My Last and Final Drawing?

My Last and Final Drawing?

by Derrick Rathgeber

Mermaid Legacy

All of us have that one drawing that you will never Ever sell. That is what this one is for me. I don't mind sharing this drawing with the world digitally, but no one is going to hold this drawing on paper, but me or my wife. This small 8 x 10 pencil drawing of a mermaid was almost the last thing I ever illustrated. It would have been my legacy to the world. 

My last and final drawing was drawn on a piece of old note paper in a hospital in Sun City on May 10th 2009. I was in the hospital for a severe kidney disease called Rhabdomyolysis. 

Let me back up a bit and explain. I was injured back in 2008 when a 150lb steel ladder broke apart and fell on me on the job and a cable service tech. After several attempts to get treated for it, and even more denials from the insurance company I started accumulating a ton of muscle tissue damage that inevitably became permanent. I was forced to go back to work early and taken off my limitations even though my doctor didn't want me to work. After a year of light duty and office work, my parter called in sick when he was on call. Now because the company couldn't get anybody else to fill in they told me either I fix the on-call problems, or I don't have a job anymore. Thinking of my home, and kids I had to work so I had no choice. Looking back on it now I should have told them HELL NO, but then I thought It will hurt like hell but I can sleep it off the next day. 

These were no ordinary job orders, and I can see why my partner "got sick." I did two cable line drops from the pole to the house, one trench for a cable pedestal replacement, and of course the standard installs and disconnects. I worked from 7:00 am - 7:00pm in 110 degree weather with minimal breaks. Needless to say I got home and I don't even remember eating, I just went to bed and slept till noon the next day. 

Feeling completely sore head to toe, and all my torn muscles throbbing, I took my pain medication and decided to do the yoga program I had. It was from the p90x series which was too extreme  but I just did the 10 min warm up because it has all the basic stretch moves. I couldn't even finish it. I was getting dizzy, and told my wife I had to lay down. She let me sleep in the whole day, and around 6:30p.m. I went to the restroom and, not to be too graphic, I pee'd what looked like Coca Cola syrup. It was dark. I yelled to my wife to look, and we were freaked out. She immediately called my sister who is a nurse, and I jumped on the computer to look it up. By the time I found out that it was kidney failure, my sister was yelling at my wife to get me to the hospital NOW. It was weird, as soon as we found out I was already blacking out. 

Forgive me, but I do not remember most of this part. But My wife dragged me from the house to the car, and drove me to the hospital in Blythe, CA. I do remember the doctor telling me to stand up and walk into the back from the wheel chair even though I was blacking out on and off. They would send me into the waiting room until they had a room for me for yet another hour. (This was a prison hospital, and inmates get priority even though its the only hospital for miles.)

After I finally got a room they hooked me up to an i.v. and did blood work. The tests came back and my ck levels were 9,999 basically off the charts. Normal ck levels are within the 100s. The doctor thought was an error and he wanted to release me with some Gatorade for dehydration. If he had I would have been dead. The insurance company made them repeat the test and it was still off the charts, and notified another hospital to take me in. The doctor then apologizes and couldn't even say the diagnosis of Rhabdomyolysis. They were going to fly me by helicoter to Sun City Banner, but unfortunately a young child needed it more so of course I told them go ahead and ship me by ambulance. 

The ambulance ride was another 4 hours to Sun City and once I left I wouldn't see my kids for another two weeks. I hugged them like the last time. My wife rode with me all the way there and my mom and sister watched the kids. I don't remember much of the ride as I faded in and out again. When I got there they were ready for me. They did tests on the hour, and pumped fluids into me. After I found out my liver was also crashing I was terrified. My levels were falling, and climbing, but I wasn't blacking out, just getting weak and dizzy from walking. About a week into it I was told by the nurse if my levels didn't drop any more I would have dialysis. I asked the nurse for some paper and a pencil and asked my wife what would you like for me to draw for you?  

It seemed like a simple question, and I smiled away. But I wasn't sure if I was going to get better. I wanted to draw something for her in case I couldn't do it anymore. I had never been more scared in my life. I have been hit by cars, attacked, heart surgery and I was never scared, but this time I was. I never told anyone that. I drew her a mermaid that I thought she would like to see. Fun sketchy, not perfect. I had to add my swirls, and tribal designs that way she would say yep its him that't how he always drew his characters. Would this be my last I sure hoped not. Now they did take me to dialysis, and my wife said I was gone for hours. I think I was out for hours because I don't remember. They had to flush them completely, and I was not there. 

