"One is quite astonished to find how many things there are in the landscape, and in every object in it, one never noticed before. And this is a tremendous new pleasure and interest which invests every walk or drive with an added object. So many colours on the hillside, each different in shadow and in… Continue reading Habits for better painting, esp. with color
Nearly frozen mid-winter painting progress
Happy Tuesday, it is cold and dreary and I have made a discovery. It can, when your painting workspace is in a basement, get cold enough that it is impossible to focus on painting more than ice-cold temperatures. So let this post be a snapshot into my current project, which just so happens to be… Continue reading Nearly frozen mid-winter painting progress
An Object lesson: The Scribe
"The quill hovered over the paper anxiously. What to write? Around hung images, maps and plans for the far-out future. But the real priority, the cause of fear- the very next word." The sentient cabinetry in this image encounters a problem I've faced many times myself: the fear of failure. It's paralyzing, to look at… Continue reading An Object lesson: The Scribe
Workspace Tour
I make a point to redo my workspace through the year, to keep things fresh. Over the past few years I've collected various bins and decorations. The trick is to arrange my things in a way that can work for whatever type of project I'm working on. I always have the same desk, as my… Continue reading Workspace Tour
Book review: Daily Painting
I checked out Carol Marine's book Daily Painting from the library (go libraries!) two months ago. I read it, enjoyed it, but since social distancing has become a thing recently, I haven't had an opportunity to return it. So I thought, what better thing than to write a review of it, while it's still sitting… Continue reading Book review: Daily Painting
Homemade Sketchbook: Part 2
Here's my process on my custom sketchbook. It was nice to start building it, as I was stressing myself out a teensy bit too much over the process. Materials: Two sheets of cardboard, for front and back coversAt least 15 pages of Strathmore 11"x14" mixed media paperSeven plastic binding discs from a Mini Happy PlannerSelf-healing… Continue reading Homemade Sketchbook: Part 2
Sketchbook: Figurines in Grayscale
When I'm working on projects in my sketchbook, I often like to make notes to see where I'm at. I painted this sketchbook page of the faces of figurines I keep in my room. In this post, I'd like to write about what I learned. On accurately representing the lighting on these figurines: It's best… Continue reading Sketchbook: Figurines in Grayscale
Homemade Sketchbook: Part 1
I sometimes get anxious when I have a lot of decisions to make, especially unimportant ones. So when the semester ends and I'm home over Christmas break, I tend to feel a little directionless. Without being required to attend class, I often forget to plan ways to spend my time. This past year, I tried… Continue reading Homemade Sketchbook: Part 1
A Swarm of Bug Drawings
I drew these buggy creatures after getting a chance to sketch real bugs (that aren't ants from my backyard), like scorpions, tarantulas, and cockroaches. I'm highly grossed out by bugs in the real world, but I have no problem with these drawn ones. Not that I dislike bugs, I just like keeping a respectable distance… Continue reading A Swarm of Bug Drawings