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I have been planning to do this for ages. Or well, since the first time I saw Tommy Kane's klass while still preparing to launch the very first kourse of Sketchbook Skool, way back when.
So I drew my kitchen. First the rough directions in pencil, then I drew everything in pen and added details. It has been a pen drawing for a week or two, waiting for colour, while I filled up my next daily pages in my sketchbook.
Then finally I sat down and took out my watercolours. I hardly ever go back into a drawing to finish it, but this time I did, and I am so glad I did! Well spent drawing time, spent at my favorite place in the kitchen.
You can do this too. It's almost meditative. And very rewarding if you take the time for a drawing. If you want to learn from the master in slowing down and drawing details, Tommy Kane, go to Sketchbookskool.com and join the kourse "Beginnings". It's $99 and starts October 10. You will also learn from Danny Gregory, Roz Stendahl, Jane LaFazio, Prashant Miranda, and me. www.sketchbookskool.com
0 Comments on Drawing my Kitchen as of 9/21/2014 4:28:00 PM
Have I ever said here on this blog how much I love Amsterdam?
Welll... a LOT! I am a city girl - I love to be able to step out of the door into the city buzz, but also that I know to find quiet places of the city. It's a small city, so it's quite common to run into people, like you do in small villages. The other day, I went for run and almost bumped into my brother and my sister-in-law. It gave me a smile for the rest of my run.
The neighbourhood I live in, has great architecture, so just going for a stroll or a sketch outside nearby is a real treat.
These are two recent sketches I made during lunch breaks. Away from the computer and the home office, into sunny Amsterdam.
And what about all the bicycles in Amsterdam? Many people say it's the hardest thing to draw. But really, it's just shapes and lines in the end. I find it very meditative to sit down and peer at all those tangled shapes of the bunches bicycles that are randomly parked in Amsterdam. For the drawing below, I sat on a bench next to a herring vendor and his stall. I started out drawing my own bike, since I was sure nobody would remove it, then drew more bicycles in the background - sometimes I had to be quick, as the owner of one of the bicycles would unlock a bike and leave. But, as the herring vendor said, as he sat down next to me on the bench to chat and have a look at my drawing: "You could go on forever, they keep parking more and more bikes in front of you". True. It was a lovely sketchtime, and if I wouldn't have hd to leave for an appointment, I could have sat there for at least another hour. And buy a herring as a reward.
Of course I showed the herring vendor this drawing in my sketchbook:
'Lekker' means 'delicious'.
His respond when seeing the drawing was: "Well that's a hundred percent solid". Glad we agreed.
0 Comments on Amsterdam Love as of 9/18/2014 2:30:00 PM
Meet the woman behind Grove Music Online, Anna-Lise Santella. We snagged a bit of Anna-Lise’s time to sit down with her and find out more about her own musical passions and research.
Do you play any musical instruments? Which ones?
My main instrument is violin, which I’ve played since I was eight. I play both classical and Irish fiddle and am currently trying to learn bluegrass. In a previous life I played a lot of pit band for musical theater. I’ve also worked as a singer and choral conductor. These days, though, you’re more likely to find a mandolin or guitar in my hands.
Do you specialize in any particular area or genre of music?
My research interests are pretty broad, which is why I enjoy working in reference so much. Currently I’m working on a history of women’s symphony orchestras in the United States between 1871 and 1945. They were a key route for women seeking admission into formerly all-male orchestras like the Chicago Symphony. After that, I’m hoping to work on a history of the Three Arts Clubs, a network of residential clubs that housed women artists in cities in the US and abroad. The clubs allowed female performers to safely tour or study away from their families by giving them secure places to live while on the road, places to rehearse and practice, and a community of like-minded people to support them. In general, I’m interested in the ways public institutions have affected and responded to women as performers.
What artist do you have on repeat at the moment?
I tend to have my listening on shuffle. I like not being sure what’s coming next. That said, I’ve been listening to Tune-Yards’ (a.k.a. Merill Garbus) latest album an awful lot lately. Neko Case with the New Pornographers and guitarist/songwriter/storyteller extraordinaire Jim White are also in regular rotation.
What was the last concert/gig you went to?
I’m lucky to live not far from the bandshell in Prospect Park and I try to catch as many of the summer concerts there as I can. The last one I attended was Neutral Milk Hotel, although I didn’t stay for the whole thing. I’m looking forward to the upcoming Nickel Creek concert. I love watching Chris Thile play, although he makes me feel totally inadequate as a mandolinist.
