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Sunset Drive

Stock photos by Cathleen, available on Shutterstock

Sitting and drawing the other day, I noticing how wrong my proportions are. This got me thinking about getting back to the basics. Not 10 minutes later, my husband walks up on me drawing and says that there are some really good books on drawing, and that I should get one and take a look. Yes! Great idea! So, I pick up a fun drawing book that we have and start back with basic shapes.

I had originally gotten this book (Draw Really Cool Stuff), long ago for the kids and me. Of course, we had given it a try, but mostly the book just sat on a shelf.

Personally, I had never really understood about starting with shapes, I didn't get it. It was a step that I missed all these years. Even when drawing a face, I would try to start with an egg, sure, and try to make the lines, but usually did not follow anywhere near any of these in what I saw or would draw. I just didn't get it. Now, after all these years of trying to learn how to draw, trying to figure out how to express what is in my head, I pick up this book and something has change....

Suddenly the idea of seeing the shapes, mapping them out, it just makes more sense!

Kind of like reading a dance book, you can read it, but until your body actually grasps the movements, you will not be able to put it together.

I'm not sure what clicked, but if you want my opinion and my advice, it was all the practice that I've been doing lately. In practicing everyday, I've learned more and more. I'm learning things like how to hold the pencil more efficiently, how to work more quickly, better shading, etc. All these things get better with practice.

Below are a few drawings that I have done from the book so far.

They are for proportion and using the basic shapes method, which, I think really helped.

In the past, I had hated having to erase those shapes that you do in the beginning, but as Doug Dubosque, and other instructors point out, you should do these shapes with light pencil marks, to be erased, or simply drawn over, later. This lightness was something that I am only recently beginning to master, and it is very helpful.

Here are a few drawings I did from the book so far;

💚 🐢.

After making this little fish, he seemed so lonely, so I found another fish, and the crown of thorns starfish in the book, and they got added to the picture.

I can't wait to see what else comes from this doodling adventure! We would love to see your latest doodles, if you would like to share, leave them in the comments below.

See more doodle adventures here on Doily Designs Art Journal.

In life, the way we see things changes with time.

Be patient with yourself, keep at it, and practice, practice, practice :)

Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes and happy doodling!

First drawing from book 'Draw Really Cool Stuff', Fat Sand Rat.

Leaves of Change

🍁 Hello Fall 🍁

🍂 Beautiful changing colors of Autumn 🍂

Mix of plants make a lovely landscape.

🍂 Colorful sprouts of Creeping Fig Ivy 🍂

🍃🍂🍃

Don't let the time slip away.
Make the most of every day.

🍁

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time.

Best wishes 🍂

Doily Designs

In 2011, I began crocheting in the round and was hooked. ∞ Crocheting itself is very therapeutic and meditative and in the round is the cherry on top. Round and round, row after row, coming full circle. It is so very satisfying. In the round offers so much inspiration, there are endless possibilities of things to make. After making one doily like design after another, like the ones below, the name Doily Designs was born.

A few of my Doily Designs~

Doily Designs earrings from 2011

Doily Designs Blanket, 2012.

Doily Designs tree skirt, 2012. First published pattern, for purchase, 2018.

2012, Doily Designs Shells & Lace Doily Rug. Lovingly, inspired by wanting to make my Mother-in-Law a unique and special gift.

Custom Rug and Blanket order for babies room, photo courtesy of customer.

Doily Designs Shirt, inspired design, 2015

Doily Designs, Mint Chocolate Chip Mandala Doily, 2014.

(Free pattern at Doily Designs)

I'll finish up with the new large tree skirt pattern. Large Cranberry Pineapple Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern now available on Etsy.

Ravelry, & Lovecrafts.

2018-2021

〜

Always aspiring to find new concepts and create new joy.....

Keeping the traditions going and growing!

Thank you for stopping by!

Bee drawing by Liz 🐝☕🐝

Poetry by Whisper

Dark, yet inspirational poetry, such as;

Out on a Limb, Shattered Glass, and others

by Whisper, (aka CWG)

can be now be found on Poetry by Whisper,

Doily Designs poetry page.

Thank you for stopping by.

Summer Flowers in Texas

A few Abstract Photographs of Summer Flowers in bloom after Texas rain.

Peonies closeup.

Texas Sage Bush at sunset.

Photographs by Cathleen Wake Gorbatenko

Do unto others

A great way to live.

"In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Matthew 7:12

Best wishes of joy and happiness.

Sewing Machine Cover

Sewing machine cover and gift set.

Sewing machine cover pattern found in a magazine, made for my m.i.l. years ago.

First quilting project ever and it was pretty addictive.

The flowers turned out cute and I like the idea of using ribbon and scrap fabric to make flowers.

Buttons were used in center of flowers and a little covered box in matching fabric to store what nots in, made with a cardboard gift box.

The gift bags are hand made as well. Painted picture on brown bag, with holes and yarn for handle.

The sewing box was store bought, but went well with the theme.

Handmade card is paper 'stained glass'.

This was a fun to make birthday gift.

Thank you for stopping by.

May you find joy and inspiration in life.

Best wishes and happy crafting!

Years ago, when we would visit Grandma's (aka, my m.i.l.), she would always be sewing something for her home, so on her birthday, after seeing a sewing machine cover in a magazine, I was inspired to gift her a handmade sewing machine cover.

Doing a lot of sewing myself at the time, I knew how nice a machine cover could be, and maybe if it is interesting enough, she would use it more. She loves light colors, and I happened to have some scrap material, from her, that worked out perfect. This was my first quilting adventure. It was quite fun and inspired me to make more quilted items later.

This amazing puzzle was put together by my S.I.L. ⛪🧩