Feeling the atmosphere while sketching – more plein air drawing

Sketching plein air is far more stimulating on the senses than sketching at home.

How so?

Well, there’s a tendency for elements of the environment like water, sand and mud to be incorporated in the sketch. Take today, sketching by the river with family and 2 dogs.

Dogs are so friendly, aren’t they? Don’t you just love the way they shake themselves right by you when they’ve had a dip in the river?

Or…

Or jump in puddles right beside you! Usually splashing the water right down the back of you neck!

My sketches were wet, muddy and smeary from attempts to wipe away mud before it dried. Important note to self, you should always check the ink is dry first!

Having said that, I escaped fairly well with these pages.

These are quick sketches. Children and dogs are very unforgiving so it’s an excellent discipline. I’ll hold the verdict on my success. There’s a hit of child and dogginess, I think, here at the top left. Forced to quit the right hand one due to time.

How to grow as an artist - daily Sketches!

To really develop an artist you must push yourself! It’s easy to do the same thing day in and day out producing work that looks “nice” but never moves beyond the comfortable. Which is why I’m on a “Sketch a Day” challenge while we’re travelling the canal.

The trouble with challenges though, is you can’t always predict where they will lead. So what did I learn from yesterday’s challenge for my sketch a day.

1. Sometimes we moor somewhere spectacular when it seems you’re spoilt for choice. Then the next day the surroundings seem really mundane. There are a lot of fields and sheep by this particular canal, so do I do lots of fields and sheep. Well…I get bored, but because I get bored I look for interesting angles. I found this stretch of fence intrigued me. It led into the canal and was a bit run down but still functional. What you can’t see from this angle is just how pristine and precise the left hand mesh fence is behind the large post. Contrast that with the old gate stuck in, presumably to fill in the huge gap between the planks. I liked the barbed wire tied in knots on the post, serving absolutely no purpose at all. I can see a farm hand trying to put it in and ending up with this mess- a bit like when Homer Simpson does DIY!
2. I had to work at speed, there was no choice other than to work quickly. We were due to move.
3. Some of the detail and scaling is wrong as a result. I’m getting more relaxed about imperfect work.Don’t you just Love artistic licence, you can use it to explain anything!
4. Living moving animals included! I put some sheep in. I’m still worried about sketching moving animals. I think the nearest one has distinct piggy tendencies and the whiskers are a real worry!

But here’s my sketch near Long Buckby.

 

How to promote Art – getting my paintings seen, finally! But Windows 7 file management sucks!

What’s the point of creating art if it just says in a cupboard somewhere gathering dust? It could be out on display – gathering dust! There comes a point in every serious artist’s career when they must address this thorny issue. It’s an issue close to my heart. I stumbled on Art Business.com I like this chap. He talks sense and how could you not be interested in an article which says How Not to Succeed in the Art World? Anyway, I’ve found the articles really interesting and, dare I say it , useful.

The etsy shop is taking shape, I’m trying to get a quantity of work up then I’ll look to promoting a few items. I’m having a real problem with Windows 7 though. I had a great system with my old laptop linked to a remote storage facility and the Operating system was Windows NT which worked really well. The file management program in Windows7 is excruciatingly, painfully SLOW. I’m talking 5-10 minute per file open slow. The older “slower” machine took seconds. I want my old laptop back :0(

I’ve been focussing more on the blogging to try and make my site more interesting. Hopefully that’s working.

Anyway, I’m pushing the boundaries and little by little chinks are appearing.

Tuesday sees the formal opening of the Stowe Exhibition. I will have the following three painting on show

…“Reveal”

… “He became sin for us”

and “Praia do Castelejo”

There will also be the launch for the Buckingham Art Trail at this same event. I’ve nothing in this 6 week block but I had a piece in the Art trail pilot. And I’ve a few pieces which have been proposed for the next block starting in May.

Online, my art has also been featured on the Deep Time Threshold Art Movement site known as DTTAM for short. A little bit more exposure, always a good thing! It’s a new movement based in New York. We’ll see how it develops shall we?

I think I’d better create some more art now!

How do I sketch? Quick drawing of Buckingham Coach house.

A Sketch is one of the hardest types of drawing to master.
As an A level student, sketching was something that I did very little. I couldn’t see the point, or rather I couldn’t see the difference between sketching and drawing. So every time I set about “sketching” it would have to be done as a completed drawing. Looking back at these sketch books I see pages of skeleton drawings- abandoned before they were begun.
Sketching requires a degree of abandon which most people are reluctant to achieve ie they fear failure. I was such a person. When I decided to become an artist I knew it was something I needed to address. Having Read Doug Eyre’s book “Drawing Caricatures” I had started with his daily exercises, which were invaluable.
But, my lack of Art school training was felt acutely. Where and how could I find out about this elusive artist tool – the sketch? Books on art abound in copious quantities. Books on sketchbooks are virtual Hen’s teeth, or so I thought. I finally discovered what I needed on Amazon and then ordered it from the Book Depository (I’ve found they’re cheaper but use the reviews on Amazon to identify useful books).
 “An Illustrated life” by Danny Gregory is beautiful book crammed full of information. It looks at the sketch books of a variety of different artists and how each artist uses his/her sketchbook. Some are complete books in their own right and others show the workings of the creative mind at it’s most dynamic. He even has a superblog called Every Day Matters for those wishing to walk the walk!
I now Sketch daily. Not always well, but the habit is there. I’m less anxious about their imperfections, they are learning pieces. Because I’m learning I force myself to do the subject I detest! Buildings are my particular “bête noire” so they appear frequently. Sketching informs my artistic style and hones my drawing skill like a knife on stone. The only thing I regret, is that it took over 20 years to make this discovery.
This sketch was done earlier in the week, I see many flaws, but that’s OK, I’ve learnt so much!

