Learning from Each Other

 

I'm sharing a sketch today from one of my "workbooks", a sketchbook that doesn't see much Internet presence.

The Vancouver Urban Sketchers group has been running an online Meetup called "Learning from Each Other", and learning is my very favorite thing in the whole world so I jumped on board eagerly.  Here's what I've learned so far:

1. This book, "The Sketch in Color" by Robert S. Oliver, is a great resource
2. I'm going to play with using markers in my sketches a little more
3. I need to practice more before spring comes and I'm out sketching again.

I also learned from Roz Stendahl about the journal as workbook.

There are so many opportunities to learn from each other even during these difficult times of relative self isolation.  Some of the lessons might be hard ones and some are more fun.  Whatever the hobby or subject, the local library has free resources available both on line and off.

What have you learned today?  What have you helped someone else learn?  I'd love to learn about them!

Sketching Dr. Henry

 I did a lot of sketches of Dr. Henry, our BC Chief Public Health Officer, during the final weeks of 2021, as her press conferences increased again due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.  

Let's hope 2022 ends this pandemic or at least turns into an endemic, as Dr. Henry believes.  This means that enough people will get immune protection from either vaccination or infection such that there will be less infection and hospitalization and death, even as the virus continues to circulate.

Happy New Year, everyone!

 

Charles Bridge, Prague

 

I was asked to pick a Street View challenge for r/drawstreetview on Reddit.  I chose the Charles Bridge in Prague.  

I like the watercolour pencils in this cheap sketchbook but I need to remember not to draw on the back of the pages.

A Sketch of the Sketchbooks

 

11 x 14"

Check back tomorrow for some more pages from my Artsparks2 book, Summer.

Busy Finishing Up Journals

Mostly my journals are a private affair, but lest the odd person who cares thinks I've been snoozing, I'm trying to finish up many odd journals so that I can begin again.

I'm still planning to consolidate into a single handmade journal of mixed media paper.  I've been busy hunting down papers.  My theory is that mixed media paper will be lighter for binding and not so precious that I'll be afraid to use it for lettering or dry media.  My choices locally are limited, and I don't want to break the bank on a paper that I haven't tested.  I want to bind my own so that I can make journals of a single signature allowing me to change sizes as my whims dictate.

But I'm homing in on a solution and looking forward to the next adventure! 

An Invitation to Play

I find Ben Shahn inspired letters very inviting...inviting me to play with nesting, ligatures, and tools. These were done with an Itoya broad edged calligraphy marker.  

The Palm Springs Classic Car Show

My friend Janice has posted her pictures from the Classic Car show in Palm Springs.  I love old cars, so I've begun a car series.

It's All About the Proportions

Paris is my favorite city, and I've always wanted to draw the Eiffel Tower.  It seems intimidating, but I found a free tutorial recently and it is quite easy once you get the proportions marked out.  For a day or two I was drawing them everywhere! LOL

And Then There Were Two

I find myself drawn to square format journals and sketchbooks lately.  I've got one 6" x 6" spiral-bound journal made from scrapbook paper, but I want some larger sizes with varying kinds of paper.  It's a good way to try out my Fauxdori idea, so I made a square one that will hold up to 8" square signatures.

A Sketch Becomes a Carved Stamp

My favorite book on stamp carving is still the first one I read:  Rubber Stamp Carving by Luann Udell.  I decided it was worth a re-read and it is still inspiring fifteen years later.

Using Up Paint

Art Nouveau lettering done in my Sketchbook

Watercolor applied with a 1/4" flat brush 

Sketching Faces is Easy with Sue Kemnitz

Sue Kemnitz's Sketch class has got me sketching faces again.  This is a watercolor pencil crayon over acrylic paint.

You can check out a trailer for Sue's class here.

Sketch with Sue Kemnitz

Reference Photo by Sandy Scott, Paint My Photo

Hubby gifted me a wonderful on-line sketching course for my birthday.  One of the lessons encourages us to draw a bird - I didn't need much encouragement.

I'm loving the course - you can watch a preview here.  Sue's style is very whimsical and fast, both of which match my approach to drawing.  

Using Up Gouache

Often my inspiration comes from practical projects like "using up journals".  I'm currently trying to clean out all of my paint palettes, so I've been painting in gouache.  This little piece is in my sketchbook.

Thoughts on Unfinished Journals: You Don't Have to Finish the Way You Started

Gelli Print

The second journal I'm working on finishing began its life as a sketchbook.  Most of the pages are kraft, and a few are cream.  I stumbled upon a You Tube video by Robyn McClendon in which she prints in a kraft journal and a light bulb lit up in my head.  I may change my mind again, but so far, I'm having lots of fun!

Each day I work with a different color palette.

A few trees are making an appearance.

Note To Self

World Changing Wednesdays

I did these for July #Letteringforchange.

These longer quotations chosen by Justine are wonderful, and they're a challenge for me.  Sometimes I just choose a sentence.

Silly Scraps Saturday

a little paper quilt made from these scraps:

Summertime

Summertime can bring a wonderful change of pace - like enjoying the weather and spending time in the garden.  I'm working on some book projects and have found a new calligraphy project, #letteringforchange.  Twice a week, on Social Change Saturdays and World-changing Wednesdays, we letter a new quotation.  It is all hosted by @socialcalligraphy.

These are the first two for July, both done mostly in watercolor.

Weaver Writing

Silly Scraps Saturday

I did cut into a pristine 3"x 3" piece of origami paper for this "Notan" experiment, so I'm not sure it qualifies as a "scrap", but it's my blog, right?

I've been wanting to try Notan for awhile, and this post by Diana Trout inspired me.  I haven't got the book yet so I just used her video.