posted
I thought I'd start another group effort here on the portfolio page. This one with a twist. I realize that not everyone who finds themselves in the profession of signs and graphic design come from artistic roots. Having always thought of this trade as relating to art, I must admit that it's been a bit of a puzzle to me when I see someone "artistically challenged" even consider graphic design as a profession. Although it's been my interest in art that has led my way in my own professional path, I've come to realize this is not necessarily the case with everyone. Still, I know we each have a creative side within us eh?
I personally delight in seeing something done by hand that comes off a drawing board. Although clip art has made life easier, I still find myself drawing art for a job, or altering clip art by hand to make it unique & less stiff somehow. Something about this practice makes me feel like a design is more my own, and thus also gives me a better feeling about charging more for it's originality.
Although I don't draw even a fraction as much as I used to, and I'm definately out of practice, I still keep a sketchbook that I scribble stuff in from time to time. (My phone doodles are state of the art too) I figure I'm probably not alone in this need to "scribble".
Since I do love to browse thru people's sketches and seeing what they've done by hand, I thought it would be kind of fun to share a glimpse of a sketchbook snip or even a mindless doodle here.
How 'bout it? Anyone out there still draw for FUN? Here's one of my quick sketches, done with a thin sharpie.
Nettie
------------------ "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Start packing and move in! It's just too easy to be a Resident! Location, Location, Location! It's all right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
[This message has been edited by Janette Balogh (edited October 02, 2000).]
posted
I bought a small fanny pack and a little 3"x4" sketchbook to go in it. I have to have a sketchbook with me everywhere I go, it's like a security thing. Lately I've been drawing this type of thing a lot, which kinda' bothers me because I dont know what it is or what I could do with it. Any ideas?
posted
I pretty much feel the same way you do Janette. I draw an awful lot, but it's more of a thumbnail type of thing, and I'm sure if anyone other than me saw them, they'd think an untalented child did them. I seem to be able to rough in shapes or tones and be able to see what it could be without spending the time to do a nice job. It's a VERY rapid process. Anyway, sometimes I do put some effort into them, although, like you, not as often as I'd like. I saw your cat, and I had to post a drawing of my cat that I started.
Unfortunately, the cat moved on me. I could have finished the drawing anyway, but I started to think that it was the purrrfect portrait of my cat. (couldn't resist) It's just like her to do whatever the hell she wants, and in the process ruin something of mine. I love her anyway. Her name is Popcorn.
I did this one fairly recently. I know it's just a boring chair, but the challenge in this was proportions and tone. It's a white plastic chair, so it really forces you to see the different tones in order to define it's space. ...besides, at least this one didn't get up and walk away. Some of the angles on the legs are a little weak, but I'm fairly pleased that I haven't lost all of my artistic dexterity.
posted
Another great idea Nettie. I don't sketch much at all, I doodle a lot and what comes out looks eirely like Gilead's, man if you figure it out let me know will ya. I'm gonna pick up a sketch pad tomorrow and maybe give this a whirl.
My son Greg sketches all the time, usually race car stuff, thought I would share one of his.
------------------ George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@ionictech.com
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
What a fun idea Nettie! I too have some sketchbooks I've kept over the years, one in particular I take with me when I travel, it's kindof a travel diary, altho i don't have nearly the amount of sketches I would have liked to have in them...I got a a few I would like to share, some I will add later when I find them.. This is a sea otter I sketched at the Seattle Aquarium last year. Adrienne
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt' on mirc chat
A PROUD sponsor of this amazing site...U can B 2!! www.letterheads.com/supporters "If it wasn't for signs, you wouldn't know where you were!!"
42 ALta Loma Benicia, CA 94510 707-746-7847 (shop) 707-550-4553 (voicemail) adrienne@splashsigns.com
Posts: 4868 | From: Port Angeles, Washington, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
Wow, are you ready for this? Below is an email along with a sketch I recieved from Mark Jordan. Hi Nettie, How've you been? I love this idea of yours. If you don't mind, I'm gonna send you a picture or two of some things I've done...not signs! Also, I'm not sure how to post my own images, so maybe you could help me with that later. In the meantime, I'd appreciate it if you would post them for me.
