Currently Browsing: ink wash 58 articles
Studies: Observing the Subject Over and Over
Studies are something all visual artists do, pretty much every day. Studies are about cementing the observation of a subject into a visual approach you can apply to your paper or canvas. But studies don’t always happen before you make a more finished piece. On this page spread, which is in a Canson 180 Sketchbook […]
In Context: I Invent a New Game for Two Or More
You can read the text on the page spread if you click to enlarge it. As to the brush and ink wash sketch—I was watching the Great British Baking show that evening.
In Context: Bedtime Rituals Part 2
Sometimes at the end of the day I like to watch “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and sketch Ryan Stiles. There is something refreshing and healing about having a good laugh at the end of the day. I guess this means that in my philosophy Ryan Stiles’ work is as essential as puppies. (See previous […]
Why I Do What I Do: Watching TV…
Some times I watch TV just so I can sketch pirates and brigands. They usually have a lot of hair, a beard, and a snarl from saying “Arrrgghh.” All of which are fun to sketch. (Brush pen and ink wash in a Canson 180 sketchbook.)
Making Your Own Loose Sheets
For the past several years I’ve really enjoyed working on the paper in the Canson 180 sketchbook. I couldn’t find anywhere to buy the paper unbound. This year, the first week of January, I was about to start another Canson 180 sketchbook. I like to have one going while I have an art-paper journal going. […]
In Context: The Trouble with Double Vision
Page spread in an 8 inch square, hand-bound journal made with the OLD Gutenberg paper (which is not the same as the currently available Gutenberg paper which I do not recommend for visual journaling). The text on the page explains everything, oh, with one “writo” as I like to call them. In the second paragraph […]
Thoughts on Nose Rings
Dick claims that we talk more than most married couples. I don’t know about that, but I do know that our conversations are far-ranging. This past fall my lung situation was pretty bad. I didn’t have a lot of energy for multiple bouts of the downsizing packing, unpacking, sorting—as well as work and cooking. So […]
Three Views of Actor Michael Sheen
Actors can be mercurial, artists can change the way they want to see things just as quickly. In the span of an evening last February I tried out three ways to look at actor Michael Sheen on paper. (When I drew these sketches I was watching an episode of “Prodigal Son,” which I enjoyed and […]
Enjoying and Sketching Hair
I have a lot of “important” things I want to post, but they will hold until January. I simply need more time and thought. I’m still dealing with the lung issue. In the meantime I thought it would be good to remember the beauty of hair. Its structure, the volume, the balance. When we see […]
Tools Really Do Change the Way You Draw
I’ve met students who come to my classes who are totally frustrated with their materials and tools. They keep doing the same thing with their tools, using those tools, usually because an “expert” told them they were the best tools. Unfortunately the best tool for one artist might not be the best tool for another. […]