Practice, practice, practice...

Quick A5 sketchbook portrait studies
(charcoal pencil on left, charcoal stick on right). 

In my Mixed Media classes this term I have been really encouraging the use of sketchbooks. As the pages have been filling up I can see how my enthusiasm is catching on, and many class members have been using theirs between sessions. It is such a simple way of integrating creativity into everyday life and artists at all stages of development reap the benefits of regular practice!

The photo above was another quick session at trying to capture a likeness in a portrait by looking at the big shapes first. They are both in charcoal, one in charcoal pencil and the other with a willow charcoal stick. Side by side it is easy to see the denser velvety marks deposited by the stick.

Portrait study of my son, 15 minutes.

And another 15 minute study, my son this time as he played on a computer game (wearing headphones). These were in preparation for the class session where members were asked to work in their sketchbooks and do rapid charcoal studies of each other for the first hour. After break they could work on a longer study, in the medium of choice, either from life from their own reference photo. They all did a fantastic job and were pleasantly surprised at how much information could be captured in short bursts of 10 - 15 minutes!

It is still looking like Henderson Art and Framing will be closing it's doors permanently... and I have been firming up plans for the future. The response from the people I currently teach there has been positive and I really hope they will continue on their personal art journeys, with me would be lovely, but in any way, shape, or form. I will be offering various art events and workshops at different locations, so some exciting new ventures for me too! The first is a Social Sketchbook session at a small rare breeds farm next month and in May another outdoor session in the local park. Hopefully the weather will have warmed up a bit by then. Two weeks ago I had a great meeting with the store manager and the catering manager of the Dobbies Garden Centre in King's Lynn to discuss the possibility of holding a workshop there for my class members. I was delighted with the enthusiastic response I received, and in May I will be running a one-day workshop titled Focus on Flowers. 

Pastel Class... working 'as if on location'.

    
In preparation for life beyond the art classes at Henderson this term I included a session for all my hard working students based on the premise of 'as if on location'. I placed some A3 photocopied images around the studio featuring a variety of subjects - a dog on the beach, a bluebell wood, a boat, an old archway, a cat on top of the stairs, a sunflower, some bowls players, a busy scene with chickens and some bright pink flowers clinging to a rock face. I had moved the tables around to enable better views but suggested working with sketchbooks/drawing boards on laps, or even try standing up, to simulate the more usual conditions of working on location.

Mixed Media Class... working 'as if on location'.

There was a great atmosphere in all the sessions and some inspiring work produced. Most people managed two or more pieces of work, some were quick studies but also some resolved artworks. Congratulations to everyone concerned, and my thanks for rising to the challenge!

Entering the spirit of working 'as if on location'...
an enthusiastic class member standing and creating quick sketches
of chickens in her sketchbook!

If you have never tried working on location before why not have a go at this exercise and get in some practice? Instead of having your reference image right beside your working surface pin it up somewhere and pretend you are out of the comforts of your usual art space. Use easily portable art materials and try working quickly to capture the essence of your subject.

A State of Flux

 A5 Sketchbook double spread - experimenting with mixed media.  

I cannot believe that I have not yet posted in 2015, and it is already the end of February! Where has the time gone? It's certainly not because things have been quiet. Maybe it is due to a state of flux that has descended since receiving the news that Henderson Art and Framing is for sale and may actually close completely after Easter. Although I am self-employed I work freelance at Hendersons running adult art classes. It has been a roller coaster couple of months for the owners, Bill and Sue, with several interested parties looking to continue the business (except for the framing which Bill plans to do from home) but unfortunately none of these have yet proved viable. The members of all the classes that are held there are concerned about where, and how, they can continue with their studies. As tutors we have also found the uncertainty tricky. I have been doing lots of visualisation and trying to get a sense of how my art career might develop and how to make new opportunities for myself and my clients.

