2018 IFJM – The Artist

April 2018 – International Fake Journal Month – Dana Burrell

The Artist

I couldn’t stand the saccharine covers on the 6 in. x 8 in. inexpensive sketchbooks I bought at Michaels so I altered them first with layers of gesso, then acrylic paint and finally a few layers of assorted stamps. I also took out the saddle stitching and replace it with a 5-hole pamphlet stitch using maroon waxed linen thread. The inside covers had lots of maroon splotches so they were muted with a layer of blue acrylic paint.

I can’t say enough about these little sketchbooks. Michaels sells a pack of 2 for 6$ USD. They hold up beautifully to wet media as you can see by my pencil and watercolor sketches.

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April 10th, 2018

 

April 10th

9:45 p

Damn. of all the days to not have my paints in my bag. they’re sitting on my desk letting the ultramarine dry. I’ll color it later if I have time.

 

12:10 p

widow’s peak. reading Le Monde diplomatique. and not in english. I imagine she’s a french expat.

Ned’s so patient. me, less so. we’re here only on Tues. but I’m antsy while he’s in there chit-chatting with everyone. mister social. He’s truly amazing.

waiting for the doctor. again.

 

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April 2nd, 2018

 

April 2nd

1:30 p

tail like a ribbon

squirrels at the feeder under it & on top

running for the maple as soon as the door opens

 

2:18 p

now the hordes of pigeons

big shoulders

 

6:10 p

I heard on the news that I’ll live longer if I severely restrict my calorie intake. to what end? the zombies are going to get me anyway. and the way our nation’s politics are heading I think I’ll take my chances with the zombies. my head will hurt less.

 

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April 1st, 2018

 

April 1st

12:20 p

studied him this am. still lost likeness.

cranium volume still off.  move face out —>

 

1:40 p

red-bellied woodpecker eating suet

 

6:30 p

looking again I think Sam’s nose isn’t more as prominent as it should be… He’s not here for me to double check but it’s better than the one I did last week. I almost got his broken nose today.

Easter. the kids tell me it’s early but the days turn into weeks into months and I’m still unaware. just waiting for the bits of snow left in the yard to melt. maybe then it’ll be spring. cold & windy today. the change can’t come soon enough.

 

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March 31st, 2018

March 31st

11:09 p

ears more relaxed —>    angled out more

 

we’re off to bed. too bad we have to move her. daddy’s girl.

 

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Discomforting Feeling – 04/13/2017

10:08 PM

 

 

it’s too late and I’m too tired. in fact I was so tired when I started this that I decided to forego making a full gouache portrait. my mechanical pencil to the rescue. I had another poor nights sleep and woke up this morning knowing I dreamt and having a real discomforting feeling that something bad had happened. like a nightmare but not. do I remember anything beyond that? of course not. that’s both good and bad I guess. oooh… my hand is smearing the pencil. it’s definitely time to stop, wash my hands and go to bed.

 

look right —>

 

<— look left

 

lower lip more recessed than upper but catches more light

 

 

( image: 22 in. x 14 in. )

#IFJM2017

Tossing and Turning – 04/08/2017

10:08 PM

 

Worked on these as I updated my phone this evening. not exactly “date night”. the last load of laundry is in the dryer too… then I’m going to bed. I slept like crap last night, tossing and turning. I was still awake when P came back from the lab. I’m paying for it now… can barely keep my eyes open. HA! but these are!

 

No! too flat.

again No!

R  looking up

L  looking up

Better… but I think I need to draw a level line 1st.   pencil certainly works better with shading.

Left eye looking too far forward. she’s looking to the side. both eyes need to track together.

Longer nose needed to be in proportion to eyes.

Looking forward.

 

( image:  11 in. x 14 in. )

#IFJM2017

Adonis – 04/01/2017

7:39 PM

The fellas are going nuts over the basketball. plenty of beer and nachos… that’s my job. good thing the kitchen’s walled off from the living room. I have a bit of peace. I had to stop ’cause I’m fiddling around too much. P. looks like Adonis but where’s the stubble? He definitely has stubble and does not look like Adonis in real life! Tossed the last pen this is better but not as bold, the other must have been a med ’cause this is fine. MUCH YELLING! this is still the first game. hours to go. 

( image: 22 in. x 14 in. )

#IFJM2017