4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Sounds simple . . .

A Passion to Draw + Drawing Practice = Steady Improvement

What's the Problem?!

You know there is a problem . . .Life gets in the way.

Draw what interests you - big, small, lines or more.  This is the drawing I will Demo at my Studio Tour this weekend.  Come Draw with Me - Hands-On Drawing Demos are 11 am & 1pm.  

I always wanted to draw but never for a moment felt I could.  However, the idea was always in the back of my mind.  One day I talked about it with my husband.  He was looking for a Mother's Day gift for me and figured drawing materials would be a great idea.
Suddenly, there I was, great materials but "Now What?"  I just didn't know what to do first. How to get started.  After lots of trial and error I got underway.  These are the things I found got me going and more importantly, got me into the Sketchbook Habit. 

4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit

1.  Start with Line Drawings
A line drawing has a simple beauty of its own,  It relly is amazing how a few lines can tell a story.  It's like the props in a play; a box and a curtain can suddenly put you in a far off place.   A line drawing gets you started, will take some time but the results will be encouraging.  You wont be stuck for every on one thing.

Line Drawings with a few dark spots can really spark your interest.  This one is from my daughter's grass-hockey days.

2.  Leave a Picture Unfinished

Just like Writer's Block, Artists can be blocked by that 'Big White Space'.  Draw what interest you and don't worry if you 'filled the page'.  If it is small put a border around it and move on.  Remember this book is about you and your work.

There is a certain beauty in a picture that is unfinished.  I really enjoyed the contrast between the finished pears and the unfinished one.  I felt I had captured the shading and I was ready to try something else.

3.  Collect Pictures to Draw
There are lots of wonderful pictures on-line, print them out and put them with your book.  Yes, you can use your phone or iPad for reference but often you are not in a spot where that works.  If the picture is there, all that's needed is to pull out your book and pencil and 'get to it'.  This doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't draw from life but you won't always be somewhere that has something you want to tackle.

Some pictures may take several sittings but if you have your photo it is easy to pick up and carry on.  I liked this one so much I later drew it in Coloured Pencil.  See it here

4.  Take your Sketchbook Everywhere
In the supply list I suggested 2 sizes of books: a larger one for studio work and a smaller one for travel. (See blog on Ready to Start Drawing?)  I learned to draw at swimming lessons.  My daughter's.  Each week she went swimming, I had an hour to just sit and draw while I waited. (Of course I looked up once and awhile to see how she was doing!)  I had a packet of pictures ready to go, I just pulled one out and started.  If I didn't finish what I wanted to do, it was handy for next time.  It worked great.

Yes: Passion + Practice = Artist 
 but it does take time.  Getting into the Sketchbook Habit really helps make that happen.  As your pages fill up you will feel your confidence and passion grow.

What tricks do you use to grow the Sketchbook Habit?  What keeps you coming back to drawing? I would love to hear your best practices.

If you are just getting started check out my post "Ready to Start Drawing" for a basic list of supplies and "Time to Meet Your Drawing Friends" to get to know what your pencils can do.

Next post, a step by step drawing lesson.  See you then.

 Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!! 

Special Offer: Free Shipping with your order of 4 or more Doodle Cards.

Special Upcoming Event: 
Open Studio -  Saturday, Sept 30 & Sunday, Oct. 1 - 10-4pm Daily

Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm Daily.

You are invited to Art by Wendy's Studio, N Surrey - Come and see the latest work, draw along with me, learn more about travel journaling and sketchbooking, enjoy my new doodles, check out my prints, cards, and more. I will be part of the Surrey's Art in City Event.  Maps & more on the event Here  Contact Wendy Here   See you there!!

Time to Move Inside and Draw
Drop-In & Draw starting: Tues Oct 10, Tues, Oct 24, Tues, Nov. 7 10-12pm & 1-3pm
Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.  

Come for 1 or all 3, choose the morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on your drawing.  $15 Pre-Register Required. Contact Wendy Here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
 You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar on my blog)

 Have a great artful day,
Wendy

Time to Meet your Drawing Friends - Painting & Drawing Tips

Excitement is in the air

Supplies shinny and bright

Sketchbook ready, full of slick, clean pages.

Are you feeling "OMG! What do I do NOW?"

DRAW anything you SEE - Get into the Sketchbook HABIT.
 Sometimes it can make a very interesting combinations on your page

Creak open that book!

Skip the first page, anything you do there will get smudged by the cover page which is rougher than the pages. If you decide later you want it to be a title page you can always go back and draw something. Or glue a favourite picture/drawing there. This book is for you so make it yours.

Time to meet your Best Friends. Your pencils.

