It is true, most of my pajamas have acrylic paint on them. I am a middle-of-the-night painter, and my studio is so close to my bedroom that any time that I cannot sleep- I paint! It is typically three o’clock in the morning when I do my best work! It is a terrible habit!
Our dog, Kilian is the culprit who wakes me up first, with his persistent barking at absolutely nothing. In his defense, he heard a bug sneeze! At any rate, I often try to climb back into bed after the late-night exploration mission to find any intruder who may or may not have crossed into the boundary of our yard. That is how it starts, I am wide awake after wondering what initiated the dog barking and despite the need for sleep, I creep out of bed to my studio.
There is something to be said about a bright light shining on an empty canvas. It creates an ethereal glow that lights up my whole studio. My imagination comes to life, and I hurriedly gather paint colors without rhyme or reason. The large filbert brush glides across the canvas and I begin with a background of light blue that could become water or winter snow. I rarely have a plan which is odd for a type “A” personality who ALWAYS needs to know the plan. In my studio- I’m free to be fluid, and perhaps that’s what I like about the freestyle approach to painting. I rarely draw anything first when it is three o’clock in the morning. I learned to paint before I learned to draw, and it was this approach to painting that made me love this style. As I have matured as an artist, I realize the necessity to draw first, and it has improved my painting remarkably.
I still struggle with perspective and wheels! The last few carriages had some rocky wheels that took me a few paint overs, a heavy sigh and the use of my last phone a friend. Thanks to my engineer husband, who remains my hard-core advocate in purchasing books on perspective—some of which are boring, plus I still suck at it! I’ll keep working on it. I am also stubborn and a Leo, besides being fiercely loyal, creative, generous, and honest we don’t ever give up!!
After countless books and videos and starting with a #2 pencil first and then moving to pen and ink, I developed a love for drawing, doodling, and creating. One of my first drawing books was a Mark Kistler book- remember the Imagination Station on Television? I never watched it when I was young but as an adult, I was right there drawing with kids. If you are looking for a place to start- why not become a kid again? He has some terrific books that range from learning to draw in a matter of days to everything you can draw in a matter of minutes. Some drawings are goofy and fun but it’s a great way to relax and it doesn’t take much time out of your day.
Sketch on whatever you can find, napkins, scraps of paper or better yet- invest in a drawing notebook. I own both wired and hardbound notebooks, and you can choose an 8×10 size or a 5×7. Both can easily be tucked into a hobo or satchel bag and do not be afraid to just draw whenever you can. When you first start out- you do not need anything fancy. A simple #2 Pencil works just fine, and a simple gel pen works best for pen and ink. After you have had some practice, you can buy more extensive – sets that contain graphite, charcoal, and different eraser types for each. I still default to the #2 but like the HB (medium) and the 2H and 2B. Just keep in mind the higher the number of B pencils- the softer the shade and same applies to the higher number of “H” pencils- the harder. So, remember H for hardness and B for Blackness.
In addition, after you have inked for a bit, invest in micro pens – they also sell these in sets that range from (001 to 08) in sizes. I am in love with the Throne® pigment liners that last for quite a long time and are quite durable. I recently added a few white liners for detail work on whiskers. These are game changers! I draw in the doctor’s waiting rooms, airports and on those disposable table covers in restaurants, while I am waiting for my food! Our server said she was saving my doodle after we ate dinner. I have no way of knowing for sure, but I would like to think there is a pen and ink scene with a lake, cabin and trees covered in specks of spaghetti sauce hanging in a breakroom somewhere with my initials. One of my last flights on a recent trip, the flight attendant commented on my sketch so at the end of the flight – I handed her my intricate drawing that took me nearly the whole flight to complete. Her face lit up and that is exactly why I like to create! If it can bring just a moment of happiness, that is all I need! My friend recently sent me a photo of the pen and ink Christmas card that I sent to her. She has it framed! She is my best friend now. 😊
I digress, one of the most interesting concepts I came across was Betsy Edwards book on Drawing on the Right side of the brain and she encouraged the idea of turning objects upside down. It’s a wild concept but rings true and often when I’m concentrating on something difficult, I flip the script and turn it upside down- a sketch pad, a canvas- just focusing on the lines and breaking down the smaller shapes as opposed to the overwhelming subject is an easy approach and also helps conquer the fear for me on trying to make it perfect.
Given the subject, I will absolutely pre-sketch on my canvas, but in the early morning hours, you will not find me with a pencil or chalk, unless I am under a deadline, but I might have my canvas upside down. I will be covered head to toe in acrylic paint. Once the rest of the house starts to wake up, I’ll be putting the final touches on my painting, and I’ll crawl with a dramatic flair that my fellow Leo’s will recognize; feeling confident that I created something that I don’t think I could have created during normal daylight hours. Besides, in the early hours, I can leave it all on the canvas, one brush stroke at a time. I hope you enjoyed this blog (3 a.m.) and a nod to one of my favorite singers, songwriters; Rob Thomas with Matchbox Twenty. Until next time: read, draw, and do not wear your best pajamas to paint. I will see you at the next art party or paint and sip!