Brenda Tracy Smith, whom I first met in third grade at Harrison Valley Elementary. I haven't seen her since I left high school halfway through 11th grade. I just finished this sketch and will revisit it with some changes for the better in the next few weeks.

Ed and Janet Vainio, Missoula, MT. They were interim pastors at the church we attend for about nine months. I love them both.

Kyla Morton, the music teacher at Stevensville High School, Montana, and a very good friend. This sketch has seen numerous reworkings and just keeps getting better and better.

Alejandra Pina Ramirez. She is a cousin of Gabriel, Amanda's son, and was eight years old at the time of the photo. I can see things in my sketch that aren't right, but what really jumps out at me is that I drew her mother. Ha, ha!! However, considering that I sketched this in about 1-1/2 hours, I'm not displeased with the result.

Harold Mitchell's daughter, Ciera.

We have a lion and a tiger!

Home, Messy Home

Had a late start this morning due to snow and since the light was good, I decided to take pictures for you of our great room. It looks "lived in" but still unfinished.

I took the original photo and blew it up to approximately the same size that I am working on, then printed that out and am using that as my reference. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe it will be ready for Facebook in a week or two.

Look for the "sparkle" in this photo

See all those reflections and highlights? You'd have to save them at the very beginning of your pencil drawing and work around them. In watercolor too, but in oil or acrylic you can paint them on top of the darker colors as you near the end of the painting.

What a struggle to get this far! I've spent quite a lot of time working this over and am still not there, but I'm getting closer. Took your advice, Phyl, and made her eyes and glasses larger and also spread them apart, changed nose and mouth slightly, changed left cheek, changed hairline, etc. I'm going to keep working at this, but may have to use the grid.

Five Times and Counting

You can see the progression below--from the first draft through successive revisions. I'm getting closer (I think), but I'm missing it somewhere. Comments?