They are ready to go, sharp and eager to mark the page. Like children cooped up in classroom ready for recess. 

Take your materials for a TEST RUN

Take out your 2B. This is the workhorse of the group. For most of us, this will be our ‘first responder’. More on that later. For now let's see what he can do. Pressing as hard as you can, make a sweeping stroke on your page at less 1.5 inches long. Then keeping that same length slowly release your pressure getting lighter and lighter.  Label it 2B. You might feel this isn't ‘important’ enough to ‘muck up’ that wonderful book but it is. Understanding how your graphite pencils react to your paper/support is important. It is different for each type of paper. Try it on other paper and you will see.

     Try your 2H pencil. Now your 9B. Quite a difference eh?!

Things to notice:

1.  Texture: some areas will look very dark and slick while others will have little white flecks in them, making an interesting texture. It is important to see the difference and make it work for you.  The slick smooth dark would be awesome for drawing glasses. I love that textured look for rust and old things. Having both in a picture makes interesting contrast for the eye.

2.   Sound: did you notice how scratchy sounding the H pencils are. They are your hardest pencils meaning they leave the least amount of granite on the page. Your 9B is the softest pencil, leaving a rich black with lots of texture.

3.  Your pencil grip: did you notice this changes instinctively as you make hard and soft marks and whether you are doing tight details or covering large spaces.  There is no right or wrong way to hold the pencil, whatever works for you and is comfortable for your hand is best.

Early drawing of Steve and Rusty 1999 - Texture in the bench really gives nice contrast with clothing.  Soft light marks gives a sense of distance to the background

4.  The Darkest Mark: notice that several pencils will make very similar dark marks with the slickness/texture you want. The difference is the pressure or 'work' that is required.  We all have different hand pressure and so you will discover what pencil you prefer to get that dark that you need. I have a light hand so I am often using my 7, 8 & 9 B to get good darks.  I just can't put enough pressure (and I don't want to) with a harder pencil (2B or 3B) to get my darks. 

5.   The lightest Mark:  look at your light values. Just like your darks there are several pencils that will produce that value.  You need to decide which one is the most comfortable for you and gives the slickness or texture you want. 

Find your Layout Pencil

In most cases the 2B is a good layout pencil.  It can give you a soft line, easy to erase and a darker line for shading. Check it out. Draw some circles and lines up and down and across the page. If you find you can't get a light line move to a harder pencil HB, or F.  It means that you have a heavy hand.  You can practice getting lighter or move to a different pencil.  Try not to go any harder than an HB or F as the harder pencils can score your paper as you are laying things out. This makes it very hard to erase cleanly. 

Ok, your ready. Go ahead and draw a few things, fiddle with your pencils, Mark up a page.  Next post will get into some ideas as to how to get into the Sketchbook Habit. 

Don't have your materials yet?  See my last post "Ready to Start Drawing?" for a list of supplies. 

Are you looking to try your hand at drawing?  Are there things you would like to draw? Let me know and I will try and use some of them as examples. Some of my favourite things are flowers, birds and animals.  And I love drawing bark, logs, old fences; the texture from graphite just seems to bring them to life. Happy Drawing. 

 Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!! 

Special Offer: Free Shipping with your order of 4 or more Doodle Cards.

Special Upcoming Event: 
Open Studio -  Saturday, Sept 30 & Sunday, Oct. 1 – 10-4pm Daily

Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm Daily.  

You are invited to Art by Wendy's Studio, N Surrey - Come and see the latest work, draw along with me, learn more about travel journaling and sketchbooking, enjoy my new doodles, check out my prints, cards, and more. I will be part of the Surrey's Art in City Event.  Maps & more on the event Here  Contact Wendy Here   See you there!!

Time to Move Inside and Draw
Drop-In & Draw starting: 5 Sessions starting Wed. Sept 20. Mon. Sept 25, Tues Oct 10, Tues, Oct 24, Tues, Nov. 7 10-12pm & 1-3pm
Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.  

Come for 1 or all 5, choose the morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on your drawing.  $15 Pre-Register Required. Contact Wendy Here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
 You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar on my blog)

 Have a great artful day,
Wendy

Ready to Start Drawing? Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

September is like January, a time to make changes.  Maybe its because summer is over and it is time to move inside.  British Columbia had a hot and smoky summer this year and I think we are all glad to see the end of that.

Using pencils can produce Awesome Drawings you can enjoy as you work on your drawing skills 

So now are you ready . . . . .

To bring that passion to draw to life.  Or to bump up your drawing skills to new levels. You have been thinking about it for some time but . . .I know, There is always something in the way. Now it is time.

What's the first step? . . . .

Get your materials together.  Drawing with a pencil/pen is really one of the easiest mediums to sink into, few materials, no mess, very portable.

