More Digital Sketches!

Another week's worth (almost) of digital sketches, done on the iPad Pro in Procreate. These are all done 'by hand,' meaning that I don't upload and alter a photo. I use photo references from Sktchy in the same way I would use them if I were doing these in my sketchbook, or on WC paper or canvas. I have the photo nearby (often in my iPad mini) to look at, but am using the Apple Pencil in the same way I would use a 'regular' pencil or brush to sketch and paint.

The sketch on the right above (with 3 raccoons) was a challenge to use multiple photos to create a new story. The original photo had one raccoon. This is something I actually do a lot of  when I design tapestries; work from multiple images. It was probably my favorite challenge of the month, because (in part) it felt familiar.

The challenge for the 'Frida Kahlo' style sketch was to import a background for the figure, after you had sketched it. I used a Henri Rousseau painting and added the birds (also a part of the challenge.) The sketch on the right also asked to import a background, using a photo you were to take yourself. I shot a photo of the light coming through my sheer studio curtains. The middle sketch was again from the tutor who is a cartoon artist. It was done from looking at a photo. I always loved his days, as they felt like 'recess;' as his tutorials were 20-30 minutes, and most of the others took an hour.

The biggest advantage - and also the biggest disadvantage - that I can see in doing digital art, as opposed to 'analog art,' is that perfection always feels attainable. You can erase and undo, you can use multiple layers and 'paint glazes,' fixing and correcting until you suddenly realize you have spent an hour or two on a sketch that you will actually not do anything with. It's not even in a sketchbook that you can take off the shelf and leaf through months or years later, unless you print it out. And, if you print it out, it looks like digital art. It feels to me like the artist's hand (although it is used much the same as with other media) is lost in translation.

I know I will continue to use this handy (and expensive) tool. I will use it much like I have used PhotoShop over the past many years: I'll start out in my head with an idea, scribble it in a sketchbook, paint or photograph it, then put it into the app to 'fix,' to alter, to change size or color or direction, then take it back to the sketchbook or into the computer to finish into a usable design. And maybe I'll continue to 'sketch' a bit on the iPad, just because it is so mess-free and so portable.

I do look forward to choosing my own 'muses' again! These were all chosen by the tutors, and I stuck to them, so that I could learn the techniques that were new to me. Tomorrow is Day 30, so I have one last sketch to do, and another handful to upload here. Then I'll post what I've been doing at the loom again!

Still 'Procreate-ing' (digitally, that is...)

I am still doing the #30Days/30Faces challenge on the artist's #Sktchy app, so here are sketches 7-14, from week two. The 6 instructors all have different work methods and art styles; they also choose the photo images we work from each day. For the most part, I stick to the demonstrated style, digital brushes, and method used, though I am allowing my own style to take over when I prefer to do so. The above sketches were all done in #Procreate on an iPadPro with an Apple Pencil. The first, done with a gouache style, the middle one with charcoal brushes, and the one on the right in a comic book style.

These were also done in the same digital app; Procreate. The middle sketch was done with pencil and ink brushes, from a photo of a man looking out a window with blinds. The other two used ink and watercolor brushes.

The two end sketches here are not digital, though the middle one is. The middle sketch is again a comic book style, and I confess that I really love this style! It is a lot of fun to create, and I love the 'clean-ness' of it. The other two here are  from my sketchbook, and are done with a black Bic ink pen. The one on the right is a self-portrait, and the left one is of a lovely child's photo from #Sktchy.

Digital sketching still takes me longer than sketching with 'analog' media does, but I confess that it is pretty handy to just grab one tool - the Apple Pencil - and to not have any mess or cleanup. Most of the tutorials are almost an hour to watch, as well (except the comic style ones.) So I have dumped most of my social  media time for the month, and am using my online time for these lessons. I am missing seeing what everyone is doing on Instagram, but I'll be back there in August. In the meantime, I'm learning to sketch digitally - and I'm weaving a tapestry and have warped my floor loom and begun weaving some rag rugs (with much enthusiastic help and interest from Poe and Ringo, requiring me to cover the loom when it is not in use.)

Two weeks done, 14 of 30 sketches. The month is flying by, as it does when I'm having fun!

Let's Get Digital, Digital!

For my birthday this spring, my husband got me a new iPad Pro, with an Apple Pencil. So I no longer have any excuse (not that I was looking for an excuse) to not join the large number of artists creating digital art. 

Then, for the month of July, the Sktchy App offered a month long workshop with a number of talented instructors presenting daily lessons, all in Procreate on the iPad. I decided now was the time to leap into this new way of creating, especially as I'm not going anywhere anyway.

These 'paintings' are all done digitally. They are not 'traced;' each is sketched, then 'painted' just as they would have been done using any other media. Procreate has the capability to use 'ink,' as in the top three sketches. It can look (and act) like charcoal, gouache or watercolor, oil, or airbrushes. When using the pencil, the 'brushes' act very much like traditional media. It is pretty amazing.

