30 Faces in 30 Days: 16-20

 Vail, AZ

28 Jan, 2022

Day 16

Another pen and ink sketch using a lot of cross-hatching.  Not my favorite technique, mostly because I don't have a lot of patience to build up the tones bit by bit.  Several things have helped: 1) I have trouble keeping my strokes light and even when I change direction - so, instead, I often move my paper around (sometimes drawing upside down!) so that my pen strokes can stay the same, 2) using the finest nib pen I have (a micron 005 or .20mm) helps to keep the lines light, 3) remembering to hold the pen towards the back so that my grip is looser and the pen at a more acute angle to the paper.

I liked drawing this guy - I enjoy exploring wrinkles.

9x12 pen and ink

Day 17

A James Bond look-a-like!  Overall, working on toned paper is usually fun - but this turned out a little too dark for me.  I may go back and add in the white of his shirt and maybe some white behind the figure to brighten up this sketch.  I think the beard was pretty successful and I had fun with the glasses.

9x12 Graphite and White Charcoal on toned paper

Day 18

Yet another cute young woman!  I really prefer older muses.  I still am struggling to get a full range of values in my sketches.  I liked that I got a sense of the volume of her hair while keeping it soft.

9x12 Graphite

Day 19

This felt more like an illustration than a normal portrait; I really had fun with the wisps of hair around her face and in trying to capture the fullness and curliness of her upswept hair without getting too wrapped up in details.  The ink splatter for texture was fun to do - but, I haven't done this technique in a long time and forgot how delicately one needs to proceed.  I got way too much ink on the toothbrush and so the resulting splatters were very much fatter than I had intended.  Also, they took forever to dry!  I had to wait several hours after the splattering before I could finish the sketch without smudging.

9x12 Ink (and Ink Splatter for texture)

Day 20

9x12 Graphite

DIY Gallery Picture Hanging System

 Vail, AZ

24 Jan, 2022

I find it motivating to have recent sketches and painting out where I can see them.

Most of my work is in sketchbooks - out of sight, out of mind.  But, when I started the 30 Faces in 30 Days Class with Sktchy.com I started propping the 9x12 sketches up on my big easel.  I really liked seeing them every day when I came into the studio and had the idea of using one wall of the studio to hang recent work. 

A DIY Picture Hanging System!

I knew I wanted the system to be flexible as I would be swapping work in and out and working in different mediums and sizes.  I knew that it wouldn't need to support a lot of weight - I work almost exclusively on paper and even if I temporarily put the work in show-packs (mat, foam backing and a plasticene bag), each work would be very light.

After some internet research I had an idea for design; after some time on Amazon, I had most of the materials.  I was going to install a picture rail, from which would hang wire with adjustable clips for the art.

I went to Lowe's and bought some chair rail molding (AKA picture rail molding) that has a curve at the top that will hold a hook.   While I was priming and painting the rail, other supplies arrived via Amazon.  Unfortunately, almost nothing is ever open stock, so I have WAY more supplies than I need!

For instance, the picture wire (1.5mm vinyl covered stranded stainless steel) only came in a roll of 98 feet - I only needed about 22 feet.

I also got a box of Molding Hooks (20; I needed 7), a bag of 18 adjustable art gallery wire rope hanger hooks (I used 11), and, because I wasn't hanging framed art that could be hung on a hook, I needed some transition thingee to switch between a hook and some type of clip.  I found some shower curtain clips that would hang on the gallery hooks and had little clips that would fit nicely and hold the weight of my sketches.

Shower curtain clips, art gallery wire rope hooks, molding hooks, and the picture wire

The wire had to be looped through tiny aluminum holders and then crimped.  They say that you can crimp these little holders with a pair of pliers - but, I remember from my days of putting together solar panel systems for my Travel Trailer that getting a good crimp requires more hand strength than I have.  So, either use a hammer, or a big pair of vice grips to get some extra leverage.

This is when I ran into my first major problem (there are always a couple in every DIY project!).  None of the tools that I had and used successfully to cut all sorts of much thicker wire even dented this stuff!  Despite the instructions, that indicated that any wire cutter would work just fine.

I tried pliers, 2 different wire cutters, tin snips, and heavy duty lineman wire cutters

Finally, and out another $20, I found these extra-heavy duty wire cutters that worked great!

The wire with art gallery hook and curtain clip - ready to hang!!

The finished project!!

I'll probably add 1 more wire to this rail.  If I really like this system, I may use the extra material and build one for finished framed work to hang in my living room.  For now, I'm loving this and finding it a joy to spend time in my studio!

Plenty of room for more inspirational sketches!!

And what did this all cost??

