sketchanddoodle

Local Sketch - 1.28.2012

2012-01-28T18:56:00.001-08:00

Palette & Chisel (Model Marathon) - 1.1.12

2012-01-03T17:41:00.000-08:00

Local Sketch - 12.29.2011

2011-12-30T20:02:00.001-08:00

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School - 12.11.11

2011-12-11T23:08:00.001-08:00

Studio Sketch - 11.20.2011

2011-11-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School - 11.13.11

2011-11-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

This week's Dr Sketchy's was great because I had the added bonus of seeing an old high school friend - stage name Maria LaGrave. Unfortunately, I didn't get my usual spot so it took me some time to get into my groove.

But at least I won the secondary prize of a candied apple that were leftovers from a wedding the previous evening. The monster pic did it.

Palette & Chisel (Quick Sketch) - 11.11.11

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Yeah I made it to Chi Town again. I was hopeful of getting out of my drawing funk but I didn't get out until the end. Not many great drawings, but here are a few.....

Studio Sketch - 10.23.11

2011-10-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

One of the Dr Sketchy's regulars has started having drawing sessions at her studio. When I heard this, I loved it and wanted to hop on board ASAP. It never fails that a new drawing adventure usually wakes something up in my drawing.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School - 10.09.2011

2011-10-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Local Sketch - 10.08.2011

2011-10-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Palette & Chisel (Model Marathon) - 9.5.11

2011-09-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

Its official. I hit all three model marathons in Chicago this year. Starting the year off there was probably the best idea I ever had for New Years.

You know, I felt like I got somewhere with my drawing this time. Palette changing is good.

I miss Chi Town already...

Local Sketch - 9.3.2011

2011-09-07T22:01:00.001-07:00

Weird progression

2011-08-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

There was that nagging in my core that I was slowly heading down the same path I did the last time I was unemployed. Calls came in bringing hope but turned into the same disappointments when they realized my skills were dated.

This left me thinking, what do I do now? I have no money for additional schooling and I want to avoid student loans like the plague.

I began digging for jobs again. Probably more ferociously than ever before. I had to find that one job that involved technology but would keep me somewhat sane. And I did, sort of.

Library, computers, helping other people out, and learning new things on the job - perfect combo for me. It makes me nervous that its not full time for I have bills, no savings, and just getting by. However, it will make me feel "human" to work again and it is a great opportunity that could turn into another career.

I've been asked many times if I ever thought about teaching, so this might be a good way to figure it out and possibly gain some teaching experience too. Tutor to teacher are in the same realm right?

In the meantime, I'm also trying to get into a grant program that is geared to help people get into "green jobs". This may lead me to receive funding to update my technical skills.

And maybe, just maybe, guide me to a full time job that will keep my mind "working".

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that even though my finances will be rough come winter that I will soldier through this. The goal is to gain knowledge, become a stand out, and move forward. If I can find a way to help others in the process, that will be a bonus.

I no longer need someone else to promise me hope...

Drawing in Chicago for Labor Day feels like a possible "can do" at the moment.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School - 08.21.11

2011-08-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

Local Sketch 08.20.2011

2011-08-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School - 7.24.11

2011-07-24T21:04:00.000-07:00

One Art form to Another

2011-07-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Seeking employment once again.

This time, I have learned to change up any prejudices about finding work while the employers haven't given up theirs. They can now have the best pick of the crop, while talented people are shucked into alternative job roles that don't get them back to where they want to be. Survival mode needs to kick in.

You may see my travels to Chicago, local art group, and Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School sketches appear at a minimum here. I'll just draw what I can when I can without having to spend too much money. I have all the tools at home, and I must overcome my stresses about my house and being able to create in it.

I've taken up exploring another art that I never thought I would and once feared doing - acting.

After putting it off in 2008 during my worse unemployment dry spell, I was able to take 2 acting classes this year for character study and improv. I'm glad I took them when I did because you end up meeting people that take you on a path you would never expect....

Now, I find myself carpooling with friends to film auditions and seeking extras casting. Yesterday, I was a first time movie extra for a local film (and learned the headaches of background noises - queue bar refrigerator noises). No cash payment but you have to start somewhere. An acting resume is now prepped and I am debating whether or not to get professional head shots when I'm not thrilled how I look right now and low on cash. I don't want to get them and not ever use them.

