What's in My Sketchbook?

Sorry for missing last week's sketchbook page ...

Got too many things on the plate ... and each one of them was fighting for my attention and energy ...it's always the creative projects which got put at the back burner ...

Another try of using acrylic washes to sketch / paint a rose.  A very time consuming process for a very small work (A5 size).  But I loved the fact that I was able to lose myself completely in the process and got away from the human problems for awhile.

(Apologize for the poor quality of the pix.  Haven't been able to catch a sunny day for a better shot!)

 

Now what else could I share with you of my creative venture?

I've got lots of things brewing in my mind, but it all comes down to master the required skills to make it happens.  This is where I'm experiencing the most frustration!

I remember an advice I read years ago from an art blog.  (sorry can't remember the blog name ...)  The art blogger encourages all creatives NOT to give up on any one of their ideas, especially those one which makes your spine tingle or your skin crawls with strange sensation.  Record it in crude sketches, jot it down as note or create a file in your computer to store it.

You might not have the skill to "materialize" it now,  but if you continue to learn and practice.  The day will come when you're ready for your BIG work.

No great creative work is done in a day.  Over time, ideas grow, evolve and so are your skills.  It will then be your time to do the work you're meant to do.  The work that only you could do.

This is what I'm hanging onto right now so that I could still sketch and paint. 

Cheers and wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

(The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday - hosted by Eva and Kristin.  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!)

What's in My Sketchbook?

First thing first – I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to visit all the PPFers’ work last week.  It’s been crazy at work and I’m still running on low fuel.  Guess this situation will continue for awhile … :(

Anyway, here is another beetle (Hercules Beetle) for my fellow creatives …

This is quite an exciting sketch/paint work for me!  Let me tell you why.

I mostly use watercolor for my sketchbook.  But because of watercolor being non-permanent, when I glaze it with another color, there’s always the worries like:

-                     the paints being lifted off

-                     bleeding

-                     color getting muddy

I’ve been researching on and off about how to paint with thin acrylic washes.  And this is my 2^nd try.  I can’t say I got the hang of it or like it yet.  But the fact that I was able to finish the sketch work with thin acrylic washes was thrilling for me!

The permanence of acrylic washes makes glazing more fun.  But then this also posts a challenge to my color mixing knowledge which is still quite limited at this stage.

I also find that the colors lose some of its intensity due to dilution with water.  That actually suits me well as I’ve always enjoy “paler” (less intense … subtler …) color scheme.  It seems like I’ve found a way to create the color palette that I like. :)

The main problem I have right now is more about the “grainy” look from the sketch.  I don’t think it’s because of the acrylic washes.  I believe it’s more because of the paper of the sketchbook.  The sketchbook I’m using is of “student grade”.  The paper is rather thin and therefore unable to accept the numerous washes I lay on it.  But I’ll continue to use this sketchbook for some more practice before I move onto watercolor papers and canvases.

The other continuous problem I have is the ability to create form and texture with minimal pen work.

Do let me know what you think of this sketchbook page.  All comments are welcomed!

And I’m terribly sorry for the quality of the photo.  I’m just too excited to share this with you and can’t wait for a sunny day to take pretty pix!

Cheers and wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

(The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday - hosted by Eva and Kristin.  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!)