Currently Browsing: Negative Space 18 articles
Breathing Room on the Page (or Page Spread)
One of the most important compositional tools you have in a visual journal or sketchbook is the breathing space on the page (or page spread). The negative space around an image helps define the image through silhouette, and shape recognition. The space will help you correct angles and proportions when you go off—or— if you […]
A Little Bit of TV for the Pandemic
I’ll have more to say about television for the Pandemic, but today I want to recommend something I watched while recovering from cataract surgery in 2019. If you haven’t watched it now would be a good time: “Godless.” (On Netflix.) Scott Frank who created and wrote “Queen’s Gambit” wrote it. It’s a Western. The acting, […]
What Kind of a Wise Ass Are You?
Look, I’m known as a bit of a wise-ass. No, let’s be honest, I’m a total-wise-ass-pain-in-the-butt-[expletive-deleted]. As such I really respond well to the wise-assery of others. Ryan Reynolds’ movie characters are a particular favorite of mine. Reynolds has the untrainable ability to talk fast, clear, and sassy while still pushing a plot line forward. […]
Sometimes Leaving Something Out Emphasizes It
I know I like to get fussy. I know I like to go into detail when I am sketching. I especially love sketching beards and hair. I remember in February when I was watching “Murdoch” and I made this sketch—I was struck by this actor’s incredible hair. I can also remember how, as I sketched, […]
Sketching Faces: When You Feel You’ve Hit A Plateau
I sketch a ton of faces. I look back over the years and see how my approach to sketching faces has changed, how it’s constantly evolving. Often students write to me about experiencing a plateau in their drawing efforts. They feel that they have achieved a level of skill at which they remain […]
Nostalgie Is A Fun Paper
I think the sketch pretty much shows how much fun I was having on this paper so I’m not going to write more except to say you can use the category list or search engine on this blog to find more Nostalgie pages. The paper is smooth, heavyweight, and a delight for all […]
Protected: Do You Stop Or Keep Pushing?
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Protected: Simple Approaches for Backgrounds—A Five-Part Series: Part 3 Patterns
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Protected: In Context: A Piecemeal Portrait of a Dog
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Protected: When Do You Stop? When Is A Drawing Finished
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