ToniJ.Net

I was sketching out a face to use in a different image, when suddenly, she turned into Velma.

Thought I’d try drawing a scene using one line. It’s a generic botanical garden scene based on memories of several I’ve been to.

I had a small adventure today. Bert had a speaking event to go to and I helped out by driving him. For the hour or so that he was doing his SharePoint thing, I went for a walk. My original plan was to find a shady place to write, but nowhere struck my fancy so I continued on. I ended up near the museum campus, though by this point I had used up most of the time allotted (no writing time). The beach on Northerly Island was nice, so I spent my few spare minutes sitting in the sand listening to the waves and children playing in said waves. I guess whoever was there before me had goldfish snacks. I didn’t notice until a group of seagulls came over and snatched the sandy crackers and flew off. The only one who stayed near was a young, unkempt member of the flock. She didn’t make a noise. She refused to move, despite the fact that the rest of the gulls were off pestering a nearby family. No. She was a too late for the goldfish, but was determined to be fed… by me. I hadn’t even been prepared enough to bring water, let alone a bite to eat, so there was nothing I could do but stare back. We sat staring at one another until I had to leave. Oh, and a note about the sketch – she’s not dirty, just awkwardly spotted.

So yeah, back from St. Louis now! I took a very, very long walk yesterday around Forest Park. It gave me the chance to visit the zoo and practice some animal sketching. I forgot how much I enjoy this. Why is it all red? I forgot to bring my favorite pen, so had to use my editing sharpie.

The St. Louis Zoo has some interesting animals that I don’t remember ever getting to see before, including a komodo dragon, and animals I’ve never gotten a good look at because I’ve only ever seen shy ones, including some extremely playful red pandas. Speaking of animals I’ve never seen, the Takin is completely new to me. Its face reminds me of a guinea pig with horns. Oh, and in the time it took me to draw that jaguar, it was called a leopard, a tiger, a cheetah, and a non-cat that I don’t remember anymore but it was hilarious.

It was a good day.

I’m out and about today, so my doodles are pencil on paper. The first one’s of some people I saw from the train. The others were squiggles that got worked up into something else.