I've drawn the outline on Hot Press Watercolour paper as it's the only suitable paper I have right now that's big enough. (Mellotex on order :-).
The drawing is 14 x 9. Thanks to Mike for helping me simplify the original B&W photo to a manageable size.
Mike, I have tried to follow your suggestion for finding the trees and I think I have an idea where they all are now, or at least where I will have them appear in the drawing.
I know I'm not supposed to start with something difficult but I needed to find out if I was able to do trees and bushes and thought that I would just start over if I messed this one up right away. I practiced a bit in a sketch book and read and re-read your "trees tutorial" as well as any I could find by Diane Wright who claims to have learned this from you too .
After almost throwing the whole thing across the garden several times I decided I had nothing to lose but a silly piece of paper so I took my pencil in an underhand grip, loosened up and had some fun with scribbling. To my utter amazement the bush started to appear before my very eyes. I had only to put in the tones and pull out highlight and I had my bush.
It is close to the viewer but not an important element so it needs to be "suggestive" anyway. I can always go back later when the surrounding elements are done.
I'm so very happy that I was able to do this bush. Now I feel I can also draw the trees when I get to them
Nancy

Nancy, this is coming along so nicely - don't doubt your abilities - you have a wonderful talent that has been obvious from the beginning of the course. I'm so proud of you to have the courage to start on something this challenging, and now you are proving that you can do it!! Hooray! Can't wait to follow along with you and see it progress - it's going to be wonderful.......
Jan

Thank you so much Jan,
it feels SO good to have these very special drawing friends!
You probably would be more likely to call what I have "determination" if you could see what I go through to get each thing to work :-)
How is your hen house drawing coming along? will you be posting an update for us?

Wow!!! What can I say!! This is so masterly outlined and the bush looks just like a live bush. A big hug to you!!

I can see you walking through fire and water to find your way through all problems and difficulties. All papers and scetches around you and you investigating books and enviroments. ;-) That's the best way to use your inborn talent. I love following you through this adventure. What part will be the next one in the drawing?

Jan and Annkristen,
I wish I could express how much your cheers inspire me?
The pier/dock is next.
My advantage is passion in this case.
I really DO feel each thing as I do it. With every board and stone I remember how it felt when I was little. The fish caught from the dock, Daddy lifting the rocks out of the water to stabilize the dock, mixing the cement for the steps, the knife in my hand as I cut into the fish (either to fillet it for breakfast or simply just to dissect it for science :-) right there on that big flat rock. It's a wonderful journey.
Nancy

Nancy,

The best way to succed with something is to have those strong feelings as you have. It's wonderful to follow your steps through this drawing. I can guess how proud Mike will be when he sees what you have done. :-)

Nancy, that's so cool - what a great journey for you. I'm looking forward to seeing your next post. I am trying to work on my Robbie picture, but I'm not getting very far. On June 29, I was laid off from my job as Finance Director (they contracted it out) at a retirement home, and it came as a real shock. They gave me no warning and I'm still reeling a little and haven't felt like drawing. Grieving, I guess..... but I know it's just a temporary setback, and something good will come from it - God's "got my back"!! Keep posting your updates, ok?
AnnKristin, I sure hope you are able to round up your sheep!! How's your drawing coming along? Looking forward to seeing it. How are you feeling?
I'm going to go draw now.....
Keep wondering where the rest of the class is.... would like to hear from them and see their progress, too...... are you out there????

OOOH no Jan!.. I can understand how you feel. Such a thing turns your whole life up side down. It's so hard to accept that life can change so quickly. Have you got any professional help to feel better? In Sweden we often treat our self with EFT. If you are not familiar with it you can browse on Google. I really hope you will find solutions or alternatives.

And don't give up on Robbie drawing. You will finnish it. And, we got away with the sheep yesterday, so the nightmares are over. :-)

How are you getting on with the pire, Nancy?

Jan, I'm so sorry for this distressing turn of events! I know you will find a way to make this into a "good thing".
BTW, will you be posting an update of your hen house for us to see? I would really like that so much... just so that we can follow along with you as you get it done.

AnnKristin, does that mean you got the sheep with the barbwire on her? That must be a great relief.

We've had a lot going on. it was my husbands birthday yesterday and I've been shopping for his gift ( a new recliner chair) and cooking for the party which involves all of the cleaning up that goes with it. no time for drawing. I should be able to get back at it today but I would REALLY like to see how you both are doing also. I feel that I am monopolizing the board here :-)
Nancy

That's why your bush works so well, Nancy! You're drawing something you are experiencing in 3D in your mind. In my opinion that's the biggest step you'll ever have to take, and I'm so pleased you've made it.

