Trying to get it in somewhere.

In a "perfect" world one might be able to accomplish everything they have on their action list before the day is done. In a "perfect" world  there would be enough time to squeeze in an afternoon round of golf, albeit frisbee or the other kind. In a "perfect" world there would be options for supper and after dinner scotch. True story!  Sadly we all live in this world, and there is no such thing as "perfect".  However a recent discovery, at the office supply store, has lead me to a new and improved product which I have enjoyed using for at the very least the last ten years. I would consider this to be near perfect. 

That is Correct! I was talking about the new 1.6mm Bic Ball Point pens, available in black and blue. These pens are soooooo very smooth. In fact they flow so well with ink they come with a protective tip for the ball point. HaHa. I was at the store and I used it for about 3-5 seconds before I picked up a box. Have no fear, I am going back for more.

With the style in which I doodle these pens allow me to not focus on line weight or directions, which has had an impact on the random scattered thoughts that appear in my drawings. There is most often lots of ideas trying to be expressed at the same time. I have said before and I will again, THIS is how I think.  From one place to the next and back again.

This recent purchase has also jump started my recent efforts towards getting back to drawing. I just recently filled my last sketch book, and was reluctant to start the next one.  The past one had been through quite an adventure. This new book is on track to be about the same. 











What you are seeing is the recent doodling with the blue bic pen, and highlighters and or liquid acrylics. Another technique I am starting to understand is drawing faster. I think that if you wait to long to "hack-it" out then your vision and or idea can be mudd-ed. Bang Bang Bang! Move on to the next one.

One of these days I will sit down and embark on what is to become one of my 6-10 master pieces but......not any time soon. That takes time, thoughts, technique, time, inspiration, and probably some more time.  In the interim we can settle for at the very least, doing it. However random this or that may be.

Until next time, may the pen be with you. #life

watercolor, ink and more watercolor, and more ink

I am sitting here thinking...what words can mesh together with these watercolor sketches.

Can you find my initials? 

My first thought was " Great! we all need more vulture/angry birds on a perch shooting laser beams at nothing. As for the second page, Bob Ross told me that there are no mistakes only happy accidents so, bam."

My second thought was, I am thinking I have some fascination with trees. I guess that is because they seem pretty easy to draw.  They are always growing and changing shape dropping leaves and growing more, I dont know how many forms of trees and countless styles to drawing them.  Fascinating.  For me one little scribble turns into a few more and then you have grown your own tree. Lets call it a tall one. Instant gratification, and eco-friendly. ha.

Most of the drawing I have been doing as of lately has been even more random and scattered. I know I have made mention to this before, this is how I think, I guess. More so with watercolor finished with ink pen or highlighters. When I squeeze out some color, I like to push it around and blend it together. This is also why most of the watercolor ends up with a brown muddy situation. Joe was clearly not paying attention in color basics.  I also like to cover the whole surface with some mixture of color.  This can be a real bummer with 80lbs. sketchbook paper, which is why watercolor paper is ideal, but I have 6 more pages left and this book is full so I am trying to make the best of whats left.

I also want to mention that these two exercises were the by-product of a recent shopping trip to the the art store, in which I bought a new brush and paint.  There is also a lino print in the works so stay tuned for that.  It seems pretty interesting so far.

Seems trivial and petty to mention but I am told this is what a blog is for, I have discovered I have a thing for pens, pencils markers and brushes alike. Some people have a cup or a drawer with pencils and pens, I have five as my arsenal of drawing or writing utensils. This is true of the multiple desks or areas I work at. Some things are rarely used and others are never used, but they add to just the perfect amount of clutter to my desk.

Until we blog again...

Colors and circles and every inch of white space in-between.

When a drawing like this gets started there is no real focus. The point of any exercise is to strengthen. I dont start out with a concept and a route to achieve it. I pick it up, and put it down. Repeat. Or as Will Smith circa 1998 might refer to as "Getting Jiggy with It."  Yep....I have a blog and I can talk about Fresh Prince if I want to.

I always liked to fill in "white space" with color. I call it color space. I try to imagine the space of a drawing and where the object would appear if I were to walk through it in a dream. Much like the boy who wondered through the phantom toll-booth. Curious and cautious at first, but quick to adapt.  

Sometimes it works well and the contrast creates depth. Other times it muddies any idea of what concept might have passed. What is now lost is moving quickly and undermining the project as a whole, gotta hurry before it takes a turn for the sloppy. That does happen, and those drawings may never see the light of the scanner. Also because my style is to pick up and leave off multiple times with a drawings, my motivations and attention span are usually in different places.

When an artist sits down with a thought and or idea, and they are able to bang it out, it takes a certain amount of focus. Concentration, or whatever, the practice has a number of adjectives. Sure it takes seven,fifty or two hundred and twelve tries but, it is all a learning process. This is also why your teachers with tell you to always be sketching.  With enough focus an artist develops a style.  You can have moments of change in your style but if it is to truly become your style you have to own it.  Practice.

Each of us are different and we all focus in our own way. Auditory is dominant sense with an appeal to a great many of people of all styles.  I like to be visual, which is why my office inevitably takes the form of an installation more than a work space. That is how I think. Random. Scattered. Large.

In closing I wanted to say after re-reading what I wrote I realize I have never had a nasal sensory painting party.....who is in???




 

Oil Pastels

Oil Pastel Exercise  in sketchbook

The following is an example of my use of Oil Pastels in a sketchbook exercise. I have had them in my "art-room" for some time now and just last night decided to break them out. My first impression is it was very similar to chalk. There was a fair amount of smudging that took place to produce these results. In the anticipation of the smudging, I decided to keep the design simple.

I however could very easily see this type of design going to paint on multiple canvas. As I was coloring this design my brain would only let me think about that execution. Together it would look intense, separate it would lean towards lame, and empty.

The design took a very short amount of time to sketch out and I happen to think it is a very nice addition to the last 15 pages left in my sketchbook, more specifically this adds an element of depth to my arsenal of skills as a doodle-ist. 

Finally I got to the point where I started to line it with a sharpie. This made me think of the type of vanity used to change clothes behind, and this would pretty vibrant design.
Whatever this little blip encompasses is not important, what is important is that this design was fun and I had fun creating it. And so another time, another space, and wherever we all are in another place...Be well bloggers!