What I find a bit distressing about creating digital art or illustrations is that it is much easier for an artist to strive for perfection. You can undo and redo to your heart's content - and I think we all tend to do that! So I tend to lose my characteristic 'messiness,' and I feel like the results are more generic than if I had used traditional 'analog' media, where all my work would show - mistakes and all. Also, in this search for perfection, a sketch I would do in my sketchbook in about 20 minutes is taking me an hour, or even much more. And then.... I have a digital image that I'm not sure what to do with, on my iPad.

But it is good to keep learning new things. And perhaps I will find this new media useful for design work, or for illustrating something someday. Who knows? In the meantime, I'm having a bit of fun.

My life is but a Sketchbook....

Say his name: GEORGE FLOYD

Even though I am staying isolated, not just for my own sake, but for the sake of everyone (and I'm sure I'll say that again,) I am not unaware of what is happening in the world, and I am, to be honest, horrified.  I am horrified that not everyone has equal rights and opportunities in our country, and indeed, in the world. I am horrified that something so insignificant as skin color or tone makes a difference in how someone is treated and reacted to.  I am horrified that not everyone sees and cares about this, and that even at the top level of our country racism is alive and active and encouraged in others. I am truly horrified. It brings me to tears.

I am also horrified that science, and even common sense, is scoffed at, once again even at top levels of our country, and encouraged in others. I am horrified that so many think what they want to do is more important than the effects of their actions on others.

I wonder if our country can come back from this horrifying time? Can we become more caring? Can our divisions be healed? Can common sense and common decency be restored, and even more, can it grow to be more inclusive, instead of divisive?

This blog is about my art. It is not about politics. But my art is, as is obvious from these recent sketchbook pages, about my life. I am concerned. 

It concerns me when I go to the grocery store here, where the Corona Virus is spreading more rapidly than ever, that far more people are mask-less than are wearing masks - such a simple thing to do to act out of our concern for others.

It concerns me when a president who should lead, if not by policy, at least by example, gathers large groups of mask-less people (many whom are obviously in the at-risk group,) and when he politicizes  and scoffs at scientific and medical findings for his own gain.

It concerns me when peaceful protestors for a worthy cause are treated as terrorists.

I love my country. I care about the people around me, especially those whose lives are more difficult than mine is. But right now, I am very concerned. In fact, I am horrified.

Trying to make Life into a tapestry....

Poe, 5x7" 

It has been awhile since I've posted here. Life has become such a tangled web, of late. It seems that all news, global, national, local, and personal, has been difficult news. Like everyone else, I am struggling to cope with it all, and not making much of a success of it.

Just as the Covid-19 shut down began, I had begun a solo exhibit. The opening was on a Friday, and things were closed down on Monday. But, during that short weekend, I had begun a tiny tapestry to weave in the exhibit space, so people could see the process. It was the little tapestry above. It was designed to be playful and a bit mischievous, of our playful, mischievous kitten, Poe. When everything shut down, it took me awhile to regain enthusiasm for weaving it, but it was finally woven.

Ringo  5x7"

Shortly after it was completed I designed a companion tapestry of Ringo, Poe's adopted 'brother.' Ringo is more contemplative, watching to see what Poe is doing before he playfully joins in. I confess that I didn't finish weaving this tapestry until yesterday. Both are on little Hockett style looms, with a sett of 8epi. They are woven with wool thrums from other tapestries.

Neighborhood Watch  8x10"

Between weaving Poe and Ringo, I had woven this tapestry of the two of them for the ATA Renditions exhibit, which I have posted before. Since then, I've designed and begun weaving another tapestry on the large studio loom. Once again, it is of the two cats. Below is where I ended weaving today, with about 3 1/2" woven.

Yin and Yang (working title)

So. It looks like I have now become a cat lady. Or at least a cat weaver lady. But, my work is about my life. And recently we have been very isolated with a big elderly dog (whom I've woven, as well, in the past) and the two kittens, rapidly trying to become grown cats! They have made us smile when we sometimes struggled to find something to smile about. Looking at my photos from the past few months, most are of Poe and Ringo.

These are isolation tapestries. And I find I'm grateful to have something a bit 'sweet' to weave when I go to my looms. Life is hard for us all right now. I have woven hard things in the past, and maybe I'll have the courage to weave hard things again. I confess that my sketchbooks and my journals do tackle hard things. The color that I am weaving in my large tapestry is anything but bright and cheery, but I'm weaving what I can weave, and I feel like each pass of the weft through the warp is helping me get through another day.

Quarantine Sketches

3/12/20  My quarantine 'theme song' by Phillip Phillips

As I've mentioned before, I keep a sketch journal. It is filled with sketches that reflect what is going on in my life. With us now being under a Stay Home order from the Colorado governor for almost a month, and having Self-Quarantined for 2 weeks before that, my journal is naturally filled with  sketches of how the Corona Virus pandemic has affected me. I know that I am one of the fortunate ones. I live in a place that has taken the shut down seriously, so has not had a great influx of illness. My sons families both live in big cities, however, and our two dads (and ourselves) are considered high-risk because of our ages. So we have been very careful to stay isolated.

