The art of sketching

On a recent trip to the library, I picked up a book called Sketchbooks: The Hidden Art of Designers, Illustrations & Creations by Richard Brereton.  I'm always intrigued by other artist's sketches, and this book (which happens to look like a sketchbook), features works from over 40 artists.

I appreciate the scope of art represented in the book, from scribbles on a page to detailed portrait drawings. Although there are artist introductions, the book is really more of a photo montage of the artists' sketches. 

Artists: Agnes Decourchelle, Anna Giertz, Renato Alarcão, Pablo Amargo

The artist's sketchbook is a visual diary of raw creative energy, and many times, personal reflection.  I like what graphic designer Frédérique Daubel has to say about this.

My sketchbooks allow me to be free, to express myself without boundaries. . . Keeping sketchbooks helps me to empty my brain, while making connections between ideas without judgment.  Once something is in my sketchbook I can forget about it, and then find it later.

Art is as much about the process as it is the end product- something that I need to remind myself of more often. 

Ode to Punxsutawney Phil

In honor of Mr. Groundhog himself, here's a collection of fun, furry little creatures that know how to predict the weather- well, sort of.  Apparently, Punxsutawney Phil has only been right 39% of the time.  Forecast for 2010 you ask?  Six more weeks of winter- sigh.

Groundhog Amigurumi by Moon's Creations

Groundhog plate by Ayumi Horie

photo source: giam.typepad.com

I love this illustration by Walter King Stone.  It was printed in Harper's Magazine in December 1917.  That's a groundhog on top of the rock.

Brush up on your art vocabulary

When I teach drawing, I spend most of the time talking about perspective, which is the method used to create three-dimensional space on a flat surface.  Here are three terms on perspective that should be part of your art glossary.

Foreshortening is when the subject goes back into the picture plane and is perpendicular to the horizon line.  Art historians agree that the most famous work that exemplifies this is The Lamentation over the Dead Christ (1480) by Andrea Mantegna. 

Aerial Perspective (also called atmospheric perspective) is the visual effect of atmospheric haze in a painting or drawing.  The closer an object is to the horizon line, the more subdued the colors and contrast. If you were to look at a mountain range, for example, the mountain furthest away from the viewer is always the most muted.  The objects in the foreground, on the other hand, have the greatest contrast and hue intensity. 

Masaccio is attributed as being one of the key Renaissance artists (along with Leonardo di Vinci) that used aerial perspective in his works.  In his painting below, The Tribute Money (1427), you can see colors and details fade as they recede towards the horizon line. 

Chiaroscuro (kee-AR-o-SKOOR-o) is an Italian term that refers to the use of light and dark to create dimension in a painting or drawing.   Normally, chiaroscuro pertains to a dramatic contrast of light and dark, as seen in the works of Caravaggio and Rembrandt.  Below is one of Rembrandt's famous self-portraits. 

For my pretend cabin in the woods

I love this handpainted pillow by Roxy Marj entitled Bjorn Catches a Bear.

Still dreaming of hot chocolate in one of Alyssa Ettinger's knitware cups. 

I found this shirt the other day on Etsy.  It's handmade by Olive Crane of Wolf Calls Clothing Co.  I love the feminine cut matched with the casual plaid and corduroy. 

I'm a big fan of the beautiful knit collection, Ruth Cross.  A girl can't have enough fingerless mittens. These sparkle!

Water towers and the urban landscape

Michele Maule, Water Towers, oil

Old green water towers are classic features of the Portland landscape.  We actually live just two blocks away from one and can see from our home another water tower less than a mile away.  So, I guess you can say that I like water towers because they remind me of home. 

I recently found these amazing oil paintings of water towers from Portland artist Michele Maule.  I love how the water towers are painted in dark, neutral tones and with painterly strokes. It's industrial, but not too linear.   The softened edges in the works, plus the muted colors in the background, also add a dream-like quality.  What beautiful art! 

Michele Maule, Glisan Street Water Tower

Michele Maule, Chown Water Tower

Here is some more great art that I found featuring water towers. 

Renee Press, a crow caws in brooklyn, watercolor.

Crystal Powell, digital art, 2006.

Victoria Plummer,  Water Tower, linocut print.

View from our home of one of the water towers nearby.  It was a glorious spring sunset.

Three new drawings on 100% recycled paper

A blank sheet of paper can be the most intimidating start for an artist.  Sometimes I find it easier to draw on tinted paper, especially when I'm using ink.  I like how I can apply white ink right onto the paper and not have to lay down a base color first.

A couple of months ago I picked up a new drawing pad that I'm really excited about.  It's Bogus Recycled Rough Sketch made by Bee Paper, a local company.  I love that it's 100% recycled post consumer waste and chemical free.  It has the look and feel of craft paper but weightier.  The surface of the paper is ideal for conte crayons, but I've really enjoyed experimenting with pen and ink on the brown paper. 

This week I completed three new drawings.  I like how the recycled paper enhances the stylistic look of the drawings.  I am inspired by the arts of many different regions and cultures, and the undyed paper seems to give the drawings a more indigenous quality.  Below are the latest drawings.  Native Land (the second photo) is currently available in my etsy shop.  (The other two pieces sold yesterday- yeah!)

Winner of art giveaway

Congratulations Karen- you're the winner of the art giveaway!  I look forward to hearing which art work you select from the Etsy shop.  Thanks to all who participated and gave me feedback on the header design.  The new design will be up within the next couple of weeks.

One more day 'til the art giveaway drawing!

Here's your friendly reminder to put your name in the pool.  Tomorrow is the drawing for the art giveaway.  All you have to do is comment here.  Even if you don't have an opinion about the header design, just say "hi!"  Winner gets to choose one piece of art (up to $75) from my Etsy shop, and shipping is on me!  I just added three new drawings to the shop yesterday, including this one: