Some people prefer their journals in Portrait format and others prefer Landscape format.
Portait will yield an almost square surface when open, while Landscape will yield an even more extreme horizontal rectangle. I think it’s extremely important to try both to feel how each sits in your hand and how you respond to the format with your art and style. Each will present you will different challenges and opportunities.
As for me… I go both ways.
Just a few of my curious… and not so curious friends.
I had no idea there were so many breeds!
Don’t we all long for the ability to soar high above our earth-bound trials and worries?
I believe that accounts for the universal appeal of feathers.
Fair warning… if you sit anyone near me you automatically become a candidate for sketching. You may not be recognizable to anyone but myself.
As I was looking though my sketchbook/illustrated journals I was reminded that art is more than just images. I often write meaningful quotes in my journals, often with images, but sometimes the words themselves become the art. These came from a particularly difficult 3 week period.
Art heals.
I hope to see you tomorrow for day four!
77 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon. It’s mid October and strictly speaking, since we haven’t had a killing frost, this isn’t Indian Summer. What it is, is too beautiful to be inside.
I wanted to practice drawing figures and there’s no where better to observe the public than the steps to the Opera House opposite the town green at lunchtime. A couple of hours passed like minutes. If only it would stay as warm.
I am NOT addicted!
If this sounds a bit defensive… well………
From left to right… TWSBI Mini Fine, Visconti Traveling Ink Pot, Pelican M200 Fine, Duke with bent calligraphy nib, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Pelican M200 Medium, Lamy Joy with 1.5 calligraphy nib, Platinum Preppy, Lamy Safari Extra Fine, Lamy Vista black EF, Lamy Al-Star F, and an old Mont Blanc rollerball, just because it writes well.
My favorites are filled with different inks for different purposes. My Pelican at the top is loaded with regular black Waterman ink… it’s soluble and bleeds wonderfully when hit with water. The silver Duke has Noodler’s Lexington Gray which needs a bit longer on the paper to become permanent. The lowermost pen is my beloved TWSBI Mini with a Fine point… LOVE! I’ve filled it with Platinum Carbon Black ink which has been the most reliably permanent ink I’ve tried.
What’s that just above the TWSBI? It’s my Visconti Traveling Ink Pot… it holds plenty of ink for quite a few refills. I load it with the PCB and it tucks neatly into my TSA approved quart sized fluid bag for carry-on travel. I’ve been away for more than 2 weeks and it’s served me well!
At this point I only have black fountain pen inks but I’m planning on remedying that! I have an order pending with my friends at Goulet Pens. FAIR WARNING! Do not click that link unless you are prepared to spend substantial time and have your credit card handy.
Addicted? hmmmmm…. Obsessed? OK, I’ll give you that.
Sue’s at the Montshire! Correction… a life-sized replica is at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT. She’s the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered!
My geeky alter-ego would have been a paleontologist so a trip to see Sue was a given! She… or maybe she’s a he, they don’t know… is HUMONGOUS! Over 40 feet from her snout to the tip of her tail and she stands at least 13 feet tall at her hip. Simply massive!
A quick splash of color before spending quality time with my fountain pen. She barely fits on my page!
But one visit just wasn’t enough. I returned today for another view!
My… what large teeth you have my dear!
Check out those proportions… Her foot is as large as that young fella!
The T. Rex exhibit will be there ’till September 7th. Find out why she’s named Sue and try all the interactive activities… don’t miss it! Not interested? There’s plenty to keep your attention and be sure to say hi to this little mink for me!
I spent a little time this afternoon trying desperately to catch up on my scanning. A little prioritization was in order. First up my Every Day Matters challenges. Two years ago I started out with Number 100 and have been working my way down to #1…
…and I’ve done it!
No… it doesn’t mean I’ve finished, there are 328 different challenges! … but at least now I can start working my way forward.
I can’t wait to start EDM #101… stay tuned.
Dana Burrell... Art 