Trial for Christmas

Since december 2006 I have to follow a glutenfree diet and therefore there were many things I couldn't eat anymore. One of them was a typical "Christmas bread" filled with almond paste. So the last years I passed Christmas without it, but this year I wanted one on my table for breakfast again. So I searched the internet, found a recipe and tried to make one today - and it worked! It looked good AND it tasted good.

Now I know, I will have "Christmas bread" this year!

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IF: Fast

No matter how long or how fast they run, my hamster(s) won't get far each night. They run all night long, a scientific experiment showed that they can run up to 8 km. per night!

I once had a hamster who would run fast for a short time, than climb out of its wheel and check if he had moved. Then get back in the wheel and run some more - check again - and so on... all night long... poor thing - never got anywhere.

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Together forever

Today I finished this drawing of a hamster and a mouse, which I was commissioned to do. In real life they didn't live together, just for the portrait I put them together.

pastel, 20 x 30 cm

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IF: Flying

According to the laws of physics (as far as we know them), the bumblebee is not able to fly. But they don't know, so they keep on flying.

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Masterclass

Last Saturday I participated a masterclass, given by Marjolein Kruijt - a very talented artist of drawing and painting animals, wildlife and nature. She has won a lot of prices all over the world. This masterclass was about drawing animal-portraits in pastel.

It was the first time for me not to draw from a photograph, but from a real "life" model (it was a stuffed (taxidermied) animal, so it was not moving...).

I really enjoyed the day and I learned a lot!

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IF: Germs

A bit late this week...

There are a lot of germs, but does anyone know the "bunny-germs"? Do you think they are dangerous?

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IF: Pattern

No time (and therefore no inspiration) to create something new this week. But I thought that this (old) watercolor-drawing of an original Brasilian pottery with handmade pattern, would fit this weeks topic.

I got this pottery (jar) several years ago from a dear friend of mine after she visited her family in Brasil. It is still in our living room for decoration and it has a special meaning for me.

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Welcome Caprica!

Last week I took in Caprica.

She, her brothers and sisters and her parents were left at the doorstep of an animalshelter. She was only just a few weeks old. Now she is 9 weeks and living with us. We've named her Caprica. She is still a bit shy but with some sunflower-seeds, she'll come over to you to see what I've got.

Practice! Practice! Practice! (Part 2)

A few weeks ago I showed my first results, after I bought the book "How to draw lifelike portraits" - the nose and mouth. Now I got to the ear and eye.

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Lazy sunny afternoon

Today I finished this drawing I was commissioned to do. These two rabbits are really enjoying the sun.

pastel, 30 x 40 cm

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IF: Infinite

Finally I found some time to participate again!!

My bunny-friend loves to watch Star Trek movies (and series) or other SF. While watching them, he wonders about how infinite the universe is and what could be beyond.

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Tour through Jordan

Last week we took a tour through Jordan - Amman, Jerash, Castle of Kerak, Petra, Wadi Rum, floating in the Dead Sea and many, many more. It was really beautiful, a holiday we won't forget.

We both made a lot of photographs, click here to view all our photos.

Goodbye Surprise

Just before our holidays, I had to say goodbye to Surprise.

She was born here, in May 2008 - so tiny and very unexpected - therefore her name. She grew to be a beautiful hamster and she was the sweetest and cuddliest. In her first winter she got all white (winter-coat) which was beautiful. But now, way too soon, I had to say goodbye to her.

Goodbye Surprise

Back in business

I am sorry it has been for almost a month since I have posted anything... there were so many things on my mind that I didn't have time to draw, to blog or to be on the internet. I also had a lot of visits in the hospital for several tests because I have not been feeling well the last few months. Last week I got my diagnosis: I also have Sjögren's Syndrome - next disease in my list...

But I'll learn to live with it ...

Yesterday we came back from a break and I am back in business - I'll start drawing again, posting new things in my blog and read all of your posts!

Practice! Practice! Practice!

A few weeks ago I told I bought a book "How to draw lifelike Portraits" by Lee Hammond . Almost every chapter ends with a summary of do's and don'ts ... and ... the instructions: "practice - practice - practice".

So that is what I started to do: here the first results - remember: I have never drawn a human face (of part of it) before...

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