Crows & Ravens - Inktober 2016

I'm drawing ravens and crows through the whole month of October, as part of the official INKTOBER challenge. Follow me over at Instagram where I'm posting at least every-other-day. (Today, for instance, I did two drawings back-to-back to catch up. Wow, my hands are getting tired!)

Each drawing is drawn on very sturdy 5x7" bristol paper, using either Sakura pigma micron, Pentel pocket brush pen, and/or actual an brush or nib with india ink. And occasionally white ink for accents.

During the month, I've been slowly learning more about ravens by reading some of the books written by Bernd Heinrich, a UVM professor emeritus in biology. I've also found great slow-motion videos showing crows landing and taking off, crows eating, and all sorts of other interesting slices-of-life.

Inktober #1. I had a crazy busy schedule on the 1st of October, so this was drawn on the 2nd.

You can also find all the drawings posted on my Sweet Enemy Art facebook page

Brown your blues away

Is that a thing? I'm making it a thing. Gearing up to teach another class about one of my favorite art mediums: Walnut Drawing Ink. This morning class is happening on Thursday January 28th at Artists' Mediums in Williston, VT. Click here for details. Or call the shop at 800 255 1290

Here are a few images I painted just a few days ago, when the new year was all fresh.

Bellowing stag with some funky patterns on his coat. #sepia #deer #stag #fauna #paintingsinprogress #walnutdrawingink

A photo posted by Kristin Richland (@sweetenemyart) on Jan 3, 2016 at 2:46pm PST

#walnutink fauna today. #paintingsinprogress

A photo posted by Kristin Richland (@sweetenemyart) on Jan 3, 2016 at 2:04pm PST

I have since taken a break from painting to clear out a bunch of unnecessary clutter from the studio. Many bags of old supplies are headed to other studios and classrooms, and a mountain of cardboard went to be recycled today!
There's a pencil drawing that has been waiting to happen (we'll see if it translates from my head to the page) and then I'm also hoping to try some really BIG pieces using the Walnut Drawing Ink. Big being 18 x 24" rather than 5 x 5" of course. Let's hope this is a productive weekend. Happy New Year to you!

Creature Classes are back!

Hard to believe, but it's time to let you know about the two classes I'm offering in 2015.
Every year at Artists' Mediums we get class requests in the cabin fever season, i.e. January, February and March.  This time we've packed every Saturday but Valentine's day with a class.  We hope you find them enticing!

My two classes are another offering of "Unlock Your Inner Creature" in January, followed by "Breathing Life Into Your Creature" in February.  Details for both below.  Pre-registration is required so please contact the shop by calling (800) 255-1290 or (802) 879-1236.

Unlock Your Inner Creature

Instructor: Kristin Richland

Class date: Saturday, January 24th 2015, Class time: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Skill level/age: Beginner, age 16+ 

(Sign up deadline: Saturday, January 17th)

Class fee: $45 per student,

Materials are provided, but feel free to bring a favorite pen or paintbrush.

This is a class aimed at those of you who wish to create whimsical, inventive creatures WITHOUT the pressure of making something realistic. No prior drawing experience is necessary. We will experiment with materials and ways of seeing. The goal is to loosen up, have fun, and go home with some new creature friends and the skills and knowledge to make more! Materials are provided, but feel free to bring a favorite pen or paintbrush. Come ready to get your hands dirty and you may want to wear “studio” clothes or an apron.  Artists' Mediums, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Williston, VT 05495

A sketchbook creature who appeared during my Holiday shows!

“Breathing Life Into Your Creature” Drawing Class

Instructor: Kristin Richland

Class date: Saturday, February 28th  Class time: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Skill level/age: Beginner, age 16+

(Sign up deadline: Saturday, February 21st)

Class fee: $45/person, most materials included but you’re encouraged to bring your own favorite colored pencils, markers, and/or watercolors to use in addition.  If you took the "Unlock" class and/or have creature ideas you'd like to further develop, bring your sketches!

Based on feedback from my first “Unlock” class, this session will focus on how to imbue your creatures with personality and unique characteristics.

Using body language and facial expressions we’ll give our creations the spark they need to leap off the page. In addition, we’ll be trying out a variety of fur, feathers, fins and other visual textures to bring them to life. Come ready to get your hands dirty, “studio” clothes or an apron encouraged.  Artists' Mediums, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Williston, VT 05495

Parking for classes will be around the corner of our building.

Refund Policy :

Please sign up early for classes. This gives us time to order the correct amount of supplies and prevents us from canceling the class if there doesn’t seem to be any interest. Full refunds will not be given for student cancellations. If you need to cancel, 50% will be returned in the form of store credit and 50% will go to the teacher. If Artists’ Mediums needs to cancel for any reason, you will receive a full refund.