Getting into sketching

Personally, I aim for creating art with accurate underlying drawings. Someday that might change, but for now I get frustrated when I cannot play with colors or paint as I would like because I am too absorbed in drawing. When I draw I am constantly thinking, concentrated on proportions and measurements. When I feel like painting I visualize the colors and try to push values. Those are two completely different states of mind and only one can win at a given time.

Therefore the first step to take is to learn how to draw very, very well. To be able to draw so well I will not even think about it so my focus can shift onto different aspects of art. Since beginning of the year I have been drawing on a semi-regular basis and have noticed improvement. But without the commitment of a scheduled class, I revert to my over-thinking subject-matter-picky self. I need to just do it and practice, which is easier when there is a class to attend or a ticking clock at a live model session.

Chuck Jones often quoted his instructor who said "Everyone has 100,000 bad drawings in them, you better get started." Sketching is a great way of getting all of those bad drawings out of the way. "I do not have enough time" will not be a valid excuse for not sketching. On the upside, "I only had a few minutes" is the perfect excuse for unfinished sloppy scribbles.

Here's to developing a sketching habit, starting with my Travel Sketching class. Eventually I will get around to taking photos of my new sketchbook. In the meantime, I am having way too much fun reading this journey.  Recommended for anyone who paints or wants to paint.

Recent doodles + pens and markers

Here goes.

 

 

Recently I have been drawing with pens. Pens have an intimidating permanence, and I am trying to force my way out of this irrational fear. I'm proud of this next one, one of my first true contour drawings.

 

 

Also got to try out some markers I got.

Over the shoulder

The over-the-shoulder look.

 

 

 

I am happy with how the "white" fur is blue on one side and yellow on the other, without turning into a muddy green in the transition. I'm calling it finished, even though the pink in the background is bothering me just a little.

 

 

Painting classes are over! Hopefully I will find the time to keep painting. I might turn back to pastels. Next class up: Travel Sketching.

Recent Doodles

 

 

 

 

 

 

White fur

Outside-of-class painting. I like the expression on this one! I do not like how it looks waaay more yellow than the actual color, white. But, it looks as if it's done on purpose (ha), and it is understood that the dog is white. Good.

The red background actually extends quite a bit downwards but I think I will crop it like this.

Recent Doodles

From the last couple of weeks

Sofi

This is Sofi.

 I think the eye to the left should have been slightly more south and to the left and the eyes look more cartoon-y than I would like, but other than that I am happy with this one. Took me ~5 hours.

Acrylic is impossible to blend because it dries so fast, but I refuse to have toxic solvents around to try out oils. I've resorted to dry-brushing a lot which works fine but is hard to control. I doubt dry-brushing works well on smooth surfaces, but then maybe acrylic dries slower when it's on something smooth? I'll try it out.