Generally, I need a reference for drawing. I don’t do so well just drawing from memory or imagination.
Some of my favorite drawings are the ones of twigs and organic items found in the woods. They feel authentic, real, most like me.
Recently I have been looking back through my sketchbooks to find flowers, leaves and doodles to add to a new book.
In the image above, I used the sketchbook drawing of the black vines as a reference for the lower drawing in a new book in progress. The bigger book is one I am creating with the lessons from the Make Marks + Books online class. The book is layered with marks, prints and doodles. And in this one I am finishing it with leaf, vine and flower drawings.
This loose layering approach:
- fosters just beginning and going with the flow
- allows you experiment with different kinds of mark making
- delete, cover or edit undesirable marks
- discover meaning, focus or story as you go
- identify your strengths and preferences
If this sound interesting to you, then read the details on the Make Marks + Books workshop page. Class starts soon.