February 12, 2018

“All the hand has to be is the unquestioning seismograph that notes down something, the meaning of which it knows not. The less the conscious ersonality of the artist interferes, the more truthful and personal the tracing becomes.“ -Frederick Frank

Here are the drawings from my January 2018 Art Every Day project.

Jan 1, 2018, Graphite on Strathmore Mixed Media, 5″ X 7″

Jan 2, 2018, Graphite on Strathmore Mixed Media, 7″ X 5″

Jan 3, 2018, Copic & Koi pens on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 4, 2018, Copic & Koi pens on Yupo Watercolour, 5″ X 7″

Jan 5, 2018, Copic & Koi pens on Marker Paper, 5″ X 7″

Jan 6, 2018, Copic & Koi pens on Vellum, 7″ X 5″

Jan 7, 2018, Graphite on Strathmore Mixed Media 7″ X 5″

Jan 8, 2018, India Ink on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour 5″ X 7″

Jan 9, 2018, Charcoal Pencil on Evolon, 5″ X 7″

Jan 10, 2018, Derwent Water-Soluble Graphite on Evolon, 5″ X 7″

Jan 11, 2018, Derwent Water-Soluble Graphite on Strathmore Mixed Media, 7″ X 5″

Jan 12, 2018, India Ink on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 13, 2018, Oils on Arches Oil, 7″ X 5″

Jan 14, 2018, Pilot Fineliner on Strathmore Mixed Media, 5″ X 7″

Jan 15, 2018, Pilot Fineliner on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour, 5″ X 7″

Jan 16, 2018, Pilot Fineliner on Strathmore 500 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 17, 2018, Copic Multi Liner on Yupo Watercolour, 5″ X 7″

Jan 18, 2018, Art Graf Stick on Strathmore 500 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 19, 2018, India Ink on Fabriano Watercolour, 5″ X 7″

Jan 20, 2018, Oil on Arches Oil, 7″ X 5″

Jan 21, 2018, Copic and Koi pens on Strathmore Mixed Media, 5″ X 7″

Jan 22, 2018, India Ink on BFK Rives Watercolour, 7″ X 5

Jan 23, 2018, India Ink on Strathmore 500 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 24, 2018, Graphite on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 25, 2018, India Ink on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 26, 2018, Walnut Ink on Strathmore 300 Series Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 27, 2018, Copic and Koi pens on Gessoed Yupo Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 28, 2018, Copic and Koi pens on Gessoed Terra Skin, 7″ X 5″

Jan 29, 2018, Derwent Water-Soluble Graphite on Arches BFK Rives Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 30, 2018, India Ink and Koi on Fabriano Watercolour, 7″ X 5″

Jan 31, 2018, Pilot Fineliner on Strathmore Mixed Media, 5″ X 7″

Jan 31, 2018, Pilot Fineliner on Strathmore Mixed Media, 5″ X 7″

This year I’ve started with a selection of 11 papers cut to 5”x7”. For January I limited my subject matter to a set of basic white shapes while I experimented with my favourite media on these papers. It has been interesting – by which I mean I’ve been very frustrated or very pleased, depending on the day. I’ve realized I need a little more consistency, so I will be restricting my choice of media for a while to a few I really like – unless I’m in a daring mood and decide to live on the edge.

And I need to push myself to develop my drawing skills. I usually come to my drawing at the end of my day feeling like I just need to get it done before winding down before bed – not the sort of headspace that nurtures experimentation or adventure. Last June I committed to spending more time drawing each day. Now I have to commit to taking on more difficult subject matter and focusing on drawing techniques that will help me build my skills, even when I don’t feel like it. I enjoy drawing, but I also feel a little anxious at the beginning of a new drawing, not sure if it’s going to work out how I want it to. I need to continue all the same and slow down a little, pay attention to what I’m actually seeing and stay curious to what appears on my page as I work.