After another week I finally got the news I wanted to hear. My levels dropped under 1500, and I could go home. I was so thrilled! I got to see my kids again! I got to be home, my home, my bed! I still had to follow up with my doctor for blood work every three days for monitoring, and I was finally taken off work. I guess its true you do have to die to have your work comp company take you seriously. I never told anyone this before but I am sure I did for a minute or two, maybe a dream maybe not. But I am here now and that's what matters. I was home. 

That was much longer than I thought. But it's all true, and this drawing title Mermaid Legacy was nearly my last and final drawing. It would have been my legacy to the world. Now it's a reminder for myself that I am here, and should have died many times over in this experience  but I feel I was kept alive. This drawing wasn't my last drawing but for me it's the first of many many more. I am here still recovering, still hurt, and not treated. But now I can listen to my body and say no to unfair treatment, and fight. I decided no matter my situation I will choose my family, life, and find my reason for being here. I want to help others including other artists, and share my story as and artist. Maybe there is someone who could use it. Just writing it out today helped me. 

Thank you for reading, 

Derrick Rathgeber 

http://Derrickr.Webs.com

You can also view Mermaid Legacy 

on Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/pin/60869032434725196/ 

How to Draw Glass with Colored Pencils: Erasing to Add Detail

How to Draw Glass with Colored Pencils: 
Erasing to Add Detail
by Derrick Bruno

Http://HalfEvil333.com

Thank you for your Donation & Support!

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/60869032437032180/

Thank you for visiting. In this lesson I will teach you how to draw a believable glass texture. Our subject will be a light bulb so we will be using grey colors for this lesson. You’ll even have a small bonus lesson for the metal texture at the base of the bulb. What you will be learning today is how to use your pencils to color smoothly, and how to take away from your drawing to add more depth and detail. Are you ready to get started?

First off the colors I chose for this lesson are as follows: Grey, Cool Grey, Dark Grey, Black and White.  Also we will be using an eraser. Preferable a white one, or gum eraser.

 Step 1: Using the Dark Grey draw out your light bulb. You can opt out the details in the middle if you like they are not necessary for this lesson. You do however want to get the bulb shape, and screw at the base. This lesson is more about coloring and texture than copying the image.

Hint: Any time you are drawing from a reference a good fun trick to do is draw the image upside down. It sounds funny but it tricks your brain into drawing what you see, and not what your brain knows.

Step 2: Using the Grey colored pencil you will fill in the lower area of the bulb using medium pressure. Once completed take your pencil and hold it at a slant so the point is flat against the paper. Lightly begin to shade in the rounded bulb area using rounded strokes back and forth. This will give you a smoother fill. Continue to crosshatch and fill in the top of the bulb, and the base of the bulb until you get a good smooth cover.

Hint: Practice, and do not rush. Remember you’re not in a race, and you won’t get a prize for finishing first. This is a technique that you are trying to learn. Take scratch paper and use the side of your pencil lead to make strokes of different lengths, and pressures.

Step 3: Here is where it gets fun. Find a good size eraser, preferably a gum eraser, or white art eraser. Now you can look at a light bulb for reference or visualize where you will see the shines. You can also use mine for reference. Start erasing away where you want to have the shines. Be sure to follow the shape of the bulb, and do not be afraid to erase the details of the center, that just gives it more character. This gives the illusion of a rounded shape that you can now view start viewing as glass.

Hint: We used grey in this lesson because our background is white. This is only to make the 2D object appear three dimensional. Now if you have the bulb in front of an object or let’s say a yellow wall, you would color the bulb the same color as the background, or slightly lighter color of the background depending on how thick you want the glass to appear.

Step 4: Now we have to make the glass shine more prominent. You can now use the Dark Grey color and start shading around the shines. We are going to add more pressure at the top of the bulb, the base of the glass, and around the erased shines. Be sure to blend the Dark Grey and Grey together by adding layers of color from dark to light. Also if you added the middle detail you will use the Dark Grey to define the glass on the inside as shown.