The photo above is of a double page spread in an A5 sketchbook. It was an experiment with mixed media (gesso, acrylic, graphite pencil and powder, pen) to work out some suitable techniques to encourage the class this week in their exploration of weathered concrete. In some ways it also sums up how I've been feeling, especially the last few weeks, as time is running out. The linear marks could represent the chop and change in mood, up one moment with the thrill of new opportunities and down the next, can I sustain a full time art career or will I need to get a regular job again? Another brainstorming session, and I'm up again... Exhausting stuff. There's the effect of chunks falling off and then the crack, symbolizing the final break; the shop closing. But look closer, at the speckles and spatter - like the threads and seeds of ideas. Some old ones, sown many years ago, now ready to grow into fruition. Some fresh and new, holding such promise. Actually all my thinking, researching and daydreaming have now started to form into positive action. I am gradually putting together a programme of events for my clients that I hope will enable many to continue their art journey. I have been visiting different places, and contacting people, to try and arrange a variety of workshops in different locations. Will keep you posted.

Talking of different locations...

Sketching on Roydon Common.

     
This is Roydon Common. And this is the first time I have ever been there! We moved to King's Lynn 17 years or so ago and this amazing place is right on the doorstep, how did it get overlooked? Acres and acres of sandy, heather filled landscape with several interesting features - evidence of an old Victorian tramway for example... Also, there are wild ponies grazing and they look the picture of health in their thick winter coats.

Evidence of an old Victorian tramway.

Wild pony on Roydon Common, a picture of health.

This weekend I plan to get a bit more practice with quick portrait studies in charcoal as this is the focus of classes next week. The study below was done several night's ago as my husband dozed in his armchair, and yes, he still had his headphones on. It only took about 15 minutes and looks more like him than anything I've done before, even caught the little frown between the eyebrows.
 

Paul dozing, still wearing headphones.
Quick portrait study, A4 sketchbook, in charcoal pencil. 

I suppose my message from this post is that when unexpected events happen, life goes on, and it is up to you how you move on and shape the future. It was being made redundant in 2003 that catapulted me into embracing the life of an artist in the first place.

What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Are there any steps, big or small, that you can make in the direction of this dream?

Creative Christmas - Sketching House Rabbits...

Sketching Odie using sepia Artline calligraphy pen 3.0
in a Goldline 8" x 8" harback sketchbook.

Apologies for my blog being quiet for so long... and I wish any readers a belated Merry Christmas! It seems to me that artists fall into one of two camps at this time of year. They are either rushed off their feet and spend every moment racing to fulfil commission commitments and seasonal greeting card orders, or, go very quiet and seem to fall off the creative planet as Christmas preparations (meal planning and family logistics) take over. This year I have definitely been in the latter mode... with a new kitchen thrown into the mix - which is almost finished. I must add that I have had a lovely Christmas and once the final shopping trip was done, and presents all wrapped, it has been great to spend time with family.

However, with my daughter visiting for the festive period I have finally managed to get my artist mojo back as she arrived with, not only her (new) husband, but her two house rabbits as well!

The two house rabbits - Odie on the left and Thor on the right.

I had two sketching sessions when Charley and I let the rabbits have the freedom of the conservatory to stretch their legs and for me to practise drawing live animals as they moved around (often at speed).

Thor investigating the sketchbook...

A brief moment when both rabbits are occupied and relatively still...
it didn't last long!

Pencil sketches of Thor.

A few brief lines then Odie was off, scampering around the conservatory!

Another day and another attempt - using pen this time.

Odie drawn in sepia Artline calligraphy pen 0.3,
and Thor drawn with Edding profipen 0.7

I tried working directly with watercolour using a water filled brushpen... hmmm, very dodgy results and page too wet to turn over and keep going. Decided to return to a more user friendly pencil.

Can't imagine why I thought it would be a good idea to try watercolour...
(once the page dried added a few pencil lines before moving on).

Ah, back to pencil and as Odie calms down a bit and nibbles fitfully on some
cabbage a more satisfying sketch emerges.

Close up detail of sketch capturing the character of Odie...

Thor still lively and only manage quick lines
as pencil dances across the page to try and keep up.

