The Art of a Sketchbook

I think I've mentioned that I try to sketch something each morning as soon as I sit down with my cup of coffee.  Some times I have something in mind before I sit down, other times I just look around my desk until I find something I might want to sketch.  

Last Monday morning when I was ready to sketch I saw the only holiday decoration I took to set upon my table at the Saturday Holiday Bazaar.  A small unadorned fake tree.

I love the this small plain tree sitting in a beautiful sophisticated gold leaf pot.  It's a small statement ...  the top of the unadorned tree to the bottom of the lovely gold pot is only 14" high.  Small yet a touch of sophistication.    

The juxtaposition speaks to me.  Plain and lovely.  I think it made a lovely sketch.

Small Christmas Tree in Gold Pot, Barnes and Nobel Sketchbook, © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

Close up -Small Christmas Tree in Gold Pot, Barnes and Nobel Sketchbook, © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

The Art of a Sketchbook

 The Art of a Sketchbook

Sketch from a magazine ad 2001 © Nancy Van Blaricom

I wanted to share with you a couple of ideas that you might like to use with your sketchbooks.  

This is a hardbound sketchbook, approximately 11" x 9".  Notice the White Ribbon in the above sketchbook photo?  I am always having a hard time finding the next blank page in my sketchbooks so I glued this white satin ribbon in between the cover and the pages, in the binding to use as a bookmark.  I used Elmer's white glue.   I'm sure and its been in this book since 1999. 

Sketch from a boating trip, 2012 © Nancy Van Blaricom

In the above smaller spiral-bound sketchbook, 9" x 6", I tied a red ribbon to use as a bookmark on the top spiral of the book.  I can untie the ribbon, if I choose, when the sketchbook is filled.  I like the idea of being able to find where I left off sketching last with a built in bookmark.

Pete's Net Shed, sketch, 2012© Nancy Van Blaricom

The the above photo I've glued a small manila envelope to the inside cover of my Sketchbook and use it to place a couple of cut mat boards to use as a view finder, maybe some notes etc.

Holiday House Bazaar

Here it is less than a week away from Holiday House Bazaar and I'm just now letting my followers  know about our local annual Bazaar here on our island.

Original Sea Shell Paintings on Wood Blocks

Original, Affordable, Art

This year I am very excited to show off my newest line of Sea Shell Oil Paintings on small wooden blocks. These Shells are from the beaches around us and look stunning.  The paintings remind us all of our most memorable day on the Beach.   

But the best part of all is that they are extremely affordable.  You'll want to pick up several for the last minute unique gift of Original, Affordable, Art.  

These small Original, Affordable, Art paintings will make wonderful Hostess / Host Gifts for the Holidays and House Warming Gifts.  Also, they are light weight for shipping and easy to pack as a gift in a suitcase for travel.

Along with my beautiful sea shell paintings I will have my lovely oil paintings to share with you and my ever popular note cards with some newest designs as well as my other favorites from my extensive line.

Click photo to enlarge

Please, if you are in the area on Saturday, November 24th stop by the Community Club on the island and say hello.  My booth is always in the Community Hall  (not the fire hall) up on stage right ... its hard to miss me and my art up there.

The Art of a Sketchbook

30 Day Grid, pen & watercolor in sketchbook, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Click photo to enlarge

When I was looking through my many sketchbooks to see what would be a good blog post for this Friday I came upon this 2 page spread of 1 inch squares made into a 30 day grid of small daily sketches.

Each day I would find something ... I didn't care what and do a sketch of it.  A stop sign, a tree, a mug,  a salt shaker.  Anything to make sure I could fill a one inch square with a sketch.

It was a great way to get into the habit of sketching as well as fun to look for something to fill the square.

Give it a try and see if you enjoy this self challenge.

  

Autumn Leaf - Collage

Autumn Leaf Collage, 4"x 4" magazine paper on gallery wrapped canvas, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Autumn Leaf Collage from a different angle - sitting on mini easel, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Autumn Leaf Collage, from above,  sitting on mini easel, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

It had been many years since I had tried my hand at collage but when our local Art Talk Group decided to have a different theme for each meeting I decided this would be fun way to capture Autumn for this months theme.

I had the best time ripping apart old magazines ...

Sing along to the song Autumn Leaves sung by Eva Cassidy:

Autumn Leaves

The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

The Story Teller

The Story Teller, 6" x 6" oil, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

A few years ago, Inquiring Minds  offered our community a lecture given by a native american storyteller for the afternoon.  Her tribe had given her the title of Storyteller and she was excellent in this position.  

I became inspired to paint her when I saw how animated she was in her button blanket cape as she told the stories that had been passed down to her. 