So, how do you sketch? Do it often, do it quickly, do it habitually, do it happily and whatever your mood, just DO IT!

Buckingham Old Gaol Watercolour Painting

I’ve finally finished my watercolour of the Old Gaol. I’ve been meaning to do it for ages and decided "now was the time" last week. I may need to touch up the painting in places, but generally I’m happy with the result.

I decided to miss out some details such as the information sign but wanted to keep the market mess in to give it a modern feel. I’ve already spotted where I need to touch up!!! It never takes me long when I’ve uploaded an image. I think I’ll get the acrylics out later, although I may have the pastels out before that.

Boats at sea

Many years ago, while I was on honeymoon I took some photographs around Sagres in Portugal. Always with the intention of painting the scene. This is my first attempt. The picture detail is poor as I only had a 110 camera – remember those!!!! Which has not enlarged very well and the details are a bit fuzzy. I managed a quick sketch which has worked out pretty well, despite the restrictions. Except for the sky, I got caught out a bit by the drying time of the watercolour pencils! Dipped it in first time, but didn’t pick up enough water, by the time I’d repeated the exercise I had a hard edge which I couldn’t soften. I’m planning to have another go, probably on better paper.

Oh Yuk!

Warning, do not read this if you are at all squeamish!
Hopefully, by the time I post this I will have a creation, of some sort. Might entitle it “child vomiting all over you whilst giving him a cuddle” which is what happened as I walked my youngest to school. The title might need some work but you can’t say children don’t inspire (rolls eyes and sighs!) It’s a new style of experiential pictures!He was scooting along on the way to school, I was walking the dog. When he stopped suddenly and said he had a “tummy ache” he looked cold and burst into tears. I picked him up and gave him a cuddle, then he was sick! I won’t go into more detail but it was horrid!!!!
After walking home with a child and myself (covered in it), a scooter and a dog! Removing all soiled garments with the dog shut outside and cleaning up and changing…I consequently spent most of today cuddling a sick child. He was too fidgety for that me to be able to paint. Hopefully tonight! Is it me or am I finding too many excuses at the moment? I spent a little time on an abstract but not sketching – didn’t have my book handy, when will I learn??????
Update: Not quite finished with the abstract so it will have to wait until tomorrow, I’m learning patience! Yesterday I found out via Linked in about a website that does artist interviews and promotion free. I thought I’d give it a try, nothing to lose and it might be worthwhile. I’ve had a reply to say they’d like to feature me, so I’ll keep you posted! Watch this space.
As I have no new pictures, I thought I’d share an old one. This is a sketch I did outside the Smithsonian in Washington in 1994. It’s A4, I’ve since discovered pastel is easier when it’s BIG!

The snow theme continues

(Hushed tones) I need to say this quietly, but I think I might have finished the commission!
Now, if you’ve picked yourself up on the floor I’ll continue. As I said I think I might have finished the commission! Obviously, it’s subject to approval…the nerve-wracking bit.
I managed a quick sketch in the snow. I ran out of time so had to finish some of it when I’d left – just missed out a window.

I took the dog for a long walk this morning – first time since injuring my foot in November. After a few minutes I felt like taking some pictures. However, I forgot the camera so used my phone, the quality suffers but I thought this one was intriguing- I was feeling a bit post modern.

Photo Art

The snow saga continues. Children are off again and expecting me to entertain them… Rag rapidly being lost. It hasn’t been helped by the continuing teething problems with the laptop. I spent far too much time this morning trying to get the network connections sorted instead of updating my blog as intended. I finished far too late last night to upload then. Both older children are itching to get their grubby mitts on the laptop and “breathing” down my neck, waiting for me to finish! The realisation that normally this wouldn’t be an issue is painfully real! I want the schools to be open…sob! I finally abandoned the fight and continued with painting that wretched commission…sobs some more! I don’t know what it is about this one, mental block or something but it’s a real battle, yet it shouldn’t be!
Now, I really love my children so, in an effort to remove the frustration I was feeling, I headed out with the camera and took some arty shots. Most of them were “OK” but I managed a couple that I liked. These are my favourites

Gutted!

I was having a pretty good day until about an hour ago. I've been trying to find out which painting received the votes in the competition and have been informed that I wasn't awarded a highly commended after all, despite it being announced! They've decided as there was a tie for first place, not to have a highly commended award! I wouldn't have minded if they'd said that at the exhibition but I've spent the last 2 weeks thinking I'd had some success and now I'm really disappointed! I take consolation from the fact there was only 1 vote between mine and the winners! As it's relevant, here's my third entry. It's called "Global Village."

