Karen Ruffles | charcoal art

There are some poses that come up repeatedly as I go through all the out-takes for the book of butts, so I'm thinking of naming them, like yoga poses. This one with wings and tail down as demonstrated by our jackdaw friend is very common so help me out here. The wig? The duster?

Monster portal r&d time! I created a shadow using Stephen's desk model as if he was just outside the room, roughly copied that out on some paper to put in the box and illuminated with a single led. Et voila! It's more than clear enough -and lets me keep the gloom.

I've been and paid the peanut tax - it was afternoon, so most of the crows had bogged off and only this one was collecting. Even then, he took them off into the grass to bury them because he wasn't hungry.

More remixing of monster media for my funding application - this year has had me going back through so many past projects for reference stuff and it's actually been really nice, I'm usually so focused on the next thing and the one after that I rarely stop to enjoy what I've made.

I keep trying to get out and get some shots to work from but stuff keeps happening, so I'm continuing to gather windowbirds instead. After I got this picture, the starling executed a perfect 'exit stage left' by slowly and deliberately shuffling off along the wire😆

After 30 years I'm retiring my card range - never thought that'd happen! Lots of challenges around costs, supply issues and so on have made me throw my wholesale drive in reverse and I'm getting back to what I need, what I love and hang the rest 😆 Anyone else?

Another thing that's surprised me about The Big Book of Butts project is the variety in these drawings - just by picking the images I would Not normally have included!

Off in the post today - a limited edition mini rook print with certificate of authenticity :) I was looking for an excuse to get out of the office for a bit today, so a big thank you to the person who's rehoming it! etsy.me/48a9MZw via @Etsy

Todays entry into The Big Book of Butts. Another drawing I would never have done without this project and I love it - the way the feathers, edge on, create a pattern reminiscent of those butterfly wings I drew before. Always learning!

That snow bathing crow on the board :) This one makes a lovely companion piece to the two jackdaws drawing I finished last week.

Another classic butt on the desk today :) These are all genuine out takes from my photoshoots, no cheating and cropping.

Another category in The Big Book of Butts is 'crows that look like they were just punted off their post' - this photo is a personal favourite, with its face turned slightly towards us as it sails past 😆 He'll be on the drawing board later this week!

My other monster activity this weekend was a light test for the first portal window (just stuffed in a hastily cut out hole in a cardboard box while I work it out). Window pics included for those that missed the start of this adventure.

I'm taking a day each weekend (when I have fewer biz messages to deal with) to work on monster plans. Currently reworking older media as part of a grant bid, which makes today a fun day :)

Just a minute - the time taken to draw a jackdaw foot :) Really pleased with the new camera setup, much sharper video and no wobble!

Incoming! Got jackdaw 2 on paper today - still needs balancing and a good clean up but that's 2 larger drawings ready for The Big Book of Butts charity auction this summer :)

On the desk today - two jackdaws and a clothesline. Well, one jackdaw currently and a coffee, but the second should make an appearance tomorrow.

Took these surprisingly crisp photos through my window yesterday - I honestly didn't think they'd come out but look at the face I was getting off this little one 🖕😆

Testing a new camera setup - excuse the wobbles, the phone was itself perched for this experiment but I think it has potential for clearer, real time demos. Now I just need a holder that doesn't sit on my desk, because that wobbles when I work...

@gingertotty Yeah, money is like water for artists - necessary but goes straight through 😆

Just finished a commission or two. Just bought £50 worth of new art supplies to do more art. Standard operating procedure… 😬😏🙄😆