Friday, January 14, 2011

Dirty Artist Secrets---or---Scribbles That Turn Into Art

Here is the lowdown; I will do a thumbnail sketch on anything. For a short period of time, when I had *safely put away* (read that, totally LOST!) the previously featured sketchbook, I just used the small lined notebook I was carrying with me. No pen for the most part (altho the first pages are the exception), just a pencil and cheap paper. I love those small notebooks with the gaudy-bright colors that I pick up at the dollar stores or Big Lots. Hey, the $$$ go further!

(c) AMHL 2010

I think this is college ruled paper, so that gives you an idea of the sizes......small, small, small........

(c) AMHL 2008

 Notes to self with a scribble. No idea where I was going! Script in Strata?? Clueless now! Was thinking about something......

(c) AMHL 2008

These are ROUGH, to the point of barely being recognizable. Yet, on the majority of the sketches/scribbles, they developed into finished pieces. Someday I should shoot the sketch, complete with size (tiny!) and then the remaining pieces of art I have. Images may repeat; the pages all looked alike as I was putting them into composite photos last evening after a LONG day....LOL!

(c) AMHL 2008

(c) AMHL 2008
Basically, these were the closest thing to sketchbooks I kept for a long time, interspersed with *to-do* notes, phone numbers, things I can't make head nor tail of....in fact I had several scribbles that I am assuming was a sketch at one time but it sure is not now.
Some morphed into pieces where the core idea remained but the finished product was incredibly different from the beginning scribble. (the two directly above, Frida and Jack Kerouac, took on lives of their own)
And now back to the sketching at hand:


I like this as a photo, just because. One of the things I am constantly reminded of is how sketching with colored pencils requires a different eye for reproducing colors. It is the matter of separating in the mind the color you are looking at and then rebuilding it with shades that just seem unlikely. It is fun.
A close up:




Another thing I discovered quickly is my eyesight is really going down the tubes and most of the work was done with glasses OFF as I could see better. (scary!) Which naturally produced an unhealthy amount of eyestrain which transformed into headache.
I continued working this tag last evening, and while I will add a bit more color, it is for the most part done. I worked in a little fine black mica gel for dirt on the background and will use artistic license to leave the inverted torch lighter than photographed.



The mica shows a little better in the close up.


I ended up with a fair amount of texture from the gesso, and while the background wash was darker than what I wanted, serendipity again walked in and put wash lines in the right places! Sometimes, things just WORK. It roughened the fine pencil lines more than I would have liked but you play the hand you're dealt.
Art is an adventure!
I am off for a non-artistic day of shopping, etc and will be thinking about the next tag and maybe photographing one of my collage sketchbooks.
Okay.
I guess I really *do* keep sketchbooks.
They just are not like what everyone else does. That's okay.
I tend to waddle along to my own little drumbeat.
It's a good road I walk on!  ;-)


Pax....

32 comments:

Robinsunne said...

Oh! I like these sketches a lot. It is inspiring to see how accessable they look on the lined paper. So..like, I could draw more too.
Thanks for the peek and the boost.
R

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I think people get carried away with having to have the perfect book (as I have piles of--EMPTY!) and then can't put pen, pencil, color to paper.
Yes, just grab whatever! Heck, you could store them on your computer! (Anne, remember that! hahaha!)
Some of these really DID turn into nice art..... :-)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

OOOoooo I love seeing all of these sketches! Like a little peek into your mind. Your tag is WONDERFUL! So much work put into a small space. I must get new reading (selective vision glasses) too...I want the Sarah Palin glasses. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. I'm off to save a dummy! **kisses** Deb

GlorV1 said...

Hi Anne, hope all is okay. I like the way you think of composition before any painting is done. Me, I never do that. My brains don't work like that, I just put it on paper and where it lands,eh what the heck. Tee Hee. Great work. Have a wonderful weekend.

Jan said...

Another fun peek into Anne Land! I would guess that every single sketch book one looked into would be unique to the person sketching into it. I love the tiny-ness of yours. Easy to carry, no worrys about messing it up, it's just a little cheap notebook, right? Good idea.

Georgina said...

Hey Girl, they're looking pretty good. I to carry those little $$store notebooks in my purse, but I use only for notes...rarely for sketches. I know my art profs are probably throwing little needles in my effigy, but that's just how I roll. God knows I tried, but to no avail.

Keep it up...you've got some talent going on there!1

Loves ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Deb--LOL!!!

That lucky dummy, having a beautiful woman mashing him!!! HA! Is Brawny Man jealous? ;-D
I really *hope* I can get contacts; I hate wearing glasses again, and I hate most all the frames out there now. (I don't have the shape face for them and I really want something that is different) I like the old '40's styles, or '50's Ray Ban type. Other than that, nope. Not buying them. Maybe I could luck out and find a good vintage frame...
Hmmmmmm......

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Gloria,

Well, SOMETIMES I think of composition and SOMETIMES I just get in the zone and let the paint fly!
I think the benefit of little scribbles like these are you sort of get the balance idea in the head, without having to deal with it when you work.
I see balance and composition in your work. We all just approach it differently! :-)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

illustration poetry said...

Hello Queen Anne it's me so sorry i come so late i just got back from my holiday i hope you've been well yes-yes art is an adventure into an unknown world and i often get lost :D

Anonymous said...