3/13/20

3/15/20

Even before this pandemic, my best friend and I have had a bit of a difficult few past years.  On this day, we discussed which of the '10 plagues' this was for us. Hopefully, the last one.

3/18/20  

The quote on this page is from Emma, by Jane Austen. It is a sarcastic statement, by one of her silliest characters. So, making it, I make it sarcastically, as well. I do NOT feel that my 'resources' are such that I do not need the world. But I am trying; I read, I sketch and paint, I make what music I can on my own. But I truly miss the company of my friends and my music partner and audiences.

3/20/20 News is not good, and much of it is misleading

3/21/20 My current favorite cup, for endless cups of tea, a gift from my granddaughter

I have had days when sketching, or doing anything, has been just 'too much.' On one of those days, I just sketched my favorite cup, as I sat and sipped, and tried to escape the grey gloomy day - a day which I would usually call a friend to meet me for a cup of coffee. So I am having 'phone coffee' with friends and family now.  But it just is not the same now, is it? Especially on grey days, and our March was full of grey days.

3/30/20

I posted this on the Sktchy app, as the photo inspiration was from there. I commented with a funny story about myself, and asked for others to give me a laugh with their comments. The Sktchy community is lovely and supportive, and by the end of the day, I had a good bunch of chuckles, mostly at the expense of the artists posting them. Laughs much needed, virtual friends much appreciated!

3/31/20 another Sktchy inspiration

Music is 'in my veins,' (being raised by a music teacher) and it is certainly always in my head! My brain is like a jukebox that is never out of quarters. The song lyrics here ran through my head for several days before I did this sketch.  ('Helplessly Hoping' by Crosby, Stills, Nash)  

4/1/20

I was angered and horrified to see images in the news of young people disregarding social distancing, and being defiant about it, risking their own lives and the lives of countless others. I'm sure that has made this all last longer, and has made harder consequences, than if they had been less selfish. (And I know that makes me sound like the sensible, judgmental old lady that I am.)

4/2/20 Lyrics: John Denver 'Like a Sad Song'

4/8/20

Today's sketch, after desperation led me to cut my own hair yesterday. Believe me, it was necessary!

I have completed a small tapestry, which I will post soon. I have done a small oil painting. I have taken an online gouache workshop. I have painted over FaceTime with grandkids. I am 'attending' online church (which is wonderful, as it's with my son's family) and reading daily Lent devotions and prayers. I have knit a sweater, and started another, knitting both inside and outside. The days have warmed up, and I have planted flowers in my garden. I have baked bread and started a sourdough starter. I have a sweet and thoughtful husband and two cuddly kitties, and a big lazy dog to spend my days with.

But I miss being with my loved ones. And I pray continuously for this to end soon, and to be over when it is over.

From a Distance...

A lot has happened since I last posted here. The opening for my exhibit at The Zesty Moose here in Grand Junction was very nice, but count on me to have an exhibit while everything is shutting down! At least 2 of the small tapestries did sell during the opening weekend, and what doesn't sell there will be listed on my Etsy site at the end of the month. I'll keep you posted on that.

In the meantime, I finally finished this small 8x10" tapestry, "Neighborhood Watch," for the American Tapestry Alliance small tapestries exhibit, Renditions, to be held (fingers crossed) at Convergence in Tennessee this coming summer. This was a very 'fiddley' bit of weaving, but I have found that, especially in times of stress, the fiddlier the better! This is of our two kittens, Ringo and Poe, keeping watch over our world.

Earlier this week, with our self-quarantine in mind, we made our annual drive to see if we could see some of the Sandhill Cranes that migrate through western Colorado. There is a reservoir about an hour from here where the cranes arrive in groups in the evening, spend the night, then wait for the warm winds the next morning to help lift them up over the Grand Mesa. Four years ago, we saw a huge group of them lift off. The next year, we somehow missed it altogether, siting just a few crane couples in the fields. Last March, we saw a fairly large group (several hundreds) in a field, but it was snowing, so they didn't even try to go anywhere.

Sunday night, we saw a post online that about 2,000 cranes had arrived at the reservoir by sundown. So Monday morning we got up early and grabbed our binoculars and cameras. We saw several groups here and there, but sited the group of 2,000 in the same cornfield they'd been in 4 years before. We settled in at an overlook between the cornfield and the Mesa. At about 11:00, a group of 5 cranes circled over the field, signaling that it was time to go. The cranes all started rising, and in groups of 50-150, they rose up over us, in a raucous chorus; the most amazing sight and sound!

Within about 20 minutes the cornfield was empty, the sky was full of cranes, circling in ever higher loops, catching the winds that would lift them over the Mesa, on to their next stop.  I turned to a couple who were watching from a ways away and said, "I needed that today."  The man just nodded, and his wife said, "Yes." We all had tears in our eyes. What a blessing to see that, no matter how crazy the world seems to get from our perspective, in reality, there is order, there is routine, there are still things to fill us with wonder.