Inktober – Day 24 – DIG

Today’s Inktober 2020 prompt word is DIG. I instantly thought of that subterranian paragon of digging; the animal that is the very definition of the word; the humble and much maligned mole. I’m sure if we had moles in our garden I would be less of a fan, but we don’t, so I think they are cute little critters.

I did however, wonder what they get up to down there. I thought I would portray a mole watching the TV, but how can a mole, with little in the way of eyes, get any enjoyment from watching the TV? So, I checked out the interweb for inspiration and got to wondering how come they always look so clean when they are constantly digging in mud? And that is where I got the idea. So, here at last, is the truth of what it is they do down there and how they always look so darned clean.

The documentary makers rarely show you the truth of what moles get up to underground

Here’s a close up of Mr Mole…

The truth about why moles always look so clean

Tomorrow’s prompt word is BUDDY. See you tomorrow my friend.

Once again, I’ve included a Link to the instagram #Inktober2020dig page with thousands more submissions by people around the world who are also taking part in Inktober. I’m certainly not alone in my choice of subject today.

Also included is a link to my Instagram page where you can see all my submissions so far.

Inktober – Day 23 – RIP

I noticed that some of the folk at #Inktober 2020 were interpreting today’s prompt word of RIP as R.I.P. or Rest in Peace. ‘Bit gloomy!’ I thought. I was more literal and went for the ‘Tear’ interpretation. Partly because I thought that was the right thing to do, but also because I thought it would be quick and easy. A simple tear in a piece of paper through which can be seen a drawing I completed for an earlier day of the Inktober 2020 challenge. Mrs P suggested a ‘Rip in the space-time continuum’ as a title, so I thought I would hark back to my drawing of the space launch on day 9 (THROW). Easy. Or, so I thought.

It is seriously difficult drawing a hole. The shading was a right… careful now, children may be reading… erm… pig. Is pig ok? Not too offensive? It’s certainly less offensive than some of the expletives I used when I was drawing. I shouldn’t complain though, It taught me some tricks and a bit more about layers.

Here I proudly present my rendition of a hole…

Tomorrow’s prompt word is DIG. I can feel another hole coming on. See you then.

Once again, I’ve included a Link to the instagram #Inktober2020rip page with thousands more submissions by people around the world who are also taking part in Inktober.

Also included is a link to my Instagram page where you can see all my 22 submissions so far.

Inktober – Day 22 – Chef

Today’s Inktober prompt word is CHEF. I was tempted by Mrs P’s suggestion of a campsite cooking session outside a tent in the mountains, but I decided that it would probably require colour and more detail than I have time to fit in during my lunch break. So, I came up with something more simple.

Now, Mrs P and I have no children, we managed to dodge that particular bullet. As a result we generally only see children at their best. At their most amusing. This is usually five minutes before we leave various siblings houses having wound said children into a positive frenzy of over-excitement. We leave those houses with a certain smug satisfaction of a job well done. We have been known to mouth; “You’re welcome” at the despairing parents as we drive away

So, today, I present you with an image of someone elses child. We have wound up said rapscallion by ‘teaching’ them how to cook. We will be leaving the building shortly. That is one snot filled, finger invaded cake that we are definitely NOT going to be partaking of.

I thought you also might like to see the rough sketch I started with…

No children were harmed in the making of this drawing.

Tomorow’s prompt word is RIP.

Once again, I’ve included a Link to the instagram #Inktober2020chef page with thousands more submissions by people around the world who are also taking part in Inktober. A lot of rats and mice today. Often in hats. Rarely as the ingredients.

Also included is a link to my Instagram page where you can see all my 22 submissions so far.

Inktober – Day 21 – SLEEP

Today’s Inktober prompt word is SLEEP and, since Mrs P didn’t like my choice of subject matter yesterday (CORAL), I let her choose the subject. It wasn’t too hard to guess what she would choose since we have been feeding a hedgehog in our garden for some months now whilst he/she (I don’t think they do the non-gender specific thing) gets ready to hibernate.

I thought that just a sleeping hedgehog, whilst cute, might be a bit dull. So, I decided to add a little alarm clock. I’m pretty convinced that they must have something to wake them up in time for spring. It can’t be just instinct and hunger can it? Certainly not in my imagination.