How do you listen to most of the music you listen to? On your phone/mp3 player/computer/radio/car radio/CDs?
Mostly on headphones. I’m constantly plugged in, which makes me not a very good citizen, I think. I’m trying to get better about spending some time just listening to the city. But there’s something about the delivery system of headphones to ears that I like – music transmitted straight to your head makes you feel like your life has a soundtrack. I especially like listening on the subway. I’ll often be playing pieces I’m trying to learn on violin or guitar and trying to work out fingerings, which I’m pretty sure makes me look like an insane person. Fortunately insane people are a dime a dozen on the subway.
Do you find that listening to music helps you concentrate while you work, or do you prefer silence?
I like listening while I work, but it has to be music I find fairly innocuous, or I’ll start thinking about it and analyzing it and get distracted from what I’m trying to do. Something beat driven with no vocals is best. My usual office soundtrack is a Pandora station of EDM.
Has there been any recent music research or scholarship on a topic that has caught your eye or that you’ve found particularly innovative?
In general I’m attracted to interdisciplinary work, as I like what happens when ideologies from one field get applied to subject matter of another – it tends make you reevaluate your methods, to shake you out of the routine of your thinking. Right now I’ve become really interested in the way in which we categorize music vs. noise and am reading everything I can on the subject from all kinds of perspectives – music cognition, acoustics, cultural theory. It’s where neuroscience, anthropology, philosophy and musicology all come together, which, come to think of it, sounds like a pretty dangerous intersection. Currently I’m in the middle of The Oxford Handbook of Sound Studies (2012) edited by Trevor Pinch and Karin Bijsterveld. At the same time, I’m rereading Jacques Attali’s landmark work Noise: The Political Economy of Music (1977). We have a small music/neuroscience book group made up of several editors who work in music and psychology who have an interest in this area. We’ll be discussing the Attali next month.
Who are a few of your favorite music critics/writers?
There are so many – I’m a bit of a criticism junkie. I work a lot with period music journalism in my own research and I love reading music criticism from the early 20th century. It’s so beautifully candid — at times sexy, cruel, completely inappropriate — in a way that’s rare in contemporary criticism. A lot of the reviews were unsigned or pseudonymous, so I’m not sure I have a favorite I can name. There’s a great book by Mark N. Grant on the history of American music criticism called Maestros of the Pen that I highly recommend as an introduction. For rock criticism, Ellen Willis’columns from the Village Voice are still the benchmark for me, I think. Of people writing currently, I like Mark Gresham (classical) and Sasha Frere-Jones (pop). And I like to argue with Alex Ross and John von Rhein.
I also like reading more literary approaches to musical writing. Geoff Dyer’s But Beautiful is a poetic, semi-fictional look at jazz, with a mix of stories about legendary musicians like Duke Ellington and Lester Young interspersed with an analytical look at jazz. And some of my favorite writing about music is found in fiction. Three of my favorite novels use music to tell the story. Richard Powers’ The Time of Our Singing uses Marian Anderson’s 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial as the focal point of a story that alternates between a musical mixed-race family and the story of the Civil Rights movement itself. In The Fortress of Solitude, Jonathan Lethem writes beautifully about music of the 1970s that mediates between nearly journalistic detail of Brooklyn in the 1970s and magical realism. And Kathryn Davies’ The Girl Who Trod on a Loaf contains some of the best description of compositional process that I’ve come across in fiction. It’s a challenge to evoke sound in prose – it’s an act of translation – and I admire those who can do it well.
I tend to forget how remarkable it can be for tourists, how we Amsterdammers do most of our traveling through the city by bicycle. Just the other day, I talked about this with a friend who lives in Texas. There, even if you wanted to, it's just something you don't do. Not just because of the large distances, but also because of crime. Huh, I have to say I'm a happy cycling Amsterdammer, even more now.
Although I don't even need to get onto my bike when I have to get groceries. Just around the corner there are many shops with lovely stuff. Like this pomegranate. Makes my mouth water just thinking of it.
0 Comments on Life in Amsterdam as of 3/27/2014 6:21:00 AM
Sometimes, when it's the end of the day and I realize I didn't have time to make a daily drawing or sketch in my drawing journal, I take it to bed with me. To do a little bedtime sketch. Yesterday, when I did so, I was yawning a lot because of the long day behind me. So I snapped a pic of myself and used it as a reference to make this self portrait sketch.
