Teresa Robeson's Blog, page 12

Procreate…non-biologically

This digital app has a weird name that probably makes non-art folks giggle, but it is a powerful program that’s also affordable (unlike all the Adobe suite stuff).

For those who’ve never used it, you can find a wealth of how-to classes on Skillshare (I love Skillshare for the range of courses they offer, from cooking to knitting to creating art to writing). I’ve taken several Procreate classes with an illustrator named Brooke Glaser there and enjoyed them so much, I ended up taking her Illustrators Launchpad course, too.

These are some of the exercise pieces I did in her class…

And this last piece is a “before” drawing we’re supposed to do of a pet so that we can see how much we improve at the end when we do another drawing of the same pet.

If you’re looking to dive into something fun or creative, I highly recommend getting a Skillshare membership! And if you’re also interested in illustrating in Procreate, you can’t go wrong with Brooke’s courses.

A bookish trip down memory lane

A number of years ago, someone arranged in our homeschool group arranged for a field trip to visit the LImberlost State Historic Site (Geneva, IN), the former home of Gene Stratton-Porter. It was a fun and informative day that lingers in my memory still. So, imagine my happy surprise to learn that Jill Esbaum has written a picture book biography of GSP!

Check out Beth Anderson’s blog interview for a chance to win a copy of Jill’s new book.

Mining for Heart: “Discovering a Kindred Spirit” by Jill Esbaum

Giveaway on Beth Anderson’s blog!

I’m also on the look out for nature books and if you are, too, head over to Beth’s blog to find out more about this newest book by Karen Jameson and for a chance to win a copy.

Behind the Scenes: “Waking the Muse for WAKE UP, WOODLANDS” by Karen Jameson

When the moon hits your eye

For some reason, I’m now craving pizza…

The moon is magical during the night time but I find it equally awe-inspiring during the day. Maybe it’s the amateur astronomer in me, but I can’t help but think of the physics behind the formation of the solar system and how the moon came to orbit the earth, affecting Earth’s physical processes and its inhabitants’ behavior, as well as impacting human artistic and literary output.

What do you think about when you look at the moon?

Don’t go breaking my heart…er, tree…

We had a sudden snowfall in February that dumped about five inches of wet, white stuff on us. It was beautiful…it looked like a winter wonderland.

But…it also exposed a fatal flaw in one of our trees.

This apple tree we’ve had for about 20 years snapped with the weight of the snow. The Spousal Unit found out that it was rotten at the core/base which hastened its demise. [I feel like there’s some hidden message there about a certain political party.]

The Spousal Unit has already ordered a new tree to take its place. Who has time to mourn for Adonis or apple trees? It’s a sour cherry. We’ve had pretty good luck with another sour cherry he planted a few years back. We love our sour cherry desserts!

It didn’t count

Do you participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count? If you’ve never done so, it’s fun and easy and a great way to participate in citizen science. Check out the how-to page.

We do it every year, but usually during the day–especially mornings and lunchtime when we sit by the window and can easily see and count all the birds. I never think to do it at night, which is too bad because I could have added this cutie, captured on the Merlin app:

If you do participate, what was the coolest bird you recorded this year, or ever?

Toasty toes

I haven’t knitted socks in a while because the Spousal Unit doesn’t care for the feel of them. I haven’t asked the kids if they like them or not, but mostly I just stopped in favor of knitting other items.

However, as the temperatures dipped down really low this winter, I’m grateful to have a couple of pairs of warm, handmade socks to keep my feet warm.

So, I might have to start knitting socks for myself again.

Do you like the feel of hand-knitted socks? Do you knit socks, too?

Who goes there?

One thing I love to do when out walking in the snow is look at animal tracks.

There are spiky tracks (looks like deer dragging its feet). Close-up of a deer hoof print. And the swerve-y tracks of a drunk deer? These are hard to see in the photo, but are some sort of multi-toed mammal. You can tell I take tracking very seriously. Hah. When the driver in front of you is slow so you swing into the left lane to pass them… Then there are the “Arthur Murray Dance Studio step chart” tracks. Are there dance studios anymore? Am I showing my age? Would this be a waltz? Cha-cha with a chickadee, anyone?

Are you good at identifying animal tracks? Can you recommend any good resources for learning more?

Enter the Dragon!

Tomorrow is the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Dragon.

It would have been auspiciously coincidental if my middle grade biographical graphic novel about Bruce Lee was releasing this year as originally planned because Bruce was born in the Year of the Dragon…and so was I!

Unfortunately, it’s now been delayed to March of 2025. But it’ll be worth the wait because the art is stunning!

In the mean time, Happy Lunar New Year!

Commemorative $15 Cdn coin featuring the Chinese Zodiac.

I hope that the Year of the Dragon will be a good one for you, me, and…democracy.

An excellent craft book

If you write nonfiction picture books–or want to–this book is a must read! Pop over to Beth Anderson’s terrific blog for a chance to win a copy.

Behind the Scenes: “Branching Out Into Longer Form Nonfiction” with Kirsten W. Larson