Here’s a couple of sketch pages I worked on the last couple of days. I worked on the page with multiple figures on Monday night and the larger portraits* were done yesterday on my lunch break.

I’m enjoying it a lot. I mean, its pretty different from what I normally do and at this stage, it’s sketching. And we all know how good I am at sketching. I won’t lie, it has been a challenge to curb my baser instincts to finish a COMPLETE DRAWING when I am doodling in my sketchbook.

I’ve also found it interesting to use references in a completely different way. I’ve collected a bunch of Geisha photographs from the internets and I’m using them as references – especially for the elaborate hair pieces and hopefully for the kimonos. Normally, I replicate exactly what I see. But in this little exercise, I am just choosing pieces from different photos and incorporating them into a sketch. It’s an interesting challenge, especially coming from my background. I think I like it.

The next step is to figure out what I am going to do for a couple of finished pieces. Ideally, I’d like to do three. We have A LOT of wall space in the bedroom. Three 11 x 14″ pieces would cover up some of that blank space quite nicely.

In other news, I’m still on the fence about the Annual Art Exhibition and whether or not I will submit anything. I am almost leaning towards no. But, I really should look through my portfolio and see if there is anything I can submit. But truth be told, I am not sure I want to go through the hassle. The sad part is that I am also on the fence about another show in September. Its a one day show and while I don’t have all of the details (am about to email the organizer), I, again, don’t know if I have anything to show. I think I will need more details on that one before I make up my mind.

But hey, at least I have opportunities to show, so I shouldn’t complain too much.

*Yes, the irony does not escape me that I am still technically doing portraits. But ya know, I guess I love the human face.