I learn something from most of the paintings I do... sometimes it's not so obvious other times like one its very obvious to me.  While working on this painting I learned I don't need a tube of black paint if painting something very dark because you can mix your own very dark, dark gray by mixing red, and blue to make purple then slowly adding small amounts of yellow to make a black that I was happy with.  Whoda thunk?

The Inquiring Mind Speakers Bureau offers libraries, museums, schools and community organizations an opportunity to bring some of Washington’s finest scholars, authors, musicians and actors to local communities for engaging and entertaining educational programs. Since its inception in 1984, it has impacted tens of thousands of Washingtonians in virtually every corner of the state.

The Art of a Sketchbook

Bird Sketches from Barnes & Nobel sketchbook, Graphite, ©2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

I think I'm back on track now... and I haven't  forgotten about "Sketchbook Friday". Here are a few bird sketches I've done recently. 

These were all done in my Barnes & Noble sketchbook that I told you about back in September.  I've sketched in this particular sketchbook almost daily since I bought it back in July.

Another try at Orchids

White Orchid, 6" x 6" oil on panel, © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

Having not forgotten my attempts at painting an orchid a while back I decided to try it once more.

This time I decided on a 6" x 6" format and cropped my original drawing to eliminate all but a couple of the flowers and focus was on the top one.

Most of the comments I received on the last orchid said I had too much middle value  ....  I think I like this one better because I don't have as much middle value, what do you think?

I'm calling my love affair with the orchid over ... for now.

Mini Pumpkin

Mini Pumpkin, 6" x 8", 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Still very inspired by the work I did yesterday I grabbed another mini pumpkin from my box of fall decorations and got busy trying to keep focused on not being so uptight.

I'm pretty pleased with this one because I tried to put some paint down with my larger brush and NOT do my usual blending.  I still need to focus on shapes ... putting the paint down ... and moving on.

As you can guess, most of my fall decorations are now in the studio and not being used for decorating around the house.  *sigh, maybe I'll hang pumpkin paintings around instead. 

After Carol Marine

After Carol Marine, 6" x 8", 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

 Carol Marine is such a talented and giving artist and her work is inspiring to so many of us artists that today I decided to take the panel of the latest (orchid) wipe-off and see if I couldn't paint one of my mini pumpkins I found in my box of fall decorations.  Setting it under a small clip-on light I just couldn't  get inspired to start and was feeling stuck before I even got started.  Then I did a little internet research and found Carol's mini pumpkin painting and with the aid of her painting and my mini pumpkin I completed this little guy.

I have heard other artists say that to copy other artists work you admire is a good way to learn.  I guess I was skeptical at this, but now that I've given it a try I feel I have learned a lot.

Thanks Carol for your inspiring work.

Notan and the White Orchid

Wow, what I thought would be a simple painting for me has turned out to be an impossible task.  I did a small notan with a gray and a black marker and then one with my oil paints.

My 3 value oil study of White Orchid ( notan ?) 2012, © Nancy Van Blaricom

Graphite line sketch, 2012, © Nancy Van Blaricom

 I started out with a graphite line sketch of my newly purchased white orchid. I felt that turned out pretty good and confident enough to go on to what I thought was a good choice for a next step... a notan study of the white orchid.

Marker Notan, 2012, © Nancy Van Blaricom

I did this small notan with a gray and a black marker and then one with my oil paints (top photo). I just couldn't seperate my values enough to be able to tell what the painting was supposed to be. Looking at the black and white photo below I think I might be able to accomplish the painting if I would just have used it instead of trying to paint it from life .... geesh. Back to the drawing board.

Black & White photo of White Orchid, 2012, © Nancy Van Blaricom

The Art of a Sketchbook

The Art of a Sketchbook...

You probably think with all I had going on these last couple of months that I didn't do any sketching. Not true! In fact I have started a new positive habit where when I first come into my studio I do a sketch.  It need not be anything specific, just sketch what ever I want.

Clothes Pins, on 5.5" x 8.5" sketchbook paper, graphite © Nancy Van Blaricom

Some days it's only a sketch of a clothes pin and then repeated the next day.  Occasionally, depending on my mood, I may only do a gesture drawing, taking less than 2 minutes.  But, since July I have almost religiously sketched each day.

Sketchbook purchased at Barnes & Nobel

It feels amazing to have started a positive habit with my art. I love beginning my day this way.  By sketching each morning it gets me excited to go paint.   Give it a try maybe after your first cup of coffee or after breakfast, go grab your sketchbook and just commit to a 5 - 10 minutes sketch a day.  You'll love it.

I also wanted to share with you the latest sketchbook I purchased at Barnes & Nobel.  I found this in with all their Bargain Priced books.  It cost me $4.98 with a suggested retail price of $12.95 and I love it.  The paper size is about 8.5" x 5.5" and there must be at least 200 pages.  The paper seems a little thicker than most sketchbooks which I like so you can't really see through to the back of the page.   They also had different sizes, but I didn't pay attention to sizes or cost.  

