Draw the Line

I finally finished the character sketches for my version of the Mad Hatter.  Pretty happy with the results.
My art class is over and I feel like I learned so much.  There is so much to the drawing process that I
sort of forgot.  That a line can mean so much, and you have to be so careful with each one.  Your hand alone has the power to break or cross each one.  Think about what impact it makes or doesn't.

Here is a sneak peak.  The more I worked on my character sketches the more I realized how much I love and missed the process of making a really fine drawing.  I hadn't really taken the time to do that since Foundation Drawing at UC.  Which was just a few years ago (ha ha) but anyhow.  I highly advise it.  It is important, even if the world doesn't know it, you do:)

Just A Sketch

    Today for drawing class I brought in some character sketches on a large sheet of drawing paper. I am working on these for an intensive for the Wild, Wild Midwest SCBWI Conference. I was a bit upset when my teacher (awesome artist James Werline) told me that the composition of the sketches on the page could be better.  He then proceeded to take tracing paper and lightly sketched a better way to present the sketches as a whole.  (Sorry I can't show you the sketch, but I don't want to show my work here before Conference.)  
                            
                            As we talked I realized how right he is. I was being lazy.
                         I guess the thought of redrawing everything again filled me with a little dread.
The problem was that I didn't PLAN.  Mr. Werline emphasized planning my drawing, even if it is "just a sketch".

Point two, he said my sketches were messy.  All that moving around the page with 

no planning blurred my pencil lines.  But it's they are JUST SKETCHES!  Just sketches 

I will be showing to an ART DIRECTOR!  Neatness counts.   
    



I do fear I may loose something in transferring my original sketches.  

Here is a little 
example of that (and messy sketching)....
Yes, the first one was messy, but I think more sucessful.  When I redrew and inked I changed the eyes for some reason.  The plan was to do it as a little comic.  NOT totally thought out yet.
    
  

   Plan your composition and be neat when presenting your work!  
Thank you Mr. Werline for waking me up. Now I better get some sleepppp.    

Drawing in Reality

   Thought I should give a little explanation to the huge difference in styles I am 
working on currently.  
    I was advised I should take art classes to refresh my 
drawing skills.  This at first was a bit discouraging, but in doing so I have regained
a huge respect for the masters.  Going back to the basics of drawing is like learning
it all over again.  
    When I was designing textiles it was all about line, composition, and color.  
The more simple the better; it's easier to print on fabric.  Now 
switching gears to children's book illustration is a whole new ball game.  So 
starting over is right, and it feels like a huge challenge.  
     Drawing cute characters comes easy to me, but figure drawing and portraits
feel like a giant hurdle.  Learning realistic will give me a definite edge as I work 
on children's book illustrations.  I can already tell the difference.  Thinking more 
about drawing and actually planning my work has been a great benefit.
     So get out there and DRAW!  Take classes!  If you live in the boonies like me
check out community colleges and art guilds for lessons.  Buy a small sketchbook 
and carry it in your car.  Take it out when you have any moment, 
waiting at doc's office, during kid's sports practices, etc.  I used to draw in 
bars in NYC... creative stuff!  Now...Ready, set, DRAW! 

Positively Negative!

    Today I am posting twice to make up for my delinquent behavior.  My art teacher James Werline, showed me what a difference it makes if you pay attention to negative space.  Here I got so focused on the cute face I forgot about the space surrounding it.

    My teacher pointed out that if he picked up the drawing, the lines could almost float away.

The photo had a very black background and the child has very black

hair.  So I thought, yes, she needs to be grounded.  I went back with charcoal and added
the darkness the negative space needed, enhancing the face as the main focus.  Great direction is
so important to progress.  See ya next week!

    Ok, I have been an inconsistent blogger and I apologize.  I have realized that with taking art 
class on Wednesday I just don't have time to do #twoodle too.  I may go back to it later.  
Please check in with me on Fridays.  This will give me more time to post art I am working on in 
my class.  Simple art tips will be included as a bonus!
    Did I forget to mention right now I am also preparing to go to the Wild, Wild Midwest SCBWI
Conference in Ft. Wayne, Indiana?  This event is May 3-5th.  It sounds like it will be amazing, 
with the greatness of Lin Oliver, Jane Yolen, and  Peter Brown, among many editors and 
art directors!
    I was lucky enough to register for "Get Into Character: How to bring unique characters to life
through illustration." with Laurent Linn, Art Director for Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
    If you are interested in attending this four state conference here is the link to register:
http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1171575    Since I had no twoodles for two weeks here is a little exercise doodle I did for fun.  I wanted to
show a range of characters, critters, peeps, etc.  The challenge was to draw as I go, thinking the final would be able to fit on a notebook or folder.  You can see my process here... not quite finished.
Oh, and the twoodle "Hair Possibility" posted earlier was inspired by this when I first started it.