Interact with me on FB @ Inspire Create with artist zkarin Taylor

Interactive creative fun and inspiration happening every day over at Inspire Create with artist Karin Taylor my new Facebook page. Its all free and warmly welcoming and is a follow on extension of my book Beyond the Stick Figure aimed at stimulating inspiration and creativity, it’s for anyone and everyone who’d like to be doing more to stimulate their creative juices and productivity for a fuller, richer, more wholesome life. Everyone is welcome if that’s your aim :)

beyond the stick figure by karin taylor (my new book)

aloha, I am a contemporary visual artist/illustrator who also enjoys writing, photography, music and sculpting plasticine, please visit my art portfolio on redbubble or contact me via email karinlouisetaylor@gmail.com I am on a journey. You are welcome to walk it with me. This blog was created to track my progress from negativity to positivity after a long period of depression and a lifetime of anxiety. ...just daily sharing my heart along the way. You can also find me on Facebook or follow me on twitter

Beyond the Stick Figure by Karin Taylor | Make Your Own Book

Beyond the Stick Figure by Karin Taylor | Make Your Own Book

The Little Blog of Miracles - my new blog

aloha, Ive just begun a new blog called The Little Blog of Miracles and would be honoured if you'd visit and share in my journey toward positivity.

down by the riverside

Karin's NEWSLETTER out today..check it out here

i've been interviewed!!!

Today I was interviewed by the lovely Anastasiia from redbubble on her blog

Hollyann & The Katie Winter

I was lucky enough to score an interview today with Hollyann & The Katie Winter!!!
...enjoy the music!!

I've been interviewed!!!

The TruenessI've just been interviewed by the lovely Amanda Pinkham on her blog grab a coffee and come on over!!

Giveaway to Celebrate 1000 sales on redbubble

Today I celebrate 1000 sales through Redbubble! It’s my biggest milestone ever reached and I’m so happy to have made it this far.
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Thank you’s go out across this wonderful site to everyone that has ever supported or encouraged me in any way!
...

GIVEAWAY COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE

I am giving away a little pack of 13 beach inspired art goodies to celebrate, including:

4 prints in white matts with foam core backing

Ship Ahoy
Sailor’s Delight (not available on redbubble at this time)
Floating Peach
Cod Catcher
Floating Peach

19.5×13cm approx artwork with an additional white matt and foam core backing board of 4.5cm making the total size of artwork 22.5×22cm approx

PLUS

7 beautiful high quality greeting cards (individually packed in cello)

Sun Spots
Blockout
Lola
Sundrenched
Violet Vision
Whale Dancers
Surf Maiden

(these are old style or card we used to have on redbubble before the new cards)

PLUS

2 small original paintings
Ellie Elephant
pastel, acrylic, crackle medium – unframed 14.5×11.5cm…..on canvas textured paper
Calypso’s Quest
20×20.5cm approx, watercolour, acrylic, gouche on canvas textured paper

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What do you have to do in order to win the giveaway?
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Share with me the best creative advice you’ve ever received right here on my journal right NOW!!

I’ll choose a winner from the answers given here on my journal and hopefully all of us can benefit from your fabulous advice!!!....ONE WEEK FROM NOW I’LL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER :) so get that brain ticking over with wisdom and get that great advice flowing :)

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Thx everybody!

Featured Artist - Danielle Reck

Danielle Reck is a wonderful artist who I met online at Redbubble, she has quite an incredible portfolio and it's really awe inspiring, check it out here

Carnival Skull by Danielle Reck

I thought we'd ask Danielle just a few questions about her art practice starting with why she loves drawing?

I love to draw very detailed pictures, I love to get lost in them and keep perfecting until I feel it's finished. I also feel it's something that I can be proud of.

Ruby in Bloom by Danielle Reck

I know what you mean Danielle, great answer...has drawing helped to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or illness for you?

I have Multiple Sclerosis so I get quite a lot of fatigue and also sensory numbness in my limbs, I'm always so thankful that I can still draw and hope I can continue to create pieces for a long time to come.

Oh me too Danielle, I didn't realise you had MS, that must be very challenging at times....I love your work very much, it's so unique and very original.....i can always tell they are your works, even from a distance!!!....They eyes are exquisite on all of your characters.....

