A week or so ago, I saw that there was a free sketching course that has a variety of artists doing short tutorials for a couple of weeks. So I decided to join. It’s called Sketchbook Revival. You can still join in if you’d like, just click on this link.
I have been watching the videos but not doing all of the specific exercises. I decided that I would use this opportunity to start sketching in my small nature journal again. I want to sketch something from my daily walks. I am using different techniques, the tamarack branch is done with pen and markers.
I found three antlers already this year in and around our property. We have lived here for 15 years and these are the first ones I have found. This one is pen and watercolor.
And here’s a piece of wood that was interesting. I meant to pick up another one but left it behind. But this one was smaller and easier anyways. Again, pen and watercolor.
This is the first exercise in Sketchbook Revival tutorials that I decided to try. It is from day 4 by Val Webb. I thought it was a very useful tutorial including ways to use ink to make textural marks and feathers. I might have to try some more birds now. I am still working on my class homework too but trying to spend 15-30 minutes a day on sketching. Hopefully, I can keep sketching and practicing my drawing skills. I always enjoy it when I get started, it is just the getting started part that is hard.
Ruth Lane Art 
Very nice, Ruth!!
Thanks Louise!
Your sketches and watercolours are wonderful Ruth and your shading ‘lifts’ the antler right off the paper.
We had a heron poking around our pond yesterday but the resident crow – he’s the size of a chicken and he’s been feasting on baby frogs etc – soon scared the heron away.
Thanks Lyn! I don’t have a pond that big birds would come to visit but I have been seeing sand hill cranes on the way to work every day. It’s been really cool watching them. Your crow sounds huge!
Love your sketches Ruth, and as Lyn & Annie have said the shading makes all the difference.
What mediums have you used?
Thanks Antje! I used markers for the first branch, pen and watercolor for the middle two sketches and the last sketch is acrylic high flow black paint with a brush.
Wow, thanks. I must get back to sketching (as always – when I can find the time, and Iām retired!!!).
No excuses, this is about sketching in your everyday life, making sketching a habit.
Nice to have friends to give you a good ‘kick on the butt’. Thank you
Great sketches Ruth! Do you do anything with the antlers?
Thanks Kim! I have used them in the past for displaying jewelry at the store. I haven’t done anything with this set yet though. People here use them to make jewelry and all kinds of things such as handles for kitchen utensils, salt and pepper shakers and even cribbage boards.
Hi Ruth, your work is amazing! Thanks for the tip of the Sketchbook tutorials, i am in! A lot of tutorials, overwelming. I hope it will be online for longer time š
Thanks Jifke! I see you got started on your sketchbook, good for you. The tutorial are online until May 18th so you have some extra time. There is a lot of information there but just take one at a time and you’ll do fine š