sumi dragon

This was done with an ink-laden tortillon on smooth paper which quickly progressed to the dry brush effects visible on the sides of the dragon's head.

false negative and line contrasts

A couple of sketches looking at how to contrast the figure of the woman with the background.

beloved hypotrochoid

looking down

Just messing around pastels and blending.  I like the contrast with the unblended texture of the black pastel around her profile.

And those random ink marks?  I hate to waste paper so a lot of times I'll do sketches on top of sketches. 

ink study of a dog

Adorable.  This was from a "reddit gets drawn" photo ref.  I did the underdrawing with a ballpoint pen so those stray marks before I properly inked it are that.

the apartment across the alley

This was a nearly blind continuous-line contour I did in the middle of one winter night with a micron pen.  It was late so I only drew by the scant light of street torches from the comfort of the bedroom.

It looks kind of crazy, but that's exactly why it's here.

Inque-nan

I love this drawing.  My brother was sitting on a plush chair in the living room with his knee across the armrest and head resting on the back of his hand. 

I originally sketched him all loopy style with a 2B mechanical pencil and then I went back and inked the lines with my pilot parallel pens.  I want to say this was the 3.6mm nib.

Monique

Very sweet girl in one of my studio classes.  Also a very focused worker so I got the chance to draw her on a couple of occasions.  This was my favorite drawing.  I discovered that conte crayon is semi-watersoluble and you can pull the blacks across each other to smooth out the tone.

Finneas w/brush pen

Finneas is my cat, and best buddy since my days in New York.  He's always at my side so he makes a pretty reliable subject.  That long line across is ear was originally going to be his back but then he moved and I caught him in the next pose for a few seconds.

When an archer is shooting for nothing he has all his skill.
If he shoots for brass buckle he is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of pure gold
he goes blind
or sees two targets
- he is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed,
but the prize divides him.  He cares.
He thinks more of winning than of shooting
and the need to win
drains him of power.

- Chang Tzu

n

Thinking Ahead by Yasuo Kuniyoshi

Thinking Ahead - Yasuo Kuniyoshi.
Phillips Memorial Gallery, Washington D.C.

valentine

...waiting

Can i draw on you?