Submit Your Sketch!

Have you ever submitted your art into a contest?  I've been doing it since I was four years old. There are many  contests out there, and you should always try entering one if you like art.
There is one thing that you should know before submitting your art.  Sometimes you win, and sometimes you don't.  Learning this rule may be painful, but don't feel bad and give up drawing just because you have felt the sting of failure.
If you keep trying you will win something! Never giving up hope is another important thing.  Once I submitted a painting into a magazine, and 3 years later it was published.  The whole time I had been hoping and checking the magazine for my painting. Sure enough, my art was finally published!  I have won many art contests, and I have lost many as well.  What I'm saying is feel free to submit your art into contests and keep trying if you lose.  Reach for the stars!

I'm going to leave you with one of my drawings, which was published due to trying.

Simulating Snapshots

The day after my birthday I went to watch some skijoring. Skijoring is where a person on horseback pulls a skier on a course.  The skier is pulled over jumps made of snow. I used my brand new camera to take a whole bunch of pictures. Taking pictures is my other hobby.  Check out my photography site at http://ezshots.webs.com/.   A month later as I looked over my pictures, one inspired me to sketch it.  It took me an evening to draw this one, as I developed the drawing and gave it life.  I used my charcoal pencils to enhance the dark areas, such as the eye and nose. Horse eyes, in my opinon, are some of the hardest things to draw, as they are so glossy. 
You don't have to completely copy the photo that you are reproducing. It's not rocket science to make a few changes with your own imagination.  I put in a simpler backround, and just left the rope halter, instead of having the whole bridle.
Below you can compare my sketch and the actual photograph.  Happy drawing!   

Pencil Portrait

One of my favorite things to draw are portraits of people.   Usually the best way to capture a person's appearence is to work in certain sections of the face, and draw the shapes that you see.  Then put in shading, which gives a nice look.  I got a friend to sit still while I drew the following picture: