Monday, September 14, 2009

Character Study - Day 6 - Welcome

Ink has to be the most unforgiving medium. Once a mark is down, that's it. Oh well. For this piece, I just kept working with whatever mark I made whether it was accidental or not.

I was inspired today by Kathy Weller's post where she talks about training herself to "work WITH [her] mistakes." This week she is drawing very directly and spontaneously with Sharpies, having no preliminary pencil drawings. Some lovely stuff resulted.

Another artist who addresses this is James Surls. At a Decordova Museum lecture, he said that he doesn't consider any marks that he puts on paper "mistakes" or "accidents." Whatever he puts down on paper is valid. For him, there is no erasing.

This is another call to banish that inner critic. Maybe it's not the medium that needs to be forgiving.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very strong and evocative. No mistakes here!

thedoodlegirl said...

I don't see any mistakes! I love the strong, bold line work!

Anonymous said...

I like this - very bold and ominous.

juniordcool said...

its very beautiful, i have got to learn that cuz i make a lot of mistakes when i draw, visit www.drawing-is-fun.com

Zelda Zap said...

Great work! I might need to break away from my pencil habbit now. I make mistakes all the time, but it's all hand of the artist. We don't want to be machines do we? Well even they make mistakes.

jcdillustration said...

Ooh this is so dramatic. At the same time it's actually a little funny. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I have seen the witch before so it's funny to see her peeking out.

I find ink unforgiving too... then alternatively there's Photoshop which can really lure one into "fixing" things until they look nothing like the original!

zime said...

Wonderful illo!! And thanks for your lovely comment!! (^v^)

valerie walsh said...

Wonderful work! Yes, all artists have to learn the art of compromise :)

Jim Hill said...

"maybe it's not the medium that needs to be forgiving"

Well said. That should go up on my wall.

Great witch too. I love how dark this is, but the stairs take your eyes right up to the payoff.

Michelle Henninger said...

This is a really great piece Ann Marie!! I love it!! Really cool, and mysterious!! Well done lady!!

studio 3810 said...

Great illustration. Nice composition.

Emily said...

Oh darling hence the delights of a white gel pen or acrylics! A pen and inkers best friend!

That said, I don’t think this piece need them!...lovely depth and atmosphere!
cheers!