Things started off very simply ...
In a way you might say I was silently, systematically seduced . . .
"Happy Mother's Day" my family said. They presented me with a Beginner Drawing Kit: sketchbook, pencils, eraser and a 'How To' drawing book. I was a bit surprised and yet not. I had mentioned to my husband that I wanted to try drawing. He had marched off to Opus, our local Art Store, and after lengthy discussions with the staff, picked out supplies for me.
I was thrilled.
I dove into that book and read it cover to cover. Many times. I tried some of the exercises. I read some more. I tried some of the activities. I read some more. I scoured the library for more books. I tried some more.
I struggled.
Things weren't happening like the books said. I wanted to continue but didn't know where to go. I finally got enough nerve to take a one day drawing class. It gave me tons of encouragement and new things to try.
Then I went to a graphite artist show . .
His name was Harrison, he drew trains. Not really my thing. But I loved his drawings. I loved the texture he got with his paper. It wasn't paper at all. He used rising museum board as his base. I loved it!
That was my turning point . . .
Using White Rising Museum Board, which is really a 2 ply mat board, I could achieve my goals. It was rough enough to have a tooth so the texture I craved was easy to achieve. But at the same time it was sturdy enough to take the punishment of a blender. Life was good.
Why black and white . . .
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy colour but ..... there is something about black and white that really draws my eye. I googled it to see why people love black and white. It said it has a sense of 'timelessness' to it. It does. But I am not sure that's what draws me. I only know the texture and the gray tones really speak to me. My birds and animals come alive when I work with it.
Is Graphite my only medium? . . .
My regular readers know I do other things. Yes, I love graphite and its soft touch to paper but sometimes I just want a crisp line. Then I use my ink. No surprise here, my favourite pens have black ink. And of course, sometimes I like colour; then my watercolours are out in full force.
How do I decide what to use?
It depends on my mood and the subject. The crisp linear shapes of poppies calls to my ink pens. Combining with watercolour they are a treat. Animals will always call to my pencils, the soft touch with a blender means their fun will always will always be fluffy. I have do dabble in watercolour with my birds and animals and I find all my lessons in Graphite really help to make my birds more alive. So, no there is no easy way to describe 'how I decide' what to use.
What are your thoughts? Is graphite a 'real' medium for Fine Art for you or is it used for a sketch to help develop a painting?
Next post: Get Great Texture with Graphite
Using Graphite is on my mind right now as I prepare for my upcoming talk at the Surrey Arts Center, on Thursday evening, Nov. 1. Join me.
Nov 1, 7:30-9 pm. The Secrets of Graphite - Thursday Night Art Talks with Wendy Mould AFCA, CDM. Surrey Art Center, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey.
Learn how to make magic with pencil - Artists have been doing this since 1564.
Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC
Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby
Workshop Day: Tuesday, Nov 20
10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class
1-3pm Christmas Card Making Class
$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome
Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy
Artists reading this post also find the following valuable:
3 Ways to Turn Drawing Despair into Action here
Be sure to like and share my posts.
In a way you might say I was silently, systematically seduced . . .
"Happy Mother's Day" my family said. They presented me with a Beginner Drawing Kit: sketchbook, pencils, eraser and a 'How To' drawing book. I was a bit surprised and yet not. I had mentioned to my husband that I wanted to try drawing. He had marched off to Opus, our local Art Store, and after lengthy discussions with the staff, picked out supplies for me.
 |
| SPECIAL MOMENTS - 16 X 20, Graphite $550 Matted - Black and White has its own Secret Attraction |
I was thrilled.
I dove into that book and read it cover to cover. Many times. I tried some of the exercises. I read some more. I tried some of the activities. I read some more. I scoured the library for more books. I tried some more.
I struggled.
Things weren't happening like the books said. I wanted to continue but didn't know where to go. I finally got enough nerve to take a one day drawing class. It gave me tons of encouragement and new things to try.
 |
| THE SNOW CAPPED CAFE - 16 x 20 - $500 Matted - |
Then I went to a graphite artist show . .
His name was Harrison, he drew trains. Not really my thing. But I loved his drawings. I loved the texture he got with his paper. It wasn't paper at all. He used rising museum board as his base. I loved it!
 |
| WISHFUL THINKING - 11 x 14 - $225 Unframed - I love the Contrast of texture, the rough edges on the branch and smooth fluffy hair on my cat. |
That was my turning point . . .
Using White Rising Museum Board, which is really a 2 ply mat board, I could achieve my goals. It was rough enough to have a tooth so the texture I craved was easy to achieve. But at the same time it was sturdy enough to take the punishment of a blender. Life was good.
Why black and white . . .
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy colour but ..... there is something about black and white that really draws my eye. I googled it to see why people love black and white. It said it has a sense of 'timelessness' to it. It does. But I am not sure that's what draws me. I only know the texture and the gray tones really speak to me. My birds and animals come alive when I work with it.
 |
| A FRIENDSHIP MOMENT - 16 X 20 - $500 - Whether it is rough strokes or smoke blending people & animals are alive |
Is Graphite my only medium? . . .
My regular readers know I do other things. Yes, I love graphite and its soft touch to paper but sometimes I just want a crisp line. Then I use my ink. No surprise here, my favourite pens have black ink. And of course, sometimes I like colour; then my watercolours are out in full force.
How do I decide what to use?
It depends on my mood and the subject. The crisp linear shapes of poppies calls to my ink pens. Combining with watercolour they are a treat. Animals will always call to my pencils, the soft touch with a blender means their fun will always will always be fluffy. I have do dabble in watercolour with my birds and animals and I find all my lessons in Graphite really help to make my birds more alive. So, no there is no easy way to describe 'how I decide' what to use.
What are your thoughts? Is graphite a 'real' medium for Fine Art for you or is it used for a sketch to help develop a painting?
Next post: Get Great Texture with Graphite
Using Graphite is on my mind right now as I prepare for my upcoming talk at the Surrey Arts Center, on Thursday evening, Nov. 1. Join me.
Nov 1, 7:30-9 pm. The Secrets of Graphite - Thursday Night Art Talks with Wendy Mould AFCA, CDM. Surrey Art Center, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey.
Learn how to make magic with pencil - Artists have been doing this since 1564.
Opportunities Coming Up:
Thursday, Nov 22-Saturday, Nov 24Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC
Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby
Workshop Day: Tuesday, Nov 20
10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class
1-3pm Christmas Card Making Class
$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome
Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy
Be sure to like and share my posts.
You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.
Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
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