Take it and run with it

first printing

Take it and run with it…

Recently I took a Zentangle class, if you are not familiar with that, it is a form of ink drawing, based on patterns.  I was not sure where it would lead but found the process interesting.  Working with the ink drawings has managed to lead to new ideas, and that is why I love to take class and workshops when ever I can. 

   The class had a project of that involved drawing with white ink on black paper.  Look at the designs from the class I noticed that those patterns would make a good template for ink relief printing.  The reason for that is when printing you have to think in reverse of what the final print will look like.  Thought I would share some pictures of the process and where it is leading.  These are just the first in a series of ideas that will end up as finished art works. 

   Hope this inspires you to try some new projects.  For more information on Zentangle check out; http://www.zentangle.com/, an look for friends of Zentangle on Face Book.

white ink on black paper

rough lay out for print plan 

foam printing plate

another plate for print

first inking of a plate

idea

idea

idea

and yet another idea

Try it all

Media makes a difference

A simple subject, such as a dog profile can change significantly, depending on the art media used to express the subject.  For me the media often sets the tone of the feeling being created in the picture.  How you express with different tools is some thing to keep in mind when working on a subject.

With pen and ink detail and design sing out.  Ink and a summi brush will be loose and free spirited.  When using acrylic color and texture dominate.  But then if the paint is watercolor the mood and color will create a totally different style.  This is why I love to try new media, just to see what the media has to teach me.  There is something to learn from every tool we try.

Television and Art

TV is on but who is watching

Are you married to a spouse that is hocked on TV?  If you are you know that there are times you end watching television just because, your other half is there.  I thought I would share my sketch book with you that I keep by the remote, just for those times.

Sometimes when you can gain access to the remote, hit the pause button when an interesting and nicely shadowed face is on the screen.  Those faces are great for practicing quick portrait drawings.  And there is of course a time limit, because how long do you think your partner can handle letting you have that kind of control, before they start complaining. 

     So the main point here is; there is always time for art…one way or another.  Hope you enjoy my TV sketch book.........

Fall Season Art

Fall Leaves Ink 1

 

I Love Fall

When the leaves start falling, it is time to start those wonderful fall pictures.

A few days ago, I gathered a few leaves of various shapes and put them in books to

flatten then out and get them a little dryer.  When I had some time I spread them out on

Arranging leaves to trace on paper

drawing paper, in random arrangements and traced the outlines, some over lapping others

to make it interesting.  Then I got out my favorite ink markers, a mix of Faber-Castell Pitt

pens and Picma Micron by Sakura, both are permanent and don’t tend to bleed through

the paper.  Then just took my time creating interesting patterns in each shape.  These drawings help me to focus on composition and pattern.  I limit the colors to keep my focus there.  This is an interesting and relaxing exercise that makes some unusual works of art.  Latter I will use this idea but use some watercolor paper that has been already painted with fall a background in fall colors.  This is a fun fall project, now go collect some leaves and give it a try.

one out line arrangement

Another outline arrangement. pencil on drawing paper

Starting to fill in shapes with patterns

Fall Leaves Ink 2, 11 by 14 inches

Follow up to color please

A few weeks ago I post the blog “More Color Please”, where I start 3 painting using color swirls and drips.  Two painting turned out just right, the 3^rd was lacking something.  After letting it sit for awhile I decided to attack it with a fresh start.  The painting was interesting but to me just look too swirly (is that a word?).  So I had 2 choices, one gesso over and start fresh, or readdress the painting as it was. 
   I decided it needed some geometry to break up the curves, so I used folded newspaper and planned where square and rectangles would go.  Once I found a lay-out I liked, I taped the outlines, and rubbed opaque paint in those areas, while it was wet scraped in some designs.  After that dried I added some direction lines, and then glazed over some of the boxy areas to change the tone. 

   This one is now pleasing to me and was saved from the gesso….

(Never give in, never give up…think I heard that in some movie)

This is where I stopped, when working on the 3.

 

 

paper shapes for planning some geometry

  the newspaper works well, because it is neutral in contrast to all the color in the painting.

   pressed the tape down smooth for good lines

paint on and tape off

   

 

finished and happy now

almost there...

close up of scrapping into the wet paint

My Clean up turned into ink

Clean up…almost

Well at least I attempted to clean up the work area today.  Paint brushes stacked, paper sorted, then on to notebooks.  The notebooks got me.  You know how it is, you sit down for just a minute to take a look at those old sketches and 3 hours later a whole new project is in process. 

   Found a sketch book, I took to the art museum last summer, and in it were really rough sketches of some old clay statues.  Yes I carry sketch books with me especially for visiting museums. In the book I had drawings of two very odd looking dogs, that were re-sparked my interest.  My brushes were all neatly put away, and paints sorted and put up, BUT   the ink markers were still loose and just daring me to get into them.

    So I used the images from the old sketches and lost the rest of the afternoon to art.

When I teach classes, I tell my students to save any drawings that look interesting even though they maybe rough or un-finished, because you never know when they will serve as inspiration, or at least stop you from over cleaning your studio.

 

 

 

the page from my notebook

 

In paint black paint marker on watercolor paper

Did the basic out line in an orange watercolor marker (love starting any art work with orange) then finished with black marker

Two more sketches to work up with ink....I will never get my studio clean....(like I care)