Shirley and her Shadow by Danielle Reck

If you don't mind saying....where is your favourite drawing place?

I generally just draw in my loungeroom, I have a 16 week old beautiful baby girl, so finding time to draw is very rare but I try to pick up a pencil whenever I get the chance!

Wow, i didn't realise you had a little baby to juggle also, your work is so intricate and pretty, she's a lucky bubby to have such a clever mum! I hope she inherits your artistic abilities! Wouldn't that be great :)

A WONDERFUL LIFE EXHIBITION

Firstly, I'd just like to send out a huge thanks to everyone who's supported the exhibition, I'm so grateful....particularly to the two lovely ladies below, Annie and Robyn, who participated heart and soul....extending aloha to you girls, and to you all......i hope that you can find time to really have a look at these wonderful artworks and descriptions, they are treasures from souls who were so ready and willing and open to share some deep part of themselves with me/us virtual strangers, and somehow this brings us deeper and closer.....it helps me to realise, that we are never alone.....to go gently and to be loving and kind.....to everyone under heaven :) for we never know the circumstances that surround the people the pass us by....and a smile can draw a smile....and bring a moment of grace and peace/hope and joy....to be bearers of these things in this life, is a really special thing......it costs nothing....it's absolutely free...and it's a gift that gives back to the bearer.....please enjoy the girls responses and entries to "A Wonderful Life Exhibition" below:

Finally folks, it's time to reveal the wonderful entries received for "A Wonderful Life Exhibition" from Annie and Robyn of Redbubble....these two artists immersed themselves in the idea of representing their lives through a drawn garment, and to them I'm exceedingly grateful and so happy to honour their works here today on my blog. For them and for myself, it was a personal journey....although we have positives and negatives in our lives, if we are able to draw out the positives that come from negatives, we have a great win/win.....this is what we were attempting to do...I hope you enjoy reading the girls description of their entries as much as viewing their delightful works of art... you can also find both artists on redbubble at the addresses below:
Annie is here and Robyn is here

'MY LIFE A CLOAK' by Annie (Annie chose a cloak, as the 'garment' to represent her life)



(click on images for larger view)









































...and here is Annies description/writing regarding her work:

"a little about me and the cloak"

i am a grannie
that is the best most exciting thing ever
to be a gran and especially when a four year old states to the lady at the shop counter ..loud and clear for all to hear...THIS IS MY GRANNIE
i am a widow
i could well be deacribed as the merry widow
i am a daughter
i still have my fantastic mum
i am a mother
and very proud of my offspring
i am still undecided what to be when i grow up

the decision to join karins challenge was made as i readit ...i admire her work and pop in to see what is new...
that night i had a dream very simply that i would draw a cloak as that is what my life is like... it wraps around me keeping me warm and safe.

next day unusually i recalled the dream; i collected paper amd a graphite stick. as i made my simple shape i found there were words that needed putting on the paper
when i finished i immediatly began again... this time lesswords ...some the same

on looking carefully the first was private but the second held a message

i givi it now to you with love and blessings
annie
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thank you so much Annie for your beautiful contribution, it touched my heart....I love love love that you had a dream and from this dream your work evolved.....just like the creation unfolding....and so often, as you point out....a dream will offer more than one message....some for the viewer, some for the dreamer who dreamt the dream...beautiful, powerful, life building image and words....
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and now for the 2nd entry, which was submitted by Robyn Bradshaw titled "Veiled" - Robyn chose a veil as the 'garment' to represent her life - you can purchase prints and cards of "Veiled" JUST CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

"VEILED" by Robyn Bradshaw
(click on image to view larger)





















Robyn's poem and description of her entry "Veiled"

Black velvet ribbon, the threads that hold memories of sorrow, suicide
Softly in acceptance, sink gratefully into the velvet of sleep
Let rest renew body and soul
Tomorrow turn your face to the sun
Open your heart, breathe in life
Recapture the innocence of the child inside.



