Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Last day

Well, I got to the end, of the 7 day challenge, and found I really enjoyed it. Even when I didn't have a great deal of time to spend on each sketch, or they didn't quite turn out right, I still learned a bit more about illustration, and interpretation.

The final day, gave me the final chance to make a guy with spirals, work! I think I got a little closer to success, but still needs further exploration. Which is why I'm going to try a few more sketches with guys, and see how far I can push it.


Day 7


I went looking for a male model, wearing head and eye wear - to continue that circular theme. The spirals in the background, are meant to represent the ocean waves behind him. Because of the roundness in his accessories, this guy looks the most connected to the spirals. Rather than looking like, an uncomfortable or misplaced addition.


So what did I learn after the 7 day challenge:

  1. I like random mark making, which I cannot erase. Sometimes leaving IN your mistakes, speaks volumes about where you're meant to go.

  2. Mistakes can lead to ideas, or new branches of experimentation. I WANT to make guys and spirals work now! I'm intrigued. There has to be a way.

  3. Smaller snippets of art, are easier to fit in the day, than longer, dedicated sessions. Great for when the kids are on holidays, or I'm otherwise booked, to overflowing

  4. Making art, is about personal explorations, rather than a set idea. It's okay to let things morph. See below:


Day 4


Of all the female models, this sketch, I liked the least. Then my daughter said it was her favourite. It forced me to contemplate what she saw, that I didn't. In the end, I realised it was the eccentric accessories and hair, the lopsided composition, and slightly enlarged head, that created its own mystery.

Leaving in my mistakes, showed an appreciation of how they create structure, regardless. A mistake to me, can be a way of viewing the world, to others - such as my daughter. You just never know. So let things morph, and it will be okay.

As simple as my sketches were, they taught me a great deal, in a week. Thanks for joining me.


Earlier posts about this challenge:

Days 1 to 3
Days 4 to 6

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Day 4 to 6

Despite a tight schedule, I still managed to keep up with the 7 day challenge, through #mycreativetouches. There are many talented people on the instragram page. Which makes my simple illustrations, look downright primitive, in comparison. But it's not about being measured against others, rather, finding something new within yourself.

And I've discovered a lot during days, 4 to 6...


Day 4
~ eccentric, to add interest


Day 5
~ feeling boxed in, with male options


Day 6
~ noticing a pattern for spirals, favouring one gender


I discovered the difference between drawing men and women, was challenging in the marks made. Women were easier to incorporate spirals, because of their long hair, curvaceous figures, interesting accessories and headpieces. The spirals seemed to be an afterthought, with men, however. More of a background accessory, than part of their form, or what they were wearing. It felt more disconnected.

I'll attempt to address that on day 7, however, I can see myself exploring beyond the 7 day challenge. It ends tomorrow, and I'll reveal what I learned throughout this particular, illustrative series.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Another 7 day challenge

I've started a new 7-day art challenge, via Tara Leaver's instagram #mycreativetouchstones. Please feel free to jump-in and add your own creations, so long as you have an Instagram account of your own. Here's mine, if you're an instagram user and want to see what I'm up to.

The gist is to pick a single subject, and explore it for 7 days - with the intension of narrowing your own style: rather than being all over the place. Which tends to be me, by the way, in case you hadn't noticed *wink*!

First, I'll show the three pictures I've completed, over the past 3 days. then explain why I'm exploring these particular avenues.



 Day 1: Experimenting with marks
cross-eyed, but couldn't erase


 Day 2: Added a little colour after sketch, for experimentation
but it may not be a habit



Day 3: Loser than day 1 ~
but not as lose as day 3


Reasons for choosing this subject and medium, for my 7 day challenge:

  1. Time was limited. It's the school holidays, so time was short. Painting was out of the question. Sketching would be easier to set up, and quicker to produce something. It's only taken 15-20 minutes to complete each sketch. 

  2. Challenges with mark making. Normally I use a pencil for sketching, but wanted to see the marks I'd make, without the buffer of an eraser. So permanent, black pen, it was. The goal: to learn how I sketch, without refinement.

  3. The doodling factor. In the past I've used lines and spirals as a form of meditative, "doodling" on paper. After a google search on, "faces", images, were used as models. The expansive nature of doodling, however, ensured no sketch, looked anything like the original counterpart.

  4. Faces. I'm fascinated with expression, and what they convey without words.

  5. Moving past realism. The goal is not, complete abstract, but to move past creating realistic representations.This is so I can create an experience beyond what you get from viewing a photograph.


I look forward to sharing more of how the 7 day challenge, unfolds. Then finally, sharing what I got out of it. I enjoy participating in art challenges, for this valuable learning component. That's why I push past the clock, to join in. Because creating a series, teaches you a lot about your creative process.

Here are the rest of the links in this series:

Day 4-6
Day 7
Further experiments