drawings

Creating new habits

Every so often my subject matter changes. I am usually drawn to:

  • Trees
  • Leaves and weeds
  • Text and fonts
  • Birds

However, I often will do a quick contour line self portrait.

self portrait

But recently I have wanted to develop a loose line portrait style. So I have been playing in 4 sketchbooks and creating some sketches with varying degrees of satisfaction.

scribbly face drawings

I am looking online and tried the Sktchy Museum app that has all kinds of portraits that I can use as reference. But they did not mean much to me and so I was not very interested in the drawing.

stylized portrait

I also noticed that my subjects often have a sad expression. I looked closer at eyes and mouths to see what is involved in producing a happier expression. I am still learning.

contour line drawing

So I searched my own photos and found some family members that I plan to use as a photo reference for my next set of sketches. I have more interest in these subjects, so hopefully I will want to put a little more effort into the drawing.

pencil sketch

I am hoping that:

  • My seeing skills become stronger
  • My hand and eye become more coordinated
  • I learn ways to stylize elements of the portrait
  • I have fun doing it!

If you are looking for an online art class check out the self-studies that I am offering.

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Try something new or different

I have been making painted pages and collages lately. It is a bit new and different for me.

mixed media collage

Experimenting with a new technique or material can breathe new life into your art making practice. It might be a great way to stimulate ideas for your next series or project.

collaged houses

Or you could find a way to integrate new skills into your traditional practice.

gelatin print on painted book page

Are you inspired by images that you see online? Ask yourself what is the quality that you admire and then see if there is a way to bring that quality into your work.

It could be:

  • the subject matter
  • the shape, color or simplicity or
  • the medium or format

I encourage you today play with something new or different and then notice if it stimulates something in your practice.

An art class is one way to try something new, check out the current workshops and see if any are a good fit for you.

mixed media collage

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Play with Contour Line Drawings

Contour line drawings can simply an object to its essence. I love the flow and energy of contour line drawings. So little can say so much.

Trace Monotype print contour line drawing

This type of drawing requires that you observe and follow the edges of the parts and notice how they meet and interact.

trace monoprint line drawing

In the images above I used contour line drawing technique to make trace monotype prints. The original drawing is used as a template/reference to produce this fuzzy line and plate ink print.

multiple trace monotype prints

With the trace monotype printing process you can use one drawing that you love to make unique multiple prints. They are all similar and yet a little different too.

I like this process because I don’t love to draw and this is one way to give my drawings that I do like new life.

If you would like to explore Trace Monotype Printing then, check out the details of the online class, Draw into Print.

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Produce play – pears

Let the fruits and veggies of the season inspire your artwork today.

pears to inspire drawings

I arranged my “models” (pears) at eye level and started sketching with a nub of soft charcoal. You could do something similar.

  1. Gather colorful produce
  2. Arrange in an easy to see manner
  3. Grab your favorite drawing tool
  4. Capture the essence

draw pears with charcoal and water color

If you take pictures then you will have drawing references even after the produce is gone. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a quick gelatin printmaking class that will help you to pull some powerful prints, then check out the details of the online workshop, SIMPLIFY.

simplify gelatin prints with threads and circles

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Capture some shadow shapes

I take a daily walk in the woods along the lake and often see things that I want to use in my art making practice. It can be anything from weeds, leaves and sticks or inspiration for landscapes.

inspiration from the lake for landscapes

Those tangible things can be directly used in the gelatin printmaking process. I thinned down a tiny sprig of pine needles to make the prints below.

use found plants to make gelatin prints

I have been collecting more fleeting inspiration in the form of cast shadows. The sun needs to be strong and calm winds help.

cast shadows great for drawing

The bright sun simplifies the plants into shapes, and then I can more easily draw the leafy image. I does help to try to take the photo in the same angle and orientation that you want to draw it. Flipping in a photo program seemed off balance or wonky.

silhouette cast shadows

It can be very satisfying to do a few of these cast shadow drawing and fill them in with black ink or paint.

blurry pictures leave room for interpretation

Blurry pictures create room for interpretation. I notice that leaves are all different shapes and when a few group together they make even weirder shapes.

photograph shadows

The great thing about capturing shadows is that they don’t take up any studio space. And I always leave a few images on my phone, so I always have something as a drawing reference.

shadows and drawing practice

I encourage you to start to notice cast shadows and bring them back to your studio.

capturing cast shadows

One bright sunny day, in the studio, I tried casting some shadows and capturing them at the same time. I could have used another hand, but I love the shapes created. I may not have seen them by looking at the real branch.

Enjoy!

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