Some rear shots...

Lines showing more confidence in execution...

Final page of rabbit sketches - "such fun"!

The series of photos and the video clips highlight how tricky it is trying to make sketches from moving animals! My approach is to keep expectations low - focus on observing the animal, how does it move, what shapes does it make, what are the eyes, ears, nose like. What are the legs and feet like - how does this affect movement? All these fragments of lines, combined with hard questioning and looking, help to build up an understanding of the animal... page after page of simple elements are testament to the challenge of drawing a living creature and I am satisfied that I have learnt more about the animal, and drawing, during the process than from a single static photograph, especially if it is one that I haven't taken myself. However should I go on to create a more finished piece of work from a photo of Odie or Thor it will be with this first-hand knowledge backing up my intuition.

If you have the opportunity to work from live animals, grasp it, enjoy the challenge and accept the limitations imposed upon the results.

It just remains for me to wish you a Happy New Year and see you in 2015!

When Life Gets in the Way of Art... Don't Panic!.. 6 Strategies to Help

Happy event...Wedding of eldest daughter!

The summer break is in full swing. No classes until mid September, and I should be spending long productive days in the studio... except I'm not. Don't get me wrong. Life is good. Our eldest daughter got married last weekend. Our middle daughter has returned after over a year teaching English at a primary school in Mexico, and with us for the summer is her delightful boyfriend. As we visit local areas of interest it is as if we are seeing with fresh eyes, which can be a bonus. We have been visualizing and planning a new kitchen which is now ordered and likely to be installed in September... So lots going on, but none of them really to do with art. Potentially this is a period of art-making drought and it would be easy to hit the panic button. But I am now starting to get comfortable with the idea that creativity often waxes and wanes in cycles. And sometimes life just gets in the way. It is how we view this hiatus and what we do with it that is important.

1. Stay connected by using a sketchbook. Small portions of time can be treasured by opening the pages of your sketchbook and quickly recording something... anything... an idea, a view, a person, an object or even just jotting words, reminders, an experience.

Rodney in pencil and watercolour, from a photo
- a real character, full of life and fascinating stories...

Quick pencil sketch on another P&R bus journey.

Overcast, breezy day on Hunstanton Beach.
Note the minimalist art equipment I had in my handbag so I could work on location.

2. Visit inspiring events and make notes. During this period I visited Art in Action in Oxford with my family on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year to date!!! Lots of amazing creative arts and crafts people, so plenty to inspire... My sister and I attended a free one hour lecture about writing, all rather timely as I have been harbouring vague notions of sometime writing a book (non fiction and yes arty!) but all ideas still very nebulous... Out came the sketchbook for scribbled notes during the talk.

Notes made during a short lecture titled 'The Principles of Writing'.

3. Visit art exhibitions, even if a 'whistlestop tour'. Whilst visiting Norwich Castle Museum with family we did pop into the current exhibition about birds. This was a fascinating insight into how birds have inspired art in many forms and the clean lines of one sculpture particularly called out to me. A few pencil lines in the sketchbook and a note made of the sculptor so I can look online later were enough. I also nipped into the contemporary bird exhibition and again made note of artists whose work intrigued me... which neatly leads onto the next point.

The briefest note can be made and researched online later...

4. Research art / artists / blogs / videos online. Keep your interest alive by looking online and following some of those threads that take you on a tangent - I have discovered many new exciting talented people, jotted down notes on things worth trying and watched techniques being demonstrated. Plenty of ideas for my own work and/or classes in the future.

One of the things I keep track of is ideas and internet searches in my gorgeous 'fauxdori'.
 Look this up online (or midori) to read about this resurgence of 'commonplace' style books. 

  
5. Stay involved with your local art Association. If you belong to an art association, club or society try to stay involved. Submit recent work if possible for current exhibitions, attend social events and enjoy spending a short time with other artists. As a Committee member I was responsible for compiling the invigilation rota for the West Norfolk Artists Association Summer Festival Exhibition, although I was unable to assist with the hanging of the work this year. However I was back in Norfolk for the Preview Evening and manned the Enquiry/Sales desk to make up for it!

