Years ago… Ten years ago, I sketched the little sleeping face of Princess of the Universe. Somehow, it ended up looking just like her, and I’ve always kept that experience in the back of my mind, thinking that some day I want to learn to really draw. I want to be able to put a person’s face on paper. It’s not easy.
In fact, it’s very hard. For me, anyway.
Still, I want to keep trying.
Princess of the Universe wanted curls last night, so I curled her hair. It was so very pretty and she is so growing up. Conveniently, my camera had been left sitting in the hallway, so I was able to spontaneously snap a picture of her checking our her curls in the mirror.
And I love this picture.
So contemplative.
I kept looking at this picture late last night and thinking it would be a good picture for me to try to sketch. I cannot afford art lessons right now and I am for sure no artist, but I’ve been so inspired by Marqueta and her family.
And by this little girl named Anna whose heart seems to be full of beautiful pictures, and whose mama encourages her to draw and draw and draw.
And by Edith Holden…
who in 1906 made the first entry in a journal that was to later be published as The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady
The entries are beautifully hand-written and the nature paintings and drawings are so detailed and delicate and pretty, this book always puts thoughts in my mind of a different way to record our school work. To journal it somehow. I think of the Charlotte Mason idea that quality is more important than quantity, and I wholeheartedly believe that. Why can’t we make our school work a beautiful, journaled book full of little bits of nature and our hearts and minds on any given day, and let it be a treasure to pull off the shelf in years to come?
Yes, I know math probably can’t look that way…
Or, Ken, maybe math can be beautifully journaled?
But I really believe that every other subject can.
Anyway, I sketched last night. I know her sweet little face is not right, and her head is not tilted just right. I just don’t see her when I look at this, but her brothers recognized her by the way she stands, so a little something about it is okay.
So here’s to sketching and journaling and photographing and capturing little bits and pieces of life to look back on.
Perhaps a trip to the bookstore is in order to purchase a little book to help us learn to draw properly.
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Dear Lynn,
Oh, now you’ve inspired me! Great job on your drawing-It seems like such a little thing, but means so much to draw your family. That’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since the first baby was tiny, but never “had the time.” I lately have realized how if I don’t start now, there will never be any time!
I actually found a lot of drawing ideas on YouTube, which helped with learning to shade, etc. And my sister lent me a copy of her “Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces” book, which I highly recommend. Most drawing books are too technical for me.
Thanks for sharing about Edith Holden, too. She’s one of my favorite “mentors.” I wish I could paint from life like she did, and had the patience to letter like she did.
Love,
Marqueta
Marqueta, I actually saw that book today about drawing realistic faces. It was a bit more than I wanted to spent today because we have a huge gas bill due
and I was also buying a new journal and a Japanese dictionary. I did make note of it, however, and I am wanting to go back and get it. I opted for a less expensive starter kit that looks to be pretty good and is made in the USA, which impressed me tremendously.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and for inspiring me to sketch more.
Lynn
Wow! I love your drawing!!!! It’s awesome! If you’re looking for a good book on drawing portraits, I think I can recommend one. Every summer Dad and Christian and I all sit out on the screened porch and listen to classical music and draw together. The past two summers we’ve used this book: Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces by Carrie Stuart Parks. We really enjoy it.
Thank you, Kelly, You are the second person to recommend that book. I probably should have bought it today, but opted for something smaller and less expensive, figuring that if we really stick to the first book, I’ll splurge on a bigger one later.
You all do so much! I’m inspired.
Lynn
I love this post. I absolutely believe that the very act of keeping a journal makes me more thoughtful about life. Mine started out as just a way to keep track of what we did in our homeschool, but has turned into much more. This blog also makes me want to get back to our drawings. We are not so talented at that, but we have gotten better just by trying and being consistent to work on our drawing. I think drawings add so much to a journal or a blog, too. Pictures are great, but pictures and drawings are even better.
I think you did an amazing job Lynn!