Showing posts with label the sketchbook challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the sketchbook challenge. Show all posts

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to the Winners from my stop on the blog tour for




The Sketchbook Challenge
Techniques, Prompts, and Inspiration for Achieving Your Creative Goals




Remember - 
you can buy it at any of the following suppliers





Cheryl Gebhart said...




The book really looks wonderful and what generous sponsors! I love your circles. I use a sketchbook, but not to work out artwork; I use it to record my life.
July 2, 2012 6:32 PM 



M-R said...




I almost always use a sketchbook to work out ideas and have been meaning to join The Sketchbook Challenge to improve my drawing skills. I'll definitely be checking out that book. Thanks for the giveaways!
July 2, 2012 10:02 AM 
Super huge thanks go to the prize sponsors


Total retail value: $48!
and
 A $25 gift certificate to ProChemical and Dye
From ProChemical and Dye http://prochemicalanddye.com/home.php




And don't give up if you didn't win this round - there are still many stops on the tour for you to peruse. Get a peek into each artists contributions to the book and leave a comment at each one for more chances to win.




July 5:
Carla Sonheim  www.carlasonheim.wordpress.com/
Carol Sloan  www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/
July 6:
Susan Brubaker Knapp  http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
Diana Trout dianatrout.typepad.com
July 9:
Tracie Lyn Huskamp  www.thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com/
Judi Hurwitt  www.approachable-art.blogspot.com
July 10:
Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/
Kelli Nina Perkins: http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/
Posted by 1 comment:
Labels: ,

Monday, July 2, 2012

Book Review (and giveaway!): The Sketchbook Challenge


I'd like to introduce you to a wonderful new book
The Sketchbook Challenge
Techniques, Prompts, and Inspiration for Achieving Your Creative Goals
If you've been following along here for a while you know I've had the joy of participating in the Sketchbook Challenge blog.  Our fearless leader, the talented, organized, and ever full of initiative Sue Bleiweiss has authored a book that pulls together the various artists (plus some) involved in the project. 

Each of us chose to work a sketchbook with one of the themes and create a work of art inspired by our work in that sketchbook. Sue then pulled a technique or two from each artist to highlight. 

This means that whether you like books for pure visual inspiration or to learn techniques there is something in it for you. Might I also say that there is something very pleasing to me in the books slightly smaller than standard size and rounded corners. No idea why but I simply love to hold it in my hands. I immediately chose the theme of "Circles." I love that shape - no idea why. It shows up in my work over and over.

It was wonderful fun to work with a theme over and over through the pages of a sketchbook. For this one I seemed to be attracted to pen and ink with only a little color thrown in here and there. Even when the lines ore doodled instead of tightly controlled it looks clean and crisp. I keep trying to look loose and free and wonderfully textured like so many of the artists I greatly admire but I always end up back here. It's not a bad thing.

The technique that Sue chose to pull from my finished artwork was screen printing. It's one of the most direct ways that work from my sketchbook shows up in my textile work. Ink doodles are made directly into thermofax screens and discharged or printed onto my hand dyed cloth and made into artwork. 


In this case circle scribbles and dot doodles were made into screens and both discharged, painted, and foiled onto the cloth. An amazingly lovely collection of shibori scraps (wish I could remember the artist's name) became even more circles in this piece. I have to say it was a lovely few days of playing with this design. 

I know you will love this book!
You can buy it at any of the following suppliers

And I have  question for you.
Do you use a sketchbook to work out designs for your artwork?
How?
In celebration of the book's release the following prizes will go to two lucky commenters!
 From Mistyfuse (www.mistyfuse.com)  A 10yd combination package of Mistyfuse that includes 6 yards of White and 2 yards each of Black and Ultraviolet and a Goddess Sheet.
Total retail value: $48!
and
 A $25 gift certificate to ProChemical and Dye
From ProChemical and Dye http://prochemicalanddye.com/home.php

comments close three days from now at the end of the day on July 5th

And if you missed it - go see the other reviews that have been posted and leave comments there and keep an eye out for the upcoming reviews as well. There are prizes at every stop!
June 26:
Jill Berry  http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/
Sue Bleiweiss http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog
June 27:
Violette   http://www.violette.ca/
Kathyanne White http://kathyanneart.blogspot.com/
July 5:
Carla Sonheim  www.carlasonheim.wordpress.com/
Carol Sloan  www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/
July 6:
Susan Brubaker Knapp  http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
Diana Trout dianatrout.typepad.com
July 9:
Tracie Lyn Huskamp  www.thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com/
Judi Hurwitt  www.approachable-art.blogspot.com
July 10:
Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/
Kelli Nina Perkins: http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/
Posted by 158 comments:
Labels: , ,

Monday, June 25, 2012

The Sketchbook Challenge - Book Tour!!!