I've been trying to get back here to comment ever since you first posted - but our trip to the US is imminent and there's sill so much to do! And only four days left to do it in!!!

I'll have my little Netbook computer with me so, whenever I can find a wireless connection, I'll be able to keep up with your progress and offer assistance if you need it.

I like the way you've split your trees into individual shapes. Work on a small area at a time and imagine you are poking your pencil into the leaves as you draw. Use negative drawing by using the darker areas of the tree behind to define the white leaves of the one in front, then finally work on those white leaves. Break the job down and then down again, and you'll find it manageable. And don't attempt too much detail - they're the backdrop, not centre stage.

I don' know why I just wrote that.... I know you can do it

Thank you very much Mike,
I know why you wrote that. I read and re-read everything you say to any of us ... it's good stuff!
You know that this explanation about poking your pencil through... I've read it before somewhere in your comments or class material... that clicked big-time with me, like a breakthrough.
The more you comment, the better, in my opinion
Have a blast in The States.
later, Nancy

Wow Nancy, Great stuff. The bush looks like you've put a piece from a photo in there!

Sorry to hear your trials, Jan. Things generally tend to turn out for the best in the end, even though it's a shock at the time. I've been made redundant 3 times now (have the knack of working my way out of a job), and ended up in a better job each time.

It's great to see the team still in touch. Sorry I've been a drop out. Plans to finish Robbie and Henrietta eventually - preferably when its raining! And I've signed up for one of Mike's courses in September. So that should give me a boost, too.

Dawn

So Happy to see that you have joined us Dawn :-)
Thank you for your compliment. I do hope you will post your drawing as you go along so that we can see how it progresses.
Do you know if the course in September will be the same as the one we just finished? Same lessons, same drawings etc?
Nancy

Hi Dawn,

I know you will finnish the Robbie drawing sooner or later. But I shouldn't ask for rainy days.;-)

Hi, all! Thank you for your kind words, and I know things will turn around - life always has its ups and downs! I will try to post my picture (in its very early stages) tomorrow.
Nancy, do you have anything more to post? How is the pier coming? Can't wait to see it.... don't you live in Canada somewhere? How far are you from the nearest town? I love living in the country....
AnnKristin, I'm so glad you got your sheep back! Don't you live way out in the country, too? Have you started your drawing again - how frustrating about your kitties!! I think I might have gotten a little hysterical
Hey, Dawn, glad to see you back - how's your Robbie pic coming? Wonder if we are at about the same stage???? Thanks for the encouraging words about the job!

<<I know why you wrote that. I read and re-read everything you say to any of us ... it's good stuff! The more you comment, the better, in my opinion>>

I SO agree - I find all of it so helpful and keep it in a notebook

Mike, I hope you have a wonderful time in the States!! Have you and your wife ever come to Oregon? That would be awesome to take a seminar from you - and it is soooo beautiful here, you wouldn't be disappointed!! I'm curious, too - is the course you're teaching in September the same one we just took?

I've not been to Oregon... yet! Last year was my first visit to the States and my first US workshop - 5-day at West Yellowstone. Next year I'm 90% certain we'll be starting back at Texas then moving on to Solvang in California. Then I hope to arrange one further north, perhaps around San Francisco. Originally, we then planned to go to either Oregon or Washington and on up into Canada, but the response from Canada hasn't been good enough to make a workshop viable. That said, over half of the folk I'll be meeting at the New York workshop next week have travelled down from Canada.

Sorry... getting away from the point and Oregon. Oregon remains a possibility, and may even replace the north California idea.

September: I'm running an online course here AND a 2-day workshop in North Yorkshire. The DrawSpace course will be a repeat of the one you just completed, and the Workshop will see me trying to cram as much of a 10-week course into 2 days as I can! There are some similarities between the two, but I try to keep them varied.

Mike, you seem to have an increadible timetable. Will you ever get the time to write your book about composition? I figure it will take several years.

Jan, yes I'm just about to restart my drawing but I'm not sure if I have the correct tools for drawing yet. Yes I live far away on countryside, and I love it except for my daily 4 hour's journey to and from work. Do you live on the countuside too?

Mike, Do you every think maybe you will have one in North Carolina, maybe?? I hope, Raleigh, North Carolina would be great. I'll start saving if you do.

