Friday, December 5, 2025

I'm Always Late

 Hi everyone. Happy Friday. Yes this is my second post for today, as I'm  a guest host over at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Blog. In this post I'm linking up  to Nicole's Friday Face Off and also to Gillena's Friday Lunch Break

 I feel bad I missed last week's self-portrait challenge, but to put it simply,  getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday and the start of that weekend had just gotten the better of me. However, since it's Friday Face Off again and since I had at least started my face, let me share what I had done.

 And even though I'm late,  I hope you'll still let me join in. 😏  Here's the  face I used for my drawing, just me on the left.


  I like how I look in this photo, but as I did some quick pen sketches, I realized that one problem was the sunglasses. I needed to get a bit of eye showing otherwise I didn't look human. 👾

   I was just playing at this point. This was my journal pre-sketch to get my hand used to the idea of what it was drawing. Then I tried adding color because color is what really motivates me. (In retrospect, I wish I hadn't.)   I love using markers I can layer with because they give strong color. But, one thing I quickly figured out was that I couldn't exactly match the colors in the photo.

   So here you go. I feel like I am being brave even showing this, because I'm not all that happy with it, but not unhappy either.  I never did get a chance to go back and continue with another face to work out some bugs and add what I learned while doing my quick sketches. 

  A) What I like:

- that I  managed to get some eye showing through the sunglasses.

-that I got the teeth right

-and mostly I got the face right

B) What I don't like:

-my hair color is really off

-my glass shape on the right is really off

-and I didn't capture my smile

   I should also add that I'm really not interested in drawing things exactly like they are. I did enough of that getting my biology degree and having to do lab sketches. What I like to do is draw things enough so you recognize what they are, but they may not be an actual object.

  Saying that, let me share this journal page I made in 2019 that I found while searching through my blog archives. I'm not sure it's exactly me, but it is exactly how I like to draw, so you can get the essence of me.


   And let me finish by saying it's not really all that wonderfully done either, but there are a few things I like  about it. 

   That's all for me today. Have a super Friday and start to the weekend too.


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18 comments:

  1. I wish I know how to draw...I like the 2019 one a lot!

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  2. I also added my FFO challenge portrait. Just now, visit again
    Happy weekend

    Much♡love

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  3. I also added my FFO challenge portrait. Just now, visit again
    Happy weekend

    Much♡love

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  4. ...always late is better than never!

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  5. OMGosh! I love this so much. Making it your own art. I don't mind that you are late and if you don't mind I will feature your art next Friday. Thank you so much for being apart of FFO. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  6. Fun self portraits, glad you joined in.

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  7. These are awesome ~ you have your own style ~ hugs,

    https://anartistreflects.com

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  8. You did an excellent job adding more eye. Really, really well done. Talented artist, you are. Happy Weekend! Happy Creating.

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  9. I like your quick sketch (same here, quick, please) - correction: both sketches! And I can understand that you prefer to do your own for FUN!
    Have a great Friday, hugs

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  10. I like them both, Erika. And yes, we are our own very worst critics. I recognized you, even with the wonky glasses!

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  11. Fantástico!!! Unas creaciones muy creativas. Estáis encantadores. Besitos

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  12. You made me lough, Erika! What a lovely photo of you and your husband! As for your drawing, yes you are very brave (ha ha!!!) but I LOVE IT!!!!!! Kisses, sweetie.

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  13. Yes, sharing sketches is always scary but kudos for braving it. I think you made a great sketch and I see the essence of you, even in your smile. And that's a great photo of you two, need to print and frame that one. Hope your weather isn't too bad, xoxo

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  14. You've done such a wonderful job with your portraits! I had tried this one time for myself and I won't be doing it again! LOL Yours is waaaay better than I could ever hope to do! Great job!

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  15. I quite enjoyed reading your analysis of your art. It was interesting to see what you like and don't.

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  16. You're too critical of yourself. Faces/portraits are really hard and you did a great job. I hope you managed to stay warm today. The high here was 19. A heatwave!

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  17. I see your inner critic has a super day - send him (her) away! Both self-portraits are wonderful, and what the heck if this is not your hair color. I gave my self portrait purple hair instead of the blondish-white I actually have. I love both of your self-portrait - they have a lot of character. Well done, Erika!!! Big hugs - Carola

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  18. Great post.
    Lovely photograph and portraits.

    Enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a great weekend.

    All the best Jan

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