Locomotives (I)

I was testing the Moleskine sketchbook paper with different media. I was reviewing the sketches and basically I used ink and watercolor so I have started the series with graphite. The paper is smooth enough and it gets the graphite particles very nicely. I used Faber-Castell pencils (from 2H to 6B). I had to use a kneaded eraser only because I got in troubles with a vinyl eraser in my latest sketches: it erases the graphite and the yellowish paper color. There are several techniques that involve erasing in graphite drawing, therefore it is an important drawback.

Back to basics

Holy cow! I am absolutely rusty! We bought a set of 2 mm color leads and I was checking it out. I was warming up with some simple blocks. Did you see those spheres? They look ugly and completely dented… I was able to do it much better two years ago!

On the other hand, I am starting to consider different papers. Does anybody use Moleskine sketchbooks? I like the book design with its ribbon and such, it is very easy to find in each store around the world but I guess there are better papers in the same price range. It is quite expensive! I will be testing new alternatives. I will keep you all informed.

How not to draw trees (II)

Second experiment. The drawings I did yesterday really are not my style… if I have a style. I mean, the drawings are only watercolor, usually I use watercolors to give color to my pen and ink sketches. I did not use ink yesterday. I focused on color.

Today I want to isolate the shape so I do not use color. I use my graphite pencils (mainly HB and 2B) but I have tried to apply same rules, obviously, adapting them to graphite techniques. And here are the results.

The first tree is based on a video by the British writer and illustrator Shoo Rayner. The rest are variations on the same idea.

Deepening

The same idea than a previous post but a different design. I have used two hatching patterns with each pencil for getting the values. Darker tones identify the deeper zones. No shadows.

Don’t paint on the wall

A summary of the guidelines for the Year 9, Week 30 in the Sunday Songwriters’ Group:

It’s safe to say that at some point in our lives we’ve all been inspired by something we heard someone say. True, sometimes we may have been inspired by hearing something we didn’t like and proved it otherwise.

I don’t like graffitis. Some people claim they are a new kind of art. Certainly it could be and some graffitis seem artworks but it is not the usual. This is my first graffiti. And it is a virtual graffiti. Peace on Earth.

Faster and simpler

A couple of days ago, WordPress announced they were introducing changes to the dashboard. It looks a little different, but no drastic changes. It is faster. And also simpler. Just write… or draw!

Lighter than air

A summary of the guidelines for the Year 9, Week 28 in the Sunday Songwriters’ Group:

In addition to “earth” and “water” it’s kind of hard to imagine living without “air.” So this week you want to focus on this especially important element of our lives.

And I thought of those old balloons and those initial flights. Current balloons are more sophisticated but they follow the same principles.

Still life

After a couple of colorful days, I get back to the graphite with this study of shading. An apple, a banana and a bottle. The symmetrical objects are not easy to draw.