Sketching

Doodles & Photo by Monkey & the Whale

A friend of mine (you know who you are) sent me the most wonderful link to a group of "urban sketchers." Please go to the site, www.urbansketchers.org, and admire the amazing sketch books on display. I love the ink and the watercolor together. Watercolor is becoming my new favorite medium as it can be very forgiving.

 This is how I always wish I could sketch. I often imagine that I could go and sit somewhere and just take my pen to the paper and effortlessly draw this way. I am very good at the people watching/observing part. That I can do. When it comes to the drawing, the truth is I am more of doodler, a wannabe sketcher. I know I have the ability somewhere in there. I did take several drawing classes in my day after all. I did it then, I could somehow remember. Like riding a bicycle right? I am always wanting some time to just escape with my sketchbook, and yet I never actually give myself that time. Whenever I do I am always surprised at how quickly I feel alive again. Creative. Active. Inspired. Teaming with ideas. I am doing something, creating something new. This is how my ideas are best formed, during sketch time. It isn't a matter of just wanting to do it, I need to do it more often.

For another inspiring artist, check out Paul Madonna. He creates the most beautiful pen and ink drawings. They have amazing composition and mood. They really give the impression of being in the picture itself, very powerful. He has a new book out that showcases all of his amazing work.

I am going to challenge myself to do more sketching. I don't even have to go anywhere, I have two crazy subjects that would provide plenty of material after all. Even better I have my imagination, where else would I come up with characters like a monkey and a whale?

Doodles & Photo by Monkey & the Whale