This is a line drawing I did of a sprig from our garden. Using three different techniques I was interested is seeing where I could go with it.
Original Sketch
Here is the result
3 patterns from one sketch
Daily Sketchbook
Been trying to sketch everyday – why is it so hard to find time for something so fun…?
Ink and watercolor
I’ll give myself some slack this week as I’ve been working on a pattern collection and it’s been giving me a fit… getting there but not quickly enough. And I did attend my life drawing group so that has to count.
Going away for few days and hope to draw then. I used to take a pile of supplies when I went away and bring them all back in the same condition as when I left, but I’ve discovered that all I have to do is draw once and that seems to give me permission to draw on that trip. Sooo, I draw something the first day and all is well, miss that day and…
Shibori
Attended a very fun workshop on Shibori this weekend lead by Elizabeth (Beth) McTear of Honest Alchemy. It was held at Moore College of Art and Design during my yearly reunion—they always have something interesting that is new to me!
We could make two hand dyed scarves and these are mine. I’ve hand dyed wool fibers for hand spinning and the spun yarns but never silk fabric and never using Shibori, a technique where the area not intended to accept the dye is bound tightly before being placed in the dye pot. This is an ancient way of working which can result (via the hands and minds of very experienced artisans) in many sophisticated results. These are my first two goes… Not such experienced hands and mind but still I’m happy with the results and have a glimpse of where this might go…
Beth and a couple of assistants and lots of patience, herded about 18 of us ex-art students through a very exciting afternoon!
Thank You, Beth!
first attempts
Took these quickly, in my back yard when suddenly I heard a gentle noise, grabbed the scarves and ran inside as the heavens opened up and rained like crazy. Sun out now! Will take more later in a more controlled environment to use as a jumping off point for my design work. Soo… more to come!
iPhone Croquis
When I teach figure drawing I work with each student but then leave them alone a bit to let them concentrate without my wandering the room. One day as they were working on croquis, I did some sketching of my own – on my iPhone – with my finger! Used Sketchbook Pro app. Bit of model, bit of students – Results were crying out to be put to use…
Drawn on iPhone
Last night I joined a group on Tuesday evening who draw with a life model. This group concentrates on croquis for 3 hours. I will say I do like working with charcoal better! But this was fun and made the point that not having a sketchbook with one is no reason for not sketching… they ALWAYS have their phones with them!
Developing a sketch
Worked on this pattern yesterday and thought I’d show where it came from. I had created this page in my sketchbook using a large brush and very watery paint. I liked the contrast of colors and the bits of more opaque paint which reinforced the vertical lines
Watery shapes
I wanted to keep the watery design but wanted a small diamondish pattern. At first I removed the background and shaped up the diamonds freehand in photoshop. There were things I liked about it but I felt it was not a finished design.
Finished Design, Three color ways
In the final version I selected more hard edge shapes and worked with them. The variety of the shapes, none of which are true diamonds works with the loose ramdomness of the watercolor, while the hard edges give contrast. The black background came first, then, after explorations, I settled on the group of three. The only difference is the in background colors, yet they work well together and each stands on it’s own with it’s own feeling..
Sketchbook3
Some of today’s work. Playing with black ink and yellow watercolor – some blue. Drawing on wet paper…much fun. It’s interesting how something so fun, enjoyable and beneficial is difficult to do on a daily basis. Hoping to establish a habit.
Love wet on wet.
