drawings

I know that I have said, I don’t like drawing and that is still true. It is not a thing, that I love to do. But it is kind of like exercise, I am really glad I did it when it is over.

Art teachers will tell you that drawing is the foundation of all art making. That can be discouraging if you don’t like to draw or don’t like how you draw.

So here are a couple of thought patterns to get around the resistance to drawing:

• Expand your definition of “good” drawing
• Embrace scribbles, gestures and line drawing to begin with
• Less is more – try simple contour drawings
• Cover up a drawing in your sketchbook that really bothers you with collage
• Make your drawings “go father”, use them as a printmaking matrix
  •  a trace monoprint
  • a foam relief plate or
  • shape for a stencil

Mostly, find a way to trick yourself into liking the drawings that you are doing, so you will be willing to draw more. Then you will natural improve.

Doodles are drawings too!

Have you ever tried “hair sketches “? It can be surprisingly fun. Just draw the hair of people you observe in person, on TV or in a picture. Do it fast and loose and have fun.

Here the flower drawing became and ezscreen for screen printing and the bird is a trace monoprint on rice paper. This way I have given my drawings new life.

So I encourage you to find ways to be happy with your drawings as you build your skills.

Lately I have been using breaks to feed my art making.

On a sunny autumn day in New England, the foliage and fresh air feeds my sense of colors and landscape.

A walk around the city provides images for stencils.

A sketch during a TV show can inspire, drawings, doodles and prints.

So how can you use breaks and other parts of your day to feed your art practice.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

I love the plant drawings that Ellsworth Kelly is known for.

But I found this short video that resonated for me.

I love his story about loving the windows of a space more than the paintings in the exhibit. I often see the reflection in an artwork more than the piece.

Shadows are always catching my eye, too

He says, Art needs time.

I think we make up the story/content when we give shadows, windows, relfections and abstract art time.

Do a search for an artist who inspires you and listen to him/her talk about art.

I found the book Art by Design by Bill Oakes in a thrift store for 50 cents.

I was in love with the compelling black and white images on the cover.

I must confess I have not read the book, but I do flip through it and skim the pages for inspiration.

I like to embrace the elements of design in classes that I teach and  take. For example, I am playing with simple landscapes, right now in a class with Anita Lehmann.

I feel like I practice and play with line, value, color, texture, shape and space. And eventually the principles sink into my bones and will be second nature.

I think as artists we focus on different design principles differently and that is what makes our art unique.

I think I am about texture and shape,  but I am always chanting to myself to save whites and add blacks.  This way I have strong and interesting value changes.

Value changes from very light to very dark is often over looked. And just reclaiming some bright whites or adding a pop of very dark and instantly transform a piece.

If you would like help with art and design skills, check out the current classes.