drawings

• How is your art practice going?
• Do you find time to make stuff?
• Do you see a progression?
• Does it feed your soul?
• Is it a daily habit?
• Do you have the support that you want to develop new skills?

When I am in the thick of “should do” projects I often do not see the benefits of certain habits. For example, last fall I took a sketching class and had a habit of drawing little snippets of my day.

• The cars in the a parking lot when I was waiting for my nephews to be released from school.
• The lifeguard station at the beach and happy time at the beach.
• The view from my 4th floor window, where I no longer live.

I did enjoy the class and the drawing process, but it was still something I had to nudge myself to do. My critical voice often stopped me.

Now 6 months later, I look at the little sketches and I am amazed at the strong memories they evoke. I can remember the days and how I was feeling with a bit of joy and satisfaction.

Hmmm? Who would have thought?

• Then I wonder why did I stop drawing?
• What got in the way?
• Is there something I can do to get the habit back?

One thing that I know is different is that the class ended and I did not have the community support.  I know I get more accomplished when I am part of a class or community.

The powerful feelings of pride and satisfaction that this little sketchbook has motivated me to start sketching again. I would never have believed that a little sketchbook could generate such strong and happy memories.

You have to try it!

Put a pen and sketchbook in your bag and pull it out when you find yourself waiting.

Magic could happen.

Hate to draw or lack confidence in your drawing skills?  CLICK over to this FREE confidence boosting drawing exercise.

I signed up for an Urban Sketching class on an impulse. I do not love to sketch, but I know that sketching feeds my printmaking. The more I like my sketches the more options I have for printmaking screens, stencils, stamps and tools.

I had have had the experience of being a student who gets behind in her lessons and feels like her work is not good enough, and even wondering if this was the right class for me.

These are all great experiences for me to have. Now I have a better understanding how some of my own students may feel. It is real easy to “get behind” when the art class is simply an interest and not a priority.

It is quite easy to quit, when it gets hard or it is it not what was expected. I had to make an effort to participate at what ever level my time would permit.

Reasons to take an art class:

1. To learn a new skill or improve your existing skills
2. To have some fun
3. To be inspired by other artists
4. To get an influx of new ideas or energy
5. To surprise yourself with you artistic ability

I bet you can think of even more reasons to take an art class. So check out your local art association, community college, art center or one of the many online options and take an art class to support your creative expression.

If you are interested in taking an online printmaking workshop, then check out the current class schedule.

I love my Haverhill Public Library – free books, free AC on hot days and just loads of resources.

Jason Asselin Mural at Haverhill Public Library

I always check the library first when I hear about a book that I just have to read. And usually I can get it from the library first and find out if I should buy it.

For example, I am exploring Urban Sketching and was able to get all of these books to inspire my learning. I love it because I can quickly leaf through the pages and get an instant feeling for whether or not the author’s teaching style it a match for my learning style.

I was particularly inspired by ART before Breakfast by Danny Gregory, and One Drawing A Day by Veronica Lawlor.

I used the books to learn to see shapes and try to learn to capture the energy of people on the street in basic shapes. I also used long distance photos to simplify the shapes, as a learning tool.

I am pleased with my progress.

I noticed how shadows anchor and give weight to the figure.

Using photos that are quite a distance away simplifies the challenging shapes.

Go to your local library and get inspired.

Coloring is fun and might inspire drawing and doodling. I am intrigued by the books and the designs.

I just look. Most of the books are too detailed for me and I am not really a stay inside the lines kinda girl.

But I did  allow myself to purchase a small coloring book at the dollar store. And I used it to inspire doodles.

It is a flower and leaf book. So I looked at:

• the leaves
• the stems
• the petal and
• patterns

I simplified the patterns and then I made a couple of Thermofax screens. The thermofax process is great for small designs that are basically line drawing.

• I made a carbon based photocopy of my drawing.
• Placed it next to the emulsion coated screen
• Ran it through my machine
• Taped the edges and
• Printed on this sack cloth

I did a couple different doodle leaves and then made thermofax screens.

Check out current workshops.

I love loose line drawings. I think they can be very expressive. The cool thing is these quick line drawings can be the beginning of a printed mark.

Many years ago, when I started exploring printmaking I did this contour line drawing of a man with glasses. I am sure that it did not take very long, but there was something about it that I liked.

Recently, I made another printing plate from the same drawing. I used sticky back craft foam that I mounted on to another piece of recycled styrofoam.

I used a ball point pen to make the drawing and recess the line. Then I quickly painted the surface with watercolors and let it dry.

I let the paint dry completely on the foam plate. I soaked some heavy weight printing paper and finally I used my new Xpress Xcut craft machine to make the print.

Of course you could be more careful and exact when applying colors and paint, but I do like the bold and loose nature of this print.

If you want to be inspired to embrace your drawing style check out these posts:

• Drawing is most fundamental
• New Habits and Old