The blank page…..we all have ‘em and we all have to deal with ‘em. But I think of it more as a “clean slate”, a chance to try again, to mend my ways, to re-do, to learn from my mistakes. It's also like a free pass, a bonus, benny, a do-over, those kinds of things.
Since I can always use some sketch practice, I went off to find something interesting to sketch. I stumbled upon this ballet picture on line. Simple enough, 2 legs, a couple knees and two toe shoes.
But the real challenge is making them look real, bringing this two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional image. I’m trying to see the shading in blocks or sections and work from there.
Back in my “flash dance” days, I had a huge crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov. Wow!! This guy could DANCE! I appreciate the grace in which he performed, but I’m not a huge fan of men in tights. If I were, I’d be drawing that instead! LOL!
I’m growing quite attached to these little Stumps (or Tortillions). If you sketch at all, I highly recommend them, you will not believe how much control these give you as you shade in your areas.
I would’ve preferred to have this all completed by now and not do a two part post…but I think these pointe shoes are gonna take me a week to complete!! But then again, maybe not. I’ll need to revisit my Tutu post to remember the tricks I used there.
It’s show time…..for a bird that is. I really like to outline my bird pages first, prior to coloring them in. However, I didn’t do the hair because I didn’t want it all black. I also, didn’t outline the spotlight- light in the background because that would’ve made the light an entity and the light isn’t an object, it’s more of an observation.
Picture from my phone and it’s a bit blurry, sorry. If I were to color this gal in again, I would have put her in a Flashy Red Dress, and doodled the heck out of it inside…..(why do i forget that I can embellish the material?) Ugh…next time!
This little bird is really quite flexible….can you imagine having your feet go in one direction then twist your torso around to hold and play a guitar? Wow, very impressive!
Patsy- the Performing Bird…..She’s always been the confident sort of kid growing up. She had all kinds of friends, who were just drawn to her. One day, out of the blue she told her parents she wanted a guitar. For months she quietly taught herself how to play and to sing. She even organized a band with her more musical friends. She doesn’t even get nervous when she plays in front of people, she just enjoys it.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again….I think our talents find us! As long as we have an open mind, a willingness to try new things (even when we’re scared) it’s best to follow the bend of our preferences. I guess I’m lucky, because I was allowed to explore lots of different things growing up….the only expectations were to “do my best”. But kids don’t always have access to the extra-curricular classes they may have wanted to pursue when younger. Sometimes what we enjoy later in life is something that we didn’t have time for earlier in life. Or we weren’t in the right mind-set. So, what are you waiting for? Go out learn what you’ve been dying to try for years or decades. We get to explore whatever we want now.
Thank God we are not all on stage (or American Idol) as we learn new things!
* Image from Keri Smith; go http://www.kerismith.com/blog/how-to-feel-miserable-as-an-artist/
It was time that I actually did an Art Journal page. I really enjoyed doing my Psychodelic and Notes and a Doodle pages and these pages give me a chance to use my doodle directory!
I thought I’d write out the above statements about How to be Miserable as an Artist, which has been seen around the blogosphere for awhile. I think that these statements apply to more people than just those who make Art, it applies to everyone. However, I really don’t like the negative tone of these statements, so I thought I’d turn it around.
I limited myself to 6 little flower petals.
Just playing with color combinations and pattern here.
So, I changed the whole concept from “How to be Miserable as an Artist” to “How to feel Excited about your Art”.
Just a pic of my 5x8 watercolor moleskine with the completed page. The pic below is scanned.
How to feel excited about your Art:
- Never compare your work with others.
- Keep quiet about your Art, don’t expect others to see your vision, your way.
- Your entire career is never based on a single piece.
- Go out on a limb and try new things.
- Value your experiences.
- Push your boundaries even societal ones.
- Don’t just follow the money, you’ll burn out.
- Work on what you love, never mind if others like it.
- Work on something besides what your Boss wants. (Boss used here as Customer, Client, Gallery Owner)
- Realize it’s all just Baby Steps, Baby Steps, Baby Steps.
I’m sure you guys have a few other things that help you to create. Or you’ve found yourself too concerned with things or people outside of your control. Eeek! I’d love to hear some of your insights.
