Listen to the road


Saturday, May 2, 2015

Three steps forward, then two back




Lately my energy to create has been low. I've tried all sorts of strategies to unblock and
get going again. I began contour drawing with my left hand, then detail/painting with
my right (dominant) hand. This sheepish dog came out with just the right feeling even if
it's not representational. It's about all I care to show for my work lately.

Recently I bought Freehand


 Helen Birch has put together a book of ideas from working artists and illustrators
with many, many photos of their work to show how they build drawings. I took all day
to read it yesterday and have learned something from almost every one of the 100+
illustrations. Happily, I'm out of my rut and working again. Probably the best art book I've
bought this year.

So it seems to go...three steps forward and two back. Hope your spring is going well!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Patty! It's been so long. This sketch is SO wonderful and I am happy to read you are coming out of your creative fog. I think every artist understands this. The book looks like a gem so I ordered a copy. I had a Barnes and Noble coupon so it only cost a little over $11! Happy dancing. :)

    Have a great week! xo

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  2. Reason for another Happy dance...she's also published another;
    Just Add Watercolor! I love the size of these books (5 x 7) and all
    the many juicy color reprints of current artist's work! I really AM coming
    out of a deep funk and these 2 books are helping so much.

    I hope your flowers are blooming and birds are singing! xo

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  3. Hi Patty, I have come back to tell you I love the book. It sat on my desk for a while, as bought books often do, but I opened it this weekend and started drawing some of the drawings in it. Drawing is such a good exercise, and this book has a lot of inspiration. Thanks again for sharing it!

    xo

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  4. I keep Freehand and a couple other good jump starters handy.
    So happy you like it too!

    ReplyDelete

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