Nancy, I think Mike tailors the course somewhat - if you check out his Workshop plus bit on the website you can see some of the class drawings he's done before - some similarities, but that's probably not a bad thing! Are you thinking of doing the course? It would be great if you did - nice to meet a 'fellow conspirator' from Drawspace.
Dawn

Hi Dawn, I may, someday, attend a live workshop... I hope :-)
probably not the online course again as I do believe it will be identical to the one we just took.
Are you going to post your progress, so far, on the Hen house drawing or are you going to wait for the next course? I would like to see it :-)

Here is an update on the drawing.
I've been at this, off and on, for the last 2 days but I can only work on it for about 30 min before I feel exhausted. I am finding this very difficult - mentally and emotionally draining but am determined to stick with it as I'm afraid if I stop I won't be able to get going again.
Here are my problems, hoping someone can add some insight.
I'm not sure what to do with the bench (the stark white oblong along the shore behind the dock). I don't want to take it out, simply for the truth of the setting, but also do not need to make it quite so obvious. I believe it was some kind of corrigated tin painted white but thought I might make it a light barn board?? opinions?
I'm also worried that the dock does not appear to be going out into the lake. it is actually straight out from the shore but looks like it might run alongside it instead?? is there an easy way to make this come away from the background (shoreline)? I thought some perspective trick or shading??
or maybe it's ok?
I think I'll go back up and do some midground now. I'm already running the risk of smudging what I've already done.
thanks for your feedback.
Nancy

Wow, You have really succeded with what you have done so far. I can understand that you have to take such a big and difficult project in small steps. You are both talented, persistent and entusiastic. That's what's needed.

About the dock not apearing to go out into the lake. I guess you should not be bothering about that yet. I think that will be more apearant when you have done the surfce of the lake and I guess you should do less texture on it where it's closer to the shore. You will absolutaly solve that problem when you are going ahead. Remember that Mike wrote that what you don't understand now will be obvious later on.

Perhaps it will be hard not to smudge the drawn area since you have started almost at the bottom. Keeping everything clean is one of the difficulties in drawing. Remember that Mike wrote that we can put a piece of paper over the drawn area and fix it with a tape so it doesn't move. I think it is irritating not being able to see what I have done so far so I eventually solved it by cutting a piece of transparet film covering the area and fixing it with tape. Then I can see what I have done and I don't have to bother about smuding it.

So go ahead Nancy. You are doing so fine. And Mike will support you on your way.

that is beautiful...i can't wait till the day i can draw like that

Looking really good, Nancy! I totally agree with AnnKristin that once you draw the water, the dock will take on a different appearance and perspective, just as in the photo. In regards to the bench, I think I would leave it for now and as the rest of the foreground is completed, you will get more of a sense of its tonality and importance in the drawing. It would be really hard to make those decisions because you have such emotional connections and responses to probably everything in the drawing. But what a special journey to take, and it's turning out wonderfully. Keep us posted!!

Great work Nancy,
If I were you, I'd keep going and not worry about the jetty just yet. Mike's advice would be the same, too, I suspect. I think it will become obvious when you do the shading on the water.
As for the bench - we all know just what good planked wood you can draw!

My drawing of Robbie has stalled - too much sunshine and commitment to write some articles for my professional magazine (I'm a chiropractor) and a proposal for a PhD thesis (I'm a chiropractor who'd like to be a 'real' doctor Ha Ha.) But I will get to it eventually and let you guys see the outcome!

Dawn

So you have so much sunshine. That's great. I suspect you don't live in Europe than. This summer in Sweden we have had four times as much rain as usual.

I hope you will be able to write your thesis and become a doctor as well. I understand you have a lot of work ahead. I wish you good luck of all my heart.

You're doing a great job Nancy! The bushes are turning out great! Now that things have slowed down for me a little at the farmer market, I am hoping to complete the assignments for the last 2 weeks of class.

Looking forward to seeing the finished drawing!

Tina

Hi Annkristin.
Yes I live in the South of England. We've had plenty of rain, but that's been during the week when I'm at work in the North of England (long story)..

We've had some really super weekends, so I like to sit outside and work on soaking up enough sunshine to last me through the winter! I'm sure the good run of weather will stop eventually, then I'll feel more like picking up a pencil. I'm doing Mike's face-to-face course in September in Yorkshire, so that will kick start me, I guess.

D

Hi Everyone,
Lots have been happening while I have been busy at work I see....

Nancy, how is the cottage going - you havent said much for a couple of weeks. All okay I hope?

I find it just so very hard to allow myself to spend time on my drawing. It seems a little selfish when there is so much to do. I KNOW it will make me more content and a happier person but geez its hard sometimes. Or is it just an excuse?????

Oh Dawn, boy am I jealous....the face to face workshop will be just soooo good. I feel a little left out being in Australia, maybe one day.........

Does anyone else have a project they have started on?

Catch up with you all soon.

Take care
Sharon