Sketchbook Series: Looking Back, Looking Forward with Family

A Look Back, A Look Forward

Welcome back to A Time To Play and my Sketchbook Series. If you would like to read the first in this series, see this link, which is an introduction to the purpose of the series! 

A couple of years back, I was watching one of my favorite artists, Sandi Hester, sharing about how she was digging out some old photos to sketch, using a mix of media. So I decided I wanted to dig out my old photos and try my hand at sketching loved ones and friends! 

Fast forward to a few months ago, I finally had the space and time to do so (see first Sketchbook Series post to get the full story; link above)

I decided to start with my own kids. I sorted through some of their younger years, and decided which ones inspired me to sketch. This was super fun just choosing the images. 

One was of my daughter, Sarah, at Christmas time in her lacy little red dress sitting in a dining room chair. She knew her picture was being taken and she felt like the star of the show. 

I had fun with this sketch. I used the negative space/shadow to create the lace on the dress. I decided to add color to the dress to give more contrast to the lace. 

One of my goals with sketching is to erase as little as possible, making adjustments as I went with the successive darker layers adding dimension. I start with 6B pencil and move to 8B when I have the structure fully fleshed out. 

The other sketch (on the right) is of my daughter, Hannah, looking like a total Cool Kid, with sunglasses and wearing one of my scarves with a floral print. Her stance is adorable and focused and the facial expression is priceless. That's why I chose this image. A moment captured in time of her personality really shining through. 

The jacket she is wearing had a lot of folds and creases in the arms especially, so this was a fun challenge to tackle. I also loved the way the sunglasses came out, so fun with this cool vibe. 

Sarah in her Christmas dress

Hannah as the Cool kid in sunglasses and scarf

I'm glad I was finally able to get back to my initial inspiration to get and sketch those early images. I also decided to sketch where my daughters are today with our extended family each with their own sons. It has inspired me both as a mother and as a grandma. Yes, now I have two grandsons! I will share more about them in future posts with other sketches so stay tuned! 

Sarah with her son

Hannah with her newborn son

Using pencil, getting back to the basics, to capture loved ones who are near and dear to my heart is the best! My love for my children and grandchildren goes beyond anything I could describe and what way to capture that love than through my creativity. 

So that is my continued Sketchbook Series story; I trust it will inspire you to dive into what is calling to your heart and soul and with your creative direction, manifesting it into your world. 

Use your voice; you are the only one who has it. And the world needs to hear and see it. 
Let us celebrate our creativity together in community! You're welcome to leave a comment below about how you are using your voice to express what and who is near and dear to your heart. 

Have yourself a Delightful Day And Remember to Play!

Dawn Herring, Your Sketchbooking Artist Friend