Drawing though long denied to me in a less than ideal 23 year marriage, is one of the joys of leaving & oh how I have ached for my childhood therapy.
The suicide of a parent 3 years ago was part of the catalyst of physical exhaustion in leaving to regain my health. Art has had a significant role in coming back from chronic fatigue.
The death of 2 siblings when I was young myself had left a scar as well.
It is hard to tell if the depression I have experienced is genetic or circumstantial, I would guess a combination of both.
I have come into a place of hope & healing. Art has become joyful therapy. A gift from the heart of the Creator.

My picture evolved & I enjoyed just going with where it took me.
It took me to a feeling of regaining trust, innocence, youth on the threshold of life, starting again.
The veil was symbolic of protecting against negative thoughts & focusing on beauty, love & hope while hiding the face and heart from the world for a time.
The velvet is the softness that does come in the eventual acceptance of tragedies, of leaving the endless questioning behind.
The 2 flowers are for my brother and sister who passed away at 5 months & almost 7 years old.
The pearls on the ribbon are tears, the sequins below are the memories of these lives that sparkled for such a short season.
The glass beads, gems & crystals symbolise the fragility, strength, beauty, & multifaceted complexity of our lives. The gems that are created under much pressure, when cut & crafted leave us with empathy, strength & hope for others.

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thnks so much Robyn for putting your heart and soul into this work, I was so moved by it...i loved the symbolism and felt it was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life, sorrows and sadness, grief and pain....but the flowers still blossom and the warmth of the sun still caresses one's face, a reminder that life is perennial as the flowers that return to bloom each year, that although there are seasons of sorrow, we remain optimistic about life....

artist interview with artsez

"India" by Sarah

Sarah, we have known one another for quite a long while now, since our days on eBay where you were so lovely to me, a newbie.... we would be so interested to hear more about why you love drawing?
I enjoy drawing as a medium/technique because I like the control, especially when I'm creating detail. Colour pencils, graphite, pastel and charcoal. It's good 'comfort' art for me.














Georgina by Sarah

As to why I love drawing as a general term, I started drawing as a youngster to express my interest in something. It was like this overwhelming need to get something out of me. As a teenager I loved a particular band, so I drew and drew and drew them. All through high school. Then after college the pencils went down and five years later I wanted to pick them up again because I was inspired by the visuals in a certain book about a boy wizard. So I drew and drew and drew the many scenes in my head. I have since finished with those, but the pencils have stayed out. Now I draw to challenge myself to new ideas and techniques, rather than the subject matter. I love drawing faces. I usually change the faces on my nudes from the model, to give them the personality I want in the drawing. That's a challenge and can be very rewarding when it works!













Michael by Sarah

2. Has drawing helped to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or illness?


















Valor by Sarah

I get back pain, and theres only one place I can sit comfortably when it's bad and that's cross legged on my bed. So to relieve the pain I can happily sit there and draw and forget about it for a while.

3. Where is your favourite drawing place?


















Papoose by Sarah

As above, on my bed! I love it. Boring at the moment in there because the music player is temporamental and no Tv as background noise but as a whole, best place. I'm comfortable, I have a lot of room to spread all of the materials and if I need a nap (which has been known to happen whilst drawing!) I can just fall sideways. I also enjoy sitting in the library, cross legged on a comfy chair, just sketching the people. You get funny looks from laptop users though sometimes.

Thank you so much Sarah, that was a fascinating interview, and I'm most grateful for your time...I'm sure all our readers will really enjoy finding out more about you!

Doll Collector

Out of action

Aloha.. I seem to have injured my drawing arm, see the physio on Monday so I'll post an update then. Apologies to my wonderful featured artists who are waiting patiently, I appreciate your patience and understanding
mahalo, and keep on drawing :)
Karin

Summer Rain - Inspiration - new drawing

Aloha...make sure you read Dave's interview below, he is my 5th artist interview for the year, and it's a fab read... and ta-daaaaaa! here is my latest drawing offering 'Summer Rain'... she's obviously just done a little rain dance and down it pours...and looky, there's even a rainbow in the background, a bunny and a birdie all enjoying a summer shower.

Where does your inspiration come from? I'd love to hear from you....

