The dragon body has begun to take shape. This is a rough draft of the general look he will take on. However I have already changed the front legs since the scan. I am seriously concerned about the hind legs. They need to change but I will wait on that for a bit. They will stil need to be in a tucked position because he is in flight. I just don't like the look... I am finding that as I transpose the idea onto the each frame in relation to the previous frame I can make adjustments to improve the look. There has been much too much going on here lately that has kept me from my art. Two more weeks of interruption and I'll be at it more consistantly...I hope.

What happened to the last 2 days? I'm not really sure....except that I have a horse drawing done to show for it and a half done portrait challenge from wet canvas. So, I guess I was busy drawing. I had a ShihTsu to groom...the very grumbly Buddy...very good but "don't touch my front legs or else". Not entirely all bluff to that threat either. We had some visitors from the "big city" drop by for a few hours too. The hummingbird pictures are for them as they were quite thrilled by them but could not catch them with their camera. Those hummers are very wary of changes around the feeder. I had to set my camera up on a tripod in one of the flower boxes by the feeder and hide behind the post to get this. Hmmm, I guess that's what happened to the last 2 days. The dragon is at rest for the time being while I work out his body stance...over and over... until I see what I like.

I have completed the Dragon in Moonlight, frame #1. I see him as at half-halt in full flight...in contemplation of his next move...fight or flight or perhaps in casual observation of his domain. He is afterall not a violent fellow...just hungry most of the time. This stance will come into perspective as I continue into the next series of frames. I should be able to photograph the entire series in full from my loft while they are laid out on the kitchen floor. But first I shall have to create them...in essence I must grow him a body. It may take quite some time. There are so many other things to do at this time of year. Kayaking the creek this morning made me quite giddy with the size of life. Towering trees, vast expanses of land, looming mountains, lakes that seem to stretch out forever...and that was just in eye view at that moment. We are so small to reek such great havoc on the planet. Shame on us!

I can't beleive I spent almost the entire day rearranging my loft. Just because of three boxes of books that I hadn't unpacked from the move last year. First I had to create a gigantic mess but now it looks great. This is where I go to seek the creative muse...it's cozy. I have not got any further on the dragon...just a little shading on the front which I thought too light. But, I changed the pupil of the eye on the WC guide advice. It improves it for sure.

This day was a bit of a turned down day. Overcast skies, a late rise (the result of a screeching middle of the night headache), the kitchen still disheveled by the grouting project Mike has on the go...all good reasons to just take it easy. There is a little chipmunk enjoying the sunflower seeds. Much to Freedom's chagrin he is very quick to scoot to the safety of the rocks beneath bird bath. The hairy woodpecker male brought one of his youngsters to feed on the suet log...so cool that he fed him there on the log to teach him the ropes. I had the company of a Jack Russell for an hour this afternoon. He has a rough coat and a skin condition so his 'mom' gets him shaved down like a smooth coated Russell. He was a good boy...just a bit cranky over his front legs. Life is good. I did not go any further on the dragon but I did finish the eye practice for wet canvas weekly challenge. It looks okay though I could use more eyeball practice before I do another protrait.

There is a few days of rain to deal with and a day of mixed weather to boot. Keeps me indoors which is good from an art standpoint. And so the dragon!

Today I worked the face. I like the progress and will continue working it a bit at a time. There is some excitement to this point. It is more than half way there!!!

I have finished the drawing of Mike's beloved white Boxer...the late Chance. It brought a dewy look to Mike's eye...and that is one more reason I cannot as yet draw my little Dexter dog. It has been five years since he died and I still can't see him through the tears that well up when I even think about looking a photos of him...some day soon I'll get to it. But now the dragon moves forward! I have managed some texure to his skin. I am planning some more for the face area but unsure as to what exactly as yet. There needs to be something a little more exciting and dynamic about his demeanor. What, what, what and then HOW???

Alas, nothing has progressed with the dragon...well nothing truly notic able. I deepened the tone here and there but I think I will have time later today to do more. There needs to be more visable texture worked into his hide which I see as leathery...tough yet flexible. I did finish the leaves challenge and I think I have come up with an idea for a series of mini bites of nature to go with these leaves. No, I cannot seem to complete one project at a time! The lighting in the tv room is not good enough for the dragon work so smaller less complex drawings work for that. I am also in the middle of a portrait of my Mike's beloved Boxer... the late and much missed 'Chance'. For now here is 'the leaves' and the waterlily from the creek where we do most of our kayaking.

Well now, a couple of days were lost to kayaking the creek and lake with my daughter. A most enjoyable way to catch up as we have not seen each other for several months. We went out first just on the lake so she could get used to the kayak. The next day the guys all went fishing...caught one trout...and we met up with them at the beach where they had set in. We started our paddle on the creek...went upstream for a bit to get some photos and then shot down to the lake and paddled the 5 miles or so to the beach. It is a very energizing recreation...I love it. The result is ofcourse just a few hours devoted to the dragon. It is all blocked in now. The rest of the work will be shading and possibly a background in charcoal...maybe. I am pleased with it so far but I am leaning toward more detail or perhaps the shading alone will improve the look. It remains to be seen. I scanned just the lower part first. The second shot is the pieced together scan to see all at once. I realise that the only proper way to view it is to photograph it which is what I'll do when it is completed. I have a little 'infront of the tv project' on the go now for wetcanvas's drawing challenge of the week. It is leaves. I found them rather dizzying to draw from the reference photo so I cropped out a simple section to draw. I need something to keep me from getting too dozey in the evening...old fogie!!