Step 5: In this step we are starting on the metal base. Simply use the Dark Grey again and fill in the areas as shown. It’s okay to make these areas dark as we are going to add black to it later. You want to show the light bending around the metal object. And this object is smooth.

Hint: When you draw metal objects be sure to pay attention to your light sources, and remember that light comes from behind too, as seen here.

Step 6: Using the Cool Grey color begin shading the base filling in the left side darker, and leaving the right side lighter. This shows where your light source is and keeps the color flowing across the object. You can even color up and down the screw base to ensure you get the same dark to light scale going from left to right. And remember this metal is also smooth so it’s a great way to practice your small smooth strokes.

Hint:  A good tool to help you blend your pencil drawing is a “Blinding stump.” They are highly affordable, and easy to use. If not you can always use your fingers to smudge the colors together. I did before I know they existed.

Part 7: To add our finishing touches on this piece we are going to just define the light bulb, and highlight the shines. So let’s start off by grabbing the Black pencil. Start by outlining the bulb, and shading in areas of the bulb close to the base and around the top. Take a step back and look at your image and you can see where the shadows are coming from. Those are the areas you want to darken.  Next you will use the Black to also darken the shadows on the metal base to really make the metal shine, and stand out from the glass. You can also add a layer of shading to make it darker from the glass bulb.

Finally we are going to use the White pencil to color over the middle of the glass and shines to really make the center pop. Almost like the light is starting to light up. And to finish the drawing off add white to the right side of the metal base, and around the sides to show where the light is coming from.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson. Please email any comments or suggestions to DerrickBruno@HalfEvil333.com. Find my new portfolio page at http://HalfEvil333.com

Featured Art: Hraunkot by Derrick Rathgeber

Featured Art: Hraunkot 

by Derrick Rathgeber

http://derrickr.webs.com/

Title: Hraunkot

Medium: RoseArt Colored Pencils/ Bristol Smooth 11" x 14"

Original Price: $200.00

Prints are Available: http://pixels.com/featured/hraunkot-derrick-rathgeber.html

Hraunkot - A good name for a strong Horse bursting from Lava, and jumping right off of the page. In this colored pencil drawing I wanted to illustrate strength, power, and beauty with the stroke of a pencil. I formed rock texture, and the fire using different techniques, and patience with each part.

Break the Chains That Bind Your Artwork

Breaking boundaries and becoming more creative than you ever thought you could be. That is what today’s blog is all about. I’ll be the first to admit that I changed my entire drawing style to build myself as a professional artist. I honestly felt no one would take me seriously if I kept drawing characters, and creations out of my mind. I tried, I really did. I would post my work online and got nothing back in return. Was this because I wasn’t good enough, or people didn’t like what I had drawn? Now that I look back on it I don’t think so. I think it was because I didn’t believe in myself enough. I held back in a lot of my work and it suffered dramatically. I would spend hours creating a lot of detail in the beginning, and then just tire of the drawing because it wasn’t me. It just didn’t represent me as an artist.

I have felt really chained down as an artist these past few months and as I was looking up a reference shot for my next piece I asked myself why? This picture I am about to draw has already been captured on photograph it’s done. What about all the great pictures in my mind that are trapped in there. I literally had thousands of images screaming to be released onto paper, and I was scared that I would mess them up. There is pressure to create; I always wanted to be original and draw different than everyone else. Even when I would draw from reference I wanted to find a way to change the image, but I really felt bound to make the image look like what I was drawing just because. I know it’s not a good reason but the pressure to be great, and build a portfolio got me thinking I had to make everything believable and real. And then it hit me just the other day why can’t I have the best of both, and make the imagination real and believable.

I found myself with a dilemma. Do I continue to build my portfolio with realistic colored pencil drawings or do I draw for fun. In the end I answered with my gut feeling to do it for me. So my next piece is called Beyond Imagination. At first I started to collect pictures of things I would add to my work I thought to myself that I am doing it again. I was already judging myself, and holding back by using images as a crutch. If I really wanted to release my talent I had to just draw. So in this image I am drawing it from left to right adding all the detail as I go. I started with a dragon, and a witch, and a phoenix. I have no idea what is next, and I don’t care if it makes sense. It’s imagination and fun. I hope you can do the same.

