I do not love lamp

I normally love my Observational drawing class, but today I got upset at a stupid candlestick!
The teacher set up the still life which contained a draped sheet, a bottle, a clear vase and two silver ornate candle sticks. I started drawing and I just could not draw today. Every time I put a line on the paper, it was off. Every time I tried a different approach, it was off. Finally, I just sat there drawing circles until break time, then I continued to draw circles trying to get my ellipses right to draw these things. When we took another break to walk around and observe other students work and to see ours from a distance, all I had was three circles on a page. I told everyone that I had started over about four times at that point. One girl said, "Well, they're very nice circles." She was trying to cheer me up.
After that we had about an hour and a half left. I finally just said, screw it, I'm just gonna draw these stupid circles. Then I started connecting them and soon it turned into a candlestick. I threw up my hands and yelled, "That's it! I'm done, I'm not drawing another candlestick." Everyone was peeking around their easels at me and the teacher came over to critique it. She suggested a few adjustments and said, "Good start. Now you just have to finish the others." Which I did. The rest didn't take me but a few minutes to knock out and my classmates were impressed that I drew everything so quickly.
Now I just have to finish the shading and the background, but that is the easy part.
Stupid candlestick, I hate you.

almost done

stupid candlestick

it's all in the interpretation, see

With this drawing challenge I've been doing, I realize more now than I did before that to draw or paint people well, the expressions are all in the eyes and mouth. I did notice this before, but since I wasn't practicing, I didn't "get" it. Also, I realize the importance of the artists interpretation more now. Sure, I can draw my feet or a chipmunk with an acorn in his cheek, but did I put my interpretation in the drawing? No, I haven't. But I am learning, so I'm sure it will come to me.
Today's challenge is to draw something with my favorite color. My favorite color is purple and I think I'm going to try a dragon. I painted a dragon before for a friend of mine when she had her bookstore. It will be different using colored pencils though, I'm sure.
So here is that and also the other drawings I did earlier this week.
All critiques are welcome, although I'm sure I already know what needs improving. Enjoy!

my first dragon...she's stealing jewels!

an animal I think is cute

my favorite outfit...pajamas!

something I've never drawn before...my feet

supposed to be my mother...she's wearing a turkey hat

another word for challenge is....(not this!)

Seems like all I do lately is go to work (which I don't care for too well, but it's a job and I need some dollars) and go to school (which I love and wish I could afford to go everyday). Sure, a few sporadic days I go out and find something to do with someone, but it's  not enough. So, I found this challenge of sorts on a website deviantArt. Its a 30 day drawing challenge, so far I'm on day 3 and realize how much I need instruction on getting things right. I can see what's wrong, I just don't know how to fix it. Here are my pictures so far:

day 3

day 1

day 2

The first one was easy, I was able to capture my persona using props. Day two is supposed to be a picture of my friend Jarred. I got frustrated with this one because I couldn't get the eyes and mouth right. So I gave up before I tore it up. Day 3 is the worst. These two women are really great, my friends Sherry and Melinda and I drew them to look like old men. I realize that the expressions are found in people's eyes and mouth and I just could not get their eyes and mouths right and I don't know how.

My Design Fundamentals teacher says "We're going to draw some thumbnails of your designs, then we're going to ink them. I know a lot of you have never inked before, so how do you get good at inking? You ink!"

Guess I'll keep trying to draw then.

...and in the final run, we have, art!

Okay, this is my final week of classes for this quarter. I had my final project for my Introduction to Graphic Design class yesterday. I did a powerpoint, with music (! I learned how to do that stuff in another class) comparing who would win in  a fight: coffee vs. tea. Durning the presentation, while Thomas Dolby's song "She blinded me with science" played in the background, I had samples and we took a vote. Coffee won 8 to 5. Other kids had really cool movies that they made using iMovie or Flipnote from the DSi. So I learned from them, too, since I'm still not cool enough to do something like that. Next time then.
Tomorrow I've got my final exam in my Intro to Design Applications. This is the class where I got exposed to all the design programs I'll be using like InDesign on Adobe. We have the written part tomorrow and we have to turn in the practicum by end of class. But, I've been working on mine already so I won't have to stay late, and one of my classmates is doing the same thing so we've been working together. Well, I've been working, he's been playing Sims and helping me, which I really appreciate the help because some things I just can't remember how to do. Our assignment was to use all the programs we reviewed to create brochures, charts, information and a webpage for a national park. I chose Mount Fuji in Japan. It wasn't too difficult since I had a lot of information already from when I went a few years ago.
My last class in Perspective Drawing, we took our final last week. The instructor went over the information, I wrote down my little notes and thought, "good I have these to go over for the test next week." But the guy said, "Okay, who wants to take the exam now?" Of course everyone's hands shot up except mine. I felt  like the last kid standing during a round of musical chairs. I know I missed a few questions, but I think I still did well. We also have a final drawing to turn in. Everyone else used their drawing from the previous assignment, which was to draw a building from a photograph. I, of course, had to be different and started another drawing, which I think was better because I got more practice and advice. So I hope that turns out well, too. We have until the end of class to turn in the final drawing.
Now, please enjoy a few pictures from school:

my group for our "design the decade" project. Ours was the 70's and we were the only group to go old school and do a live collage during our presentation. The teacher really liked that idea and it was my idea.

my final drawing for Perspective class. It is my second attempt to draw something this big and in pencil. I did use a range of pencils for the drawing, but I think my shading and shadows are way off. Still, a good first try, I think.