So next time you are in the market for a sketchbook look at your local Barnes & Nobel.

Painting more shells

I've really been enjoying painting more of the small shell studies I started earlier this spring. 

Each shell I find on the beach has the potential to become the subject for a small wood block shell

painting.  I started out just painting the half shells that I would find, but, now I have started painting the whole shell and they are a lot of fun to paint.

The muscle shells are a particular favorite of mine and I'm not sure it its because of the intense blues or the lovely smooth shapes. 

Shell Study #11, 3.5" x 3.5", oil on wood, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Shell Study #16, #11, & #13,   3.5" x 3.5", oil on wood, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

November, the week-end after Thanksgiving is our Annual Holiday House here on the Island and I'm planning on selling these little jewels at the bazaar this year.  I love having one main focus each year for this event. While these are small they are priced so people can afford to purchase an original fine art painting not only for themselves but to give as gifts.  They can be hung on the wall in groups or on an easel for a table top.  I think these will be a big hit.

Its been two months since I last posted on my blog....
What is the saying ... If You Want to Make God Laugh, Tell Him Your Plans?
Remember me telling you that I wanted to paint more plain air? do more sketching etc.  Read about my plans here.

Well, things just didn't work out as I planned ... My best friend who I had know since 3rd grade unexpectedly passed away.  We were in contact almost daily for the last 15 years.   It was a huge shock and I miss her tremendously.  

Then as if that wasn't enough my beloved 15 year old Casey passed away.  Still not enough???

Our daughter and her family who lived 3 hours away has now moved 3 days away.
All these events with-in the last two months. Uncle, I give.  No more plans for me.
One day at a time only.

Our beloved Casey
4-23-1997  -  9-2-2012

The Art of a Sketchbook

The Art of a Sketchbook

Crab Claws Sketch, 5" x 7", Graphite sketch, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Hey, hows your summer goin'? Are you getting out enjoying the weather while you can?  Are you Plein Air painting or sketching or maybe both?

I thought I'd share this sketch of a sun bleached crab claw I found on the beach.  I only found the one claw but turned it over to sketch a different angle, making it look like two claws. I like seeing one object drawn over and under the first sketch.  I stopped a bit early before I accomplished that but it was a fun sketch any way.  My apology for the horrible photo but it was the best of about 8 attempts, *sigh.

Also, I wanted to share a book I purchased recently.  You may own it already, heard of it or maybe have at least seen it around.  Its Danny Gregory's book The Creative License.  It's a fun easy read and gets you excited about doing some drawing/ sketching.  Danny gives us permission to sketch without thinking we need to create perfect art.

The Art of a Sketchbook

The Art of a Sketchbook

Aquabee 9" x 6" Sketchbook, Contour drawing ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

My favorite way to sketch ... is (modified) contour drawing.  Nothing perfect, 

but you know what its suppose to be when you are finished.  Most everyone recognizes this as a Folger's instant coffee jar, right?  (What on earth was I doing with that! ? )

Aquabee 9" x 6" Sketchbook, Contour drawing ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

A gift from the florist of some beautiful white hydrangeas.

 Aquabee 9" x 6" Sketchbook, Contour drawing ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

And what about the above sketch, don't you think this is also a very
recognizable (modified) contour drawing of an umbrella?

Like I said, I love contour drawing.

From Charles Reid's Painting What You Want to See, he writes,

"Contour drawing is a valuable tool for several reasons.  First of all, it helps us later when we paint because it forces us to think in terms of shapes."  and also, "So just relax as you draw and don't try to be exact.  You're not a camera.  You're an artist trying to express what you see.  And self-expression and correctness don't necessarily go hand in hand."

So, what do you think ... wanna give modified contour drawing a try?  Go ahead and see if you like it as much as I do.

Until next time ... Keep on sketching.

The Art of a Sketchbook

The Art of a Sketchbook

Watercolor journal-sketchbook cover, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Although technically I think this is a more a journal than a sketchbook I'm sharing it with you so that you can see another way you can sketch. Watercolor sketching.  I cut down 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper to a size of about 7" x 7 1/2 ",  the half inch was to allow for the binding,  then cut down some matt board the same size for front and back covers, then had Kinko's bind it into my own journal / sketchbook.  

I had three of them made. 2 this size and one 11" x 14".  In the photo above, in this journal I took a copy of a picture of me when I was little and glued it to the front.  Just an easy way for me to identify which book was which.

 Watercolor journal-sketchbook picture 2, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Because the paper is heavy there is no bleed through and I can watercolor 

and write on both the front and back of each page.

