"I do not paint a portrait to look like the subject, rather does the person grow to look like his portrait."

There is something so heart warming about the first time your child brings you a picture that they have drawn of you, and today was that day. Usually when Opeie draws its The Cat in the hat, the Lorax, Spider-man or maybe one of the Wonder pets but today Opeie's little face was very excited and he looked very proud handing me a picture he had drawn of his ever doting Daddy.
 

Ive seen many a squiggle on a piece of paper that is his interpretation of his favourite book or movie characters, but today Opeie's drawing actually had human characteristics, i was really impressed at the detail, you may not see it but Opeie informed me that the darker squiggle at the bottom was actually my beard, Genius. It's only a small drawing and i really don't want to lose it so I'm going to cut it out and stick it in my sketchbook i have started of Opeie pictures. Today marks a big step in the creative side of Opeie's development, I'm so proud of the way he is turning out and for 2 years old i think his artistic expression and creative thinking is truly outstanding.

Sketchbook memories #1 - Daddy and Opeie at 6 weeks old

Just over a week ago i wrote a post about finding an old sketch book and how i used to doodle pictures relevant to the start of mine and Mrs M's relationship (click here to read the post), it was my way of dealing with the time we had to spend apart because of our living situations and being in different counties. I hadn't drawn in there or at all for quite some time but really wanted to get back in to my sketching. For my birthday last week Mrs M brought me a new sketch book, i thought it would be nice to sketch for Opeie, photos of him that i love and funny things that happen on this journey of being a dad.

It already seems that finding time to do this is not going to be easy as i always seem to have so much other stuff i need to be getting on with. Being a stay at home dad is a full time job after all. Last night though while Mrs M was busy in the kitchen baking cookies and the boys were in bed i found myself with a little time for a quick sketch. I'm thinking of making this a permanent fixture on the blog, hopefully meaning ill motivate myself to find time to draw and squeeze the quick doodles in where i can. My first sketch is from a photo of me and Opeie that was taken when he was around six weeks old, I thought it was fitting to start the sketch book where in many ways i feel like my life really began.