Sunday, September 30, 2012

Beverage Receptacles

Beverage Receptacles - Left: Drinking Glass; Right: My Favourite Mug - Ink and Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Left: Drinking Glass; Right: My Favourite Mug
Ink and Watercolour
Recently I saw someone draw some mugs with bold coloured backgrounds. I don't remember where I saw this or who did it. However, I liked it. So, I thought I would try it too.

The image on the left is of our son,s empty drinking glass. He had diet cola in it. There are still some ice in it that has not melted and there is a straw. I am looking at the glass from a slightly lower perspective. Yes, I felt a tiny bit silly drawing this practically lying on the table (okay, with my head down like I were going to take a nap in school). our son is used to me and he claims I do not embarrass him. 

The drawing on the right is of my favourite mug. My husband brought this mug for me. He purchased it at the Museum of Civilization. It has an image on it from one of my favourite artists: Alex Colville. I have illustrated this mug twice before. I drink my morning coffee in it. 

Other posts with this mug in it:

Saturday, September 29, 2012

642 Things to Draw #44 - A Juice Box

642 Things to Draw 44 - (Rubbermaid) Juice Box - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Rubbermaid Juice Box
Pen and Ink
I was going to draw one of those cardboard juice boxes that you can purchase in the grocery store, however, it made more sense to me to draw the Rubbermaid Juice Box that we used when Alexander was younger and took lunches to school. These are reusable and litterless. You can even purchase replacement inner straws when needed. I used to fill this with apple juice for Alexander (his favourite).

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Friday, September 28, 2012

Side-View Mirror

View from the side-view mirror - Watercolour, Ink, and Inktense pencils by Ana Tirolese ©2012
View from the side-view mirror
Watercolour, Ink, and Inktense pencils
This view is from the passenger-side side-view mirror. I was on an errand with Alexander (he was driving) and I looked in the mirror and loved the way the clouds were being reflected on the windows and side of the vehicle.

I took half a dozen photos with my iPhone to remember the moment. None were perfect so I used several different ones, plus my memory, to come up with this image.

Perhaps some day I will recreate this in a large painting.


Thursday, September 27, 2012

642 Things to Draw #43 - Pom-poms

642 Things to Draw 43 - Pom-poms - Ink and Digital colour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Pom-poms
Ink and Digital Colour

Pom-poms. My little cartoon girl is showing off her cheerleader moves with pom-poms. This is something I have no experience with. I was never a cheerleader, nor did I want to be one.  I have never enjoyed sports enough to want to be at games. And, I am extremely uncoordinated, as it is. When I was going to school cheerleading was not a sport, in itself.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Anthony & Lucha Libre

Lucha Libre (Left) and Anthony (Right) - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Lucha Libre (Left) and Anthony (Right)
Pen and Ink
Lucha Libre mask.

These are not related drawings except that they are both on facing pages in the purple Moleskine, both are pen and ink.

I am attempting to perfect my skills with pen and ink.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

642 Things to Draw #42 - Synchronized Swimmers

642 Things to Draw 42 - Synchronized Swimmers - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese
Synchronized Swimmers
Pen and Ink

I have to admit, I do not understand the appeal of synchronized swimming. It looks silly to me. I realize that it does take a lot of skill and talent to do. I understand it is not an easy thing to do. When I watch this sport I all I can see are the weird movements and the bizarre facial expressions. I am certain synchronized swimming is one of those sports where it is more fun to do than to watch, like golf.

Truth is, I am not fond of any sports so I am not the best person to comment on something like this.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Monday, September 24, 2012

Two Tiny Dolls

Tiny Dolls - Watercolour and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Left: Dollinha, Right: Herbunculous
Watercolour and Ink
I have illustrated and written about Dollinha before. If you go to the previous post, you can see more about her, as well as see some photos of Dollinha. Dollinha is about two-inches tall.

