Letting my mind, and eyes, wander while looking at random textures or patterns is something I really enjoy doing. Growing up, my bedroom had both textured walls and ceiling so I had all sorts of creatures and scenes to look at. James Gurney did a great post on this...
Dec72016
Cloud Gazing
Feb102016
Artist Sketchbook
Keeping an artist journal or sketchbook can be tricky sometimes. Or maybe it feels like a difficult, lengthy chore. Stephan Orsak shared some insights into the artist journal and making it a fun part of the creative process in a recent workshop. I’m not a consistent scribbler. I’d like...
Jun102015
Trying out the Sketch Tools
I went out with a local sketch group this last weekend and took the kit I mentioned in my last post with me. Not bad. I ended up putting the little kit in my backpack stool. I decided to take the backpack so I could bring a water bottle,...
Jun32015
In Search of Sketch Tools
I like sketching. In my explorations to keep it fun and simple, there are a few technical issues I’m trying to resolve. Part of the “issues” have to do with personal preference for comfort, ease of use, and immediacy of art making. Plus exploring different options and combinations of...
Mar112015
Sketching at the Zoo
Out and about at the local zoo. Penguins, giraffes, and kudo. The wolves were even out. Here’s a page from my sketchbook. I drew with some old colored pencils in a Paperblanks brand notebook (Very thin but smooth paper. I like how the pencils feel on it but not...
May292014
Quieting the Inner Critic
April was International Fake Journal Month (brain child of Roz Stendahl, a Twin Cities based artist and graphic designer). As I understand it the idea is to do something different. If you draw dogs all the time, draw cats. The project could also be as elaborate as a visual...
Mar262014
Sketchbook Smear Relief and Some Doctor Who Fan Art
I wanted practice drawing people. What better way than to combine learning with fan art of Doctor Who? In the past when I’ve kept a sketch book the pencil would rub off on the adjacent page. This has always frustrated me. Capturing a likeness can be frustrating, why compound...