Art expo, hands and general doodling

So, I'm feeling a lot better! Although I managed to shake off my sore throat from last weekend it was promptly replaced with a cold, which I didn't start to shift until Thursday, but then by Thursday evening it was like I had never been ill.

I've been trying to get more daily sketching in, even though I haven't done it every day I've at least done more than what I would normally. On my tablet (which has a stylus so I can draw on it like a Wacom Cintiq) I've downloaded a free app called Graphiter, which is a great little program for sketching on without having to load Photoshop all the time with all of its fancy gadgets. I've been focussing on hands this week, and initially I was just copying pictures from Google using the Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain techniques, which looked pretty OK. However (I had an 'ah-ha!' moment), I realised if I wanted to progress with my art I would need to work out the mechanics of what I'm drawing, not just copy, otherwise if I want to draw something in the future I'll struggle as I wouldn't have learned anything:

Top-left & top-middle are the ones I copied direct from Google Images. Bottom middle is my hand with the fingers foreshortened, that was harder to work out the mechanics

I've also done a bit of general doodling this week, the first was quickly sketching my partner close-up as he's playing a video game, although when he's concentrating he sticks his tongue out and moves it around, so I struggled to get the lips right:

The other doodle I did made up a character while my fella and I were taking turns playing games, I've no idea where it was going at the time, not bad for 10 minutes though huh?

Also I've noticed there's a new Wacom Cintiq that +CreativeBloq have reviewed. It's their most affordable yet, although to be honest if I had a bit more cash I would probably get the Surface Pro 3.

I managed to get to the art expo this weekend, I really enjoyed it, and it's nice having something like that in my hometown, where it's a small town and nothing much really happens. I was quite inspired by a few pieces I've seen, and I thought the art being sold was very affordable, although we weren't looking to buy. Some were ridiculously overpriced though, but I guess that's just my opinion. There was a range of art for sale, all different subjects and mediums, quite a lot of watercolours which, while I think looks pretty, is not my medium of choice. 
It was also my gateway to see what our local Art Society did, and while I enjoyed the art I don't think joining the society is for me. They do have life drawing sessions every Wednesday which is open to non-members, so I may pop along to one of those in the future. I've looked up other art groups in my area, and they're either not for me (ie ceramics) or closed groups. I think if I want to do a collaboration in the future I'll need to do one online. I keep meaning to join a Hangout on Google+ on the Sycra forums but I always seem to miss them (I think because they're over in the states and me being in the UK it's always the time difference).

Anyway, not many plans for next week, will just try to keep up the sketching, and maybe finish my logo, and might try to get a BriefBox done this weekend too.

Being ill and not doing much art, more research

I've been lazy again this week and not done any art except a small logo mock-up for my freelancing (which I will post at a later date). I've also been ill since Friday (nothing serious, just a sore throat but it knocks me for six...), and usually most of my art time is on the weekend, and I've just not felt up to it :( I have been doing some browsing and researching instead though, which I will share with you :)

A few months ago I downloaded the Freelancing Handbook by +Creativebloqq, which is immensely hepful. I've printed my own version and scribbled and highlighted all over it, and this is what properly kickstarted my interest is going freelance. Now there is a new book, although I've not downloaded it yet: Pay Me or Else free e-book at http://thenuschool.com/pay-me-or-else/ I'm not affiliated with CreativeBloq at all, but I follow them on twitter and they usually have something of interest for me to look at every day.

I've been toying with the idea of doing an art collaboration after inspiration in my home town where someone has opened a venue for this kind of thing (although it seems to be for sculptors). I've also been toying with the idea of joining the local art community. They have a free exhibition at a church where I live, I was going to go this weekend but I really don't have the energy to talk to people with me being ill right now. Hopefully I'll get down there this coming weekend.

I've also decided I don't draw enough AT ALL, so I am going to try and make drawing a daily habit, even if it's only 10 minutes. I've found a community on DeviantArt which seems cool, so I'll give them a go: http://improvementdaily.deviantart.com/

Also I know my library do free magazines, but they've never had a good selection. However I checked again this weekend, and they now have Artist's & Illustrator's, and Imagine FX :) So I can now read these magazines for free, happy days!

Anyway, last week I forgot to show you my WIP of my Rainbow Art & Design logo, please see below, enjoy!

Well, that's all for this week, I was contemplating sorting out my greenhouse, but I haven't got the energy to do much at all today (it's taken me 3 attempts over the day to get this blog entry written!), so I'm going to watch the re-run of Britain's Got Talent, have a bath and have an early night, hopefully I'll be better next weekend, have a good week!