Currently Browsing: Nideggen 48 articles
In Context: The Difference a Year Makes
The journal reminds us about our lives—what happened on a given day; what questions we’re asking ourselves; what answers we discovered… I thought this glimpse of an interchange between me and Dick, in a happier time, when I still skipped, would bring a smile. Despite the writos—”I careened into a wall.” And “a conversation I […]
In Context: My Life with Dried Out Pens
I am surrounded by dried out pens. I love that. Here’s a page that pretty much captures my day. Remember: If you don’t have “time to paint,” you’ve still got time for a sketch and some ink wash! (Brush pen and ink wash in a hand-bound journal made with the now defunct Nideggen. An Earth’s […]
In Context: Two Conversations with Richard
As with other “In Context” posts you’ll need to click on the image to read the two conversations. The first conversation, on the verso page is small. I’ll just explain a little more for context—in the 1980s I worked mostly in color pencil in photorealism. I started a sketch of Dick one day and, as […]
Direct Brush Studies in a Grid
Here’s a page spread of direct-brush studies from a journal I worked in last September (2024). Some days I find it is useful to do multiple studies in “miniature.” (The small squares are about 2 inches.) You work quickly and get to test things like scale, pigment, the way the paint works on the paper, […]
The Dynamics of Hair
I’m also interested in the dynamics of hair not just as in beards, but in hairstyles. This brings me back all the time to the 1960s. (I collect old school yearbooks.) Here’s a page spread from a book I bound using the now defunct Zerkall Nideggen— toned paper with a wavy laid pattern and delightful […]
In Context: Palette Choices for a Triad
You can click on the image to read the text on the page. You’ll learn more about the pigments I used and why; more about my choice of subject matter; and about a brush I wish to replace—but that looks unlikely as it is no longer listed on Cheap Joe’s website and they haven’t answered […]
Goofy Collage Play
I like to keep my waste scraps—those bits of paper that go under my journal pages when I’m painting off the edges of the page. Those papers get the most interesting collection of marks and colors. I tear or cut them up and use them for collage. Then of course I sketch on top of […]
In Context: A Brush Pen Portrait and What I Was Reading
You can click on this image to see what I was reading about on this day. This is from a journal I bound using the now defunct Nideggen toned paper.
Lighting As You See It
In a week where I’ve written about creative momentum and using any space of time for your drawing habit, I wanted to remind you that simple, quick (30-minute) sketches can be so valuable if you follow through on your intention. The two direct brush portraits I did on this page spread were my end of […]
Sit Down and Work
I’ve frequently written about the need to sit down and work even if you don’t feel you have the creative juice to do so. Lately physical issues have been sapping my energy. But I have a not-so-secret weapon to combat lack of energy—a life-long art habit. It might not always feel comfortable or even […]