Cinnamon Pink

Sketching Advice from Katherine Tyrrell

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I have a daily sketching habit. Lately, I've been working with colored pencils.

I was looking for some good reference material and visited artist Katherine Tyrrell's blog, Making a Mark. Katherine regularly provides quality information for artists.

Here are two sources, from Katherine, that you may find helpful:

• Coloured Pencils - Information, Advice & Resources for Artists.
• Drawing & Sketching - Resources for Artists

Make sure that you make some time for sketching this weekend.

Sketching and Art & Soul

I'm always interested in reading articles on the subject of sketching. Via  Design Sojourn (a Singapore-based company), I discovered this post, How to Improve Your Drawing Ability. 

There are many good tips in this post. Here's one of the ideas that I plan to try:  "Draw with a pen. Sketching with a pen, instead of a pencil, is really about losing the ability to erase your lines, or erase your mistakes." Check out the rest of the article for more tips.

I'm leaving for Virginia Beach today. The Art & Soul Retreat is happening this week, April 24-28, at the Virginia Beach Resort & Hotel. On Wednesday, I'm taking a workshop led by Misty Mawn entitled Paper Bag Expressions. The course will cover: drawing, painting, coloring and collaging the portrait expressively.

Basics of Drawing from The New York Times

Via the online New York Times Opinion Page, I came across a series of columns focusing on the Basics of Drawing. The series is written by artist and author James McMullan.

As described on the site, "The series begins with installments on line, perspective, proportion and structure, and continues from there, using examples from art history to illuminate specific issues. Pencil and paper recommended."

Check it out!

Puppy Love Art

I just finished this drawing, entitled Puppy Love, yesterday. I used Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils and a Prismacolor Blender pencil. I do enjoy working with these creamy textured pencils.

Some times artists encounter pencil breakage. There is a remedy for that. A few months ago, I attended a Prismacolor Workshop led by Fine Art Specialist, Diana Garrett. She recommends that artists turn the hand sharpener - instead of turning the pencil - when sharpening the pencils.

I do this now and I don't have any breakage problems any more. Check out the Prismacolor site where you can upload your art, receive critiques, find out about new techniques and get inspiration.

Ten Benefits of Keeping a Sketchbook Habit

If you regularly read my blog, you know that I keep a daily sketchbook as well as an art journal. In fact, I keep many sketchbooks and art journals. I believe there are numerous benefits to sketching daily including:

• Records your progress as an artist. That’s why it’s important to date your daily art sketches. When you later look back over your work, you’ll be surprised at the progress that you made in your technical skills.
• Sketching can be a form of art therapy that quiets your left brain while allowing your right brain to express itself. This act can lead to a relaxing, meditative state.
• Provides a handy reference of your body of art work. Making quick notes about a particular sketch will help you remember details or the feelings you had while you were drawing - or even why you chose a specific subject to draw. You might want to make notes on colors, shapes, weather conditions or shadows to help you recreate a specific scene later.
• Record and develop new ideas for larger works of art.
• Experiment with new techniques, mediums or tools. As you try new things, make notes in your sketchbook for future reference. Then, when you have success with various mediums, you will have a record of how you achieved it.
• Provides a place for practice and experimentation. Producing a series of versions of a specific subject, such as a cityscape, helps you grow artistically.
• Sketching daily will sharpen your observational skills.
• Offers a relaxing and informal place in which to work. There is no pressure to be perfect. The sketchbook is your private oasis.
• Set daily sketching goals. Start with one sketch a day and work up to three or more sketches on a daily basis.
• Developing a habit of carrying a sketchbook with you, at all times, helps you to find drawing material in any situation.

What benefits do you gain from sketching?

365 in 2013 - Sketch

Last night, I did this quick sketch as one of my art pieces for Hanna's 365 in 2013 Challenge. Will I turn the sketch into one of my Cinnamon Pink Girl Characters? Hmmmmm. I'm not sure yet.

I am a few days behind in my quest for 365 Collage/Sketches for 2013 but I'm hoping to catch up. How about joining the challenge too?

How to Make Drawing a Part Of Your Life from Studentz

Image from How to Make Drawing a Part Of Your Life Lens

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I'm always working on my drawing skills. I came across this great Squidoo lens on How to Make Drawing a Part Of Your Life (Daily Creativity by Keeping a Sketchbook). The lens was created by Studentz (Fern).

There's lots to look at on this lens. Make sure that you scroll down to the end of the page to see it all.

Then make sure that you follow Fern's advice:  "Keep your sketchbook - and pencils/pens - nearby with the blank page ready for your next drawing. If you spend a lot of time at the computer, keep the sketchbook within reach."

Fern also has a blog called Crafter-Holic. Check it out. And then don't forget to Draw Today!

 

A Quick Character Today!

Many times when I make Art, I do a lot of planning, sketching and reworking. Today, I decided to create a character without concern for perfection. This is the cartoon-like image that I came up with. I'm thinking of exploring a new artistic path that allows for more spontaneous and quicker art work. How do you produce your Art?

For the image, I used colored pencils and the Letraset Promarkers Pastel Blending Set. The set comes in twelve colours - Vanilla, Satin, Meadow Green, Apple, Pastel Blue, Powder Blue, Lavender, Lilac, Pastel Pink, Baby Pink, Putty and Tan. I heart pastels.

I actually heard about these markers by taking one of SUZI Blu's online workshops. SUZI raves about the markers. And I agree with her. I love the colors and the markers blend so beautifully. I would love to get more of these markers. No paid endorsement here - I'm just a satisfied customer.

Experimenting with Values

My goal with today's sketch was to experiment with value drawing. I used a No. 2 pencil for the majority of the drawing - and added some highlights, at the end, with a white pencil.

What did you create today?