Pages from my sketchbook

This is what I do before I paint my mug shot portraits for the Hilton Head challenge or any portrait I am going to paint.  I sketch...very roughly.  I am just looking for relationships..I am not looking to make a pretty picture.  Nothing is really finished.  I want a reasonable resemblance.  I am measuring the tilt of the head...the alignment of the eyes.  This is where I make my mistakes ;)  Well, at least some of them.

A small sketch for a wedding piece I am working on.  I love the position of the mother looking at her child...dancing...so carefree.  I can already feel the emotion and the story this painting will tell.

What happens if you come to my house to watch a movie?  I sketch you as you sit.  I get aggravated when you move...but I rarely say anything.  I am just trying to work from life as often as I can.  I, again, am working on relationships in each drawing.  If someone actually falls asleep and stays in one position for a long time...then I am a happy happy girl!

I loved the way this little girl was standing with her let all askew and hip jutted out to one side.  This may be a painting...I am still thinking about it.  She had on a cute ruffled pink skirt.  

I saw this couple at the National Gallery of Art.  I am trying to decide if he adds anything to the composition or if I should just do the painting with the woman and the painting.  I love her period dress...so lucky to have happened on her.  

This couple was a guest at a wedding we attended in London.  I love the regal look on the lady and her hat...who wouldn't love that hat!!!  

I sketch almost every evening....I have a stack of source photos next to me and my sketch book along with plenty of Ticonderoga #2 pencils.  I don't usually share much sketching because they are not really for show...it is practice.  

Since these are all experiments and I am still working on compositions...feel free to add your two cents...I would love to hear what you think will make a good painting.