It just seems crazy to me to invest too much into this when the governor of the state has disrupted the film incentive program. A state that once hosted the idea of entering the movie industry saw the Hollywood draw fizzled out a little. Other films pulled out and moved to other states. This resulted in lost job opportunities and business for local companies in a state that has already suffered a major blow from jobs lost in the auto industry.

But I press on solely for the thrill of learning. I didn't really take the classes to be in movies anyway. There is something about "my" character that has changed over the years. My momentum was lost somewhere. I figure a recipe for self exploration and an infusion of extrovert mentality (for an introvert) would help the process.

Currently, the job market relies on who you know to get your foot in the door. I felt I needed to learn how to speak, how to be, and how to sell myself as being extraordinary. But I also need to learn who I am in the process.

Solace time in the library has went from studying technology to digging into the art of acting. (I've been shot down for so many IT jobs that I'm already prepared for audition rejections.) Character study is no easy feat and relies on the power of observation. Improv requires practice in a group setting. (My short term goal is to jump into Open Improv night so I can stop being a chicken.) If I get into the Scene Study class in the Fall, I would be eligible to join the theatre troupe class. I know theatre experience is a good thing. However, I'm taking it one step at a time....

Acting is purely for fun as I try to work out my drawing adventures.

But the first thing to do is find a steady job again...

P.S. Note to self. Don't be jumping up for Open Improv if you don't roll with the "offers". You know when you are ready. Mantra : Review, Research, Reboot, and Retry. Tonight's epic fail just makes me want to try again....and just do better.

Drawings I Never Posted (from Local Sketch)

2011-07-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Local Sketch 07.09.11

2011-07-09T19:07:00.001-07:00

Palette & Chisel - Open Sketch 07.08.11

2011-07-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

Local Sketch 06.28.11

2011-06-28T20:13:00.001-07:00

There are good and bad things about working with a brush pen. The good is the easy strokes and less mess to clean up than traditional brush and ink. The bad is the brush getting heavy with ink sometimes or certain papers suck the ink more than you wish it to.

The Pentel brush pen is best when doing figure drawing but I need to master that ink flow.

Some areas of these drawings are little more heavy with ink than intended. I don't find these to be happy accidents. A challenge indeed.

Local Sketch 06.27.11

2011-06-28T20:12:00.001-07:00

Local Sketch 06.25.11

2011-06-28T20:05:00.001-07:00

The drawings today were me playing with characters so the model does not look the same in each picture. Only one picture I actually focused on what the model looked like. The others were variations. You don't learn if you don't play. Breaking my own rules on drawing faces had to be done.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School (2 year Anniversary) 06.19.2011

2011-06-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

more pictures are here ... click me

Local Sketch - 6.4.2011

2011-06-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

If I knew who the model was going to be today, I would have brought my full set of pastels.

After dragging myself out of bed, I left early enough to get in some gesture drawings. This part seemed to finish quickly unfortunately. I may have to petition for one night of pure gesture drawing. The room was too full of artitsts, so I couldn't hop around the room too much for alternate angles.

I was able to sneak in an iCharcoal drawing with a borrowed iPad. Its definately a learning process using the fingers to draw and not the stylus.

Yesterday, I stocked up on unprimed wood panel that was on clearance for a store moving sale. An artist told me that I needed to prime it first with a clear primer. Great. The intent was to use it raw. I need to stop going to the art store because I have more than enough supplies at home. All except that damn clear primer....

Palette & Chisel - Memorial Day Model Marathon 05.30.11

2011-05-31T21:55:00.000-07:00

Flickr : Palette & Chisel Sketches

It was in my head to go to Chicago for this model drawing marathon. After some car troubles prior to the trip, I was happy I got there in one piece and back. I had a nice 3 hour drive with sunshine and 90 degrees creeping up in the afternoon.

The kicker is I don't feel I left early enough for the marathon draw and reached Chicago in the late afternoon. After counting 3 deer bodies on the road, I was thinking I wanted to head out before dusk.

Going into it I felt good. However, the spot I picked felt uncomfortable. I chose an unusual drawing pad and my favorite brush pens barely had any ink left. I had plenty drawing materials with me, I just had a hard time "getting going". By the time I got into the swing, things got more complicated with 2 models posing.

I left feeling I didn't really do my best this go round. As I took my predicted wrong turn from the parking ramp sending me on chase for the nearest exit, I was waiting at a red light. A crowd of people were crossing the street, and I was just ready to go home. A striking short haired blonde with a big smile turned my way and back to her companion who was Kelsey Grammer. The doctor was in and that caught me off guard. Me thinks I got a little to close to the fourth wall there, so I continued to skidable up out of there.