On a more positive note, I've finally made some headway with the street skater picture. It's looking much better now. I've also identified some more competitions to enter. Got to get back on the proverbial horse! Already feeling more positive for writing this entry.

I escaped...WOOHOO!

I snuck out for a few hours this afternoon. Freedom, love my kids but love my space too. I managed to do some sketching. I managed 2, this one of a bridge which looks more than a little rough and the other a view at the garden centre - while I was having a coffee. I let Andrew decide which one to post, he chose this one.

I finished the abstracts this morning. It takes a while to remove the masking fluid without ripping the paper, but they've come out well.
I really must do some portraits or caricatures, I haven't done any since Monday. I'm awaiting some details before I start with the commission. So now to do a portrait...or caricature... who and what style? Decisions, decisions...

More sketchbook studies

Today was my craft day, so not much drawing done. I managed the sketch on the right this afternoon. The ink sketch on the left was done on Saturday.

Out and about, again!

Finally, I had a day without children. Ewan was off Wednesday to Friday last week, sigh! He's much better now. I had a few small tasks to do in Buckingham today, so I took advantage of the situation to do some sketching. It was going to be a watercolour pencil sketch but got converted into a line and wash, seems to work better for buildings.

I've left the sketchbook edges, for artistic effect, yes, that's it. I've been doing a lot of buildings over the last year as they're something I've tended to avoid. I never felt I was any good at them, I'm coming around. I also tend to be put off by complex buildings, but I'm realising that they're actually easier.
I've also started a two abstracts, I love days when I get some control over what I do!

Sea

I've been away for the weekend. A couple of quick sketches but nothing noteworthy. Feeling old as my niece celebrated her wedding at the weekend. She was one of my little bridesmaids age 4 and twenty years later...
A productive day today. Finished this painting "Praia do Castelejo" in Portugal. Took the picture on our honeymoon and just didn't get around to the painting. Seems fitting that it should be completed today.

I've been experimenting with acrylic techniques and also started another abstract, hopefully the painting will be complete later and it will be dry enough to remove the masking by tomorrow.
I've also been online for a while today. Applied to the White cube gallery. I was impressed to have a reply 1 hour and 5 minutes later. Sadly a rejection. The email sounds positive but I've given up trusting them as a realistic appraisal. I suspect it's another form rejection. I'm just an old cynic at heart! I've joined the Axis online gallery site and am just formulating my support statement and deciding on images before I apply. I'm feeling too jaded to pursue it tonight! Besides, I want to finish my painting!

I can't stand it anymore!!!!!

Nothing drastic, but the level of mess at home has finally freaked me out. Spent a long time tidying and cleaning today - ugh! This photo of the cat will explain why!

Well OK, I just put it in because she's so darn cute! Dominic is feeling much better today so I could finally use the vacuum cleaner! I think I'd prefer dynamite!

I did allow myself a couple of hours to mono print in the morning and this is one of the nicer results. Some need some work as they haven't turned out as anticipated but that's all part of the learning curve.

Had a phone call from Google about website optimisation. Nice because he didn't rabbit on in techno-babble!

Waiting

I haven't been able to progress with the caricature so I've focused on abstracts and monoprinting. This is my favourite of the monoprints. The abstracts aren't finished yet. Maybe tomorrow!

A little drawing

Procrastination ruled today. Too many "routine" jobs and return to school related activities. I managed a quick sketch in Buckingham this morning, and the rest of the time was on the commission. Then we had some wine...
Here's my little sketch from this morning.

No caricatures today

Today I've been concentrating on abstracts and spent a little while sketching this evening. We're moored at Stoke Bruerne - hence the image. Will be home tomorrow.

Quick sketches

This is a sketch I did last night. I'm trying to keep up the sketch a day practice. Rating 6/10.

Started a picture of Daniel Radcliffe today. Hopefully I will be able to post it soon. I need to put the colour in, best done by daylight. Nothing else of note today. Lots of locks and canal... so off to paint.

It was such a lovely day

Yesterday started out with a rude awakening at around 3am with what sounded like water gushing in the boat! After some frantic searching we identified the source as being a water outlet in the side of the moorings - right by the side hatch. Fortunately it was below the opening and the hatch was closed. As gallons of water were outpouring for a good hour our good fortune was not unrealised! I notified the people at Hampton Court that a warning sign might be a good idea as we could have sunk! Whether it gets to the right person or not only time will tell. Otherwise the day started really well. I managed to do 2 sketches first thing. The first was very rushed as the boat I was drawing decided to move closer, the second was less rushed.
We then went around Hampton Court Palace taking lots of photographs before setting off down the Thames to join the Grand Union Canal at Brentford. I was just about to start my shift at the helm when my vision went strange - the sign I'm about to have a migraine - and I did! So no more drawing yesterday and why I'm posting now! I'm hoping to draw a bit tonight but I'm still struggling with concentrating visually for long.