I’m quite pleased with this one. the hedgehog is based loosely on a photo I found on the Interweb. The clock is from my imagination, the leaves too, since you ask.

Here’s a bit of detail for you…

I’ve included a [link] to the instagram #Inktober2020sleep page with thousands more submissions by people around the world who are also taking part in Inktober. Some are professionals. Some should be professionals. Many make my efforts look pretty average. Do take a look. they are great fun. (There’s always a lot of cats for some reason.)

Also included is a link to my Instagram page where you can see all my 21 submissions so far.

Inktober 2020 – Day 20 – CORAL

Todays’ Inktober prompt word is CORAL. Mrs P, as an ex-diver, was keen that I do some amazing drawing of coral, fish and divers etc. However, when I think of coral, unfortunately, I think of the terrible damage that the human race is doing to the fragile stuff.

Mrs P was therefore less than impressed with today’s offering. She said; “It’s good, but it isn’t going up on the wall.” Mrs P gets very upset about this kind of thing. In that respect she has a lot in common with Prince William’s 7 year old son George (third in line to the British throne for my foreign readers).

Prince William recently said that his son, Prince George, got ‘so sad’ watching Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary, A life On Our Planet, they had to turn it off. Sir David’s documentary may not have been exclusively about coral, but the same applies. It is is really sad. Mrs P won’t watch wildlife documentaries for that very reason.

Here’s the drawing…

It’s not my best drawing, but the sentiment is from the heart. Here’s a depressing close-up.

This next close-up really only shows how average the drawing is if you zoom in. If you look from a distance it is better (by that thinking perhaps I should view all my drawings from a distance of no less than 200 metres?). I’m not looking for praise. I know my limitations. I am pleased that this month of daily drawings is definitely improving my, for want of a better word, skill.

A splash of colour from the one and only, the remarkably, fragile Mother Nature

Tomorrow’s prompt word is SLEEP and I have let Mrs P choose the subject.

Sleep well (Thought I’d get in a quick pun before the pun monster gets started.)

#inktober2020

#inktober2020coral

#cartoonart

#environment

https://www.instagram.com/zero1n/?hl=en

Inktober 2020 – Day 19 – Dizzy

I’m pretty busy with work at the moment, so I’m having to try to come up with some simpler (read:quicker) images. Today’s Inktober prompt word of DIZZY has allowed me to do just that. A simple drawing of two children playing on a roundabout. One has fallen off and has got, you guessed it, dizzy. The other is still having a great time. I’ve added a couple of splashes of colour, just because I can.

Once again, these are drawn on my Surface Pro. A bit of gratuitous advertising there in the vain hope that Microsoft will send me a new one to play with. Unfortunately, with an average daily readership in the low double figures I think this is unlikely. I can dream though.

So, here it is.

Tomorrow’s prompt word is CORAL. We already did fish. Now we get coral. there is going to have to be colour.

See you tomorrow.

#inktober2020dizzy

#inktober2020

#cartoonart

Inktober 2020 – Days 17 – STORM and 18 – TRAP

Two for the price of one once again. It’s been a busy weekend, so struggled to find time to post yesterday. I think I maybe need to spend less time drawing and more time writing. Poblem is, I get really in to the drawing. What I thought would take me 20 minutes takes 2 hours. Clearly not been paying enough attention to those time management courses.

My first drawing is based on the prompt word of STORM. This one was pretty easy. Storm. Been in a few of those. Most of my personal experience of storms has either been on mountains or from the safety of a house. Time to get out of my comfort zone I thought. I shall draw a storm at sea. Also out of my comfort zone because I’ve never drawn the sea before. Learning curve time.

Here’s my first submission for the word STORM…

Although I’m really pleased with this one, I’m not entirely happy wth the crashing waves behind the lighthouse. More like boulders or clouds than water. 6 out of 10. Must try harder.

My next offering is for the prompt word TRAP. I struggled with this one. I did consider drawing the demise of yet another rodent, and toyed with the idea of a tank trap (I love a good tank). But, none of these felt right, or light enough for my style. So, I cheated. Did a quick cartoon based on a play on words. Not everyone will get the joke and there will be those that say that it is cheating to add an additional ‘P’. However, that’s a chance I am willing to take.