The city refused to let me pass by, like it was preventing me from going home. Perhaps it was too soon to go. I fought it and finally got through. There was that feeling I insulted the city by leaving so quickly without accomplishing what I wanted. For some unexplainable reason, this is a repetitive feeling I have whenever I leave.

This 2am I'm so sleepy blogging. I confess I passed out a couple of times at the computer trying to edit the photos of the drawings. It may be time for me to get some real sleep and try to get some more drawing done tomorrow morning. I'm very tempted to go to Chicago again, but I probably need a little break to get the home front situated.

Local Sketch - 5.19.2011

2011-05-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

I forgot it was a drawing night. Just got off the highway and drove past the building where we draw. I saw the guy with the iPad so I turned it back around and snuck in for gestures. I ran home quick, changed clothes, and came back to draw some more...the iPad felt like too much of a challenge for my tired soul tonight. There was a struggle with drawing the face tonight.

Dr.Sketchy's Anti Art School - 5.15.11

2011-05-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight's model was Sylver Fyre from the Knotty Bits Sideshow. She walks on glass, plays with fire, and is an aerialist. It was a good night. She posed on an aerial hoop and silks.

The one at the top was the last drawing and it was given to the model.

Local Sketch - 5.14.2011

2011-05-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

I showed up a wee bit late so I missed the gesture drawing. To make up for it, I danced around a bit so I could get in some more drawings of the model. However, I missed playing with the borrowed iPad again.

Local Sketch (Digital) - 5.7.11

2011-05-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

I decided to mess a bout with someone's iPad2 last Saturday to do some fanger painting. iCharcoal is nice and loose. It gives a different feel and look when drawing. The drawing apps for iPad have me sold (as well as the iSamJackson app.)

Digital drawing...I feel I must conquer this realm more.

mi mama

2011-05-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

...my mama, the fighter (had a rocky start to 2011. not 100% but doing better)

Local Sketch - 5.7.11

2011-05-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

Today's sketches.....

Local Sketch - 4.30.2011

2011-04-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

My life drawing feels a little rusty. I just barely squeaked this one in for April...

Dr.Sketchy's Anti Art School - 3.20.2011

2011-03-20T21:14:00.001-07:00

My delay in drawing has to do more with other things going on in my life than with pure procrastination. Not quite sure how I can get back on the ball again. Channeling of energy into drawing has been my stress relief. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to work it in lately.

I almost missed this months Dr Sketchy, so I am grateful someone reminded me this week. No burlesque show this week so some comedians were thrown into the mix. Yes, laughter ensued. Fun times had by all.

Look at me pictures on Flickr

Bodies Revealed Life Drawing - 2.23.2011

2011-02-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

This life drawing session was a reschedule from 2.2.2011 (mega blizzard). Surprised and happy they opened the exhibit up to artists. Its a rare opportunity to draw organs, muscles, and skeletons from this point of view.

Always good to know your anatomy....I might attempt a second go. We shall see how other events play out first....

Dr.Sketchy's Anti Art School - 2.20.2011

2011-02-24T21:12:00.001-08:00

I can't believe I went to Dr.Sketchy's in a blizzard (number 2 to be exact). Desperate times....

I'm just a few blocks from the place, so it was worth the risk. The model was Miss La La Vulvaria. The burlesque show "after the sketchy" was in tribute to her for her birthday. Great model and fun times drawing.

Somehow during intermission, me and the other jokers talked Star Trek. Once again I revealed how one scene from the Wrath of Khan traumatized me as a child...

But enough of that, more drawings are here

Local sketch - 1.27.2011

2011-01-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Odd energy this week. I almost forgot this session because I worked late.

However, I am learning to love gesture poses more than long poses. Especially when the model does break dancing moves. I wish I made it there earlier for more gestures...

Local Sketch - 1.22.2011

2011-01-22T22:04:00.000-08:00

Sad news. No more morning draw and Dr. Sketchy's on Saturdays. Dr. Sketchy's had to move to Sundays to ease up the schedule for the burlesque troupe. This will be odd at first, but change is good.

Here are drawings of the gal that runs the local Dr. Sketchy's as she poses for the local sketch group :

Local Sketch & Dr.Sketchy's Anti Art School - 1.15.2011

2011-01-16T21:41:00.000-08:00

I live for the Saturdays when I have 2 environments to draw in. I never know what kind of energy will happen in either place.

