sketch: tennis waiting

It’s been a while since I did some drawing. Sorry to my followers who seek my artwork, which is originally why I started this blog site. I have just been concentrating hard on my outdoor video channel, that is my other hobby, being a YouTube creator. But as you probably noticed, I combined by outdoor/nature art with my outdoor/nature videos, under one blog. I am trying to get to 1000 subscribers, and it is really hard work. I’ll talk about more some day if anybody is interested.

Anyway, today, I just wanted to do a sketch of a tennis player. Usually, I draw them in action, but this player is just standing around, waiting for the game to begin. Perhaps it is symbolic, in my mind, saying when are things going to get back to normal?

I hope you all are enjoying this summer, despite the circumstances.

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sketch: tennis postcards

I have been building a collection of tennis sketches over time. I look back at my early drawings and think, oh my god, what was I thinking? Needless to say, my earlier work left a lot to desire.

I’ve always observed tennis players as good exercises in figure drawing. As they say, draw what you enjoy. Right?

More recently, I am happier with the results of my studies in proportion and action, and I decided that they are finally worthy enough to make into prints. I also left my sketches as line drawings, without painting them, keeping it raw and simple. Kind of a departure from my other subject matter. In fact, they are now available at my store as a set of 4 postcards. Check it out :)

What do you you think?

sketch: tennis two-handed backhand

Even though the last grand slam of the year, the US Open, is over, that doesn’t mean the season is over. Tournaments continue onto Asian countries like China, Japan and Korea. Actually, did you know that tennis competition is a 11-month long season? Players only get a true rest in December. There is always a tournament going on somewhere, internationally.

It seems like it is exhausting for athletes, to travel for so long and so far. Tennis as a career is a life choice and good money can be made if they go up the rankings. Plus, they get to see different beautiful cities. Still, it is great for avid tennis fans, like myself :) Plenty of entertaining games to watch on television!

My drawing is of a player who is very focused, doing a two-handed backhand. As you probably noticed, capturing tennis players in action is my favorite way to practice figure drawing.

Have a great Sunday!

 

sketch: figure skating (male)

Two big sport venues are coming up. The Australian Open happens on January 15 – 28. And then, next month, the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea happens on February 9 – 28. Both of those sporting events are my super bowl. Needless to say, my Tivo DVR will be working overtime.

Figure skating is one of the many hot events to watch. The US has very strong figure skating teams, both men and women. My drawing is of a male figure skater, performing balancing moves.

sketch: track & field

Sadly, the Rio Olympics is coming to an end this weekend, but that doesn’t mean the fun should end. Keep active and set goals for yourself, your kids and your family, while it’s still nice outside, in sports, or whatever makes you feel alive.

As for me, I’m quite not ready to stop drawing Olympic sports stuff. Today, I give you a runner competing in Track & Field. Track running began as a stadium race in 776 BC. This competition was the only athletic event in early Olympics. The marathon wasn’t introduced into the Olympics until 1896, a long distance run from Marathon to the Olympic stadium in Athens.

Rio proved itself to be an excellent host city for the Olympics. I still can’t believe Brazil is the first South American country to have the Olympics. Here’s hoping for more cities, south of the equator, to host.

Next stop: Tokyo, Japan!

sketch: diving

Diving at the Rio Olympics provided plenty of drama, not only between the competitors, but also with some unforseeable affects. Early on, the pool turned deep green as a pond, questioning the safety of those who swim in it. And periodically, heavy winds pushed divers off course, causing some to hit the diving board.

Competitive diving began as early as the 18th century, between Germany and Sweden. The sport was first introduced in the Olympics in 1904.

My drawing is of a diver, executing a twist, just after take off from the platform (about 10 meters above the pool surface).

Which diver were you rooting for to win gold?

sketch: tennis receive stance

My drawing today is of a male player in receiving stance. Even though the weather is getting colder, I can’t stop thinking about tennis. In fact, I continue to play indoors when possible. Besides, tennis players make awesome figural drawing subjects.

The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is happening now, from November 15 to 22. It is the last big tournament before all of the players take much needed rest (for a only month) until the season begins again in the new year. Jeez, tennis players are the hardest workers in sports. Their entire season lasts 11 continuous months. Once they finish a tour in one country, they are off to another country. On the plus side, it is an awesome way to see the world.

tennis receive stance

The Australian Open was filled with early upsets with likes of Federer and my favorite, Nadal. Both top seeds have well-rounded games, but sometimes, the player with the faster and flatter serve will be the one to advance. It’s hard to imagine being on the receiving end of a 125+ MPH serve. Today, my drawing is a player who is about to receive one of those mega serves.

tennis backhand

This is my figural drawing of a two-handed backhand stance, arms pulled back, ready to thrust forward to hit the ball cross court.

Mark your calendar, tennis fans, the Australian Open is coming. The sport event is happening from January 19 to February 1.

sketch: the sweatband