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 8:05 am

      Not having the linky list with the appropriate theme abbreviation is a challenge in itself but I’m not fretting over it. I’m sure the A2Z team will learn from its shortcomings and successes this year. I admit I would like to connect with more artists this round. It’s nice to see what others do to learn from. Thank you fro stopping by today!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      April 7, 2017 at 7:04 am

      Sandra, thanks! I want to do more landscape sketches. I remember drawing fences when I was younger. It’s funny how I recall things I used to like drawing through this challenge. I just totally forget this part of my life because it seems like forever with my high school years more than three decades ago. Thanks for popping in!

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