For the morning sketch, I overslept thanks to late night tweeting with a west coaster. I'm putting myself on punishment from now on because I hate missing gesture poses at the start of a session. I've been spoiled with the the additional gestures from Palette & Chisel that I have become restless with drawing a long pose. I drew the model about 4 times from different angles and still working out how my mind reads figures.

All sketches from the morning local sketch are here

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School had a local burlesque performer, Jon Benet Butterbuns, as our model. I opted for a new 11 X 14 hardbound Strathmore drawing book and a Pentel Color Brush for most of the drawings. I felt the brush pen would loosen up my gestures a bit, and it did. Now, I need to figure out how to go a little darker with Sketchy theme contests.....tap into the naughty side.

Additional sketches are here

There is always an added bonus of the burlesque show following Dr. Sketchy's. Was a weird night. My purse drank more alcohol than I did due to the multiple drink spillage of others around me. There were a record number of pasty pops for the performers too...including one flaming pasty. The show theme was impersonations and the most obscure and confusing one was this bit from Tim & Eric's ... now that is some weird shit. Next time I will remember my camera...

Local Sketch - 1.8.2011

2011-01-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

Palette & Chisel - New Years Model Marathon 1.1.11

2011-01-02T15:45:00.001-08:00

Click for Additional Drawings

The weather played nice so I decided to drive down to Chicago to start the year off right. This time I brought one of my friends from my local art group along for the trip. Great experience, different atmosphere.

The model marathon at Palette and Chisel consists of artists drawing models from 7am - 7pm. Every 3 hours a new model poses.

Two drawing rooms: one had 25 minute poses the other had multiple gestures with the final hour being a long pose.

We made it there around noon and left around 6pm. It was a packed house so I remained in the 25 minute room. Wish I moved around a bit more to get more models drawn since each one gives a little something different. Perhaps there is always the next holiday model marathon...

12.30.2010 - Last Draw

2010-12-30T22:06:00.000-08:00

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....

2010-12-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

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

Quick Sketch at Palette & Chisel in Chicago

2010-11-27T23:00:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-20T12:00:00.001-08:00

Figure Draw - 11.18.2010

2010-11-18T21:08:00.001-08:00

Odosketch - Free Online Drawing App

2010-10-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

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

movie pick - my kid could paint that

2009-10-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

MY KID COULD PAINT THAT is a documentary on child artist Marla Olmstead (aka pint sized Jackson Pollack) which is a work of art as the artist herself. Art that raises questions and debate is usually art that gains the most interest and leaves an impression.

Marla Olmstead began playing with paint in her diapers and began to sell paintings by age 4. To me she is not the first child painter to gain success and probably not the last. Alexandra Nechita is one that I can remember from my lifetime. She was deemed the pint size Picasso. Now in her 20s she is still an active artist. I do not recollect Nechita ever being questioned on creating her own paintings.

This brings us to the toddler Olmstead. Can a 4 year old create a work of art?

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." ~ Pablo Picasso

As a potential artist myself, I do believe that a child has more freedom to paint. A child's mind is not corrupted by the crippling fear that prevents adults from getting ideas down on a canvas or piece of paper.

The documentary shows two sides of the world of Marla Olmstead. It starts off very supportive and later shows areas where there are doubts whether little Olmstead created her paintings without help from her father. Both sides of the story were pretty convincing. So it left me not only debating the artist but also debating what I saw in the documentary in my head.

My thoughts. Is this a gimmick? A prodigy painter has already been established (now grown but still established). A new one (Olmstead) comes in. How do they differentiate between the two? Create a scandal. Would this additional drama of questioning authenticity feed the popularity or interest of her paintings or distract from it? If she grows up and continues to paint, perhaps she will always be questioned on her abilities. But as the novelty of her age wears and her talent is possibly proven, where does that leave her in the future?

There are some things that irked me in this documentary. The parents passed on an offer for Marla to do a project with Crayola but entered her into a Rude and Bold Women art show which was clearly geared to adults. (The latter was revealed in the DVD bonus section). What kid does not want to play with Crayolas? Hell, I still love to use them. This extreme is telling me they could be hindering her childhood (or childlike form of expression) by forcing her to become an adult with her art. I guess I didn't see the harm in letting her be "a kid" for once. It seemed mindless for them to enter her into a show that she would be too young to attend or understand.

I would recommend checking this documentary out. It importantly raises the question - what is art? And can a child really paint a masterpiece. As I said before, only time will tell.