I've gotten hooked on way too many programs. Downton Abbey, the Good Wife, etc., etc.. And now I don't miss a thing with the DVR. But I can't just have it on while I paint because I have to be right there, paying attention, so I can fast-forward through commercials. I know, I know, I'm crazy, I don't HAVE to do anything. But it's there, right in front of me, like chocolate, I can't resist. But I have to! I want to be a better painter. So TV OFF!!

Next I had to get my mind into "painting mode". I started going through old sketch books and found some decent sketches that I did a while back from live models. Some of them were pretty nice poses so I decided just to re sketch them. Then I started messing around with some charcoal sketches, first on watercolor paper then on illustration board. I tried watercolor and charcoal for washes and some white pastel for highlights. Neither one worked really well but at least I'm getting the old juices flowing again. While I was at it I did a watercolor & charcoal sketch for a painting I've been wanting to do of an interior at the St. Louis art museum. Okay now we're talkin'! I just have to keep this momentum going. Below are some of the sketches. Hmmmm! What time is it? I'm having withdrawals.