$12.00 Chengu Vinyl Coated Picture Frame Hanging Wire, Stainless Steel Wire Spool with 20 Pieces Aluminum Crimping Loop Sleeve, Supports up to 110 Lbs (1.5 mm x 98 Feet)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPRQVXS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

$6.11 3 sets: Amazon Basics Curtain Rod Clip Rings for 1" Rod, Set of 7, Silver Nickel

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5B2MKA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$20  Hetai Heavy Duty Wire Cutters Steel Cable Cutter Wire Rope Cutter Aircraft Bicycle Cable Cutter,Up To 5/32"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079L2GYMB?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

$10.50  eBoot Pack of 20 Moulding Hooks Picture Rail Hooks Hangers, Nickel Plated

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJV294S?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

$15.00  HAN SHENG 18 Pcs Adjustable Metal Art Gallery Display Wire Rope Hanger Hooks Picture Rail Hooks Hanger System Accessories for 1mm-2mm Wire Rope

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W1WJC82?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

$8.00  Lowe's Home Improvement - 8' Picture Rail Molding (AKA chair rail molding)

Primer and Paint - I just used some stuff I already had in the garage.

So, the total spent for this project was just under $85.  The cost per unit will go down some if I build out additional units - I won't need to rebuy the cutter, wire, or molding hooks.  I will need another picture rail and possibly more of the art gallery adjustable hooks.  I won't need any more of the shower clips, since I would be hanging framed art in units in other rooms and they wouldn't need to be clipped - I could just use the adjustable hooks.

30 Faces in 30 Days: 11-15

Vail, AZ 

21 Jan, 2022

Day 11

No pencil blocking out to start this sketch - just direct ink!  That almost always results in distortion so I figured I might as well go for it.  It does feel looser and a bit freer than some of the previous sketches.

Day 12

I couldn't get the darkest darks - and at the same time, some areas seem too dark.  Really had difficulty with this sketch.  

Day 13

Finally, an older person!  I really enjoyed doing the beard and wrinkles.  I lost interest on the hair and it shows.

Day 14

This was fun because of the deep cast shadows under the hat and the highlights on his nose and lips.

Day 15

Cross-hatching is not my favorite technique - I really struggle with enough patience for such a tedious technique.  Also, it's very hard with ink to get even marks - most pens want to start and end each stroke darker than in the middle, especially if I hurry.  It really requires mindfulness - when my impatience really wants me to just scribble!!

I used a fountain pen with this sketch which worked fairly well until it deposited a big blob of ink right into his eye.  Mostly, I was able to fade it into the shadows - but it was definitely an unintended mark!.

Overall, I'm pleased with the sketch.  One good thing about the technique is that since I don't like doing it, once I finished with the focus area (the face), I was very motivated to think of ways to fade out details in the hair - and, I do need practice not giving all areas of a sketch equal attention.

Even though I didn't enjoy the technique, I think it ended up being the strongest sketch in this group.

9x12 blue fountain pen

30 Faces in 30 Days: 6 - 10

 Vail,AZ

13 Jan, 2022

Day 6

The dreads were fun to draw - I could have pushed the dark areas a little deeper - but, it was taking forever, so I left some areas unresolved.  I think I got the muscles in his neck pretty well, and I'm pleased with his ear (usually, I have a really hard time with ears.

9x12 Graphite

Day 7

The instructor for this day chose to work on white paper very lightly with pencil, leaving the whites very blown out.  Given that the model was a very white boy, I thought it was all too light.  So, I chose to reverse the process and work out from the black paper to the highlights.  I'm pretty pleased with the results (although his eye is a little too defined - makes him look a bit bug-eyed).

9x12 charcoal and white colored pencil on black toned paper

Day 8

This young lady had jet black hair with blue streaks and deep black 'wings' on her eyes with neon blue and pink eye-shadow - quite spectacular.  The instructor wanted to emphasize the playfulness and drama and so she threw in a bit of glitter on the eyes (I got too much glitter on).  This model reminded me a bit of one of my nieces, so it was extra fun to do.

9x12 graphite and colored pencil on toned paper

Day 9

Day 9 was a disaster!!  I usually listen to the demo video to listen to the instructor and see their sketch.  But, I don't like to draw along with them.  I find it distracting and I'm too likely to copy their sketch or their style without really thinking of incorporating the techniques into my practice.  But, for this sketch, I was running a little short on time and sketched along with the video.  As a result, I totally didn't check my proportions and foreshortening, and didn't realize until the very end of this pen and wash sketch how badly I messed up her jaw and chin (the ink sketch on the right)!!

I was so upset!!  I couldn't go on to Day 10 until I did a quick pencil sketch of the model with her features more in alignment.  I really like the sketch on the left but will keep the crappy one to remind me of stepping back and really looking at my sketch periodically during the time I'm working on it.

On the right is what happens when I don't step back in the early stages and check accuracy!!

Day 10

This was another fun pencil sketch.  I'm trying to focus on developing the major masses, shapes, and values, before diving into the details.

9x12 graphite.

30 Faces in 30 Days

Vail, AZ 

7 Jan, 2022

30 Day Challenge to get out of old habits

My go-to media is always pen and ink, with watercolor or ink washes.  But, in signing up for the online class Sktchy.com 30Faces30Days, I will be experimenting with a lot of different techniques as each video is presented by an artist demonstrating their take on pencil and/or pen.  I think this will be a great way to start off the new year.  Good to break up old habits, try new stuff, get a different perspective and breathe some life into a stale practice.

