Spring

Due to the expectation of unseasonably warm weather in my area for the next 2-3 days, this week's assignment is to draw something that indicates spring. Whether you show new growth on a tree, a budding plant or someone wearing "spring" clothing, tell the weather story through your drawing.

Oscar!

This week, in honor of the Academy Awards, the assignment is to draw the poster from one of the nominated films: The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Brooklyn, Mad Max, The Martian, The Revenant, Room or Spotlight.

Hand Model

Hands aren't always the easiest thing to draw so this week we will practice on them. Draw your hand in different positions from different angles. Pay attention to the varying lengths and thickness of the different fingers as well as the knuckles and folds of skin that make them look real rather than cartoonish.

Painting Snow

Snow. Ugh. I don't like it. However, it presents an opportunity for an assignment. This week, we shall paint snow. Experiment with using a mix of beige, brown and blues (or whatever color you choose) with your white to achieve the effect of snowfall, both fresh, "stale" and shadows from trees, etc.

Accessorize

It's Award Season in Hollywood when people dress up and show off. So I decided to make this week's assignment to draw accessories. Choose whatever you like - a hat, a purse, jewelry, a watch ... whatever you wish. Whether you choose to draw it on a person or alone is up to you.

Get Animated

This week's challenge is to draw an animated character. It could be from a cartoon, anime, or even a video game. If you're really feeling creative, you can create your own.

Favorite (or least favorite) Gadget

This week's assignment is to draw your favorite gadget - other than your phone since that was an assignment last year. Pick something else and draw it in great detail - as if it were going to be used as an image on a technical spec.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I have the winter doldrums due to the cold weather. Granted, it's been warmer ... much warmer and drier than last winter, but I still can't wait for the spring. Anyway, this week's assignment is to draw something that evokes a feeling of cold in the viewer. Feel free to be creative and draw a glass full of ice cubes or go a more traditional route and draw a winter scene.

Must Love Dogs

I apologize for missing an assignment last week. I suffered the loss of a treasured dog. She was more than just a dog or companion. She was a member of my family. So in honor of Daphne, this week's assignment is to draw a dog or puppy.