Still Life Using Stippling, Hatching, and Scribble

November 30, 2014 § Leave a comment

This is the same still life of pumpkins using a variety of textural techniques such as stippling, hatching, and scribble instead of just stippling. One gets a very different effect here; perhaps a more energized drawing.IMG_4699

Fall Still Life

November 23, 2014 § Leave a comment

Here is a contour and finished gradation in stippling of a Fall still life. The contour provides me with the framework for the gradation. I even included the small letter s’s to indicate where the shadows lay. These notations whether on the page or in a notebook help you as the artist remember key elements. The contour exists on it’s own in places as it leads you in and out of the composition.
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Lauren in the Looking Glass

November 16, 2014 § Leave a comment

A drawing of Lauren when she was young peering into a mirror on a music cabinet. Notice how the value spectrum really opens up to include whites to very darks leading you as the viewer into the looking glass.IMG_4704

Anna and Clare at Play

November 5, 2014 § Leave a comment

At last, the final drawing of a three part series of Anna and Clare in a tunnel at the playground. The first shows them contemplating things, the second; beginning to move, and now, they are in full motion. Whee!! Again, I’m showing the contour or line drawing with the finished gradation. Serial imagery allows you to take full advantage of a train of thought.IMG_4691

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Second in a Series of Anna and Clare at Play

October 28, 2014 § Leave a comment

This is the second of a three drawing series depicting Anna and Clare at play. The first drawing showed the two little ones thinking about their next moves and now they’re beginning to interact. The tunnel at the playground allows their imagination to run wild! The contour or line drawing does most of the work for you by laying out the framework of composition, form revealed through a light source, and your personality. Serial imagery allows your storyline to go further than what you see in just one work.IMG_4683

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From my Point of View

October 15, 2014 § Leave a comment

IMG_4706This is an older work of me completing a self portrait. You, as the viewer, see things from my point of view. My body becomes dramatically foreshortened and enlarged while my hands and image in the mirror are smaller and lighter in value. This difference allows you to see a steep drop from my eyes to the drawing surface.

Textural Ink Drawings

January 15, 2014 § Leave a comment

Textural Ink

I’m posting a pair of ink drawings using stippling, hatching, and a scribble based on my handwriting.  These techniques really help my students tackle the complexities of gradations.  Perhaps stippling is the one that allows the most insight.  Using dots or stipple marks to convey lightness or darkness by how close together or how far apart the marks are, lets us see in great clarity the complexities of value or the blacks, grays, and whites.  It can become addictive, however; so beware.  I had a student who came to my class to break free and become more spontaneous in his outlook.  The he discovered stippling and then the next thing I knew, he had two pens going simultaneously!!  He was an accountant.  Don’t know if this had anything to do with it.

Persephone in Spring

January 6, 2014 § Leave a comment

Winter 2012 010

Here is a colored pencil of a sculpture of Persephone, the goddess of seasons.  This drawing is part of a larger series based on the subject of sculpture in architecture. I personally would like to see the season of spring return as winter is becoming brutal.  Times like these when one can be thankful for warmth, shelter, and the company of friends and family.  Much to be thankful for in the New Year.  Happy 2014 everyone!

Hazel in the Mirror

December 16, 2013 § Leave a comment

Hazel in the Mirror

Here is the last in a series of three drawings of my dear friend Hazel.  It is based on the subject of reflection and in this portrayal we see the clarity in her mirrored image.  At this point in her life, she was in the nursing home and her surroundings had been diminished to a few pieces of furniture in a small room.  The once gracious hostess and teacher never lost her dignity and was always inviting and warm.  I hope to be able to possess such strength and wisdom.

Reflection of Hazel

December 6, 2013 § Leave a comment

Closeup of Hazel

This is another drawing of my piano teacher Hazel.  It was a three drawing series of her that was part of an exhibition based on the theme of reflection.  Here, she really fills the picture plane.  I see the folds of her clothing bearing a similarity to the folds of her face.  It reminds me of what a dear friend she was.  Even though for most of our relationship I was a girl, age didn’t matter with us. I could turn to her for anything.  She understood me and I her. 

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