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| EDM 1 - A Shoe; 3x3" watercolor |
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| EDM 1 - First in a row; 3x3" watercolor |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
EDM 1 - A Shoe
This is the first in a a long list of prompts/challenges from the Facebook group Everyday Matters, which I explained here. The first challenge is to draw a shoe. This is my shoe of choice in hot July.
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Long List (EDM)
So, the Short List (EDiM) had 31 items. It fired me up to tackle another list--a MUCH longer list. Because I had very little formal instruction in art and because I always loved school (I know; weird) and because I love the challenge of uniquely interpreting (and probably complicating) a simple suggestion and *okay, here's the truth* because I tend to be undisciplined and easily distracted, I respond very well to lists of art prompts. I didn't know this until recently. Hey, you're never too old to learn something about yourself!
The Everyday Matters Facebook group has thousands of members. They are encouraged to share pages from their travel and life journals. I don't keep a travel journal (see above--"undisciplined"), and my life journal keeps veering off in odd directions (see above--"easily distracted"). But, EDM also has this list "thing." It started as a weekly challenge to group members to draw something ordinary and then share it with the group. Well, I'm really late to the party. The list has topped out at 328 items and is still inspiring us late-comers to render the ordinary matters of our lives in pencil, pen, and paint. The beauty of ordinary things is something I've always been tempted to explore. So, this is a perfect challenge for me. The Long List is my new challenge. I'm taking it in order, because....(see above--"undisciplined" and "easily distracted"). I'm currently 16 items deep into it and am loving it.
My drawings are three inches square and are strung together in four-panel strips...because that's how the paper comes (9" x 12"). I chose an odd format for many reasons. I needed small panels so that I could actually get them done and so I didn't use up too much paper and paint on what I thought would be just exercise. Well, the response has been pretty remarkable. The group members have been so kind to respond to the format, like it was some "aha" thing. I am surprised by the attention. Surprised and humbled. Surprised and humbled and inspired to continue. That's the happy result of this group for me: the encouragement and positive vibe. I love seeing how members from around the globe take the time to encourage every effort of every artist. I believe the craft of hand-drawn art will only benefit from these kinds of groups. Let's face it. In this digital, highly technical world of computers and digital art and Photoshop, all of which I love, the world of sketching might have gotten lost. Instead, it's growing BECAUSE of the Internet and Facebook and Flickr. It's wonderful! Really. One form of art and invention supporting another.
So, below are my first 16 panels in one shot. I will post each panel individually as well, as they appeared on Facebook. And, I'll try to keep up. This is gonna get long, folks!
The Everyday Matters Facebook group has thousands of members. They are encouraged to share pages from their travel and life journals. I don't keep a travel journal (see above--"undisciplined"), and my life journal keeps veering off in odd directions (see above--"easily distracted"). But, EDM also has this list "thing." It started as a weekly challenge to group members to draw something ordinary and then share it with the group. Well, I'm really late to the party. The list has topped out at 328 items and is still inspiring us late-comers to render the ordinary matters of our lives in pencil, pen, and paint. The beauty of ordinary things is something I've always been tempted to explore. So, this is a perfect challenge for me. The Long List is my new challenge. I'm taking it in order, because....(see above--"undisciplined" and "easily distracted"). I'm currently 16 items deep into it and am loving it.
My drawings are three inches square and are strung together in four-panel strips...because that's how the paper comes (9" x 12"). I chose an odd format for many reasons. I needed small panels so that I could actually get them done and so I didn't use up too much paper and paint on what I thought would be just exercise. Well, the response has been pretty remarkable. The group members have been so kind to respond to the format, like it was some "aha" thing. I am surprised by the attention. Surprised and humbled. Surprised and humbled and inspired to continue. That's the happy result of this group for me: the encouragement and positive vibe. I love seeing how members from around the globe take the time to encourage every effort of every artist. I believe the craft of hand-drawn art will only benefit from these kinds of groups. Let's face it. In this digital, highly technical world of computers and digital art and Photoshop, all of which I love, the world of sketching might have gotten lost. Instead, it's growing BECAUSE of the Internet and Facebook and Flickr. It's wonderful! Really. One form of art and invention supporting another.
So, below are my first 16 panels in one shot. I will post each panel individually as well, as they appeared on Facebook. And, I'll try to keep up. This is gonna get long, folks!
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| Everyday Matters 1-16 |
The Short List (EDiM)
So, why be part of a group like this? Well, the EDiM challenge absolutely drew me in and captured me from Day One. The realization that you're in solidarity with hundreds of talented artists from all over the globe, all interpreting the day's challenge, was exhilarating for me. And, most of the prompts were challenges to draw ordinary things from your life and home. I can't really describe it other than to say, I was hooked. All through the day (and night), group members post their daily drawings. Most of them are watercolor, but there is a nice mix of other techniques as well. I loved everything about it: the immediacy of seeing works that were barely dry, the international commonent, the varied styles and interpretations, and most of all the comaraderie of artists young and old, novice and professional, encouraging and "liking" each other's efforts. It's an all-positive vibe, where newbies are encouraged and find their place alongside obvious working artists. I realize that, in the "real" art world, the world of bricks-and-mortar galleries and critique by "experts," the feel is hardly ever so rosey and bright as it was in this group. But, I can't help but think that many new artists are being spawned through groups like this. The encouraging feedback (dare I call it "the love"?) drives away the fear that plagues so many artists. I can only speak for myself. It is working for me!