What to buy?. . . 
This is really a great time to purchase materials. With back to school sales happening everywhere, the basic materials are usually on sale. Here is a good starting kit.  There are always other things, different papers, other mediums but first get your sea-legs.

Make your sketchbooks your best friend, take them everywhere  

1.  Sketchbook: For beginners I suggest you get 2 books; a 9 x 12 for studio work and a 5.5 x 8 book to carry with you.  More advanced Artists may want a larger studio book, to practise working bigger. My Preference is a Canson Universal Sketch Book - 65lb paper, good for a variety of dry media and has a nice texture.

Don't worry about those empty spaces in your case, you will find lots of fun things to add later. 

2.  Pencils: Yes, you can work with your standard HB pencil but once you try the creamy, soft 7B pencil and see the lovely texture you get, you will want more.  My preference is a set of Derwent Pencils - set of 12 Graphic Soft pencils, ranging from H Pencil to 9B Pencil; pick up a 4H & 7H to go with them.

3.  Erasers: You will need two types; your regular white vinyl eraser and a kneadable eraser. The vinyl erasers will be everywhere but the kneadable one is only at Art Supply places.  Lots more info on erasers here - Erasers: Your Friend or Enemy? 

4. Pencil Sharpener: definitely a good sharpener.  Your B pencils, especially the 8B & 9B are very soft and will break easy in a dull sharpener.  I have an electric one for the studio and a plain, little one for each of my travel kits.

5. Paintbrush: You are probably wondering about this one.  But yes, it is very important. A 1 inch, cheap house paint brush works great but once you start using it, you may want to pick up something fancy or colourful, just for fun.  Use this to brush away eraser debris, hairs, anything that is on your drawing. Way better than blowing or using your hand and really makes you feel professional!

6. Case: This is a must do.  You will have a collection of drawing materials that need to be kept together and your pencils need to be protected. Those soft 7, 8 & 9B pencil leads will break very easily if dropped or banged around.

Have good ventilation,  give your picture a light spray and then let it "air out".  (let the smell dissipate) Then close your book.

7. Fixative: My favourite is Grumbacher Workable Fixative, but there are several other very good ones on the market.  Pages that have lots of graphite on them will smear and and the edges soften. A light spray on your drawings keeps them from smearing.  Having a book filled with nice drawings feels good to look at.  It can be very motivating to see where you were compared to where you are now.

.

Ink and Graphite are a wonderful combination - Mixing the crisp dark lines of ink with the soft touch of graphite.  

8. Extras: Coloured Pencils and Pen are great ways to add spark to your drawings.  A set of 24 Prisma Coloured Pencils (24 pack) and a few Black or Coloured Pigma Permenant Ink Pens will work well in your sketchbook.  Pen Size 03 is a good all purpose size.

Black ink and coloured pencil work well too.  Make sure you get a 24 pack of Coloured Pencils.  This gives you more colours to work with.  Of course if you really get into coloured pencils the really large packs are great.  

Phew!  Feeling a little overwhelmed?  Having Confidence to mark up the paper is a big thing in drawing and any form of art.  You will find your confidence will rise and fall continually.  I know the feeling, when I first started drawing I often would do anything rather than put pencil to paper.  Even now when I have trouble with a drawing I find myself cleaning up, doing laundry, anything but facing the task.  My solution: get out an art book and see how others attacked the problem.  See my blog "3 Ways to Turn Drawing Despair into Action" for more confidence boosters.

Your work is cut out for you now.  You have a week to get your supplies in order, next week it is all about getting started!!
If you are already drawing, is there some favourite basic supplies you recommend?  I would love to add them to my list.

 Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!! 

Special Offer: Free Shipping with your order of 4 or more Doodle Cards.

Special Upcoming Event: 
Open Studio -  Saturday, Sept 30 & Sunday, Oct. 1 – 10-4pm Daily

Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm Daily.  

You are invited to Art by Wendy's Studio, N Surrey - Come and see the latest work, draw along with me, learn more about travel journaling and sketchbooking, enjoy my new doodles, check out my prints, cards, and more. I will be part of the Surrey's Art in City Event.  Maps & more on the event Here  Contact Wendy Here   See you there!!

Time to Move Inside and Draw
Drop-In & Draw starting: 5 Sessions starting Wed. Sept 20. Mon. Sept 25, Tues Oct 10, Tues, Oct 24, Tues, Nov. 7 10-12pm & 1-3pm
Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.  

Come for 1 or all 5, choose the morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on your drawing.  $15 Pre-Register Required. Contact Wendy Here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
 You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar on my blog)

 Have a great artful day,
Wendy