Day Ninety Six

That was one quick weekend! It’s strange, though; I find myself looking forward to the enormous amount of work this week is sure to present. I can see the end of the insanity (at least schedule-wise...much of the insanity is probably here to stay) and am ecstatic to be finishing this year of schooling around two months ahead of schedule (sorry, people, this much work requires a little bragging). Today was one of those days in this blog that I plan, before beginning, to “just get it over with” and make something quick and easy. This was also one of those days that I was swept up in it all and fell deeper in love with art. What was going to be a quick pencil sketch before bed turned quickly into a full-on project with research, careful shading, color, and *gasp* A HAND!

house-coat n.  A woman’s informal garment to be worn around the house.

Although I already knew what a house coat was, I did a little research to get ideas about styling in order to do a glamorous, vintage take on today’s word. Immediately after reading today’s word, I thought of a very sophisticated woman who, although she was simply lounging around, did not in any way lose her glamour or beauty. In fact, I tend to think that an effortless, raw look intensifies it.

I took photos throughout drawing today’s piece in order to show the steps taken to create it.

I began, as usual, with a pencil sketch and then inked it to increase the definition.

After this, I took a bit of black pastel smudged on a q-tip and did some shading.

Finally, I took another q-tip, this time with red pastel on it, and colored her “house coat”. After several layers of pastel to get the color correct, I was finished.

I am very pleased with the way this turned out; I have never before drawn a character in this position.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thank you for reading.

Xx

-r

Day Ninety Five

Well, it has been a wonderful Saturday. Although I got little or no (more like NO) actual work done, today was a very satisfactory start to my weekend.

Today’s word tied in perfectly with a conversation I’d had the other day about spotting a vintage car downtown. We were admiring the timeless elegance, the long-forgotten class, and the way those cars just seem to...

purr n. The low, murmuring sound characteristic of a cat. purr v.

At first I dismissed the car idea; I have not drawn a car since elementary school (you know the ones that look like cardboard boxes with wheels?) and didn’t want to completely bomb today’s project. But then, I thought, how will I ever learn to draw anything new if I don’t start somewhere? So, I took out a pencil and started to sketch. After a lot of erasing and even more intense studying of a page on Google images, I can safely say I have not progressed much farther than those cardboard-box cars...

Although it isn’t the greatest (or even the most recognizable) image, I had a blast drawing it. I know that it’s important to work outside of your comfort zone and see what works (or really, really does not work) for you artistically; it’s something I need to continually remind myself of. I think, despite its wacked-out perspective and lack of...well...car-ness, this sketch is growing on me.

Enjoy your night and, as always, thanks for reading.

Xx

-r 

Day Ninety Two

Like every other Wednesday, today was an art day. Although I had only faced two days of schooling, it felt long overdue. I managed to get most of the way through making an amazing book (thank you Auntie Liza!!), and get a little darkroom time in.

After a break for dinner and a (sort of) nap, it was time for the next day at The Ink Drop.

Today’s word made me think a little bit. Because today’s word is (sometimes) a noun, I wanted to avoid simply illustrating it literally. So, I went with kind of a different version of it.

fire n. The chemical reaction of burning, which releases heat and light. v. To have great enthusiasm; to ignite or cause to become ignited; to bake in a kiln; to discharge a firearm or explosive; to let a person go from a job; to dismiss.

Woah, that’s a lot of “fire”. Anyway, I wanted to incorporate the word fire into a character somehow. And then I thought, ooohh hair!! I decided to use pastels to create the look of her hair being on fire.

I used shades of red, orange and yellow to create the color of the “flames”, and added some black and gray pastel to the tips of the locks in order to give her hair more depth and a smoky, burnt look. I also added some pink pastel to her cheeks and mouth to give her some life. I like that she looks a little surprised by her hair, but isn’t too alarmed by it.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thanks for reading!!

Xx

-r

Day Ninety

Oh, gloomy Mondays... Although I have no excuse to be complaining about being tired (my schedule is dictated entirely by my record-breaking teenage sleeping patterns), it never stops me from doing so. Maybe some art will wake me up? Worth a shot...

I shuffled over to my dictionary this evening to find that its spine had been fully broken, and the cover had been ripped!! Although I admit that the living room floor is not the safest place for an unprotected, pocket-size dictionary, I suspect foul play.

So my dictionary, despite its sorry condition (I may be introducing it to a smidgen of duct tape before long) offered up a great word for today’s project.

pig-my n., pl. –ies A very small person or animal; a dwarf.

Having slowed to a halt at the towering height of 5’2”, I can definitely identify with today’s word. I wanted to illustrate a very small, very fashionable young character for today’s piece. So, I grabbed a piece of posterboard and a few pencils and began.

