Week 4: Video Drawing Lesson #3 Putting It On Paper

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Lesson #3 - Putting it on paper.

One of the hardest things as a budding artist, is to just get something down on the paper. I believe it is important to use shapes to take away the pressure. They also are a great help in creating the line we desire. I call them helper shapes. Everything can be deduced into circles triangles or squares.

I also use a line down the center of my subject so that while I am going back and forth across my drawing, I am insuring a center point and balance in the drawing.

Try this exercise and then begin to draw all sorts of objects using these methods - I know you will be pleasantly surprised.

If you have any questions please contact me here in the comments or by email: sloanshowalter@yahoo.com.

Thanks to my Dad, who was in town, for helping to film;)

And Thank YOU for Creating with me!

Week 3: Video Drawing Lesson #2

I videoed this one myself... I didn't want there to be too big of a laps in time from the last one to a second. So, here you go -->

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Learning to OBSERVE the world like an artist. Become curious about how everything is connected: the shapes that make things up; their relationships to each other; the environment surrounding and to you!

“Nothing exists until or unless it is observed. An artist is making something exist by observing it. And his hope for other people is that they will also make it exist by observing it. I call it 'creative observation.' Creative viewing.”
~William S. Burroughs

In the next lesson (this weekend) we will draw together. So, in the meantime practice observing the world in a new way. Look at the things you always look at in a new way by discovering what shapes would make them up how the shapes are related to each other (bigger, smaller, wider, longer...) and what is the shape of the space/relationship between you and the object?

We each have a very unique way of observing the world around us. I want for you to become more aware of how you observe things, how you feel about them and the relationships that connect them all so that you may begin to express that through your art!

I don't care what kind of art an artist does, they are keen observers of life... the details. Do you know an artist? If so, spend some time with them and recognize how they see things.

You can start right now by noticing the little things. The sway in a bench from lots of sitting; a ladybug on the window sill; how the wind changes the color of the grass; or how when a bird flaps it's wings in flight you can't really see his wings - just impressions- until it stops flapping them.

Have fun discovering your world over again!

Everyone is naturally an artist, we just all have to relearn some things we lost along the way.

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Week 2: First Video Lesson: Drawing

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In this video I am using a Charcoal Pencil, pad of News Print Paper, Kneaded Eraser and a cheap travel easel. You want to have a / tilt for your pad of paper -make sure your easel is adjusted to the proper angle. To sharpen the pencil to have a long lead I use an exacto knife.

Learning to draw this way will keep you loose and free you up. Let go of any judgement and have fun trying a new way. It is like starting over so go easy on yourself and really embrace learning a new technique.

I look forward to drawing with you more soon! I will be posting the 2nd video in a couple of days so stay tuned...and subscribe to SLOANARTSTV Channel on YouTube!

Thanks for watching and keep opening to your creativity!

Week 1: Time for Bubbles

Bubble Close Up

Bubbles are so magical, here for a second and poof there gone! They are a lot like moments, so beautiful yet, sometimes never shared and gone forever. Savoring the moments, as they are the pieces that make up the whole of my life...

These were hard to capture being that my photography skills are beyond limited:) I used Japanese opal essence watercolors that have a beautiful shimmer, which you may not pick up on in these photos. I love these!!!

It is nearly bubble season - I highly recommend making giant bubbles at your next B-Q or just for kicks. It is so much fun! Glycerin is the key to making gigantic bubbles!

GIGANTIC BUBBLE RECIPE:
To make 2 ¼ cups of liquid for blowing giant soap bubbles you'll need:
¼ cup of liquid dishwashing detergent
2 ¼ cups of distilled water
2 tablespoons of glycerin
You can buy glycerin at major craft supply stores or a drug store. Glycerin is nontoxic and safe for use around children and pets. You'll also need a mixing bowl, spoon, a plastic container for storage, and bubble wands of your choice - we used stretched out wire hangers;)

xoxo

Week 1: Back At It

Thank you for following my progress. The blog up to this point was just a way to show some other art I was working on, but now it will be so much more!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND HERE FROM NOW ON:
~ I will be sharing a bit of my 12+ years teaching experience with little video tips
~ I will be posting ideas here that I am thinking about doing or am working on
~ I will be posting at least one new work each week
~ I will post all kinds of art here not just painting
~ To have some fun!

Here is a new one titled "Blossoming"

Which is how I feel.