The artwork you're getting is excellent. I hope more people participate. This picture is a pencil drawing, about 20" x 20". I did it several years ago. I used to draw a lot but slacked off in recent years. I've been threatening to start again, but never seem to find the time. (Bad excuse). Anyway, enjoy. Mark Jordan Houston, Texas msign205@aol.com
------------------ "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Start packing and move in! It's just too easy to be a Resident! Location, Location, Location! It's all right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
posted
WOW, some pencil drawing!! Geez Louise!! Awsum! Ok, well, that's a hard act to follow, but (ahem!)here's another of my (simple watercolor) sketches from a trip I took to Mexico once, it was a hotel across the street from where my daughter and I were having breakfast one morning. A cougar at the Folsom City Zoo.... And the Lake near Dan Sawatsky's Giggleridge,
I have this tiny field watercolor box I carry in my pocket, it has a brush, a flat container that holds water, a little cup that clips on the side and two pallettes that fold out from the middle makes for easy color sketches. A
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt' on mirc chat
A PROUD sponsor of this amazing site...U can B 2!! www.letterheads.com/supporters "If it wasn't for signs, you wouldn't know where you were!!"
42 ALta Loma Benicia, CA 94510 707-746-7847 (shop) 707-550-4553 (voicemail) adrienne@splashsigns.com
[This message has been edited by AdrienneMorgan (edited October 02, 2000).]
Posts: 4868 | From: Port Angeles, Washington, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
Here's what Suelyn Sedor has to show us! Nice stuff!
Sue says: Thanks for posting these. The first one is a pic of a sketch I did while visiting my sisters farm for Thanksgiving last year. My brother came out and snapped a pic while I was sketching.
The third one is a pic of some decorative painting I did a couple of years ago. It isn't a sketch, so I don't know if it should go on a different post. It is an old wooden apple crate, and I use it to hold my recycled newspapers. I'm working on painting and antiquing an end table right now and enjoy this kind of art when I can.
------------------ "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Start packing and move in! It's just too easy to be a Resident! Location, Location, Location! It's all right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
[This message has been edited by Janette Balogh (edited October 04, 2000).]
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Wow! I wish I had artwork like all these posts to share with you. I've never been very good at just creating a picture out of my head (working with letters and words-OK but not much else) I really wish I could draw people. I do however enjoy reproducing artwork. (please no copyright lectures!) It's just for me, not to sell. A couple years ago I painted Van Goghs "Starry Night" for my wife. She wanted the poster so I went a step farther and actually painted it! Here's a painting I did in College. It's done in One-Shot with linseed oil to help with the blending. I collect Coke stuff and I'm pretty proud of it. It was pretty much the first real painting I ever did. I wish I had more time to do more stuff like this.
posted
I find the human form the most difficult to draw, but I keep trying. 8) Plus I dont think I quite nailed the shadow with respect to positioning of the sun, but thats ok if you didnt notice!
Have a happy day, I know I'm smilin' 8)
------------------ Tim Rieck Signs Halfmoon Bay, BC tim_rieck@dccnet.com
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Tim The shadow is spot on! Don't be so hard on yourself, buddy. I agree, the human form is hard to draw, but in your case I wouldn't blame yourself. Your subjects need to loosen up a bit and not appear so stiff and uncomfortable. Maybe they don't like the idea of having to stand still for so long in the blazing sun while you strive to capture their personalities.
(I just finished laughing out loud for three solid minutes, tears streaming down my face...and now my stomach hurts!)
Keep at it, man. You have raw talent. But you might try using the right side of your brain next time.
posted
Come back soon, coz I'm going to send Janette a bit of work that I've done, because I want to show you my work too! I'm not sure how to post pics on the bb, so Janette, I hope that you can post these for me....
From Katie
------------------ From Katie Wright, 16 year old professional signie wannabe from Aus.
"Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint on it that you can"
Posts: 530 | From: Brisbane, Australia | Registered: Feb 1999
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Karen Tighe sent these for me to post ... all the way from Ireland! Below are her comments. This thread is a great idea! Here is my rendition of catawaba wine grapes and a vine leaf sketched using polychromos pencils Both offerings from my sketch book. Thank you very much. KarenT IRL Karen Tighe Strandhill Sligo in the Wild Wet West of Ireland.
------------------ "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Start packing and move in! It's just too easy to be a Resident! Location, Location, Location! It's all right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
[This message has been edited by Janette Balogh (edited October 11, 2000).]
I haven't been using my brain to draw for a longtime, its easy to just survive using the 'puter. Anyhow I thought I would have a go again, and will continue, on those evenings when I get leave here abit earlier!
------------------ Henry Barker #1924 akaKaftan SignCraft AB Stockholm, Sweden. A little bit of England in a corner of Stockholm www.signcraft.se info@signcraft.se
Posts: 1552 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Nov 1998
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