If you've been with me a while you know that I've been working with

We are a varied group of artists challenging our readers to get out their sketchbooks and draw. Skill level and confidence have nothing to do with it - the joy of putting pencil to paper is something I highly encourage everyone to experience.
Our fearless leader is Sue Bleiweiss and she's taken us one step further and has written a book titled (what else!?)
 The Sketchbook Challenge
Each of the guests involved in this project are going to tell you a little about their part in the book. I think you're going to love it! So stop by each blog on it's given day to read about all the fun stuff you'll find in this book and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win. Yup.  PRIZES!
June 27:
Violette   http://www.violette.ca/
Kathyanne White http://kathyanneart.blogspot.com/
July 5:
Carla Sonheim  www.carlasonheim.wordpress.com/
Carol Sloan  www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/
July 6:
Susan Brubaker Knapp  http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
Diana Trout dianatrout.typepad.com
July 9:
Tracie Lyn Huskamp  www.thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com/
Judi Hurwitt  www.approachable-art.blogspot.com
July 10:
Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/
Kelli Nina Perkins: http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/
Posted by 1 comment:
Labels: , ,

Friday, June 15, 2012

The Sketchbook Challenge: Urban Sketching

The theme over at the Sketchbook Challenge this month is Urban Sketching.
I love nothing more than urban sketching. Cities enthrall me.
Hidden corners invite exploration and the wonderful energy of being in a place where people converge is something I thrive on.
Unfortunately this theme came right as my passel of kids came home from school for the summer. We've been into our lovely little city (Raleigh is definitely worth a visit!) but the most I had time to do was catch a kids hand before he ran out into the street. We passed by lovely old churches and engaging alleyways. But we were on the move with no time for me to sit and sketch.
So instead of urban sketches from me you get a little dose of life in sub-urbia.
A visit to the doctors office.
No excuses - there is always SOMETHING to draw!
At an outdoor concert - gotta be quick before people realize you are sketching them.
It's not a precious book - it's my "paper brain."
I let the little ones borrow it when they ask.

So. Don't let any excuses hold you back. Just do it.
SKETCH!
Posted by No comments:
Labels:

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Opening your sketchbook: overcoming obstacles

It's difficult to find time to open my sketchbook and draw - that's nothing new so I really have no excuse. There are two things that help me overcome obstacles to drawing in my sketchbook.

1 - Have a sketchbook with me at all times. 
 This tiny little 3x4 book fits in my preferred little hanging pocket of a purse.

This is my every day working toolkit - sketchbook and pens/pencils.
The slipcover (tutorial here) leaves pockets inside the cover that allow me to carry my 3x5 index cards as well as postcards of my artwork. I give out postcards rather than business cards - they tend to end up on a wall or refrigerator rather than stuffed away in a wallet. 

When I want to really immerse myself in what I'm seeing I take time to not only sketch, but to paint. Sometimes I'll pull out a larger watercolor sketchbook, but often just carry along a couple of postcard sized pieces of watercolor paper.

2 - Stop thinking it has to be GOOD!
Start thinking of art-making as PLAY rather than WORK.

Over at the Sketchbook Challenge we're having a LOT of fun with the theme of OPEN.
Pop over there for a minute and check it out.

Here are some of the ways I've been playing with OPEN in my sketchbook.
Open the book while waiting for an appointment. Just play around with a pen, or with shape, or with filling in the dark spaces.

Play with leaving space open, with different textures and patterns and lines.

Play with positive and negative space. Play with how much or how little you need to draw in order to define an image. 

JUST PLAY!

What are some of the obstacles that keep you from your sketchbook?
Are they self imposed?
What can you do to overcome them!?
Posted by 2 comments:
Labels:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Sketchbook Challenge: OPEN, April's theme

 It's my turn to work over at The Sketchbook Challenge to choose the theme for the month of April. As I've watched spring blossom all around me I've finally settled on an idea.
OPEN
 How many different ways can you interpret this theme?


open something within

o·pen  

[oh-puhn]
adjective
1. not closed or barred
2. having the interior immediately accessible
3. free of obstructions to sight, movement, or internal arrangement
verb 
4. to move from a shut or closed position so as to admit passage
5. to render unobstructed
6. to render the interior readily accessible
7. to clear of obstructions

be open to receiving.....

