Bar Sketching

Big hair, up high. Loved that
her cheeks and neck became one.

So what does an artist do on a Friday night when there is no one around and her son is partying in Brooklyn? (Yes, he was at a sleep over party having a tremendous time with his cousins). We gather pencils, pens and other drawing items and hit crowded places to sketch people. The fact that I wanted a cold beer prompted my trip to the local bar.

Last night I was very interested in people's faces and capturing their features. We all have two eyes, a nose, a mouth, ears and etc., but the combination of how these elements are placed together vary greatly which make up an individual. Capturing that in live time with people moving and watching and wondering (and getting drunk) can be difficult, but very fun. Here are some of the better sketches from last night at the bar.


Tommyboy's, Nanticoke PA

Shape of his neck
was fun to draw.

Her hair and eye lashes
intrigued me and I had to draw her.

Sometimes when people
shift positions in a chair
it creates interesting lines.

Bar view.
Way too much change/movement so I
quickly bagged this idea and centered in
on just capturing faces.

He knew something was up.
He wasn't pleased and kept an eye on me.

Yeah, people sometimes get pissed about being drawn. I've never understood that, but an angry person is something I have to contend with from time to time. This guy was quickly sketched and I avoided making any more eye contact with him. Overall the bar was a very pleasant one to sketch in and no one really bothered me. A few were curious and sent a designated person over to ask what I was doing. News quickly spread throughout the bar. That happens too.

Arms crossed was
difficult to capture.

Guy with the big gold chain
knew something was up too.
He kept a close watch.

Loved how elongated his
face was. The goatee accentuated the features

Yeah, papa had a
rockin' neck!

And, that was that. I'm currently searching out for another bar to sketch in maybe next week. A bar is good since people move in and out of view, but stay long enough to be captured on paper. This was just way too fun not to do again.

Workbench & Sketchbook

View from the side
of the lake at Francis Slocum Park

Today I visited Francis Slocum Park with my son and good friends. It was nice to get out and be with people and just flesh out a few surroundings. I was only able to get a few sketches in the book. Seemed rude to just sit there and draw all day but I honestly could have if given the opportunity.

I seem to remember drawing this same view over 20 years ago when I went to Marywood College. I may have to try and find the old sketchbook I think the view is in. It would be fun to compare how the view has changed artistically for me. There were many people fishing today too. These two intrigued me and I tried to flesh them out discretely.

Love the belly
That was fun to draw

Heafty arms...fun!

Work has begun in the studios once again. Felt good to be back at the drafting table. I have several pieces being worked on at once but was very excited about painting bay so I started both the Telsa and the Working Girl resins. Both will be bay (or bay with white patterning.) All in all, work is going smoothly and I'm very happy with the new studio.

Working Girl resin
Will be bay tobiano with wild cat tracks

Telsa resin
Will be bay

Heatwave

Pony cart ride at the b-day party

There's a heat wave going on here in NYC. Gotta stay cool and wet. That means this weekend has been filled with lots of water, drinks and a birthday party or two.

This weekend also found me sketching quite a bit. I guess you could say I'm warming up and getting ready for an illustration project that has been on my mind and is quickly letting me know it's time to come out. Thankfully, I've really been in the "mood" to doodle and it's been lots of fun keeping my nose in my book.

"Listen" in the beginning stages

I've also made strong steps towards finish on my rattie sculpt "Listen" last night. Was up till close to 3 a.m. just making adjustments. I have her hands left to sculpt and then I can begin the process of trying to figure out how to mold her. Eeek! I'll be honest, I'm rather nervous about this step. She will be the most complicated piece I've tried to mold so far. But, she is no where near as complicated as other sculptor's pieces so it is not impossible. I'll just make a silicone mold and keep trying till she comes out correctly.

But phew, I'll end it here. It's only 9 a.m. and it's hot already today! So, enjoy your Sunday! :)

Resisting Change

"Boy with the lazy eye"sketchbook drawing

I'm the kind of person who resists change. From moving furniture around in a room, to letting go of old, familiar (but worn) things, to watching my son grow. Change is just uncomfortable with me. Perhaps because it is the only thing in this world that is consistant. You can always rely on change to do it's job.

For the past two years I have been fighting changes within the computer world. Fighting to learn new programs cause well, I'm a mom now. I'm my own boss too and who needs to learn another layout program when your hands are covered in clay? There isn't even a formidable miniature equine magazine to enjoy or design an advertisement for any how and I have known and have used Adobe Quark as a professional for years now. It was perfect for the job.

"Fuzzy running pony"Quick sketch from sketchbook

Unfortunately, things in the professional world change faster than change changes itself and now Quark is no longer the industry standard for layout or design. Even small printing shops have changed gears and are using InDesign. I'll be honest, I gave the program about one second worth of my time. I did this maybe three times, tops. Never got the hang of it. I walked away feeling grumpy and mad at whomever decides what is "in" and so my copy of InDesign sat on my computer unused for two years.

In The DistanceVery quick sketch in book

My husband hates change too. I believe that is one of the many reasons we get along well. When things change in his job situation he gets grumpy (just like me). Yesterday he hesitantly, but sweetly asked me for help. The company he works for let go the designer who helps with flyers. Poof! Gone, and now he was responsible for getting mortgage flyers designed himself.

He asked me to show him how to use Quark. Our old computer, which has been sitting dormant upstairs for about a year, has the program, but the computer is old and he was never a good student of computer stuff, nor was he a designer. He knew this and I could tell by the sound of his voice on the phone that things were sounding bleak.

My heart went out. I just couldn't let him struggle trying to design as he never was nor will he be (I don't think) a designer. He was always an illustrator (and a gosh darned good one!). Also, the old computer is OLD and the screen hurts the eyes. Lastly, there was that issue of Quark being dead and all.

Christmas design for 08

So, I decided to dive into InDesign last night. Not for me, or for any model horse advertising or banners, but for him. I suppose my mind was fairly open last night because as I was reading the small tutorial that comes with the program the little lightbulb started going on inside. Everything started to look familar like a drive down a road you used to travel years ago and didn't realize you were back on again. InDesign was JUST like Illustrator 6! That was the very first Adobe program I ever learned and here it was again, with new clothes on!!!

I can't begin to tell you how very thrilled I am with this new found knowledge. In the end, I finished the flyer, made a template and all will be well for hubby and his dilemma. The very best part is that I'm also now on board with every major publisher once again. What a great night.