Sketchbook Update 101 (Patreon)

It's been a while longer than normal since my last sb post! I was talking to a friend lamenting that I'd been neglecting my sketchbook, and they said that I'd been un-neglecting it for so long that it's about time I took a break. Fair point.

There is however, an obnoxious amount of bedtime diary doodles. Let me know if you like seeing these, they're very same-y, so I worry a bit.

Scant plein air paintings! It's honestly drizzling so much I haven't painted much :'). I'm excited for more sunny days soon, I can't wait to get the oil pastels out again. The first painting is from one of my regular walks, the second one is from a foggy morning when I was visiting York!

I went to a life drawing for the first time in maybe 8 years, I used to do it regularly as a teen and I missed it! Honestly though I didn't understand what the instructions were, and you can see I'm very lost in the first two! (the instructions were...dumb. I don't miss being taught things.) Next time I'm taking a much softer medium, my hand was knackered filling this in...BUT it was nice to draw from life.

It is calf time again!!! There was one baby who I was worried about, and I asked the farmer and he invited me in while he got it on its feet (it was ok, just very new) and then he let me stay and draw, which was Amazing. The mums kept coming up and trying to lick me, and one baby plonked itself down right by my feet and went to sleep.

I made myself go on a longer walk and honestly it was really magical, I walked through a farm whose trees all had mistletoe on them, which is really uncommon up here! (Or, I've never seen it this far north before) It was amazing to see it close up.

I've been walking a villagers dog for her, and showing him all the secret water places I know, it's been nice to share them with something ;).

Since outside right now is 90% windy or rainy, I've been retreating into fake nature instead. Kcd2 is Beeauuutiful, I absolutely cannot fight to save my life, but I love the scenery and the attention to detail. Standing in a forest in the game got me so excited, it's the closest I think anything has gotten (for me) to real life.

Also a recent addition is pokopia, which has absolutely consumed my evenings, sorry sketchbook, no time for you. (thank u patrons for allowing me to buy this overpriced game...)

Not every day has been rotten though, we got a few properly spring-like days, and I ate my lunches in the garden to take full advantage! Josie loves the blanket, especially when the grass is damp. I came back and she was still sat on it, on her own.

A couple of art inspirations below:

Eric Ravilious, his paintings of England's rolling hills are so melancholy but so beautiful. Very fitting for this time of year when everything feels quite bleak and washed out.

Cheye/skunkeys on bsky! Just some gorgeous sketchbook inks, I love them.

Anyway, thank you for the support! I hope you have a nice weekend!