The sketchy and inconsistent blog of Bethie Engstrom...

Monday, April 30, 2012

Until June...


Hello wonderful people, this is just a quick post to tell you that I won’t be on blogger (or any other media but my email) until June 1st. Every year, for the whole month of May, my family and I do a media fast (no radio, TV, movies, Facebook, blogger, or anything electronically entertainment) as a way of just focusing ourselves. It’s hard in the beginning but so worthwhile.

So, until we meet again!

Blessings and can’t wait to catch back up in 31 days!


(PS, need to email me? Just place a comment with your email and I’ll get back to you) =)

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Waterfall

Medium: Watercolors (16x12)
First off, I just want to dedicate this post to the Artist behind it all at the Blue Chair Diary Illustrations. Much love and prayers Alexandra.

This is another something that I did in a class I'm taking at the local collage - lets just say it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. To prove it, here are my two demo's (aka epic failures) that I did at the beginning of class:
(sorry 'bout the dark lighting - I live in Seattle area!)

Here's the value picture I roughly based the painting after...


And then the close ups.



Thanks for coming by!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Sir Roost

Medium: watercolors (9x12)
(it makes me so sad when I see that the scanner puts a large shadow along the top half - darn)

Got to paint my first rooster in my first class in watercolors this past week. Was totally new and exciting. Although, it's being proven to me more and more that I am very much a self-taught person. I so tired of waiting (or annoyed when I'm left behind)... guess that being home schooled has put upon myself to teach myself, and to not be afraid of researching. =P (it was fun to use wax as saving the paper. Very neat-o affect for the tail feathers I think -almost a dry brush affect look...-)

Joining Paint Party Friday! So excited to see everyone else' creations!

Blessings on you

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Scars on the trees

Medium: HB and 2B pencils
 Just a quick sketch I did of a tree on my grandparents property that was first destroyed by the ice and wind storm a few months ago, and then was relieved of its branches. I am very happy of this sketch because it has that sort of  'harsh beauty' that I see everywhere.



And then this is me relieving myself of stress... =D Hi-yah! ;)

Medium: 2B pencil

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Illustration Tuesdays

Medium: HB pencil

Last night I was all alone, taking care of a sick old doggy (I love her so much - poor thing) and pulled out my series of A&E's Hornblower and sketchbook. And while some people would consider watching a movie by themselves a lonely thing, living in a house that is always full to bursting (ten and sometimes more people living here) its sometimes nice for some peace and quite. It's also fun for myself because when I'm watching a show, such as Hornblower, that I can giggle, overreact at things and in general put aside my normal coolness (oh yeah baby) to just enjoy a good show (of course, some would argue that Hornblower is the definitions of coolness... and I would agree). =)

Anywhoo, thought I would try and illustrate how I watch Hornblower... all curled up and hand over mouth (and sometimes eyes).

Enjoy the rest of your week!