Left vs Right

Pencil and watercolor on Handbook watercolor sketchbook 8 in x 8 in

It was announced yesterday by the governor, that the stay at home order was extended through the end of May. Ways to entertain myself here at home have reached a ludicrous point in which I make my left hand compete with my right hand at poker dice. How about that? These are strange times. 🤪

Stay home, save lives.

Mirror cabinet

Oil base pencil and watercolor on A5 Hahnemuhle watercolor journal 

Another “behind the door” drawing. The things inside the mirror cabinet in the bathroom are colorful and that’s the only reason other than the need to sketch something to make it into my sketchbook. Ohh that yellow in the center of  the sketch seems so rebellious against all that purple that surrounds it. If yellow knew purple is it’s compliment color, if only yellow knew. Ha!

Stay home, save lives.

Exercise. Pitt Oil Base Pencil

Oil Base Pencil and watercolor on A5 Hahnemuhle watercolor journal

Watching the news is another activity that keeps us entertained,  there are so many opinion shows on cable tv, one has to be very careful about distinguishing facts from opinions because this leads to confusion and disinformation in all media. There are a lot of shows making noise to get your attention, that’s how I see it. Well that’s another subject.

Any way, I grabbed my new Faber Castell Pitt Oil Base Pencil and did this drawing watching TV. I wanted to try it and see how it feels. There are different levels of hardness for these pencils, I couldn’t get the medium hardness anywhere in the US, so I got the soft. I found out that lines are darker that graphite, the  tip is very resistant to break when sharpen or when pressure is applied to make thicker lines, it is smudge proof and water resistant. All these features make this pencil a STAR among the tools I use. I really missed the organic lines a pencil makes, and this pencil solves the problems that discouraged me from using graphite pencil. 

Oil Base Pencil and watercolor on A5 Hahnemuhle watercolor journal 

Enthusiastic about the result of my first trial with this pencil, I did a second sketch of another activity that keeps me busy and just recently started, painting the miniature furniture I got in Mexico last winter. I didn’t start right away because I have limited colors of acrylic paint for crafts, I haven’t got more, it’s not a priority given the situation we are all in, it can wait. I have white paint though, so I started with the bathroom set. The pencil gives a perspective of the miniature furniture size. I’m very happy with my new acquisition.

Stay home, save lives.

Laundry

Digital drawing with Procreate 

This is another illustration of the daily activities we all do. Doing laundry keep us busy and help us to keep a routine at home. We miss going out though, and it’s only day 25 of stay at home orders. How are you coping with this?

Stay home, stay safe, save others.

Sprouting seeds.

Digital drawing with Procreate

It took 5 days for the seeds to sprout. I don’t remember what kind of seeds I stored for so long, but I’m glad I took out my sprouting jar to do some micro greens. It’s one of the most beautiful meals I’ve done lately and it is ironic to see how something you see grow and cared with love ended up smashed by the teeth in your mouth. The fried egg on a warm slice of bread with avocado topped with sprouts and homemade chipotle dressing looks so colorful, it made me hungry for a sketch!

Stay home, stay safe, save others.

Kids playing.

Digital drawing with Procreate

Watching and listening kids from the back neighborhood playing in their backyard yesterday is so refreshing, the world doesn’t stop for them. 

Stay home, stay safe, save others.

Vacuuming the rugs.

Digital drawing with Procreate 

Vacuuming the rugs is a chore my husband helps with to keep the house decently clean, a task that helps us to keep a routine. He loves those sweats I made for him, they came out very wide for the legs, but he doesn’t mind. 😊 

Stay home, stay safe, save others.

Coffee or tea?

Digital drawing with Procreate

I bet many of you drink a hot beverage in the mornings. I do it  as part of my daily routine. Sometimes I drink coffee, less often tea. A bit of quiet is welcome while coffee or tea wakes me up fully. I normally sit in front of that window you see in the background, well....that is when we have sunny days in the winter. When we do, the sun lights and warms up most of the kitchen in the mornings, it is the best cheerleader to start the day. What do you drink in the morning, how do you drink it? 
Stay home, stay safe, save others.

Making the bed.

Pen&ink and watercolor on A5 AMI watercolor sketchbook 

Some people think that staying at home might be tedious or boring....well they might be right. We are used to go out at free will and this is a change some might find hard to adapt to. I never thought that daily chores would be something that I would consider to sketch but under the stay at home orders that seems to be changing. I see it now as an opportunity to sketch other aspect of life overlooked by truly yours. I read an article about an astronaut, who was asked, given his experience in confinement for a long periods of time, what would it be his recommendation to keep yourself sane. He said. 

Keep a routine.

Well...that looks like something doable. I don’t feel motivated enough to draw things or rooms in my house. I’m more interested on doing sketches of activities done at home for the duration of this unprecedented time.  And because there’s a limited amount of people in this house, than means you will likely see sketches of my husband and I.

I made this sketch of myself making the bed, that’s the first thing I do in the morning. What keeps you busy? 

Stay home, stay safe, save others.