Sunday in the Art Room

Hi Everyone!

 

Do you have those epiphanies in life when you know something has changed in you? It can be anything. For me, as of late, this has happened to me in art. Many of you know I was a bead artist, author, and world wide instructor for most of my adult life. Lupus took that away from me. During the 45/50ish years of beading, I also created in leather, sculpture, painting and of course monster art.  Drawing seemed to be distant for me. My Nan, (an artist) always said, "Draw what you see." Well that didn't work for me. Dyslexia makes people see differently. Things are always moving. When I started to draw faces, they were horrible! 

 

Over the years, though, I think I am getting better, getting to a point that I like the faces I draw. I can see my mistakes and correct them, or have the freedom and confidence not to.

To see a face with all of its remarkable imperfections and then create an informed and intelligent portrait, is where I'm going as an artist. Is where I feel my path is open right now.

My drawings have changed immensely. In my mind for the better. I used to tell my students, "Practice, practice, practice." 

It's the way of anything isn't it? To become better, to find your own way and style?

To create what you love 

and love what you create?  

Make art everyday.

 Nicole

 

FFO new challenge is to create a portrait of anyone you want. It can be your family, friends, actors, faces you find on the internet, or a perfect stranger that will allow you a photo to work from and to show with your portrait. You can work in any medium, except photography and you have until Friday January 30, 2026.  Make it fun and let's see what you come up with. 

Friday Face Off 12/5/25 new challenge

 

 Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, Photography, drawings, paintings. There just needs to be a face in your blog post.

 

I have decided to have another challenge. You will have plenty of time to get this one finished. 

The challenge is to create a portrait of anyone you want. It can be your family, friends, actors, faces you find on the internet, or a perfect stranger that will allow you a photo to work from and to show with your portrait. You can work in any medium, except photography and you have until Friday January 30, 2026.  Make it fun and let's see what you come up with.

Before I get started with my art this week I want to share with you what Mr. M. ordered for me. It's a Global pencil case.

 I'm very impressed with this product. The zipper is heavy duty and the entire case is very well made. 

This week I have a colored pencil piece that I created. I am enjoying the pencils very much and finding all that can be crated with them. 

This is the original piece

and here is my version of him. I think I got his likeness pretty well.

I love the intensity of his eyes and his broken nose. There are so many different techniques with the pencils. The guy above is light touches and some hatches.

 I showed this next photo in any earlier post. It is created with many layers going in different directions. The darker the color the more layers and a bit more pressure.

I really am having fun with these.

No AI today. I want to get right into all of the amazing portraits that were posted last week for the Self Portrait Challenge.

Click on the photos to view larger. 

Carola
Christine
Iris
Maria
Gene
Debra
Louise
Granny Annie
Jeanie
Lin

I put too many boxes in, and since it is one single grid I can't change it.

I just want to say that each and every one of you talented artists outdid yourselves with the Self Portraits. I'm honored to know all of you, even if it is in blogland. All of you inspire me to create better.

I hope you had fun with this and that you will join in the next Challenge.

Now, it's time to show me your next face.

Nicole