After I had finished the character, (and noticing the illustration had taken on a French-y theme) I decided to continue with the piece and add a background. I thought a street lamp would add a nice Parisian touch to the piece. I soon realized that (duh) I wouldn’t be able to show the “lamp” of the street lamp in order for the perspective to be correct (she is, after all, pygmy size). So, I decided to add another lamp a ways behind her. I used smudged pencil in order to convey a sense of romantic fogginess.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thanks for reading!!

Xx

-r  

Day Eighty Eight

Phew! Late post, people...apologies.

Today’s word is one that I think I don’t appreciate enough. When constantly striving to be best, first, different...whatever you may wish to be, it is hard to appreciate just how great the middle can be. Not that you should aim for mediocrity; far from it! But, I think it’s important to remember to give yourself a chance to appreciate the usual.

u-su-al  adj. Ordinary or common; regular; customary.

With today’s word, I wanted to illustrate an obviously stylish, driven, and (most likely) a workaholic character embracing the “usual” in terms of dress. I love conveying intelligent women who are serious about going out and accomplishing things without losing their femininity, grace, charm and elegance. While today’s character has a relaxed, slightly undone look, each aspect of her has still been carefully chosen to give a carefree look. In other words, I tried hard to make her look like she tried hard to look like she wasn’t trying hard. A lot for a piece of paper and a few smudged lines of pencil? I say never, but I’ll let you decide:

Thank you for reading; I hope you have a great night (or day, for those of you who retire at a decent hour).

Xx

-r

Day Eighty Six

I had an interesting, semi-productive day today. I managed to churn out yet another sketch and attend a play at an old school...

That's me, on the right. Well, my feet.

For today’s project, I attempted a different, more abstract style of illustration. Maybe it’s just the constant episodes of Project Runway and Next Top Model that air on afternoon television, but fashion (as an art, an idea, a way of life) has sunk it’s perfectly manicured nails deep into my all-too-willing brain.

So, at the risk of becoming every other young woman my age, I’ve decided to indulge this recent obsession with all things (good or bad) fashion related and continue to illustrate and study. Why not, right?

far-ther adv. To or at a more distant point. adj. Most distant; farthest.

Without thinking, I just began to sketch. I was inspired by a few dresses I’d seen today, and a vintage-y look. I used the runway to illustrate the concept of “farther”.

I like the way this turned out; it was very freeing to draw a simple sketch of the (greatly exaggerated) human form without obsessing over how each curve looked and if everything lined up in a semi-realistic way. I like that the runway is as long as it is; it makes the whole experience seem larger than life. In a way, I think, it is some kind of unreal, fragile existence. It’s fascinating that so many people dedicate so much time, energy, and obsession for a few moments and a short (often devastating) career. All for something that does not feed, heal, or house anyone. But, in a way, it does all of these things (except feed...I would really argue the opposite). It’s an interesting dilemma; does something so superficial and pointless on the surface really have a deeper meaning? Maybe I’ll never figure it out; that’s alright. I don’t mind being perched between cynicism and awe.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thank you for reading!

Xx

-r

Day Eighty Four

Apologies in advance for the short post-I won’t bore you with the details of falling behind on my pushed-to-the-limit, self-planned school schedule. As much as I would like to work solely on The Ink Drop, this is not yet possible. For now, we press on.

I was reminded of a corny joke I’d heard in elementary school by today’s word. Remember the one that goes “What’s black, white and read all over?” (a newspaper) As sigh-inducing as it is, I’ve always liked the confusion that comes with...

hom-o-phone n. One of two or more words that have the same sound but different spelling, origin and meaning.

For today’s piece, I took a version of my bad joke and illustrated it. I used two shades of pastel to give it a little variation. (And learned just how difficult it is to wash pastel form your fingertips...) Can you guess the words?

Thank you for reading; I hope you have a great night!

Xx

-r

Day Eighty Three

Ah, long Monday. I rose early, but made up for it in time wasted with distractions. I managed to get quite a bit of work done, though, AND came along quite a bit on a new piece of art:

Before I fall asleep, I’ll go ahead and share today’s sketch with ya.

fake adj. Having a fake or misleading appearance; not genuine. v. To make a brief, deceptive movement in order to mislead one’s opponent in certain sports.

“Fake” made me immediately think of a doll. I decided to stick with just a bust in order to make it more obvious that the figure was a doll and not a person. I believe my cousin and I shared one of those Barbie makeup/hairstyle practice plastic heads when I was younger; I remember us giving her “cat eye” eyeliner and piercing her nose. I think she was probably the coolest Barbie to ever exist. I drew on this memory for today’s doll. Although she is not that edgy, she’s a little cooler than the average Barbie.

I liked the addition of the cardboard box in order to make it a little creepier. I wanted to make it look like she had just been unpacked.

