12.30.2010 - Last Draw

Last draw of 2010 at my local art group. Hoping to devote more time to drawing, playing, and learning in 2011 in town (and out).

12.16.2010 - Figure drawing, well....

Perhaps I should call it what it should have been. A portrait drawing.

Quick Sketch at Palette & Chisel in Chicago

Palette & Chisel in Chicago offers open drawing sessions and workshops everyday. One of my twitter friends, @alvinthethird, told me all about it. When he started posting multiple drawings from the Quick Sketch sessions, I had to give it a try.

I've been going to my local art group since 2001, and the set up for figures has become routine. They start with a few quick gestures and then get into a long pose for the rest of the session. Sometimes this is a good thing (when I cheat and draw the face only). But that is the problem, I get my heart set on drawing a portrait instead of taking time to draw the body.

Palette & Chisel's Quick Sketch session does start with gestures and works its way to a long pose. The gesture timing is perfect for getting multiple figure sketches completed. Much like Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, your brain is stimulated by the constant change in the poses. I think I surprised myself at what I was able to accomplish (but I know I need more practice).

If you find yourself in the Chicago area looking for a place to do life drawing, I'd recommend checking out Palette and Chisel.

Costume Draw 11.20.2010

Figure Draw - 11.18.2010

Odosketch - Free Online Drawing App

When I spotted the latest issue of Digital Artist Magazine, Odosketch was listed at the top of the cover. My first thought was "oh great another toy I cannot afford to buy and play with".

To my surprise, I found out that it was a free online drawing application much like TwitDraw or TwitPaint.

Odosketch website -- http://sketch.odopod.com

The color palette is soft and limited. You work from an antiquely toned off white back ground and have a selection of 24 colors strokes and 2 brush sizes (9 narrow and 15 broad), an eraser, and white stand alone brush.

The similarities with TwitDraw/TwitPaint are the simplified drawing features, ease to explore the artists works, and the ability to collaborate by building on other artists drawings. My favorite feature is the drawing stroke playback mode.

http://sketch.odopod.com/sketches/224763

Thumb through the featured artists section, there are some inventive illustrations out there. It's amazing what one can do with a limited palette without shelling out big bucks for software. Another bonus is you don't have to upload the application (you only need an Adobe Flash plugin on your web browser so you are good to go).

Try it out and see what happens.....

TwitDraw Vs. TwitPaint

While I was on Twitter, someone sent TwitPaint & TwitDraw links my way. These are basically online graffiti wall drawing applications that you can post directly to your Twitter account. It was the best kick in the butt for playing with my Wacom drawing tablet! It's good fun and you might get addicted to it.

TwitPaint

This is a pretty simple application. You are given an variety of colors to use. You can set colors from transparent to opaque. You can also determine the broadness of your lines. You are given ample drawing space to work from.

The only stipulation with this application is the limitation of 140 drawing strokes (like Twitter tweets are limited to 140 characters).

You are only allowed to Undo or Start Over there is (no redo). If your Wacom has express keys set to go back a page, make sure you turn it off or you might end up losing your drawing! (I am speaking from experience!)

My stuff :

http://twitpaint.com/graffiti/sketchanddoodle/works

NOTE: As I double checked TwitPaint, I realized there was a link called TwitShot. This application allows you to take a stationary or moving picture with your webcam. You can use "gray", "sepia" or "pop" to change the coloring of your picture. I didn't play with this application since I am more into the drawing aspect of TwitPaint.

TwitDraw

The drawing tools available are pretty much the same. The only differences are that there is no limitation on drawing strokes, the canvas drawing space is wider, and it can replay back your drawing strokes (that you can set from slow to fast) so people can see how you created your picture!

This was the selling point for this application for me. I have been trying to find the right software to record my digital drawing that would not impact the drawing software I was using. For now, this seems to be a good solution.

My stuff:

http://twitdraw.com/by.php?name=sketchanddoodle

At this time, I think I prefer TwitDraw over TwitPaint because of the playback mode. However, if I wanted to challenge myself with limited drawing strokes I would go for TwitPaint.

Just remember this is considered a "graffiti" application so anyone can make alterations to your drawing without impacting your original drawing.

You may be surprised at what others may do :

http://twitdraw.com/g1cwcr

FEATURES IN TWITDRAW & TWITPAINT:

UNDO

START OVER/CLEAR

BRUSH PREVIEW

COLOR

WIDTH

OPACITY

TWITTER POSTBACK

TWITPAINT ONLY:

140 STROKES

TREND POSTINGS

TWITSHOT

TWITDRAW ONLY:

REPLAY

SPEED

SET AS BACKGROUND

SET PROFILE IMAGE

future movie pick - in a dream

This is one of those movies that you want to make sure you keep on your radar. A documentary that shows an initimate and visual portrait of an artist.

I have yet to see it myself, but wanted to make sure I don't forget to seek it out. It looked so damn good that I had to write up this quick blurb.

Just check out the trailer and see for yourself. The movie is currently available on DVD.

http://www.indiepixfilms.com/film/inadream