I gave given Herbunculous the wrong name in my sketchbook. Both Alexander and Anthony informed me that the doll is NOT named Mr. Homuculus but Herbunculous. This is a small thread doll that used to hang off the rear-view mirror in our vehicle. There has been a previous post about Herbunculous that explains more about it.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

642 Things to Draw #41 - A Gold Medal

642 Things to Draw 41 - A Gold Medal - from the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008 - Watercolour with Ink by Ana Tirolese 2012
A Gold Medal (from the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008)
Watercolour with Ink
The Summer Olympics just occurred in England this year (2012) but I decided to do the gold medal from the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008. I thought it was prettier.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Saturday, September 22, 2012

At the Park with Alexander

At the Park - Ink with Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
At the Park
Ink with Watercolour
Another park image of Alexia's son on one of the playground slides. The kids were having a really good time on the playground equipment. This is from the park behind my home.


Friday, September 21, 2012

642 Things to Draw #40 - A Tulip

642 Things to Draw 40 - A Tulip - Pen and Ink with watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
A Tulip
Pen and Ink with Watercolour
Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Thursday, September 20, 2012

Al

Al, Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Al
Pen and Ink
On Monday and Fridays at 10 am there is coffee in the building's social room for tenants of the building. I go when I can.  This is Al from the coffee group. He is fascinating to talk to. His life has been so interesting. He has traveled all over the world.

UPDATE DECEMBER 28, 2012

I am sad to say that Al passed away on December 26, 2012


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

642 Things to Draw # 39 - A Submarine

642 Things to Draw 39 - A Submarine Sandwich - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
A Submarine Sandwich
Pen and Ink
They probably meant for me to draw a submarine boat but I am more familiar with the submarine sandwich so that is what I drew. I sometimes make our own subs for lunch, but more often than not, if we are going to have subs for lunch I go to Mr. Submarine or Quiznos. Both are walking distance from our building.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Cake and Coffee

Coffee and Cake - Pen and Ink with Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Coffee and Cake
Pen and Ink with Watercolour
I really enjoy a bit of cake with my coffee, not that I have this often. This is from Anthony's birthday and I drew this from a photo because I was craving something sweet and didn't have anything in the home.

Of course, I made a nice black coffee in my Tassimo.


Monday, September 17, 2012

642 Things to Draw #38 - An Old Key

642 Things to Draw 38 - An Old Key - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
an old key
Pen and Ink
This is a pretend old key. It is actually the key to one of my jewelry boxes.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Sunday, September 16, 2012

Laura at the Playground

Laura at the Playground - Pen and Ink with Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Laura at the Playground
Pen and Ink with Watercolour
Laura checking something out at the playground in the park behind my home. I just really like this image.


Saturday, September 15, 2012

642 Things to Draw #37 - A Knot

a knot in pen and ink by Ana Tirolese
a loose knot
Pen and Ink
I have no idea what kind of knot* this is. I am not well versed in knots. My shoe-laces come undone faster than you can say "would you please".  I supposed I could have attempted to illustrate knot, the unit of speed, but that did not occur to me (and I wouldn't have the foggiest how to go about drawing that!)

Here is a page that offers step-by-step videos of useful knot tying, not to be mistaken with tying the knot.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.


*My friend, photographer/artist: Ingelbert Lievaart II, says it is a bowline knot and he finds it very useful.


Friday, September 14, 2012

My Hand

Pen and Ink hand by Ana Tirolese ©2012
My Hand
Pen and Ink
No sketchbook is complete without at least one rendering of a (my) hand.  I was trying to emulate Robert Crumb's style when I drew this.