Late last night I went to bed and started flicking through a wonderful book of Fashion Illustration/Illustrators I have when I chanced only a few pages into it, to see an artwork titled "Summer Wind" (or something like that) and immediately I thought of 'Summer Rain" and a girl looking up and rejoicing in the rain... then I thought how apt it really was... with the droughts we have here in Australia, and the amount of enthusiasm we all share when it rains...to water our crops..

I also associate rain with God's goodness and abundance...reigning and raining over heaven and earth... and i use this word a lot in my prayer life....God rain down your goodness, shower us with your love... etc.. so this image comes with a wishing and a blessing...that will rain down goodness upon you....rainhugs... karin

Dave Edwards/BLYTHART - Featured Artist #5

Aloha peoples!

Today we are interviewing our 5th featured artist for the year, this time it's a dear friend of mine from redbubble's artistic community.. a lovely gentleman by the name of Dave Edwards who is otherwise known as BLYTHART



















106 - PICTISH KNOTWORK PANEL - DAVE EDWARDS - INK - 1985


Dave creates awesome drawings and many of us are in awe of his style and commitment to his artform. He has agreed to answer 3 questions and share some of his drawings with us, so without further ado, let's get on with the show!

Dave, do tell us, why do you love drawing mate?

I've always loved drawing to some degree, but what really kick-started my enthusiasm was discovering the work of the late-Victorian English artist Aubrey Beardsley when I was 24.

My artwork has passed through many phases. In my twenties I drew weird little faces, then in my thirties I got hooked on geometric drawing and bought myself a drawing board and instruments. I occasionally drew pictures, but mainly it was designs. Design has been a great influence on me, as my drawings will probably reveal. If I had my life to live again, maybe I could become a wallpaper designer (joke).

If I may wind the clock back a little to a time when I was seven years old, you would find me in the little Welsh village of Johnstown, near Wrexham. My mother hasd been hospitalized for a few weeks and my father decided the best way to sort things out was to leave me with my Welsh grandparents (whom I hardly knew), so he would not need to take time from work. On the first night I was put to sleep in a black iron-framed bed and covered with a quilt and a home-made patchwork quilt-cover. Since then, I have always liked patchwork designs.

180 - BLYTH POLICE STATION - DAVE EDWARDS - INK - 1991

As my father was a Methodist preacher I got to visit lots of churches and although I certainly believed (and still do) I found the sermons boring and spent a lot of time admiring the stained-glass windows. Later in life, as a middle-aged adult, I was to discover the joys of Gaudi's mosaics in Spain.

I believe it was Klee who said that 'drawing is taking a line for a walk'. Well, that walk is often an adventure for me. I went through a period when I did nothing but imaginative drawings and then I started doing representational ink drawings of my home town of Blyth, Northumberland (England). I paid a printer to produce a series of 27 different prints and they actually sold well, considering I live in a small town. Eventually I ran out of views to depict and lost interest in the venture. I had a period of about three years when I didn't even pick up a pencil. About ten years ago, I started to draw again. Two and a half years ago, a Canadian friend, Terry Krysak, invited me to join Redbubble and I haven't looked back since.

Thank you that was very very interesting Dave, now for my second questions, are you ready? I hope so.... lol....Has drawing helped to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or illness?

After my medical condition forced me into early retirement I started having feelings of worthlessness. For thirty-three years I had been the family's breadwinner, but now my wife started work and I took over her household tasks, including caring for our daughter, who is mildly disabled. It was a total role-reversal. I enjoy washing and ironing and don't mind shopping, but dusting and sweeping are my weak spots, which I am endeavouring to improve upon.














213 - WELSH DRAGON - DAVE EDWARDS - INK - 2007


Drawing has helped me immensely. I suffer from chronic anxiety, among other things and occasionally this involves periods of depression. As a child I was bullied by my parents and my school-friends and my father and friends managed to convince me that I was of low-intelligence and a general disappointment. From the age of eight I was known by the teachers to be "shy and timid." It's a long story, but basically, through drawing I found a world in which I could not only be myself, but receive some recognition also, which has come in the form of two solo exhibitions in my home town.