Tomorrow’s prompt word is DIZZY. If you want to know what I will come up with, tune in tomorrow.

#inktober2020

#inktober2020storm

#inktober2020trap

#cartoonart

Inktober – Days 15 & 16 – Outpost & Rocket

I can only apologise as I have been somewhat remiss. I didn’t post anything for Inktober yesterday, so am having to do a double today. Very sorry. I did manage to post on Instagram and therefore Facecloth too. My excuse is a fair one I think. Yesterday was the father-in-law’s 80th birthday.

Now don’t be getting any ideas about the pater-in-law. He’s far from your average 80 year old. He goes rowing at least twice a week, hiking, gardening and is sometimes quite difficult to keep up with.

Anyway, the excitement of birthday celebrations and being taken out to dinner meant that I had little time for posting.

Based on the well known fact that there is always a silver lining, this means that today you get 2 ink drawings. Lucky you. The first is based on the prompt word OUTPOST and is from Inktober day 15.

I love this drawing. It may be my favourite because it combines two of my favourite things. Mountains and snow. I could definitely live in that outpost. Well, I could if it weren’t for the cat. Great to draw, but not so great in real life as I am allergic to the cute little feline critters.

The prompt word for -day 16 of Inktober is ROCKET. I’ve already drawn a rocket (see day 9), so you can imagine where I started. He’s my offering…

I’m convinced that alien life will be not just friendly, but usefully so.

Tomorrow’s prompt word is STORM. Hmmmm…

#inktober2020

#inktober

#cartoonart

Inktober – Day 14 – Armour

Today’s Inktober 2020 prompt word is ARMOR (I’m going to forgive the American spelling, though it grates to do so). I’ve gone with the medieval definition of armour (see, we’re back to the English spelling. I just can’t help myself).

ARMOR: Noun: Any covering worn as a defense against weapons; A suit of armor.
Dictionary.com

ASIDE: I can’t help noticing that they spelt ‘Defence’ wrong too!

But I digress.

Meanwhile, back on the subject. I always wanted to be a knight when I was a kid. I played with the toys. Longed for the toy castle and, as I got older, read numerous stories of King Arthur and his knights. Anyway, the childhood longings have inspired today’s drawing. Inked using the laptop yet again, I tried to stick with the black and white ‘rule’, but just had to add a bit of colour.

No Dragons were harmed in the making of this blog

I’m still obsessed with Knights in shining armour and all that stuff. In the summer of last year Mrs P and I went to a medieval re-enactment fesitval in Northern Italy. Splendid stuff. I wrote a blog about it entitled The Knights who say, “Ni!”, which you can read by clicking on the link. Lots of photos, like the one below, which is included to whet your appetite.

So, that’s a photo of how I always wanted to look as a kid. Those of you who know me (and those who looked at the old blog page) will know that I never quite had the hair for it.

Tomorrow’s prompt word is OUTPOST.

See you tomorrow

#Inktober2020

#Inktober

Inktober – Day 13 – Dune

Today’s Inktober 2020 prompt word is DUNE. Defined as…

“A mound or ridge of sand or other loose sediment formed by the wind, especially on the sea coast or in a desert.“
Dictionary.com

I did think of drawing a sand dune with a large sandworm (and perhaps an even bigger Hedgehog) from the book Dune (though not the hedgehog). However, I can’t picture a dune without thinking of those magnificent ships of the desert, the ubiquitous camel. I’ve gone for a dromedary (one hump) as opposed to a bactrian (two humps), as I have some small experience of the former and precisely none of the latter.

Anyway, here’s what I came up with. I did the usual black & white version, but I am also treating you to a colour version, if you read on.

I had an easy time drawing this one as I didn’t have to scrabble around for the time it usually takes me to draw. My secret? A very dull, hour long online meeting, in which I had very little to say. Noone had their cameras activated so, by the end of the meeting I had the draft drawing and had done 90% of the inking. I could do with a daily meeting of that type… well… daily.

As I said, I also played with the colour. And here’s the result.

Colour Camel (That’s fun to say. Try it. Go on. You know you want to)

I decided to do colour fill only. No shading. Let me know what you think.

Tomorrow’s prompt word is ARMOUR. And, because I have some spare time, I may just start drawing tonight. See you tomorrow.

#Inktober2020

#Inktober