drawings

Letting sketchbooks evolve

combined techniques, drawings, mark making, sketchbook ideas / /

I have been working in 6 sketchbooks at once for the last few weeks. I started working this way so I could let wet marks  dry and still be in the flow.

working in multiple sketchbooks

I  do like having multiple books going at once but it can get a bit scattered too. So I started using a theme and that seemed to help the mark making flow.

letting sketches dry

Some of the “themes” that I have used:

  • draw 30 trees
  • add 20 flowers
  • fill in with birds

loose watercolor flowers

This gave me a goal that I could work across several sketchbooks at once. These 3 subjects were easy to add to my existing marks.

stylized horse drawing

Most recently I have been playing with stylized horses. These drawings are a work in progress. It is a challenge to work through ugly renderings. I find I like the simple loose line drawings best. A horse sketch needs more of a whole page compared to birds, flowers and trees.

fill in with bird drawings

If you are looking for a little sketchbook inspiration and instruction then check out the self-study online classes available now.

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Get the most from your drawings

drawings / /

Lately I have been using my older sketchbooks as reference for drawings in my current sketchbooks. This works well for me since I don’t love to draw and often I am searching for a subject.

photocopy drawings and add to sketchbook

In the example above I simply glued in a photocopy of the original sketch. I printed it on cream colored paper.

copy your own drawings into your current sketchbook

I this second example I drew a fresh copy of the original sketchbook entries. I am not aiming for exact duplicates, just inspired replicas.

tea bag and sharpie drawingsBut I am most excited to share with you the tea bag and sharpie process that I used above. I get 2 new “originals” for the effort of one.

  • My reference drawing is then in the middle with pink cheeks.
  • I layered and taped the tea bag to the small piece of white drawing paper.
  • Then drew the face with a black sharpie.
  • The sharpie bleeds through, with varies intensity to the white paper and
  • I get the second copy for free!

A couple of tips:

  • Use an ultra fine tip sharpie or a fine tip for bolder marks
  • Don’t pause or you will get heavy spots of ink
  • Add color after
  • Use fresh tea bag for a white drawing

Check out the current classes available online.

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GIFTS from nature

drawings, foam plate printmaking, mark making / /

Nature has many gifts. We can simply look, listen, touch, smell and maybe even taste to receive the gifts.

raindrops on the lake

Today, my woods walk was filled with gifts:

  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Two Loons
  • Bright Blue Jays
  • Rain drops on the lake
  • Yellow dandelions

I have tried to draw in the woods and I just resist it. So today I took a few pictures and brought them back to the studio.

close up of dandelion

I abstracted the dandelion with a few sketches and then made a foam stamp. How could you bring the gifts of nature back to your studio?

abstracted dandelion foam relief stamp

weeds as stencils for gelatin printing

I always have a collection of delicate weeds and grasses for gelatin printmaking. If you like this style below, then check out the online class, Simplify.    You can sign up and be printing today! Read all the details on the workshop page. 
gelatin print, mock cyanotype

I love the monochromatic color palate of black and cyan. It is such a traditional printmaking color scheme.

gelatin print with grass as stencil

I have so many of these prints that I like to bind them into little journals. I alternate one print and one blank page, so there is space for writing. If you have a lot of single sheet prints and would like to make them into books, then you might want to check out the Bound Prints Workshop. Read all the details on the printmaking workshop page.

gelatin prints bound into a book by linda germain

I hope you find a way to receive the gifts of nature. Happy printing.

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Take an art vacation

artist book, book arts, drawings, inspiration / /

I just got back from a week at Maine Media. Oh boy did I need to get away. And I am glad to be back in the studio with renewed energy and ideas.

tetra pak intaglio plates

I have joined in on some online courses this year and they have been stimulating too. But working in person with instructors and fellow artists offers another energy.

The class was “A Sense of Place” with Isobel Lewis. We explored Rockport Harbor on the first day and did several drawings to capture the feel and essence. Luckily it was a sunny spring day.

rockport harbor

We spent the week making marks and working the papers into several different book forms.

accordion book

The book above was formed with 4 Tetra Pak intaglio prints. I love the loose threads that symbolize the ropes and lines of the boating community.

tetra pak print by Linda Germain

Enjoy a short video of a single sheet accordion book that a made during the week.

Consider giving yourself the gift of an art vacation. Some of the places that I have enjoyed:

Check your local art schools for more options.

 

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Why draw faces?

drawings / /

Faces are everywhere. They are unique but similar at the same time. Drawing faces can be challenging. It depends on your expectations and goals.

contour line drawing of face

I like loose and expressive drawings that capture the essence of a person.

I watch a lot of TV, and I have started to look closely eyes, nose and mouths. It is a fun challenge to do quick  sketches of these features.

blob faces

A really fun project is to do hair portraits. It is simple and satisfying. You can use magazine references and other photos. Sometimes I feel like the hair alone can capture the essence of a person.

hair portraits

If you are struggling to see the nuances that characterize a certain face, then you could do a tracing. I am always amazed at how much I can learn from tracing the dominate lines of my face. Tiny differences in line placement can make a big difference in accuracy of the drawing.

trace to learn to see

Tracings can feel stiff and without energy. So I try to use them as a tool to help me to see more accurately.

This skill of accurately seeing carries over into drawings of all types.

line drawing of seed pod

Check out another post on drawing faces here.

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