Anthony says he can always recognize my hand because of the crinkly knuckles.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

642 Things to Draw #36 - The Milky Way

642 Things to Draw 36 - A Milky Way Candy Bar - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
A Milky Way Candy Bar
Pen and Ink
Instead of drawing THE Milky Way, I drew A Milky Way. YUM! The chocolate bar was far more fun to draw (and eat) than a bunch of dots on a page representing stars. But, for those who wanted to see THE Milky Way, here is an image of it from Wikipedia:


Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Of Watercolour and Erasers

Watecolour Stack and Kneaded Eraser Container -  Pen and Ink with Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Watecolour Stack and Kneaded Eraser Container
Pen and Ink with Watercolour
The portable watercolour stack (left) has three tiers of 6 colours each giving me 18 colours to carry around with me.  They are opaque watercolours in cake form. The whole thing is about 4 inches wide by three inches high and can easily fit in my purse or backpack.

On the right we have a Michael's Superstore tin that is shaped like a palette. It used to hold mints. Now it holds my kneaded eraser. It is small and portable.


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

642 Things to Draw #35 - Head in the Clouds

642 Things to Draw 35 - Head in the Clouds - Pen and Ink with Digital Colour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Head in the Clouds
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour
This cartoon was so boring without colour so I added some digitally. The colour helps to illustrate the "head in the clouds" theme better.

When someone is said to have their head in the clouds it means that they are out of touch with the real world. They may be flighty, frivolous, scatterbrained, or just daydreamers. They are considered unrealistic or naive as a result of having their  head in the clouds. These people are often guided by whim and fancy.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Monday, September 10, 2012

Dexter


Dexter - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Dexter
Pen and Ink

This is in my little purple Moleskine. I am working on improving my pen and ink work. I am not thrilled with this pieces, but it really does look like Dexter.


Sunday, September 9, 2012

642 Things to Draw #34 - A Balloon

642 Things to Draw 34 - A Baloon - Pen and Ink with Digital Colour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
A Balloon
Pen and Ink with Digital colour
I added the digital colour because my drawing was so boring without it. It is not all that mush more exciting with it. I regret not drawing a hot-air balloon. That would have been more interesting. I can see a park from my window where they launch hot-air balloons.

This balloon is purely from my imagination, but I have seen many of these throughout my life. Our son has a latex allergy. We can no longer have latex balloons in our home.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.




Saturday, September 8, 2012

On the Slide

Laura and Alexander on the Slide - Pen and Ink with Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Laura and Alexander on the Slide
Pen and Ink with Watercolour
My friend, Alexia, and her children, met me at the park behind my home for some walking and playing. The kids really enjoyed the playground equipment. These are Alexia's children, Laura and Alexander, playing on one of the slides.


Friday, September 7, 2012

642 Things to Draw #33 - A Spigot

642 Things to Draw 33 - A Spigot - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Pen and Ink
I actually had to look up what a spigot was because although I thought I knew what it meant I was not 100% certain my definition was correct. It was.

The drawing is of the spigot, or faucet, in our laundry room. The tap is really not crooked on the actual spigot, but I messed up. We'll call it "artistic license". The spigot over the laundry sink in our laundry room is just a plain old utilitarian spigot. It is not fancy but it does the job. It is copper in colour with the tap being stainless steel.

To see what Wikipedia has to say, go here.


Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.



Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mr. Bunnese or Mr. Boneeze

Mr. Bunnese, BEST Netherland Dwarf Rabbit EVER! - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Mr. Bunnese, BEST Netherland Dwarf Rabbit EVER!
Pen and Ink
Mr. Bunnese (or Mr. Boneeze), was the best Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, ever! Sadly, he is no longer with us. He went to the big warren in the sky in 2007.

Mr. B. was a perfect fit into our family. He was somewhat of a screwball. He had a kitchen mat that he claimed as his own. No one was permitted to step on it or he'd push you off with his head. He never left the mat. You could go out knowing that he would still be on his mat when you arrived home.

We had a litter box, food, water, and toys on and around the mat. Mr. B. was very content to spend his time there. We would get down on the floor to play with him. He loved to interact with us, on his terms.