Unfortunately, often when I am depressed I lose the urge to draw, but once I have forced myself to draw I find the urge returning. Someone said that when we feel miserable we must force a smile on our faces and gradually the emotions association with smiling will materialize for us. In the same way, when I don't feel like drawing, I try to force myself to draw and I soon become involved and I am back in my little world of creativity, where I am in control of my destiny and can create whatever I wish to create without being told what to do by others. Drawing gives me a purpose in life and Redbubble gives me somewhere to exhibit my work.


Wow, thank you Dave for being so open about how drawing helps, I was just so involved in reading and pondering your words I almost forgot to ask you the next question......Where is your favourite drawing place?

That's a good question! Basically, I suppoe it depends on the weather...there now...you didn't expect that answer I bet :)

Well, noooo, i didn't actually....lol....go on......

If the weather is warm, I have a den in the loft of our house. Our house receives the cold winds from the North Sea and in winter, the top of the house gets really cold. In summer though, I sit at my specially designed and built (by me) art desk and draw, to the accompaniment of music. I find the music of Leonard Cohen or The Incredible String Band (both can be found on Youtube) particularly conducive to drawing.

In the winter I can be found with my family, downstairs in our nice warm llounge, sitting on the three-seated couch with my drawing materials either side of me and the TV on. I seem to have perfected the art of watching soaps on TV and drawing at the same time :)

On rare occasions I even draw sitting on the swing seat in our garden.

I hope this has been of interest to someone and if anyone wishes to chat with me about anything, my email address can be obtained from Karin.... Dave














216 - TOBY AND TABATHA IN THE TINY CITY - DAVE EDWARDS - INK - 2008

....and that's a wrap, thank you so much Dave Edwards/BLYTHART for taking time away from drawing to answer my questions, I hope you enjoyed it, I am sure our readers will and I loved every minute and love your amazing art and all the wonderful details...your style is all your own and it's fantastic, you are amazing!

Abundance

I drew this last night and played around colouring it today on the computer, no real wet paint ... just virtual...as i drew her, trees and rainbows, clouds and rain, the moon, butterflies, oceans, rivers, fresh shoots, fish and dragonflies, ships, stars and flowers appeared on her face and living things emerged from her... i was thinking about life and what it means. Pondering the big questions. I thought of the "Desiderata"

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church"! -- see below

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

I thought about how all the functions of the earth and sky and sea continue with or without me and I felt less frustrated with the world... for really, I am just a visitor to this amazing planet and I am the journeyer, the traveller... with or without me the sun shines, rises and sets... and it's kind of a comforting thought.

The words of my poem are pretty simplistic and childlike, almost embarrassingly so, but they run around the outside of her face...in the drawing above, so i'll write them her so you can read them properly, plus i added a few extra words below that don't fit on the actual drawing but make the poem sound more rounded and flowing.....when I'd done the drawing I thought I'd call it abundance, for abundance to me is when everything is flowing and functioning well and there is plenty of food and shelter and love to go 'round:

Abundance

The moon rose up
The rainbow sang
the trees grew strong
the fish hummed tales
the boats sailed on
the flowers grew wild

The rains fell down
the stars shone bright
the music played all
through the night
the tide rose high
the sun sank low
the winds blew strong
the seasons changed

The birds sang out
the grass grew green
the earth spun round
the rivers ran free

....abundance






here's the original drawing before I got all fancy and added colour

There's a Butterfly on my nose....

This is my latest nonsense drawing "There's a Butterfly on my Nose" and this is how it goes:

There's a Butterfly on my Nose

There's a butterfly on my nose
and an elephant in my teapot
with the moon strapped to her back
and a star on top of that

Life doesn't always make sense or go according to plan...i tribute this to my father, who is always getting into funny situations... like his hair is on fire and he hasn't noticed...or his pants are on inside out...but he's already out at the club when he realises...lol

I have another drawing/painting I did called "There's an Elephant in my Garden..."

