black and white – Daily Fiber

My week in Belize was filled with wonderful experiences and unforgettable sights. After getting in very late Friday night, it has taken me almost two full days of rest to recover my energy.

I thought today I would sketch in graphite one of the sights I saw in paradise. I chose this fellow:

On our last day at the resort, I took a late morning walk with the goal of photographing some picturesque scenes that might inspire my artwork. Nearing the end of my stroll this iguana appeared on the sidewalk ahead of me. Seeing me, he froze momentarily. I slowly moved into position and snapped a couple the images. He cooperated quite well. As you can see the light is harsh giving very strong shadows. I had to lighten the image just to see his face clearly enough to draw it.

**Some background details hastily penciled in**

I have to say, this is the first reptile I’ve sketched. Getting the proportions right took me a few tries. The wrinkly skin was the most fun to draw. I liked it.

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How many of you are familiar with this movement? I first became aware of it almost ten years ago. It’s a way to encourage reading while recycling books that you have finished reading. Anyone can erect a little library on their property by becoming a steward, building the library and registering it at the organization’s site. There are little free libraries all over the place. Check out the organization’s website, which has a map showing the locations of these tiny structures.

https://littlefreelibrary.org/

On a recent walk through my neighborhood I discovered that a neighbor had installed a little free library in her yard. What a surprise and delight! Inside I found a beautiful book of photographs that looked very promising as a source of inspiration.

http://maxwellmackenzie.com/americanruins.php

Maxwell MacKenzie is an American photographer born in Fergus Falls, MN. who specializes in architectural photography. This book includes some wonderful images of abandoned structures on the Northern Great Plains which he captured between 1996 and 1999. They were built by settlers, farmers and pioneers who abandoned them, generally due to experiencing some kind of hardship. I found the images to be haunting. I began to imagine the people of the past who had lived and died there. And so I began sketching from the photographs, with an idea about recreating some of these ghosts. Here is my first sketch, of an old one-room schoolhouse. It is almost finished.

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