Tag: spirits

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The Voice and The Messenger: A Painting

For the last two days I’ve been working on this new painting to submit to a local art gallery. They’re holding a show themed around “Visions & Shadows,” and “explorations of the unknown.”

So of course I had to make something for it. (The show is also set to open on my birthday, so that motivated me, too. But shhh – don’t tell the committee that.)

painting in progress
Step 1.

I’ll be showing the step-by-step process of how I made this painting during the course of this blog post. Of course I made an initial sketch in my sketchbook of the idea, but I didn’t scan that in or take a photo of it because… I didn’t think to. Continue reading “The Voice and The Messenger: A Painting”

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Warm-Up Sketches

I’ve been getting into the practice of doing warm-up sketches before I sit down and do work.

I really like doing this because it lets me practice drawing silhouettes and spirits…

one-eyed spirit in silhouette

 

Or I could practice drawing and cross-hatching in pen and ink, while also practicing referencing a collection of photo references…

51414_Tribal_Woman

Or refresh my memory on using India ink and brush…

india ink sketches of tigers in water

Or I can practice some costume and character designs…

sketch of woman in goth assassin outfit.

My point is, art is a skill, and to keep that skill fresh, I have to practice.

With warm-up sketches, I do use reference photos sometimes. I’m ok with this.

Using references actually helps me include them in my visual memory.

So next time I draw something and I’m away from the computer, I can rely on my visual memory to help me.

It’s handy!