Recent painting exhibited in
WNAA Summer Festival Exhibition July 2014

 6. Take time out for 'art day' or even a short course. Earlier in the summer break I did seize the opportunity to be a volunteer for Tara Leaver as she wanted to work one-on-one with people who had an issue they would like help with. She is training to be a Creative Counsellor and is currently working under the guidance of Eric Maisel. I was delighted when she accepted me for the four week session with my proposal of wishing to find a way to create animal 'non portraits' (as we decided to call them). The sessions were all conducted via email with photos of work created as evidence of the processes / techniques tried during this period. Although Tara's work is very different to my own, her blog and words of encouragement / motivation / guidance were invaluable and I hope that the experience was mutually beneficial. I certainly never expected an instant answer to an ongoing issue I have periodically tackled for years but I have definitely felt a shift in vision and attitude and (when I get more time) new avenues to continue my explorations. A big heartfelt 'thank you' Tara for your insight, suggestions and feedback! Take a look at http://taraleaver.com and visit her blog...

Red squirrel 'pulled out' from wash of walnut ink
with sepia pen work for minimal detailing
and gouache to emphasize negative shapes.   

Blind contour drawing.
 Looking only at reference photo, as eyes travel around image,
the hand mimics this movement and drawing implement leaves traces as evidence.  

The technique below was tried first as a single drawing...

Charcoal sticks get placed between two sheets of paper...

The charcoal sticks are crushed - a mix of fine powder and small slivers.

Tip some of the charcoal mixture onto the drawing surface
and smear with hand to suggest essence of pose.

The end result - on this occasion a Perlin that looks rather pigeon-like, oh well...

The sequence below shows the stages of a drawing as several poses of the Perlin (Peregrine Falcon x Merlin) get superimposed over one another. Crushed charcoal is used to suggest the essence of the bird before a charcoal stick and eraser is used for mark making to suggest further detailing. The next image gets started over the top, but elements of previous work will act as a palimpsest and create a subtle influence. This drawing could never be repeated as freedom of marks, speed and intuition all come into to play to create such an energetic image. I loved this technique!  

1st stage

Result...

2nd stage...

Result...

3rd stage

Finished drawing. Such movement and energy - a non-portrait!

Detail of head showing tone, line and subtractive mark making.

Detail of mark making with eraser
- large sweeping movements of arm to produce corresponding marks in wing.

Well, that has brought us all up to date. Next week I have reclaimed a day for art by committing myself to a life drawing day in the village hall at Castle Acre. This will be an untutored session with a clothed model. As I haven't done any (human) life drawing for quite some time I am really looking forward to this and will let you know how I get on.

If you are also going through a time when art is having to take a bit of a 'back seat', I hope some of my suggestions will be useful and help you to carve out a few creative sessions, to maintain the connection with your creative self, and keep the panic at bay.

Keep That Sketchbook Ready...

Harvey, quick graphite pencil sketch
(detail from page in Derwent 17cm x 12cm sketchbook ). 

A trip to Norwich today (shopping and library) unexpectedly offered a lovely twenty minute sketching opportunity! I use the Park and Ride and also on the bus was a couple with a delightful terrier type dog who looked a real character. As the bus set off my fingers were itching to grab my pencil and start sketching. As I now always have a sketchbook and small pencil case in the front pocket of my handbag there was no delay. When we got off the bus in Norwich I spoke to the couple, asked about their delightful dog and showed them the sketches. They seemed quite surprised, and pleased, when I offered to email images of the sketchbook pages to them. So, the moral of this blog post - keep that sketchbook ready, you never know when it will come in handy.

Searching lines, focus intense... hand/eye coordination kick in.

Harvey moves around constantly
as the bus hurtles along the dual carriageway.

Harvey braces himself as the bus swings along busier roads to the city.

Harvey, detail from page.

Harvey, detail from page.