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Feb 13, 2023
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it's so worth it!

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Feb 13, 2023
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I wish they had raccoons - they would be fun to draw!

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Feb 13, 2023
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the swatches are a game changer aren't they Jason!

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Ohh i love meerkats, really like how they turn out! P.S.- that family conversation is priceless :D

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it was great wan't it?!

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Yes, best laugh of the day 😆

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This is very, very inspirational Sandi...and I LOVE the story, it had me cracking up! I’m an elementary art teacher and the things the kids come up with sometimes are a hoot! 😆

The thing that has me so inspired is your process of working again and again and again. My tendency is to sketch, get discouraged, and then move on to something else. I believe I need to slow down and repeat to really explore a subject matter. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us :) Loving Substack.

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I’m glad you commented, I’m exactly the same. I want to move on.

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it's been a vital process for me and it helps you figure things out and try things as you do more than one. I'm glad it was helpful!

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My kids would day something sassy like that too 😄 it's fun to hear about your day. The zoo seems like a great place to sketch. I'm surprised you took all the things out of your roll, but you never know until you try.

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I'm always trying new ways of carrying all my stuff 😂. I'm usually standing when I sketch at the zoo so it's not practical to have the roll and put it on the ground

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Oh maybe you could make a roll like a tool belt. You could be Sandi the Artist instead of Bob the builder!

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I as just thinking the same thing!!

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That mom…so funny. Ah yes, I remember those days. I used to cringe when my son would pipe up “you know what my mom says? “😳

Yes, those moving critters. I once took a chair on the side of a riding arena where students were trotting round and round on different horses. I had some success that day by sketching several angles at once, on one large sketch book page. I added to the different angles as the horses passed that spot again. I remember being so pleased to be able to have several chances to revisit and correct and observe. Thank you Sandy, you are such an inspiration. I decided that since i almost always have a few tulips on my table this time of year, who cares if i do them over and over? They are a constant joy and never look the same…plus I can experiment with their different colours and varieties, and angles of light. And i get to play with my lovely box of supplies. Happy days! 🥰

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Do they tulips until they die! great practice!

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I love your meerkat sketches as well as the cat-cat. Meerkats always remind me of those drivers on the interstate that make a move to take an exit then don't. And then as soon as it is the last possible second to run across the median, they take the exit anyway. That's meerkats to me. Can't wait to see how else these guys morph for you!

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that made me laugh!

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Oh this is such a great story and lively as always to see your art and to hear about your art process. Thank you for taking the time for this.

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so glad you enjoyed it Jane!

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Sandi, I am loving those trees!!

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awe - thanks so much!

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Great story! Love these sketches, as always. I tend to draw/paint more realistically and wonder how you judge looseness when you are doing figures and animals. You say you didn't get the meerkat's head right and your figure sketching seems headed towards a bit more realism. Just curious since this isn't my style. ❤️❤️❤️

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I do try to be more realistic when doing a new subject - you have to kind of 'figure it out' before you can abstract it - does that make sense?

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Wonderful! Thank you for the idea of the zoo! We have a wonderful zoo here and spending time sketching there sounds amazing. Onward. Sending love and light from here.

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yes the zoo has been fun!

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I took my sketch book to watch my 2 yr old granddaughter at dance class, lol! I think the meerkat would be along the same subject matter. Your meerkat seems to have at least given you a chance to take an insta-shot picture in your mind. He turned out really good.

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thank you!

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That was a great story about Kermit!! Haha! I’m beginning to think I need a pencil roll. I pilfer a lot. Also, when you say neopastels is that the same as Neocolor? Or are the neopastels basically crayons that aren’t water soluble?

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neopastels are oil pastels and are different from neocolors are like crayons

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Thank you!

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I love your meerkats. You're right, they are so adorable. Were you trying not to take the whole roll? Is that why you tried the clear pouch? Or was it mostly thinking that it would be sort of a table?

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Just wanted to hold something and not have to roll that roll out

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Love that last meerkat painting -- reminds me of people going, "What's happening?"

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that's funny

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