My first attempt at drawing a portrait . . .

In class this week we are pairing off and drawing our partners. This is my first attempt. Her nose is too long and it throws off the proportions of the face. I was sitting with my pad in front of me when I really needed it to be on an easel. I was also using a med. charcoal pencil when I probably should've used a softer one. It was hard to blend out the charcoal lines on the shadows. This is not a complete picture but what I was able to capture in my 20 mins. of drawing time.

Trees are meant for climbing . . .

It's nice to know that kids still like to climb trees. And, this little guy is light enough that he can climb on those thing pine branches.

Bird box update

It's really hard to get the camera in the box to take a photo but it looks like there are at least 3 eggs in the bluebird nest. Not sure if there is the tiny sliver of the edge of a 4th egg in the top of the frame or not. I need to get out a step ladder to take a better look or get Bob to see if he can get a better shot with his little GoPro.

No eggs in the other nest yet, just more feathers.

Close up of Fred

Here are two more shots of Fred, close up and personal.

This one is of his right hand.

Fred's profile.

Fred, the skeleton

In drawing class this week, we had to draw from a skeleton.  I named him Fred.  Here is my quick sketch of him from where I was sitting.

This is Fred as he posed for the class.

Around the yard . . .

I'm amazed that these primroses that I transplanted last year.  They are just bursting with blooms.  
This is new growth on a burning bush I plant last year.The bleeding heart flowers are almost ready to bloom.

Our new alarm clock

This little guy likes to peck on our rain gutters, especially first thing in the morning.  He has become our new alarm clock.  I am hoping he gets his territory established so he will stop pecking on our house!

Downy woodpecker

Daffodils in the yard

Yellow bursts of color . . .

Spring means the forsythias are in full bloom.  I like them best when they are wild and untamed bursts of color.

Bird Box Update

The new bird box with the mossy nest also now has what looks like dog hair in it.  No eggs yet.
The old blue bird box still has a nest but no eggs yet here, either.

Drawing homework

This is the still life value drawing that we started in class and had to finish for homework.

Value Drawing

So, in drawing class for homework we had to do a value still life drawing using 5 objects, 1 of which had to be white and 1 had to be black and we had to use some form of a spot light.  Here is my homework.  Once again, evidence that I really don't draw very well but I have a lot of fun trying especially when making a big mess using charcoal.

Spent tulips

Rain drops on (prim)roses

and pansies . . .

Tulips

Bird Box Check

So, it appears that a nest has been made in the new bluebird box.  After some research, Bob has decided that it is a nuthatch nest.  The nut hatches were also upset with him hanging around the box today.
The old bluebird box appears to have a bluebird nest in it.  

Pansies

I just planted some pansies in the pot by the front door.

Around the yard . . .

Yarrow

Peony

Bleeding Hearts

Spring around the yard . . .

Day lillies

Sedum

Lilac