 Watercolor journal-sketchbook picture 3, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

I'm not really picky as to what I choose to put in my books.  It can be anything that may be 

going on at the time.  Sometimes months go by before I pick it up to enter something in it.

 Watercolor journal-sketchbook picture 4, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

 I sometimes will take it boating or camping with us.

Watercolor journal-sketchbook picture 5, ©2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

 Its just a nice thing to have if I get in the creative mood without having to bring too many supplies.

Until next time, keep on sketching ...

Summer Hiatus

Summer Hiatus

In the beginning ... 

You can tell in this photo that I'm in the middle of a painting ... well in the middle isn't correct, I've got the block in done.  Darn, now that I have my painting blocked in I see I broke my own rule of 'thumb nails' first.  Hmm, realizing that I'm tempted to just leave it and move on to something else, but, I always feel I need to finish what I start, so I will.

I've been thinking lately that I spend way too much time on the internet.  Checking out other artists work, checking my e-mails, reading blogs etc. Anything but create, and because of that I've decided that I'm going to take a summer hiatus from the internet.

I want to develop my own personal style and checking out all the blogs I notice that so many of the artists work is beginning to look the same to me.  I'm not sure if that is because they have all studied from the same awesome artist or, my familiarity with the work, ... well, I don't' know why.   But, I want to develop my own style and need to get more painting behind me & not be influenced by one artists style for the time being. That, for me, means staying off the internet ...

Since I've been sharing my sketchbooks with youI want to:

1. Do more sketching, and
2. I'm loving my experience with oils and I definately want to do more oils, especially plein air painting. 
3. Focus on my work and not the internet.

So, for the summer I'm going to take an internet hiatus.  Although, I may check in occasionally just to let you know I'm alive...

I have a few more Art of the Sketchbook posts scheduled for Fridays and then they will also take an internet break.

Until then keep on being creative ...

The Art of the Sketchbook

The Art of the Sketchbook

The three sketches below are all dated 2001 from the same 12" x 9" hardbound sketchbook.

People Sketching, hardbound sketchbook, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

I used sepia color watercolor in this sketchbook attempting to sketch a person. I wrote, "3 value silhouette ... Value change gives illusion of depth"   I didn't over try like I can usually manage to do.  It was a woman with long hair, she uses her hand to cover part of her face and I just caught part of her shoulder.

People Sketching, hardbound sketchbook, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

 Gesture using a solid mid value tone.

Eyes Sketching, hardbound sketchbook, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Here I was trying to sketch some eyes.  Kinda spooky looking and the glasses are goofy with the furthest glass rim larger than the front one.  I'm thinking the sketchbook is a great place to practice eyes as well as sketching people .... don't you?

The Art of a Sketchbook

  Sketching tools ...

This week I thought I'd share with you some of the tools I use for sketching in my sketchbooks:

Sketches With Watercolor, 9" x 6", watercolor & pen, © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

The cute little bear was first drawn in pencil then watercolored, then outlined in pen.  This particular sketchbook allows watercolor in it without getting all wrinkled.  Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook

Sketches With Lamy Safari Pen and Noodler's Ink, 9" x 6", © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

This was from the same sketchbook.  Its an indian Raven Mask on a stand and I sketched it using my Lamy Safari Pen and Noodlers Ink.  It makes wonderful thin lines with this fine tip.

 Sketches With Pencil, 9" x 6", © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

The above pencil drawing was a preliminary drawing for a watercolor I was going to paint but never got around to it - yet.  I mostly use a retractable lead pencil, only because I never have to worry about sharpening it, but upon occasion I'll use any pencil I have laying around.

 Sketches in Pilot Pen, 9" x 6", © 2012, Nancy Van Blaricom

On this sketch I did on 9/11 I used my Bic Pilot pen P-500 Extra Fine.  When moistened it leaves a nice smear that can be used for shading.

The Art of a Sketchbook

Landscapes - Seascapes 

I like the looks of landscape and seascape sketches done with my Lamy pen.  Nice fine lines that rely on cross hatching or some sort of shading to indicate a darker value.

Trees in the Sky Line, sketchbook, Lamy Fountain Pen, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

Some trees in a near-by sky line.  I'm seldom happy with my cross hatching.  Probably just need more practice before it stops looking like scribbles.

South Sound & Mt Rainier, sketchbook, Lamy Fountain Pen, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

I think in this one I did do some scribbling to indicate some sand and or shore.  Although you may not be able to tell the near-by water waves, I think it turned out just like it looked that day.

Multnomah Channel #1, sketchbook, Pilot P-500, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

 I like the looks my Pilot pen give with a little moisture to the ink to add shading.

 Multnomah Channel #2, sketchbook, Pilot P-500, © 2012 Nancy Van Blaricom

 I was enjoying what was happening with my pen this day and continued using it for a few pages.

Until next Friday .... keep on sketching.