FHe was a gentle and sweet bunny. He lived to a very old age. When he had a stroke, about a year before his death, I would hand feed him and give him water by hand. Eventually his little brain rewired itself so he could do these on his own again, but he was a little lopsided. We loved him so much. It was a sad day for us when his little body finally gave up to age.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

642 Things to Draw #32 - A Peg Leg

642 Things to Draw 32 - A Peg Leg - Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Pen and Ink
When I think of a peg leg I think of the old movie pirates. I'm sure that there are still people with peg legs, even in these days of artificial "life-like" prosthesis. However, this is a topic I know very little about. Wikipedia did not have much to add to my knowledge base.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.



Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Lovebird and Fish

Lovebird and Fish - Pen and Ink and Watercolour - by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Lovebird and Fish
Pen and Ink and Watercolour
First drawings in my new nice purple Moleskine.


Lovebird - Pen and Ink and Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Lovebird
Pen and Ink
Based on Missus. Our beautiful lovebird. She is gone now, but we loved her and her partner, Paganini, and we still miss them.

Fish -  Pen and Ink and Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Fish
Pen and Ink and Watercolour
I love having fish around me. They make me feel calm.


Monday, September 3, 2012

642 Things to Draw #31 - Fruit Cocktail

642 Things to Draw 31 - Fruit Cocktail Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Fruit Cocktail
Pen and Ink
We really enjoy fruit cocktail. I make it with whatever fruit is in season and we have at home. I usually add bananas, oranges, grapes, pineapple, and berries to our fruit cocktail. I may add a little orange juice to it, but usually I just add the fruit. I don't add sugar, but my mom always added sugar.

I attempted to find a fruit cocktail recipe online to share but all the recipes I found were either for fruit cocktail cakes or for fruit cocktail alcoholic mixes. I have never had a fruit cocktail with alcohol in it, and likely won't as I am not much of a drinker. My fruit cocktails are more like fruit salads.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.



Sunday, September 2, 2012

New Purple Moleskine Sketchbook

Ana's new Moleskine Sketchbook
New Purple Moleskine Sketchbook
W: 3½" x H: 5½" x T: ½"
I started a new sketchbook. It is a small, pocket-sized, book covered in a purple silk fabric. The book measures 3½" wide by 5½" high by ½" thick. It has a heavier stock paper in it that is good for light watercolour, as well as pencil, pen, and water-based marker.

The tacky flower I drew on the front is so I can remember which side is the front. I kept opening it upside-down and backwards.

I picked up the book at Phidon Pens, some time ago, but only got started in it in August, when I filled up my last pocket-sized Moleskine.

Double page spread - Ana Tirolese ©2012
Double Page Spread
I always stress about starting new sketchbooks so now I just dig right in with a cover page. It can be silly, fun, colourful, or anything under the sun. Once that page is completed to my satisfaction, I am free to explore through the sketchbook.
Cover Page - My Name. Ink and Watercolour by Ana Tirolese ©2012
Cover Page - My Name
Ink and Watercolour
Once the fear of messing up the new book is gone then the sky's the limit.  Here I did the cover page of my name in black ink with blue, yellow, and red watercolour. The three primary colours with black (a shade). 

Saturday, September 1, 2012

642 Things to Draw #30 - A Mosquito

642 Things to Draw 30 - a mosquito.  Pen and Ink by Ana Tirolese ©2012 - http://goo.gl/Z5X6t
a mosquito
Pen and Ink
Mosquitoes are something I am very familiar with. Luckily, not in recent years, but when younger I used to be covered in mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes can be instrumental in spreading disease, for example: West Nile, Malaria, St.Louis Encephalitis, Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis, and other diseases. There has been a lot of public education on reducing mosquito population such as removing stagnant water in your yard, bird baths, or from pooling inside tire swings.

I am very happy with my mosquito rendering.

Book: 642 Things To Draw -- this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you would like to purchase this book please use this link. Thank you.