I propose a challenge to everyone. On your next piece, if you want to find out how much you have evolved as an artist, I want you to use everything you have learned to this point and just draw. Lay it all out on the paper. Don’t think about judgment from peers, or from yourself just go. Whatever comes into your mind go for it. The only other rule I ask for is to not use reference shots, photos, or any previous artwork. Make it yours, make it new, and take your time. Sometimes when you hit the professional level you get a following who love your “style.” If so fantastic don’t change. For me although I have gained a lot of praise for my work, it’s time for me to take a step back for a while and brake the chains that bound my imagination. I plan on growing, and releasing all I have to give, I hope you do too. Take the limiters off, and be creative again.

I hope to see some great new creations. Find me on my Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/DerrickRathgeber and share them with me.

Thank you for reading,

Remember to Share, Comment, and Subscribe.

Derrick Rathgeber

http://Derrickr.webs.com

Featured Writer/Artist Site - Sugar & Spice Ain't Always Nice

Sugar & Spice Ain't Always Nice

Patricia Rathgeber

http://www.snsaintalwaysnice.com/

About Sugar & Spice Ain't Always Nice

My name is Patricia, friends call me Tricia. I am 28 years old from southern California. I'm married to Derrick and we have four children. I blog about my life, my thoughts and feelings. At times I can be crude and I don't have a filter, I tend to be blatantly honest. I might be a baker, but I don't sugar coat anything.

I am a writer, reader, runner, baker wife, mother, and Christian. I have Bipolar Type One, suffer from BPD, GAD, Severe Major Depression Disorder, OCD and ADD. I'm a recovering cutter. I am made of sugar and spice, but I ain't always nice. So expect the rantings of a Bipolar Superwoman.

You can also follow Patricia at these great sites:

http://www.facebook.com/SugarSpiceAintAlwaysNice

http://twitter.com/SugarNSpiceAAN

http://snsaintalwaysnice.blogspot.com/

http://snsaintalwaysnice.tumblr.com/

Email at: snsaintalwaysnice@gmail.com

Twisted Fate: Why Do Bad Things Happen?

Twisted Fate: Why Do Bad Things Happen?

by Derrick Rathgeber

Relive the first comic strip that started it all. This episode asks the age old question..Why Do Bad Things Happen? 

Keep the laughs coming and spread the fun by visiting the Twisted Fates at their new home:

http://pinterest.com/DtheArtist/twisted-fate-by-derrick-rathgeber-comic-strips/

Thanks for stopping by.

Derrick Rathgeber

http://Derrickr.Webs.com

How to Color a Daisy With Colored Pencils by Derrick Rathgeber

How to Color a Daisy With Colored Pencils

By Derrick Bruno

Http://HalfEvil333.com

Thank you for your Donation & Support!

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/60869032437031919/

Welcome to the next lesson in colored pencil drawing. In the last lesson we learned how to layer different colors to create a solid multi-colored pink lady apple. In this lesson I will teach you how to train your brain to see your drawing as different individual pieces. The perfect way to do this is with the daisy. We will focus more on directional shading and coloring in this lesson, and how to obtain textures using different strokes.

Grab your box of Colored Pencils out and grab the following colors; Pale pink, Pink, Cerise, Ruby, Light Brown, Golden Yellow, Grass Green, Black, and White. These will be the 9 colors we will be using for this lesson.

Tip: If you would like to change the color of your flower, you may substitute the petal colors (Pale Pink, Pink, Cerise, & Ruby) to another four colors. Just make sure you go from light to dark. For example a purple flower you could use Light Lavender, Lavender, Purple, & Orchid. 

Step 1: Lightly draw your daisy using faint strokes of a pencil, or light grey colored pencil. Start with the circle in the middle of the flower. Follow that with about six individual petals all roughly the same length, but different characteristics. If you note each petal has two fold lines going down the, and the ends are jagged. Behind these petals you will draw more petals. Continue layering your petals until you are satisfied with the shape of your daisy. Now use the Grass Green colored pencil and draw two curved lines for the stem.

