drawings

I signed up for an Urban Sketching class on an impulse. I do not love to sketch, but I know that sketching feeds my printmaking. The more I like my sketches the more options I have for printmaking screens, stencils, stamps and tools.

I had have had the experience of being a student who gets behind in her lessons and feels like her work is not good enough, and even wondering if this was the right class for me.

These are all great experiences for me to have. Now I have a better understanding how some of my own students may feel. It is real easy to “get behind” when the art class is simply an interest and not a priority.

It is quite easy to quit, when it gets hard or it is it not what was expected. I had to make an effort to participate at what ever level my time would permit.

Reasons to take an art class:

1. To learn a new skill or improve your existing skills
2. To have some fun
3. To be inspired by other artists
4. To get an influx of new ideas or energy
5. To surprise yourself with you artistic ability

I bet you can think of even more reasons to take an art class. So check out your local art association, community college, art center or one of the many online options and take an art class to support your creative expression.

If you are interested in taking an online printmaking workshop, then check out the current class schedule.

I love my Haverhill Public Library – free books, free AC on hot days and just loads of resources.

Jason Asselin Mural at Haverhill Public Library

I always check the library first when I hear about a book that I just have to read. And usually I can get it from the library first and find out if I should buy it.

For example, I am exploring Urban Sketching and was able to get all of these books to inspire my learning. I love it because I can quickly leaf through the pages and get an instant feeling for whether or not the author’s teaching style it a match for my learning style.

I was particularly inspired by ART before Breakfast by Danny Gregory, and One Drawing A Day by Veronica Lawlor.

I used the books to learn to see shapes and try to learn to capture the energy of people on the street in basic shapes. I also used long distance photos to simplify the shapes, as a learning tool.

I am pleased with my progress.

I noticed how shadows anchor and give weight to the figure.

Using photos that are quite a distance away simplifies the challenging shapes.

Go to your local library and get inspired.

Coloring is fun and might inspire drawing and doodling. I am intrigued by the books and the designs.

I just look. Most of the books are too detailed for me and I am not really a stay inside the lines kinda girl.

But I did  allow myself to purchase a small coloring book at the dollar store. And I used it to inspire doodles.

It is a flower and leaf book. So I looked at:

• the leaves
• the stems
• the petal and
• patterns

I simplified the patterns and then I made a couple of Thermofax screens. The thermofax process is great for small designs that are basically line drawing.

• I made a carbon based photocopy of my drawing.
• Placed it next to the emulsion coated screen
• Ran it through my machine
• Taped the edges and
• Printed on this sack cloth

I did a couple different doodle leaves and then made thermofax screens.

Check out current workshops.

I love loose line drawings. I think they can be very expressive. The cool thing is these quick line drawings can be the beginning of a printed mark.

Many years ago, when I started exploring printmaking I did this contour line drawing of a man with glasses. I am sure that it did not take very long, but there was something about it that I liked.

Recently, I made another printing plate from the same drawing. I used sticky back craft foam that I mounted on to another piece of recycled styrofoam.

I used a ball point pen to make the drawing and recess the line. Then I quickly painted the surface with watercolors and let it dry.

I let the paint dry completely on the foam plate. I soaked some heavy weight printing paper and finally I used my new Xpress Xcut craft machine to make the print.

Of course you could be more careful and exact when applying colors and paint, but I do like the bold and loose nature of this print.

If you want to be inspired to embrace your drawing style check out these posts:

• Drawing is most fundamental
• New Habits and Old

I am trying to trick myself into new habits. I confess, I do enjoy watching TV.

Instead of making myself bad and wrong for enjoying TV, I had the idea to add an activity to the mindless, but enjoyable TV watching.

I have tried 2 different activities, that I think will feed my art making process:

1. Making drawings and doodles without judgement on index cards
2. Hand stitching on monoprinted cloth

I am pretty pleased with my ability to trick myself into action.

The monoprinted fabric flower above was easy to experiment with. I started with some french knots, but did not like how they looked. So I quickly pulled them out and tried the primitive running stitch.

I am super excited about this “Doodle Pack.”

I was helping out at Extras for Creative Reuse, the local recycling center, and I was tempted by a stack of 4″ designs on transparent plastic.

I thought, Wow!

These would be great for inspiring printing plates, and stencils and screens.

BUT, I am trying to get rid of stuff not collect more stuff.

So, I decided to make my own stack of small designs and doodles that could inspire printing plates, screens and stencils.

It is so simple. All you need is:

• a package of index cards,
• hole punch
• loose leaf ring clip
• pen, sharpie or pencil

I love about this format because it is so easy  to just throw away wicked ugly doodles. Also it is small and easy to carry around. It seems to move me away from thinking that every drawing needs to be good, precious or worthy.

It is empowering to be able to just do a quick doodle and move to another page without judgement.

I would love to provide you with instruction and support with your art making goals. Check out the full schedule of online workshops. Hopefully you find a class that fits your needs.

The next class is Monoprinting on Fabric with the Gelatin Plate. Class starts next week – Jan 9th! Join us for some fun experimental printmaking.

Students are getting a lot:

If you think that you can’t learn in an online environment, think again!

You will be amazed at how much you learn from Linda. Each day she shows you techniques, through her very informative videos. You can play the videos again and again to further understand the process.

I learned the basics – making a plate, rolling ink (this took some practice!) and pulling a print. I am pleased with this. I feel that I can really move on and explore this technique in greater depth on my own.

Marsha Hardin Reske – Make Monotypes 

More testimonials here.   Hope to see you in a class soon!