I hope you had a decent Monday; thanks for reading!

Xx

-r

Day Eighty

Today was a sleepy day. Time seemed to alternate between speeding by and dragging on endlessly. I managed to squeeze in a couple hours in the darkroom and emerged with a couple prints.

I experimented with the new(ish) technique of scratching the photo in order to get rid of parts of the emulsion.

I really like the look of it on the left side of this photograph, but I don’t think it works as well on the right. I hope, sometime, I will be able to find the appropriate use for this technique. For now, I will keep trying.  

Today I decided to get my drawing “mojo” back. Things in the illustration world have been a bit...blah...as you may have been able to tell. With 285 days left in this project, I can’t begin thinking of it as a chore, or I won’t be able to stick with it. So, picking up my dictionary with gusto, I got down to work.

Today’s word took me a while to figure out; I had quite a bit of the piece done before I knew what direction I wanted to take it in.

di-ver-sion n. The act of diverting from a course, activity or use; something that diverts or amuses.

I wanted to draw a very business-like character who’d gotten distracted. I wanted the “diversion” to be something colorful; something childish.

I started by drawing a pencil sketch and then going over it in pen; I planned to use pastels and didn’t want the pencil to smudge with the pastel when I blended the pigment.

Then, I used a different color of pastel for each balloon and blended the pastel to give the balloons a smooth look. I really like the way this came out; I’m happy to have my “mojo” back.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thanks for reading! I hope you have a great weekend!

Xx

-r

Day Seventy Nine

Ah, more snow. I’m cuddled up with a hot cup of cocoa, basking in the warm glow of both my laptop and the TV. (You know, because staring at just one screen is soo 2010) Frequent peeks out the front door have confirmed that it is still snowing, still cold and still winter. (I thought we’d escaped it for a while there, but no such luck.)

Today’s word shocked me. Not because of the word itself, but because of its timing. I spent a while thinking about what exactly, out of the thousands of possibilities, I wanted to create using this word as inspiration.

E-gypt n. A country located in northeast Africa and southwest Asia.

Immediately, of course, “Egypt” brought the recent revolution to mind. Although I do not claim to know every detail, I did follow the revolution as best I could. Although there were many things about this revolution that both inspired and fascinated me, there was one image that struck me most. Beyond the masses of people, the incredible speed of political change and the images of people gathered on and around tanks, there is one image that has stayed vividly in my mind. This image is the hundreds of thousands of people in Tahrir Square stopping to pray. From the moment I saw the first photograph of this, I was amazed by not only the dedication of the Egyptian people but by the beautiful work of art created by a synchronized movement of hundreds of thousands of people. Although I have never put much faith in, well, faith, I am fascinated by this gesture.

So, for today’s piece, I decided to illustrate Egyptians praying in Tahrir Square. It was difficult to get the angle of the bodies correctly but, after a hundred or so, it got a little difficult.

I wish this drawing could have been better; it does not do the incredible feat of the Egyptians justice. Ah well, I’ll get there eventually.

Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Have a great weekend! (Yes, I know it’s only Thursday but I think we deserve to celebrate the coming weekend early.)

Xx

-r

Day Seventy Eight

Today, as usual, was an “art day”. This meant that, for the first time in over a month, my poor neglected darkroom received some long overdue attention. 

I managed to print one photograph before the lovely weather pulled me outside.

I’m not quite sure about this one. It was taken from inside of a cab while driving through New York City. I’m not exactly sure if it’s possible for the first-time viewer to understand what is going on in this picture. Sorry for the fuzzy photograph. Thoughts?

Before I had even found today’s word, I knew I wanted to do something different for today’s piece. Liking my experiment with using photography as a medium for The Ink Drop, I decided to repeat the experiment. As soon as I’d found my word, I knew I’d be able to find a good scene.

lin-e-ar per-spec-tive n. A technique in painting and drawing in which parallel lines converge to give the illusion of distance and depth.

So, no matter how much of a cliché it was, I decided to focus on alleys and train tracks in order to show a dramatic example of linear perspective. Before I left the house, I ran an old piece of paper through my typewriter so that I could carry today’s word (and the definition) with me while I shot. 

It got a bit dirty throughout the day...

After a few hours, I came up with a few good shots. 

Although I like them all, I really thought two of them, in particular, worked best with today's word:

I really loved today’s project; it was a great exercise to have to shoot with a particular purpose in mind. I’m glad to have enjoyed this lovely mild weather before we get hit with about 3 inches of snow tomorrow. I’ve enjoyed beginning to shoot again; it seems like it’s been ages since I’ve shot steadily.

Hope you enjoyed today’s post; thanks for reading.

Enjoy your night!!

Xx

-r