Tip: If you would like to skip ahead and focus on the coloring lesson. You may download the sketched out image seen below. Click the link Below.

http://www.4shared.com/office/lLB4l57E/How-to-draw-a-daisy-001.html

Step 2: We are going to put down the base color for the flower. Take the Pale Pink Colored Pencil and start coloring in each petal. Now to do this we are going to use a fun technique. The reason I chose a daisy is because it’s a circle shape. You will want to color in the direction of each petal; to do this can get frustrating because you have to contort your hand into uncomfortable positions. So what we are going to do is keep our hand in the same position and rotate the paper. Use light gentle strokes across each petal evenly, and use more pressure on the lines, and towards the center of the flower. Continue rotating the paper and coloring each petal until they are covered.

Step 3: Practice Makes Perfect. Find a petal to start with, and start adding the next layer of color. Using the Pink we will start off at the base of the petal and color in the direction of the petal. Color only the base of the petal and the center area of the petal. Again rotate the paper as you go and color in a position that is most comfortable for you and your wrist. This will allow smoother lines and more control.

Tip: Treat each petal as a new drawing. Taking your time and giving attention to each one will allow your brain to see shapes that you would otherwise over look. Remember to draw comfortably, take breaks when you need them, and just have fun.

Step 4: Using the Cerise you will continue adding more color and depth to the flower. We are going to start adding some shadows and curves to the petals. Color from the base of the petal with more pressure and lighten your strokes as you reach the end of the petal. Define the shadows for the petals underneath by using darker strokes where the top petals overlay.

Step 5: We are going to fine tune the shadow by adding one more red color. Using the Ruby Colored Pencil we will once again add more depth the flower petals. Rotating the paper as you go of course, sharpen your lines toward the base of each petal around the circle. Then define the lines of each petal using the Ruby color. Now as you rotate the paper use back and forth strokes to really get the dark Ruby color to make an even shadow on each petal towards the center of the flower to make it look like the petals fold inward.

Step 6: Now we are going to get into the middle of this flower. Don’t worry no more rotating the paper for this one, unless you want to of course. This part is actually kind of fun for me. Making a realistic pollen look is easier than it looks. Using the Light Brown find the center of your circle and make a much smaller circle. This will be your starting point. Now continue making small circles around this circle, and continue until the center is full. Once you get to the edge of the petals, use the Light Brown to fill in any gaps between the flower center and the petals. Now add some of this brown to the stem with some lines dark lines, and we will move on to the next step.

Step 7: Now it’s time to add some color to the center. Using the Golden Yellow make even circular strokes to fill in the center area. Continue going over it until you get a nice even color. Once you are finished use the same Golden Yellow color and very lightly go over the base of each petal. We do this because light reflects colors onto nearby objects. Sometimes it’s not noticeable, but just enough will make your drawing look that much more realistic. Then to finish off this step add some more light stroke lines onto the stem to give it an earthy browning like color when we go over it with the green.

Step 8: Probably the easiest step of the drawing. Take the Grass Green color, and color the entire stem. Be sure to color right over the Golden Yellow and Light Brown colors. Remember to color along with the shape of the stem in the same direction. You can even rotate the paper to give you a comfortable position and clean lines. Color the area by the flower darker show the shadow of the flower covering the stem.

Tip: By now I hope rotating the paper comes to you as a reflex. This will help you draw strait lines and curves, and can be used to draw all sorts of shapes and objects. Draw smarter not harder.

Step 9: Now to cast the final shadows. Use the Black Colored Pencil and outline the base of each petal and the flower center. Next begin shading the top petals lightly just enough to show that they curve inwards towards the center. Add some more black color to the petals underneath using the top petals as a guide. Next tilt the black pencil to the side a bit, and give a shadow to the center of the flower. Use crosshatching strokes towards the bottom of the circle to make it look like a sphere. Finally cast the shadow on the top, and down the side of the stem to finish up the shadows.

Step 10: To finish up our flower take the White Colored Pencil and color the edge of each petal. Next blend together the light and the dark colors by coloring from the edge of the petal down to the middle of each petal. This will even out your colors, and help cast light onto your drawing. Next add white to the cent of your drawing, and to the stem. And there you have it a beautiful flower.

Tip: Find your light source. Sometimes when I draw I will cast a light over my drawing and see which way the paper casts a shadow. Use this as a guide for your shading.

That does it for this lesson. I would love to see your work. Send it to us and we would be glad to share your results on my Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/HalfEvilProductions