Well, somewhat recent ... last June I added the "Sketchbook" page to LMI. I'd originally thought that I'd leave it out, when I had to re-do the web site, to streamline it. But, I always wonder what media artists use; or if they have any 'tips' about how they get from point A. to point B.; so they are back. In the web site's last incarnation, there were two pages to that section, but I think I will leave it to only one. Read the posts or not, the page is there, and the info will change.
Now yesterday was only my second post on that page. Yeah, I know it's September. However, Khronos, the god of time, left me with little of that commodity to spare this Summer. So in that season's wane, I write, er, post. The info I deliver is very basic, some would say, 'old fashioned', or, 'who doesn't know that'? Well, to be perfectly honest, most people who read this blog and surf my site DO know the info I dispense. But, on the off chance that person who had basic training on a computer and little on a drawing board, maybe I can shed a little light. I dunno. This is the information age; though mine is old and most likely better given by those who teach; it's basic, and information should be spread about, and process is a good thing.
I will be throwing in images, like the one to the right, as a component of process. This pic is of some quick sketches that I do, to loosen up and get my head into art. Nothing too strenuous, probably nothing you'd think twice about; but maybe something that's missing from your routine.
There was a time when I barely sketched anymore - when my moniker was that of "graphic artist", or "graphic designer" is the correct term today - I went right from the idea to the computer. It's a business where you hear the words; "I needed it yesterday"; frequently. I found that slowing the pace down, just long enough to 'think with my hands' brought me back to illustrating. Let's face it, I like to draw; and re-teaching myself how to do it - slowing down my thought process, to stop stressing so much about pumping stuff out of the studio - makes all the difference. Not that I don't stress about getting stuff out on time; I worry less about the quality verses the quantity.
I guess the "Sketchbook" page is important to me because artists always have a period in their lives, when they feel that they are bogged down by quantity, and are in fear of losing quality. I have tried to just do a simple style, but it doesn't really challenge me. I feel like I sent out half the job. I'm not doing what I like, just what's required. There's no complaint from the client, but not a lot of joy in that. I like to illustrate, my way.
There are still times when I have to pump stuff out, but going back to basics has made me feel a whole lot better about it.
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