Some sprucing up

I spent today painting some old pieces from about a year ago that were originally just black and white pencil. I never liked them so I figured I couldn't make them any worse, and actually I'm pretty pleased with the results, I think they look tons better! I wish I could find some 'before' pictures but I've got a doll to work on so maybe I'll add one tomorrow...
(sorry for the blueish cast, once again these are photos not scans. I hope to be reunited with my scanner soon)

I'm listening to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell on audiobook for about the hundereth time. It's so clever and mysterious and rich, I could listen to to it over and over while working, it has the perfect atmosphere, the same with The Ladies of Grace Adieu. I highly recommend them both. I read an interview the the author Susanna Clarke where she said she works best on dark gray or stormy days, and in fact she's been driven to draw the curtains and put heavy blankets over windows to block out the light on sunny days. Both me and my roommate Rebecca agreed we can totally relate to that! It seems sort of drastic but we both work best on rainy days and there just doesn't seem to be enough of them to please us, even in Portland!