Sketchy Thoughts | September 16, 2026

September 23, 2026

Happy accidents, dinosaurs and strange little creatures, SketchDaily prompts and the first look at Retro Supply Co.'s Fright-Fall calendar!

Substack: https://monumentsinruin.substack.com

Sketchy Thoughts | September 16, 2026
Documenting the week of September 9-15

As the season slowly shifts from Summer to Autumn the days are growing shorter. Taking the dogs out for our evening walks, it has slowly become a bit darker on our adventures. The leaves are falling like rain and the wind, though it still feels exhaustingly hot, is helping them find their way to a final destination and eventual repurposing. Dare I say a rebirth, of sorts?

With the change in season, we will certainly see a shift in inspiration. For today, let’s celebrate the small wins and enjoy the beauty and magic in front of us and acknowledge what a gift it is that our world has allowed us the fortune to share this moment.

Daily Art | September 9-15

When it comes to art we always celebrate the happy accidents. The thing that takes us somewhere or shows us something unexpected. This week we are opening with happy accidents!

As I began to assemble the images for this week’s blog I noticed a couple of pics that I managed to snap without even knowing they were taken. What was going on? Most likely an attempt to change an album in the car.

Fun stuff and thought it would kick our super serious art blog off right! Haha!

Okay. Let’s talk about art. There is a record convention coming this weekend and thought it would be a good idea to sketch up a handbill (no pun intended). Something with a name and web link on it. This is the idea that came to mind.

I will show the finished version in the next edition.

Everyone loves dinosaurs, right? Not my best work to showcase but it made me laugh and I enjoyed the process. Double win!

Similar to the previous sketch, I laughed as these characters came to life. It feels good to drift away. Nothing needs to be serious. It can be but is not required.

Example: Why am I taking a picture of a screen when I can share a high-res image via screenshot?

Oh! Not exactly sure where or how these creatures came to the page but I like this! You may get tired of them soon enough. I can imagine this will be on rotation for a bit.

What am I learning? Who knows? Really, who cares, right? We are 100% in the fun zone! Perhaps it is the color scheme, the buildings that have been revisiting my work or the frowning, sadness and horror of whatever these unseen entities are experiencing.

Hopefully they enjoy existing as much I am enjoying bringing them to life.

Hahahahahaha!!! Damn it… Always on the outside looking in…

Okay. This is exciting news! Retro Supply Co. has released the Fright-Fall daily sketch calendar! Last year I shuffled between my own art challenge and two other Halloween season challenges, plus some daily sketches that always start my day.

This year I may stick to this single challenge and perhaps try to keep my personal challenge. I had hoped to make it an annual effort.

For now, it seems pretty obvious there is not enough time to participate in them all.

Retro Supply Co. Fright-Fall 31 Day October Drawing Challenge

Keeping in mind that time is limited, perhaps it is a good idea to jump into some of these. I can redraw them later or simply be a step ahead of the game. Perhaps it will open a little room to drop in on an occasional day from other interesting challenges!

The spooky season is coming!