Frida Kahlo – The Role of Creativity in the Perception, Personification and Healing of Pain

'Frida' by Karin Taylor (drawing Jan 2010)
felt pen, pencil, coloured digitally


Frida Kahlo – The Role of Creativity in the Perception, Personification and Healing of Pain
I have a special interest in pain, and people in pain…any sort of pain, who find drawing and creativity relieves the symptoms…and because of that my mind constantly fosters ideas, and tries to gain more understanding about it, through collating information and clues as to how creativity helps and I am very interested in hearing from people on the topic and learning more about it.
Click here to view the discussion on this topic over on redbubble

Drawing Resources

The Fundamentals of Drawing Portraits
A Practical and Inspirational Course
Barrington Barber
i scored this little beauty for $14.99
from Book Warehouse, Australia

...

The Complete Guide to Drawing & Illustration
A practical and Inspirational Course for Artists of All Abilities
Peter Gray
I bought this one for $14.99
from Book Warehouse, Australia

...
Learning how to see - Art / Drawing
http://www.learn-to-draw-right.com/right-brain-left-brain.html - right brained left brained exercise - learning to draw what you see

The Melbourne Art Therapy Studio

Click on image of flyer to view larger
The Melbourne Art Therapy Studio are advertising 8 week art therapy groups
starting 1 Feb 2010, no experience required
to book contact www.melbournearttherapy.com.au

Presenting Di - featured artist #3

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Di Decaire, an artist who finds drawing therapeutic for the relief of stress, we can see some examples of her wonderful drawings here, but be sure to follow the links at the end of our interview to learn more about Di and her art.. let's give her a big welcome... hi Di!! Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you and share with our readers your thoughts and a little bit about your journey. You are creating some beautiful art I must say, and I'm looking forward to finding out more about what's behind why you find drawing therapeutic ....

1. So first of 3 questions, why do you love drawing Di?


i have been drawing before i was talking, according to what my mother has told me. it is almost too natural for me. sometimes when i can't find the right word to how i am feeling, i'll start doodling and sure enough i have drawn how i am feeling right at that moment.
i always seem to have paper with me and i start doodling. my doodlings though get to be quite complicated and without realising it i have created an intense peice of artwork.



















(untitled doodle by Di, 2009)

2. Has drawing helped to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or illness?

when i draw, i get into a zone where the earth could have erupted and i wouldn't give a care because i am so intent on working my drawing. i have found that when my depression has full blown (and i am often hospitalized) i create amazing works. people have often given me a peice of paper and i can draw exactly what i am going through. my doctor now knows to give me paper and allows me to get my feelings out. if not my feelings would be trapped inside until i can get them out.
i have found that i carry paper with me always and i often bring out the paper when i am under more and more stress. paper is my friend and my pencil is my best friend. i know they won't judge me when i need to let my feelings out.

caged brain (2007- Di was hospitalized when this was drawn)


3. Where is your favourite drawing place?

favorite drawing place, umm, don't have one. i'll draw/doodle anywhere. i don't like it when people just stare at me like i am a wierdo just because i need to draw. i don't mind it at all if a person comes up to me and asks if they could watch. as i say, i get into my own zone and i am out to the world. my world becomes my art and what i am working on. the ultimate place to draw though is at my work, where art is encouraged (even by my boss) and i am encouraged to create and just be.

for me, drawing is very freeing and there are no rules, but lots of opportunities. drawing always me to be me. drawing is soo natural for me and talking is my second language.

one line of tears (2007) by Di Decaire

see more and hear from Di here at her blog and her art website

Di Decaire's Art Website

Di's Blog

MORE ARTY RESOURCES

Art Studio Chalkboard
drawing help for you on linear perspective, atmospheric perspective, shading and compositional models

The Figure Drawing Lab
To help you better understand the elements that make up the human figure, Primer, Proportion, Shading and Texture, Construction, etc.

