Friday, July 23, 2010

New Sketchbook!

Genia got me a sketchbook!  She told me before that she had one and after I discreetly mentioned in some public forum that I've never seen it, she promptly delivered :P

I have this great and grand idea of becoming an amazing artist.  Of course, I have a number of other great and grand ideas as well that may or may not ever happen.  But, I have taken the first few steps toward this artistic possibility, the first, marrying an artist.  She's quite supportive and she's really the one who's been recommending that I get a sketchbook and begin drawing.  "I haven't seen anything yet that tells me you can't be an artist", she says.  Guess that will have to do.

We went to the pool for the first time today with my son who is 11 months old.  We thought we'd have a pretty nice and solitary time of it but we were quickly overran by the elder's "water aerobics" class.  So, we migrated to the kiddie pool and tried to convince our son that its just like the bathtub, only bigger (he wasn't fooled).  After Genia spent some time soaking up some sun, we traded off on baby-duty and I explored the surroundings.

Our neighborhood is situated around a golf course and two lakes and is quite nice when you can get a view of something other than houses.  This was the case from the pool area, which inspired me to create my first sketch in my new, little sketchbook.  Genia insisted that I'd become a better artist quicker if I used only pens for sketching.  Something about building confidence and that pencils are like training wheels.  Surprisingly, I not only found it rather enjoyable, but I'm not too disappointed with the results either :)

12 comments:

  1. That isn't bad at all! Way to go, Terry! Keep it up! :)

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  2. Lovely sketch! Love the lines =)

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  3. You have a very smart wife. She made me realize that lettering can still be fun-even after 29 years of doing it for others. You did a very good first drawing.

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  4. You did a fine job with this, and confidentially, I believe she's right about using pens building confidence. Remember, if you can imagine it, you can do it, oh amazing artist! nancy

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  5. So, glad you are sketching. I am in EDM. Have a great day.

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  6. Excellent aerial perspective in there. That tree really pops up to the foreground. Well done! I love my pencil. I use pen sometimes, but I think I draw just as well with the training wheels on. I don't erase much anyway. Well, usually.

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  7. Thanks for all of the comments! I really prefer the idea of using pencils, because if I had them, I would erase quite a bit :P I'm a perfectionist and try to get all the details in the correct spot. Using pens made me be a bit more free and accepting. I look forward to doing more :)

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  8. Terry: You've made a very nice drawing, love the perspective.

    Think about this: art is an interpretation, an impression. If you want a "report," an exact documentation, then take a photograph. Art teaches you to express a feeling, what draws you to something.

    Jesse/Joan

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  9. great job! keep up the good work and you will see progress!

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  10. This is very nice - has an oriental feel. The journey you've chosen is fascinating. I do believe that an artist can be self-made when there is motivation, and that all of us have it in us to some extent or another. Talent is overrated. Effort is underrated. To me, the key is seeing (as you have done in this drawing) - allowing your eyes to see, and forget what they supposedly know.

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  11. Dan,

    Very interesting point you've made - allowing your eyes to see. My wife read a book a number of months ago that talked about this very thing. About how our mind begins to tell our eyes what we "see" rather than the other way around. I didn't read the book, but I pay attention when she mentions things (whether she knows it or not), and thats one of the points I've held on to.

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  12. I can't believe you have only just started to draw, your pictures are very good. Stick with it and you'll find your creative feet in no time!

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