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October 2020 Art Challenge
STICKS AND INK
Guidance from Phyllis Vandehaar
Hello everybody!!! If you were present for the HFAG monthly meeting on Sept. 9, you saw (heard) me give a brief description of a “homework” assignment I wanted to provide for all Guild members. This is simply for fun and to provide you with some kind of art experience during the pandemic. So, I hope you will accept it in the spirit in which it is given and want to participate. Here is the assignment:
Sticks and Color: When we think of drawing, we probably think of something done with a pencil or pen. I want to challenge you to use another device . . . sticks. Look in your yard (or someone’s else yard!) for some very tiny, yet sturdy sticks (about pencil size or smaller). Select several that have different kinds of ends. Use some good quality white drawing paper (not Strathmore), i.e. a vellum paper (smooth or textured) OR, Arches 140 lb. watercolor paper, larger than 9 x 12 if you can. Find something at home that would serve as a waterproof medium: i.e. Black India Ink, or Black Tempera, Black Wax Crayon, etc. Use Masking Tape to tape your paper to some kind of backing. For subject matter select something which is “organic” (anything that is living or once living), rather than mechanical or man-made. Process is as follows:
FIRST PART:
1. Start by thinking about COMPOSITION (general organization of subject). Using a pencil, lightly block in where you want your subject matter to be. Only just draw general shapes (no details!!) This is called a ‘”gesture drawing” . . . its’ purpose is to guide you when you begin drawing with your stick(s). You are not simply drawing in pencil and then drawing over it with the ink/sticks, rather, drawing freely in and around the blocked-in pencil areas. You say, “I can’t draw!” Well, you don’t have to know how to draw well . . .the sticks do the fun strokes for you. Give them a chance!
2. Using your sticks begin dipping into your waterproof medium and render your subject matter, using different strokes, different widths of your lines, etc. Draw freely, not tightly. Fill your entire paper. Your drawing will look somewhat abstract because you are using a stick and it may make marks that you didn’t expect . . .that’s good! Let those things happen! Allow to thoroughly dry.
SECOND PART:
3. When dry, select some kind of fluid color medium, i.e. watercolor, acrylic, colored ink, etc.
4. Using some kind of a brush, begin selecting certain areas where you would like to add color “washes” (watered down color). Make sure your brush is wet before you dip into the color. No, this is not a “coloring book” exercise. You are not simply filling in areas with solid color, rather, you are broadly and freely creating splashes of color to enhance your drawing. So, allow the colored ink washes to “float” in and out of the black ink lines of your drawing. Think of it as a “dance.” HINT: Try wetting an area with clear water and dropping color into that damp area. Try to create something that is graceful and flowing. You might benefit from practicing brushing in “washes" onto another piece of paper until you feel you have it.
5. There are examples above which I did in order for you to have a better idea of what it is I am asking you to do. Don’t worry if yours’ does not look like mine . . . remember, THERE ARE LOTS OF RIGHT WAYS TO DO THINGS! THAT IS WHAT MAKES ART UNIQUE!
THIRD PART:
6. Take a photo of your work with your cell phone or a digital camera. *If you don’t have the equipment to take the picture yourself, ask a friend to take the photo for you. I would like to have our own art show at the next ZOOM meeting on October14.
7. During the meeting, you can either choose to share the photo of your painting yourself using Zoom Share Screen, or you can email the image to Patty Nash at [email protected] and she will share it for you. If you don't know how to use ZOOM or cannot participate that evening, Patty will prepare your “entry” for our Oct. 14 show.
There will be a lot of different interpretations of the “sticks and ink” technique . . . that is what makes this fun. All of you have distinctive styles, and all of them are correct. I sincerely hope all of you will want to participate. If you haven’t done much art during this pandemic, now is the time to begin!!!! Forget about any judgment; try something new; be your unique self!!!!
Yours, in the faith that you will participate. 😊
Phyllis
If you do not understand this assignment, or have questions, feel free to call me at 303-794-5859 or email me at [email protected].
