2021 Week 2: Lines Lines Lines 
A WEEK OF LINES:  FIVE PROMPTS FOR USING CONTOUR LINE (15 MINUTES)
What is Contour Line in Art?  (it is also used in map making)
A contour line defines an object without the use of shading. It can be used to demonstrate the outline of a form, as well as the interior structure.
"She traced the contours of his face with her finger"


​Here are guidelines for this week. See my page to the left as a visual guideline. Most importantly, there are no rules!
* Warm Up! I warm up even before a quick practice like this... yup you guessed it with my left hand (non-dominant). 2 minutes is all you need!
1) Set your timer to 15 minutes.
2) Look look look.. and keep looking. Spend as much time looking as you need to. Notice all of the edges of the object.. are they sharp, pointy, curvy?
3) Draw the outline of the object and/or the objects within (such as a fruit bowl).  Imagine the ups and downs, the curves, the form of the object. Try to feel these forms as you draw them. (this is what I do!) Try drawing without lifting your pencil - one continuous line. (fun!)
4) Check the time, make some notes, spend more creating if you are inspired. I will do the drawing a few times if there is time left. 
5) Sign and date your work!
You can use my reference photos each day when I post them or use objects of your own that are similar to these. 
Day 1. A mug or piece of pottery with an interesting shape (Best to use that is a solid color so you are not distracted by the design)
Day 2. A piece of fruit 
Day 3. A single flower or a twig or branch 
Day 4. A bowl of fruit (my favorite!)
Day 5. Your hand
I will post my daily prompts each day on Instagram and Facebook for inspiration and my own accountability. Please post along with me if you’d like. If you are not on social media, please feel free to e-mail or text your drawings to me. I’d love to see!
Be froghappy! Happy practicing!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contour drawing is an artistic technique used in the field of art in which the artist sketches the style of a subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline (the French word contour meaning "outline").[1] The purpose of contour drawing is to emphasize the mass and volume of the subject rather than the detail; the focus is on the outlined shape of the subject and not the minor details. However, because contour can convey a three-dimensional perspective, length and width as well as thickness and depth are important; not all contours exist along the outlines of a subject.[2] This technique is manifested in different styles and practiced in drawing development and learning.  
See example:  A contour drawing by Egon Schiele

Ha! I must have been in such deep meditation that I spelled “meditation” wrong!

Healthly, safe, sound & a little froghappy! news...
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Most importantly, I hope this finds you and your friends and family well.
As 2020 strangely lasted forever yet flew by, I'm checking in to share some fun art stuff that hopefully will pique your interest.

• All of my artwork sales through December 31, 2020 will go 100% to charity.
• Raffle painting "From my Collection" to benefit Debbie's Brain Cancer Research Fund
• Greeting cards are available to purchase through my website or at my studio by appointment.
• Gift of Tennis by Valerie Clarke (Illustrated by yours truly) is now available on Amazon!
• The froghappy! Practice will be back starting January 1st (weekly art prompts & a zoom art workshop), Please join me.

Again, I hope you are well and I hope you will find something here inspiring. If so, please also pass the info on to family and friends. I look forward to being in touch!
All the best, Jennifer

2020 PANDEMIC INSPIRED PROJECTS

Climb Your Mountain 29
In April at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, while craving a challenge and way to give back, Climb Your Mountain 29 was born. Inspired by fundraising in my sister, Debbie Gregg’s memory (10/14/1964-8/19/2012), the event kicked off in July and raised over $20,000 for Brain Cancer Research at Upstate Cancer Center. https://www.climbyourmountain29.com/

Gift of Tennis
On November 10th, Gift of Tennis, written by tennis enthusiast and coach Valerie Clarke became available on Amazon! I both illustrated and designed the book geared toward adults who want to learn to play tennis. The book is filled with whimsical drawings and doodles and provides a plethora of tennis, life lessons and anecdotes. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BOOK!

The Left & Right-Handed Creativity Project
Many years ago,I started drawing left-handed after a tennis shoulder and hand injury. In 2019, I spent a year exploring drawing and painting using both hands and researching the functions of the left and right sides of the brain relating to creativity. In 2020, I continued a practice that incorporates a left-handed warm up and doing a simple illustration at least five times per week.

Sales
Through December 31, 2020, 100% of my painting and drawing art sales will be donated to Caz Cares and to my sister’s Brain Cancer Research Fund.


ps MY DREAM PROJECT
To create an outdoor community mural with 1,000 paint marks made by 1,000 kids from our area!

 During 2020, I had the privilege to work with author, tennis enthusiast and coach Valerie Clark to illustrate, design and layout her book, Gift of Tennis.  The paperback book now is available for sale for $9.99 through Amazon!  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BOOK!

The froghappy! Practice is now entering month three.  Please join me. Follow @froghappypractice and post your practice #froghappypractice See you on Instagram