"Stuff your eyes with wonder; live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."  ~Ray Bradbury


Open your Eyes, your Heart, your Soul!

There is nothing more joyful than seeing the world through the eyes of an artist. Noticing the beautiful textures in the bark of a tree, the intricate lines in the cracks on the sidewalk. Be open to the beauty that surrounds you! 

Draw, create. Then head over to the Sketchbook Challenge flickr group and post your work - fun prizes are available to participants at the end of the month. Here's information on how TSC works.
Posted by No comments:
Labels:

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Sketchbook Challenge: doodling flowers

This month's Sketchbook Challenge theme is flowers.

I've been pressing up against deadlines for the past two weeks and needed a short break. Maybe some day I'll learn not to procrastinate. It hasn't happened yet.

So instead of taking my laptop to hockey practice I took my sketchbook and some fun paint markers from my stash. I had to sit off the the side as the propellant in these things smells.Probably not the best for my health. But if you've ever spent time with hockey players - let's just say the smell was nothing in comparison.

I had prepared these pages with acrylic washes last year and just picked a nice spring color and went to town. First with a sharpie, then with the markers.
I suppose I'm still enjoying last month's theme of doodling and combining it with this month's theme of flowers. One can never get too much of doodling. It's a lovely time to let the mind relax and wander - clear out the clutter.
Posted by 3 comments:
Labels: , ,

Friday, February 10, 2012

Up Close and Personal


The Sketchbook Challenge theme for this month is Close-Up.

RIGHT UP CLOSE is the way I really like to see things.
I focus in so close on the details that sometimes we'll be traveling and my husband will take the camera away just to take one picture of where we are.

I'll take a tiny thing and blow it up huge in a work of art. When one of nature's tiny gems fills your entire frame of vision it gains a grandeur and beauty that can be shared.
Dream by Lyric Kinard
The ocean is gorgeous - but so are the ripples right under your feet.
Leftovers by Lyric Kinard
UP CLOSE is one of the reasons I love hand work. The slowness, the concentration on detail, feeling the thread and the cloth in your hands.... it's all about the details.
Family Ties III by Lyric Kinard


Now - pick up your sketchbook and look around. I'm sure there is something RIGHT  THERE that is worth drawing.
There is inspiration everywhere if you look CLOSELY! 
Posted by 3 comments:
Labels:

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Sketchbook Challenge: January Theme

I am happier than a little puppy dog with two tails to wag to be involved in The Sketchbook Challenge again this year. It's been a wonderful way to challenge my abilities and to be involved in some small way with your lives and artwork. Sometimes I struggle with a theme - and that's good. You don't learn much if you don't struggle - if you don't try things that are beyond our current abilities our outside of your comfort zone.

But this month?

I absolutely LOVE this month's theme!

I doodle ALL the time. 

I have my sketchbook with me pretty much all the time and I tend to have trouble paying close attention to something if I need to sit still. I end up fidgeting enough to bother other people. I seem to listen better if my hands are busy. 

I'll doodle while I'm waiting for a meeting to start, or during the meeting. During church I pay better attention if I doodle something about what is being said.

I doodle on the airplane or at home or any time I am trying to wait patiently for something or somebody. 

Hey, maybe doodling makes me a better person? Or at least makes me tolerable to be around. I used to simply simmer and fume while I waited for people who were late. Not any more.

 

So I'm wondering - what is the difference between a doodle and a sketch? I think doodles are time killers, aimless wandering with a pen in hand. But sometimes my doodles are very purposeful. Sometimes they are looking out the window at a crazy little group of Cardinals. But that could be called sketching - maybe trying to capture the essence of the thing you are observing?


Sometimes doodling is playing with a new tool. I'm in love with my japanese brush pen - learning to control the flow of ink and make thick luscious lines or tiny delicate ones with the same tool. Or is that a learning process as I master a new technique?


Sometimes something I see will capture my attention and imagination and I quickly sketch it in. Is it a doodle because it is quick? Or perhaps because it has not end purpose? It's not necessarily trying to be something.


Sometimes I doodle what I see out my window as I'm talking on the phone. It's a sketch of a landscape through a window but it's also killing time so it might be called a doodle. I don't think it really matters.

What do you think the difference between a doodle and a sketch is?
Does it matter?
Posted by 3 comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)