STICKS AND INK
Guidance from Phyllis Vandehaar
Hello everybody!!! If you were present for the HFAG monthly meeting on Sept. 9, you saw (heard) me give a brief description of a “homework” assignment I wanted to provide for all Guild members. This is simply for fun and to provide you with some kind of art experience during the pandemic. So, I hope you will accept it in the spirit in which it is given and want to participate. Here is the assignment:
Sticks and Color: When we think of drawing, we probably think of something done with a pencil or pen. I want to challenge you to use another device . . . sticks. Look in your yard (or someone’s else yard!) for some very tiny, yet sturdy sticks (about pencil size or smaller). Select several that have different kinds of ends. Use some good quality white drawing paper (not Strathmore), i.e. a vellum paper (smooth or textured) OR, Arches 140 lb. watercolor paper, larger than 9 x 12 if you can. Find something at home that would serve as a waterproof medium: i.e. Black India Ink, or Black Tempera, Black Wax Crayon, etc. Use Masking Tape to tape your paper to some kind of backing. For subject matter select something which is “organic” (anything that is living or once living), rather than mechanical or man-made. Process is as follows:
FIRST PART:
1. Start by thinking about COMPOSITION (general organization of subject). Using a pencil, lightly block in where you want your subject matter to be. Only just draw general shapes (no details!!) This is called a ‘”gesture drawing” . . . its’ purpose is to guide you when you begin drawing with your stick(s). You are not simply drawing in pencil and then drawing over it with the ink/sticks, rather, drawing freely in and around the blocked-in pencil areas. You say, “I can’t draw!” Well, you don’t have to know how to draw well . . .the sticks do the fun strokes for you. Give them a chance!
2. Using your sticks begin dipping into your waterproof medium and render your subject matter, using different strokes, different widths of your lines, etc. Draw freely, not tightly. Fill your entire paper. Your drawing will look somewhat abstract because you are using a stick and it may make marks that you didn’t expect . . .that’s good! Let those things happen! Allow to thoroughly dry.
SECOND PART:
3. When dry, select some kind of fluid color medium, i.e. watercolor, acrylic, colored ink, etc.
4. Using some kind of a brush, begin selecting certain areas where you would like to add color “washes” (watered down color). Make sure your brush is wet before you dip into the color. No, this is not a “coloring book” exercise. You are not simply filling in areas with solid color, rather, you are broadly and freely creating splashes of color to enhance your drawing. So, allow the colored ink washes to “float” in and out of the black ink lines of your drawing. Think of it as a “dance.” HINT: Try wetting an area with clear water and dropping color into that damp area. Try to create something that is graceful and flowing. You might benefit from practicing brushing in “washes" onto another piece of paper until you feel you have it.
5. There are examples above which I did in order for you to have a better idea of what it is I am asking you to do. Don’t worry if yours’ does not look like mine . . . remember, THERE ARE LOTS OF RIGHT WAYS TO DO THINGS! THAT IS WHAT MAKES ART UNIQUE!
THIRD PART:
6. Take a photo of your work with your cell phone or a digital camera. *If you don’t have the equipment to take the picture yourself, ask a friend to take the photo for you. I would like to have our own art show at the next ZOOM meeting on October14.
7. During the meeting, you can either choose to share the photo of your painting yourself using Zoom Share Screen, or you can email the image to Patty Nash at [email protected] and she will share it for you. If you don't know how to use ZOOM or cannot participate that evening, Patty will prepare your “entry” for our Oct. 14 show.
There will be a lot of different interpretations of the “sticks and ink” technique . . . that is what makes this fun. All of you have distinctive styles, and all of them are correct. I sincerely hope all of you will want to participate. If you haven’t done much art during this pandemic, now is the time to begin!!!! Forget about any judgment; try something new; be your unique self!!!!
Yours, in the faith that you will participate. 😊
Phyllis
If you do not understand this assignment, or have questions, feel free to call me at 303-794-5859 or email me at [email protected].