I am just amazed Anne at how much you do. Wow, prolific is not the word - or it it too much coffee! Just kidding. Really wonderful way to keep the creative muse flowing. xox Corrine

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan,

Yes, everyone I know has totally different ideas on what a sketch book can be. I think it is our brain processing whatever at that moment. I do some really mindless stuff in those cheapie notebooks (about 5" x 7" size are my favorites)and never feel pressured about *wasting* good paper.
It's all mental block most of the time! LOL!
I even like doing the tiny sketches......I don't waste a lot of time on them and if they turn into something else, so be it.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina,

I damn near flunked art for keeping a lousy sketchbook---it definitely is a *when Anne is in the humor* thing! The good thing about these posts is it forced me to look at the fact that I sketch different ways for different things~~all of which is okay.
I just did not really realize I was *doing* it.
DUH.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Elena said...

Oh I love seeing all these little peeks. Encourages me to actually start doodling in a book instead of the post its, receipts, napkins that end up being eaten by the dogs.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hello Lil Devil!!

There you are! Hope you had a wonderful holiday~~I think I could use one somewhere warm and beautiful...with drinks! ;D
Art is a world unto itself, and a most decidedly WONDERFUL place to get lost.
Frequently.
Not nearly often enough.
I have to use my Winter time well as Summer brings all the yardwork. Pffft!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Corrine!

I am prolific BY SPELLS.
Then I go into funks where I am sure I will never draw again, never paint, never have another good idea....WAH! WAH! WAH!
And then it passes.
But sometimes those dry spells last a long time.
I wish I was better at time management and didn't have so much trouble with my hands.....then I could do MORE! :D
And I need a maid, too...heeheehee!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!! Well, Elena, make sure it is a napkin with no food-smell so the dogs don't want it!
I have done that too---just get a plastic box or cheap folder and throw the stuff in. Doesn't have to be fancy, just functional!
Or get a bigger lined notebook and a glue stick and glue it in when you're done.
That works!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Anne,
Loving all your sketches {old and new}
I think its amazing when I look back on my art. I thought I was good then, now when I look back, I think to myself 'what was I thinking' Blahhhh!
Have a warm, cozy weekend,
Hugs,
Anna

yoborobo said...

Hi Anne! I love seeing your sketches. I draw on little slips of paper that I lose. :) I've been busy with life and cannot wait to have some time to myself. SOON! lol! xox Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Anna,

I know what you mean. I have few pieces of my early art (that's a blogpost for another day!) but even in a few years, I see changes. I used to have to have everything *perfect* and it was good, no doubt.
Now I am happier with seeing what happens during the process--letting the piece speak.
And I actually LISTEN! :-D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Pam!!!

I know you've been more than busy, but when you get art time, think how good it's going to be!
And I bet the art will just EXPLODE out of you too!
Hope it's soon.... ;-)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Janine said...

Hi Anne
I found your blog by lucky chance and recogniced that I knew your avatar allready. I guess we have some blogger- friends in common.
Your tags are fascinating. You do a great job with them.
I really had a ball scrolling to your blog
Have a great weekend
Janine

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Janine!

Yes, I recognize you too!
Thanks...I keep plugging away with the work. Art is pretty much my total passion, other than knitting, and of course cooking and eating!
I'm glad you found me~~I'll come by!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Robbie said...

You do have the best "waddle" around for sure! I enjoy seeing your past work!! It's amazing!!!

studio lolo said...

I (almost always) go to the beat of my own drum too. The only exception lately is that darn Sketchbook Project! Otherwise, my sketchbooks are like yours, meaning I never even knew I had them until I go back and look at old drawings on pads of paper.

I'm not a trend follower. I can be inspired by the ones who follow, but I can't say I'll "show up" when needed. I just like doing my own thing for the most part.

I'm loving the tag...cool mica! And girl you KNOW I'm loving Frida ;)

xoxo
lolo♥

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Oh I do love the way you are thinking girl...and I will wear a grass skirt if you will!!!! Have a great weekend...how did you get a connection with two artists in Egypt??? Stay warm and be safe. Have a great weekend! Love , Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Robbie!

You have not *seen* the waddle in person...LOL!!! I just do what I do....don't care whether it's trendy. If there is something new that is useful art wise, I'll try it.
Now I have to waddle along...heeheehee!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Lolo,

I know, I hear you. I think, like you, that the thing I have learned with the Sketchbook Challenge is that I *do* keep them but in a nontraditional way. Which is FINE!
You'd love that mica gel--I can see it with your Ravens....it is so incredibly useful. Once you get it and try it, it sort of insinuates itself into more and more work!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Mary-Helen!

I'll start gathering the necessities for the sewing of grass skirts! LOL!!! Are we wearing coconut shell bras too??? :-D
Egypt? Hmmmm.....maybe I need to take time and check my blog more often.....(obviously; it's sort of ended up at the bottom of the pile on the to-do list of late!)
Have a good weekend!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

Bonjour! Je pratique mon français aujourd'hui. Ces dessins sont minuscules! Ne pas vous venez de les aimer? Ce soir, c'est le grand soir pour moi. Mon projet est mis en œuvre ce soir, donc si vous voulez, restez avec moi à partir de minuit jusqu'à sept heures du matin!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Ces!

I am slow getting here; had company and had to get a few things in order. So you're practicing your French eh? Are you moving or just trying on a new persona?? ;-D
I like the tiny sketches....they are more what I do when I am zoning out in the evening when I am not knitting.
And I will be watching hockey, well, BEFORE your project is implemented and getting up for church about the time it is done! I need my beauty sleep....LOL!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Bella Sinclair said...

What great sketches! I particularly love your collection of birds, fruit, and flowers in the first pic. Looks like finished art already!

And your tag! It's fantastic! The background came out looking like stone or marble. And the not-so-crisp-lines of the torch make it look even more like an artifactual find. Awesome!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Bella,

I finished up the tag---it still is a lot different than the photo reference, but I like it. I need to get it posted since I have run the electricians out of the studio....LOL!
I am finding it hard to do the smaller sketches/drawings due to eye issues.....I'm old, dang it! HAHA!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

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