Day 1

Today's challenge was closest to my normal mode of sketching.  Pen with light watercolor washes.  The hands were challenging, of course, but the more I can focus on just the shapes, the better they turn out.

Mixed media paper helped avoid too many hard edges

Day 2

I forget that you can use graphite almost as a brush.  Laying down a mid-tone over the whole page and then molding the face by laying in darks using the side of a soft pencil, and lifting out the lights with a kneaded eraser feels almost like sculpture.  I really enjoy this process (except that it's pretty messy).  I need to remember to use this technique more often - it's so fun!!  I tend to draw and then fill in the spaces instead of using my tools to make different marks and approach my subjects in a more painterly way (I even tend to use brushes like pens - outlining and then filling in).  I think using today's technique with  charcoal or graphite could help me break out of this habit.

I didn't have graphite dust to lay down the basic mid-tone  - so I used charcoal.

Day 3

Cross-hatching - my least favorite sketching technique!!  But, I did learn a lot; it helps to use a variety of pen nibs, from super-fine (like 005) to larger, bolder nibs.  Doing this allows for a lot more nuance to the shading.  But, still, it's very time consuming. Usually, I hate doing hair, but I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out.  Also, no pencil blocking in first! So, going to pen immediately is a bit like being on a trapeze with no net!

Day 4

Graphite and white charcoal pencil on toned 9x12 paper.  This was fun to do but I'm aware that I could have pushed the value ranges a lot more - still looks unfinished to me.  But, since I'm limiting myself to about an hour, it's not a bad start.

Day 5

Another pen and ink with cross-hatching.  I reconciled myself to doing the cross-hatching by reducing the scale - this one is about 6x8.  I ran out of my fine pointed black micron pens, so I substituted some colored ink microns that I had laying around.  I'm trying to use up art supplies before buying new ones - I'm running out of room in my studio!! Also, unused supplies tend to dry out and, given how expensive supplies are, that drives me nuts.

So, what are my take-aways so far?

Day 1 was the most comfortable as this is how I normally sketch.  Day 2 was the furthest away from my normal practice and turned out to be the most fun.  I love how pulling and pushing the values feels almost like sculpture.  So, while messy, it's very fun to do.  

What I notice looking over the 5 sketches is that I didn't really do a full value range in any of them.  The values could be pushed much further.  Upon reflection, it isn't just impatience (although that's part of it); I think I'm afraid of wrecking a decent sketch by doing too much.  And, of course, with pen and watercolor, you can't take it back!  I'm thinking that I should do some practice with charcoal or pencils with the goal to get a full range of values into the sketch.

We'll see what the next 5 bring!

2 minute semi-blind self-portrait contour sketch

New Year; New Goals

 Vail, AZ

1 Jan, 2022

My travel has been really limited in the last year!

And, I'm not too unhappy about that.  Because of weather, the pandemic, and my relatively new home,  I've been just as happy to stay at home and putter around the property.

There have been a few short camping trips to lakes in Arizona, and one 5 week to the PNW to visit friends and do an ocean kayaking class followed by a 3 day paddle into the San Juan Islands.

Local hikes provided a lot of variety - from magnificent saguaro, Native picto-glyphs and artifacts, to  stunning views of Tucson from high in the Catalina mountains.  I enjoyed socially-distanced, relatively safe hiking with a few friends.

Crested saguaro within 3 miles of my house!

View of Tucson from a very steep hike up into the Catalina's

Every couple of months, we went paddling at nearby lakes.

For trips a little further away, we would camp for 3-4 days.  So, my new van conversion got a little use!

Look!  There's dirt on those tires!!

Sunset at Apache Lake - north of Phoenix in the the Tonto NF

Thanksgiving in 20 and 21 was spent camping at Organ Pipe Cactus NM

Glen Canyon Dam on my way up to the PNW to visit friends and paddle in the San Juan's.  4 of us traveled up separately and just met for the class (2 days of wet water rescue and navigation practice) and the 3 day paddle.

Dry suits and spray skirts are not attractive - but they get the job done.

Sunset on the first day of our expedition

What HAVE I been doing?

Sketching!  Pen and Ink; watercolor, and mixed media.  I've always enjoyed sketching, but never found much time for it while I was working.  Then, while traveling, I managed a few on-location sketches, but found myself usually distracted by sights, people, the pets or just the routine of camping.

But, given the restrictions of the last 2 years for travel, and basically in lock-down and fairly isolated, I have finally found the time for an almost daily sketching practice. It .helped that I found a really rich art community on-line.  I've taken several on-line classes and participated in a number of  'challenges' - like the "One Week, 100 people" challenge (I think I managed to sketch about 75 people that week).

So, in the last 2 years, I've completed 8 sketchbooks, over 30 stand-alone sketches, and have 4 or 5 sketchbooks in progress.

Completed Sketchbooks in 20-21

Sketchbook started in 2021

Winter is the best time for sunsets in Tucson - I try not to miss a single one!!