What I am up to right now? An art project, of course! This is a rose study I just finished using the 5-Pencil Method (no blending stumps allowed!).
M’Lady Wanted a Rose Garden
Although this realistic drawing and shading method took me quite a while for a first project, I am pleased with the results. Now, I’m working on how to capture a better digital image. This photo was done with a Samsung 8 megapixel phone camera, so that may be part of the issue, but the other problem is undoubtedly the indoor florescent lighting that seems to wash out the detail. On the plus side, the bad lighting seems to give it a vintage, botanical drawing feel. Some suggestions I have received from a few art friends are to use natural, outdoor light. I think I will work on the lighting issue…ha! ha!…when it stops snowing here!
My next art project using graphite on paper…[drumroll]…a portrait of a face…I have several in mind (another one of my “go big or go home” ideas)!
–Peggy
Peggy Stringfellow Studio 
Very nice!!! I am working on an art project that will be entered into a local art contest, more later.
Thanks Roderick! This rose could be contest worthy…not sure at this point. I did feel good enough about it to frame it though, so I’ll take new framed photos and post them. Would love to see what you are working on.
Hi Peggy, I think your drawings are breath taking. I love engraving roses & learn something new just looking at your rose. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Sonya! Glad you like this one. It was such a learning experience for me and I was still experimenting quite a bit on how to get a good photograph using a camera phone.