Colour Matters
Does it really? Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Colour (color) is vitally important, it communicates STUFF.. read all about it

The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and his Letters

Read a very inspiration article about Van Gogh, things you may never have known about him, about his nature, etc... beautifully written, most enjoyable and uplifting

Recommending SARK

RecommendING 'TRANSFORMATION SOUP' by SARK - Healing for the Splendidly Imperfect
a book of stuff for your creative soul to ponder and ponder and be inspired by... stuff for when you're feeling down and blue...stuff for Healing for the Splendidly imperfect.... brilliant eccentric, uplifting, comical, wonderful...try it out...give it to a creative soul you love for Valentine's day even... it's helped me so much

The Art Instruction Blog

Wow!!! What can i say, today I came across a terrific fantastic resource, be sure to check it out, it's called
The Art Instruction Blog

Charcoal Techniques

Charcoal Drawing Basics & Techniques For Beginners here for anyone wishing to try their hand at charcoal or broaden their understanding of it all… there are vids of the following..pretty good stuff at the art instruction blog

1. Charcoal Drawing Basics : Art Supplies for Charcoal Drawing
2. Charcoal Drawing Basics : Types of Paper for Charcoal Drawing
3. Tips for Drawing with Charcoal : Types of Charcoal Drawing Paper
4. Tips for Drawing with Charcoal : Types of Charcoal Drawing Erasers
5. Charcoal Drawing Basics : Understanding Lighting when Charcoal Drawing
6. Charcoal Drawing Basics : Quick Sketch vs. Detailed Sketch: Charcoal Drawing
7. “Drawing with Charcoal & White Chalk” by Diana Moses Botkin
8. Charcoal Drawing Demonstration Using the Subtractive Method
9. Charcoal Drawing Basics : How to Erase in Charcoal Drawing

.....................................................................................

There's also another very good 6 part tutorial on charcoal drawing basics here for anyone who's just wanting to learn a bit about it and get started with the right materials and ideas

Drawing Tutorials from Beginners to Advanced with Brian Duey

I found a great blog I wanted to share with you today....
Get some great Drawing Tutorials and Tips from Brian Duey:

Beginner

Drawing Materials *NEW
Drawing Tools
Drawing Tips
Circulism Technique
Negative Drawing
Shading Tutorial
Face Drawing Tutorial

Advanced
Step by Step Portrait Tutorial *NEW
Pastel Painting Tutorial
How to Draw a Car
Rose Drawing Tutorial (colored pencil)
Colored Pencil Tutorial
Eye Drawing Tutorial
Nose Drawing Tutorial
Mouth and Teeth Drawing Tutorial
Hair Drawing Tutorial
Still Life Tutorial

Fun for the Kids

Dresses and Crows from Syringes, Paint and Brown Paper









Please click on the images to see the larger version
Here's a fun experiment than began with a novel idea from childhood...when we used to make butterflies in art....it's a fun variation you can do on your own or with the kids! I was just mucking about one day and found that you could make crowns and dresses with the same principles. Try making a princess or a queen's crown, or an outfit, using the old idea of painting down one side of a folded sheet of paper. I've made some really pretty crowns and dresses before using this idea.









1. Purchase syringes (without the sharps) from pharmacy (these are 10ml, they let the paint flow easily, but you can get larger or smaller ones)

2. Lay out a selection of acrylic paints and squeeze each one into a different syringe
3. Fold some paper in half (white or coloured) and begin applying the pain from the syringes, keeping in mind you are trying to make a dress shape and perhaps a crown above, so leave room for a head in between, which you can draw in later on with a felt pen or texta.










4. Make some more markings
5. Continue with squeezing the paints out onto your page, just down one side...
until you are happy and satisfied and feel it's complete...don't put too much paint on
as it squishes and spreads later on
6. Fold your paper in half, so that the paint is squished in between, and gently rub the paper to spread your paint onto the other side of the folded sheet, open your sheet and like magic, you have a dress, and perhaps a crown!
















7. Once the paint is dry, you can use a texta, felt pens or pencils and paints to apply a face with eyes, nose, mouth and some arms and legs.

Here's a variation of one I created a while ago, her name is Mary Queen of Hearts














1. I used a piece of brown paper and white gesso/acrylic paint this time to create my dress design.
2. I experimented for the first time using tempera paints. You make them by mixing
chalk pastels with egg yolk, pour the well mixed egg yolk (no egg white) into little tiny cups and grate some chalk dust of different colours into each one.... then mix each different colour well with the egg yolk... use a paint brush to apply to pretty soft colours to your white petticoat and you will have a very pretty pastel dress.


and below was actually the final result, after I'd played around with the design in on a computer program and made the colours brighter... you can do so much with simple ideas to begin with, and from their bigger ideas grow