Hello World

My name is Shamus Collins. My wife came across a blog entitled "Creative Journey" by an artist named Myrna Wacknov. There is a link on that blog to another blog Myrna has created entitled "Drawn to the Mirror" and this is my point of interest. Myrna has set forth to create 365 days of self portraits that began on Jan. 1st. Well I am starting a little after the first of the year but I am going to make the same goal for myself. This sounds like a fun and inspirational way to force creativity. Let the fun begin.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Thursday, March 4, 2010

60/365 Shades of Me



I tried to stay away from outlining in this sketchling. Just different shades of me. More light then dark, today was a good day. Focusing on the positive.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

59/365 Kneeling



Working with light and dark. There is an energy within, we just have to find and nurture it to make it become what we need. Something to keep us on whatever path we chose or is chosen for us (whatever you believe).

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

58/365



I used a sketch from another artist for inspiration on this sketchling. I'm trying to expand my comfort area and try new techniques. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this piece.

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57/365 Make-Up Work



This is a make-up sketch for last night. I kind of let the night get away from me.
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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

51/365 Revisited



Another attempt at the reference photo.

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010

49/365 Another Smile






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48/365 Hi



My wife said that I need to smile more in the portraits. Here you are honey. Hi, just having fun.

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

47/365 Purple Hoodie




I used the same reference photo as last night. I don't like that most of the shading doesn't show up in the scan, but oh well. I also added the actual photo used.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

46/365 Me In A Hoodie



Yet another one with my homemade brush pen.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

45/365 Close Up



This one was also done like the other one tonight (44/365). I just had to play with it some more.

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44/365



This was done with a fine point sharpie and a fat Marks-a-lot. I took the Marks-a-lot and cut the end so it was more like a brush. I like the effect that it gives the piece.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

43/365





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42/365



This was done late last night, too late to mess with posting. This was my first attempt at using graphite. A lot of the light shading didn't show up in the scan, oh well. I likes using this but I need to get something to seal it with before I continue to use it on a regular basis.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

41/365





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40/365 Reflections



The way we see ourselves is not the way that the rest of the world sees us. Most people only see what we allow them to see, what we put out there for them. Is this truly who we are? No. Each of us are more complex than that. We all have inner struggles and demons. We have to learn to allow loved ones to help us with those struggles, that's what they are there for. We also have to remain who we are at heart and never feed our demons.


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Monday, February 15, 2010

39/365 The New Me



This is supposed to be a learning experience. From this point forward I am going in a different direction. All will still be self portraits, but I am going to be more creative and put some heart into it. Some of these may be a little abstract, some might be a little raw, some might be ideas for future projects. I am going to experiment with a larger variety of tools (once I purchase some).

All comments are welcomed, however don't just tell me you like it, tell me why. Don't just tell me you hate it, tell me why. Thank you all.

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Sunday, February 14, 2010

38/365 Valentine



The small amount of red crayon on my chin is a contribution from my two and a half year old daughter (when I wasn't looking). Happy Valentines Day.

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Saturday, February 13, 2010

Friday, February 12, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

35/365 Black & White & Red All Over



This was done with a black and red sharpie. Not sure that I like all of the shading, it's hard to shade with a marker. I had a good time doing this one. I will definitely play with some color combinations again. I feel that the subject (me) is a little hard to see but over all I am pleased with the piece.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

33/365



With my hair pulled back it looks like I have short hair.

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Sunday, February 7, 2010

31/365



I think that this one looks a lot like me. Of course, that is the point, but this one captured me a lot better then most of the others. Most importantly, I'm learning. I think with almost every piece I have discovered an effect or detail that I like, or don't. Either way I'm still learning and therefor growing as an artist.

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Saturday, February 6, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

27/365



I am starting to like this new direction.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Monday, February 1, 2010

25/365



With this one I think that I got a little carried away with the thick lines. Not exactly what I was wanting. Maybe tomorrow.

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

24/365 The quickest way is a straight line



This weeks sketchlings will be like none that I've done before. This week I will be focusing on line thicknesses and minimalism. Today's sketchling was all done with straight lines and in about 1 1/2 minutes.


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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Friday, January 29, 2010

22/365 Black & Grey



This is my favorite so far. I love the way this makes me look.


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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Saturday, January 23, 2010

15/365 Last Day Of Red Me



That concludes a full week of red faced me's. I may go back to the red marker again some day. I think that there is a lot of variations that would be fun to play with. For now though, I am putting the red marker down.


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Friday, January 22, 2010

Thursday, January 21, 2010