art techniques
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Professional dogs, box project, cards, books, the first chat and some biscuits with gravy
The Professional Dog text for my in-progress childrens book is solid enough that this week I focused on the illustrations. I’ve done about 12 of them in ink and have established a pattern for the artwork that relates to the text. I’m working on bringing the illustrations up to the same semi solid level of…
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The professional dog and what’s in the cards
I’m starting a new childrens poem project “The Professional Dog”. It’s an excuse to do a series of portraits of dogs owned by friends who have professions that fit neatly in an alphabetic format… accountant, botanist, chef…. (Yes, another abecedarian book!!) Several friends – with dogs – have different professions that could fit for the…
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Dragon, an oops, a rhino and recipe postcards
Had an oops during ink work this week on my coloring book poem “How to Draw A Dragon” here’s how I fixed it. Despite the mistake all of the hand written text as well as all of the illustrations have now been completely inked! Here’s how: first I drew the whole book in pencil which…
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Dragon, family, books and paints
This week we had a fully vaccinated family gathering planned. So these pages of my “How To Draw A Dragon” were the only ones nearly finished this week. Also just before the family visit the Aurora Gallery wanted more of my books and signed green dragon bookplates so delivery arrangements were quickly made. (Details about…
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Dragon, the creativity cat and baby blankets
In my last post I talked about how I manage art projects and time. I have an heretical approach and I was asked for more details. Here goes: One of my longtime interests is in how humans think, learn and how to maintain good mental health. I read on the topics often. Here’s a few…
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Dragon in the details
A work rhythm has been fairly firmly established. I wrote about that in my last post. My days now have a regularity that goes like this: Breakfast time contains sketchbook drawings with or without characters from my currently in progress childrens book “How To Draw A Dragon” Perhaps after eating breakfast I spend a few…
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Crocodile to dragon transition
My crocodile became a dragon as I’ve been working on a new childrens book. I’ve been alternating work in both my poetry sketchbook, the orange book on the left, and my black visual sketchbook on the right. Below is a look at my handwritten poem text in my poetry sketchbook. I also have a 3…
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Guest Art Teacher Feature: Mrs. Perry
I’ve recently made a childrens book about looking at art. I think of my book as a resource book about observational skills for use by teachers and parents. Which means as I created my On Looking At Odditorium book I also spent a lot of time thinking of the teachers, professors and other helpful adults…
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Of beermats, bears, books, poems, crocodiles and garden garlic scapes
“Warning” by Jenny Joseph is one of my favorite poems. I particularly like these lines “…and hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes…”. But I hadn’t read that poem or thought of it in a while (you can see the entire poem here). Earlier this month I received the prospectus for a…
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Odditorium exhibit, lots of books and a sandwich technique
Last week I took 3 boxes containing all of my Odditorium fineart into Burnt Bridge Cellars where it will be through the end of July. Everything I’ve done over the last year is now in the capable hands of the winery and the Caplan Art Designs art gallery! My spouse took this photo as I…