Originally, I posted my 31 EDiM entries on my other blog: Initial Images. I'm not sure why I put them there and not here, except that I used the same small sketchbook format as all my other entries at Initial Images. Of course, the entries just as easily belong here at Worth Drawing. My goal for this blog was to chronicle my sketchy past (pun intended). My art life has been spotty and erratic. I went many years without producing anything but digital art for work. I don't mind that most of that virtual art is lost. It was throw-away by design, and I don't miss it. I feel in many ways, since quitting my job in March, that I am "back" as an artist. I'm creating almost everyday. And, this blog was meant to show the progression of wannabe artist to today's "real artist," who picks up pencils and pens and brushes and makes marks on paper almost daily. This is a fine distinction for me, because I am always making art in my head. I have been far less prolific in getting it down on paper. Until now. When I look at the image above, I realize that EDiM told a little more of my story, which is what this blog is for.
Above is the index sheet of all my EDiM entries. I might eventually move the whole lot over here, but for now, they can be viewed here: Initial Images/Everyday in May. Yes, I know, it's a shameless attempt to drive traffic to my other blog. That's the beauty of blogging, I'm afraid. It makes lazy bums of us all! :)
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| EDiM - 2013 |
Back in May of this year, I joined a Facebook group called Every Day in May (EDiM), which challenges artists from around the world to follow a prescribed list of sketching prompts to complete one drawing per day for the 31 days of the month. The group is a subset of the larger Everyday Matters (EDM). The EDM group grew out of the work of Danny Gregory, whose books and blog about art journaling are hugely popular. The books take readers into the studios of sketch artists around the world. Many of them are urban sketchers who draw in public, gather in groups regularly to draw, and even plan getaways to exotic places to sketch the landscape (even if it's a skyline of Hong Kong) together. I get lost in Danny Gregory's books. The inspiration I receive is overwhelming. I want to try every other technique I see and go to every location pictured and BE an urban sketcher. But, then I wake up and realize that probably will never be. I don't particularly enjoy painting outdoors or painting architecture or hillsides, even though I greatly admire the work of those who do!
So, why be part of a group like this? Well, the EDiM challenge absolutely drew me in and captured me from Day One. The realization that you're in solidarity with hundreds of talented artists from all over the globe, all interpreting the day's challenge, was exhilarating for me. And, most of the prompts were challenges to draw ordinary things from your life and home. I can't really describe it other than to say, I was hooked. All through the day (and night), group members post their daily drawings. Most of them are watercolor, but there is a nice mix of other techniques as well. I loved everything about it: the immediacy of seeing works that were barely dry, the international commonent, the varied styles and interpretations, and most of all the comaraderie of artists young and old, novice and professional, encouraging and "liking" each other's efforts. It's an all-positive vibe, where newbies are encouraged and find their place alongside obvious working artists. I realize that, in the "real" art world, the world of bricks-and-mortar galleries and critique by "experts," the feel is hardly ever so rosey and bright as it was in this group. But, I can't help but think that many new artists are being spawned through groups like this. The encouraging feedback (dare I call it "the love"?) drives away the fear that plagues so many artists. I can only speak for myself. It is working for me!
Originally, I posted my 31 EDiM entries on my other blog: Initial Images. I'm not sure why I put them there and not here, except that I used the same small sketchbook format as all my other entries at Initial Images. Of course, the entries just as easily belong here at Worth Drawing. My goal for this blog was to chronicle my sketchy past (pun intended). My art life has been spotty and erratic. I went many years without producing anything but digital art for work. I don't mind that most of that virtual art is lost. It was throw-away by design, and I don't miss it. I feel in many ways, since quitting my job in March, that I am "back" as an artist. I'm creating almost everyday. And, this blog was meant to show the progression of wannabe artist to today's "real artist," who picks up pencils and pens and brushes and makes marks on paper almost daily. This is a fine distinction for me, because I am always making art in my head. I have been far less prolific in getting it down on paper. Until now. When I look at the image above, I realize that EDiM told a little more of my story, which is what this blog is for.
Above is the index sheet of all my EDiM entries. I might eventually move the whole lot over here, but for now, they can be viewed here: Initial Images/Everyday in May. Yes, I know, it's a shameless attempt to drive traffic to my other blog. That's the beauty of blogging, I'm afraid. It makes lazy bums of us all! :)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Self Control
A finished imagination piece. I'm not a cat person, so I really don't know how to draw them. The fish are huge in proportion to the cat. Oh well, it was just a piece for fun. I'd like to paint more lily pads. They're fascinating.
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| watercolor on 140 lb. watercolor paper |
In Process
I love to see other artists' works in process, so I'm posting one of mine. This is just a little fun piece from my imagination that I've been contemplating for a while. I started drawing it several weeks ago, and decided to start painting on this lazy Sunday afternoon. I want to do more of these kinds of pieces just for fun. I think they'll fall under a category called "Can't Possibly Get This Wrong." I think I'll call this piece "Self Control."
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| Watercolor on 140 lb. watercolor paper |
Monday, June 10, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Every Day in May Wrapped Up
I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of drawing and painting every day in May. I'm going to miss it! I hope I can push myself to participate in art without the list of prompts!
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| Every Day in May 2013 at a Glance |
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