The funny thing is... each time I look at it, I start yawning again!
(ps. in my upcoming class on How To Design A Character, we'll be working on a lot of different facial expressions and how to draw them - this one has a lot of character already!)
Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that not only does Danny Gregory have a new book out but I'm featured in it. And, I'm pretty damn well chuffed. It was finding the Everyday Matter's group, all those years ago, that kick started my own creative journey. Plus, I'm snuggled under the covers with artists that I totally adore. Read more on Danny's blog. Cannot wait to get my copy.
16 Comments on it's an old romance, it hasn't gone to sleep, last added: 2/28/2013
I just received my copy, and was so thrilled to see your brilliant work included. I love owning your zines, and am so inspired by your incredible drawings.
Thrilled for you Andrea! That is so great! I have several of Danny's books already.. can't wait to get this one now.. and to see which of your travel drawings he chose for the book. Big congratulations to you! Tim @poetreats
Thrilled for you Andrea! That is so great! I have several of Danny's books already.. can't wait to get this one now.. and to see which of your travel drawings he chose for the book. Big congratulations to you! Tim @poetreats
I'm thrilled to be involved. I should also have mentioned that I piched this photo from danny's blog. I havent got my copy yet, it's making it's way across the pond as I type.
Cheers, guys. Can't wait to see some of you in there too.
Anonymous said, on 2/26/2013 4:21:00 PM
This is going to sound a little bizarre (you might not even believe me) but what the hell...
I remember 'borrowing' one of Danny Greggory's books from the artroom library at school years ago; and I recognised a lot of names, but I remember being disappointed that yours wasn't one of them! I always thought your work would have been a perfect fit, and I honestly thought that book would be made so much better if your work had been a part of it! So saying, I'm delighted that it's happened! I'll have to get my hands on a copy soon! Many congratulations!
That is so sweet 'Anonymous', I'm really touched. And funnily enough, my copy arrived about an hour ago. It's absolutely amazing. Thanks again, you, and the book, have made my day.
Here's a couple I resurrected from the Graveyard of Abandoned and Unfinished Drawings. It's funny how you see things differently with some time and distance between you. I resented both of these when I was working on them. I resented the time and energy I'd put into them, and I resented them not turning out as I'd wanted. Did somebody say I'm getting old? Ooooof.
16 Comments on what's new pussycat?, last added: 7/9/2010
Love them both! The same thing happens to me, and I've learned to just stash a drawing away if I'm frustrated (instead of pitching it into the can). After a while passes, they sometimes look better to me!
Look, I know these drawings ain't going to set the world alight but I'm short of drawing time so I had to dig out some old stuff that I hadn't posted before. Also, finding these really reminded me of that artistic struggle that plagues my life from time to time. I have wanted to draw a bicycle for ages, well, certainly, since seeing this challenge on the EDM list. So, I started with the top one.
But, it wasn't quite right. It was OK for a little sketch, but I wanted to make a proper drawing. So, I kept on trying. And trying. And trying. Never quite getting it right. Sometimes pushing it way too far (above). Sometimes going off on a tangent (above). And, sometimes finding myself in the summer of 1976 (above). But, still I'm trying. I'll never rest until I make a bicycle drawing that I am happy with. I won't stop. No bicycle drawing is going to get the better of me. No way, Jose.
Oh, and Miss Musa, that was what was on the previous page to THIS drawing.
Stay posted for a MEGA bicycle drawing. Coming to a screen near you, very soon.
19 Comments on come out to play, last added: 8/13/2009
In the 70's you did have to have a chopper and my sister got one but I very girlie-like and wanted a Raleigh with a basket so she was cool and I was once again, the geek.
Anonymous said, on 8/8/2009 11:05:00 AM
I am most drawn to the 3rd one down..it's the most eyecatching to me. I love the angle and the wonderful drawing ! winna
at last! you should be ashamed for this neglect- and for the woefully lack of bike knowledge yet. how long do i expect for a gun draw? at least a katty.. hung on a 81's motobecane MX 25 of course. G. raleigh super burner may suit.
Rob said, on 8/9/2009 8:53:00 AM
c,mon....be truthful ~ you really can't ride a bike?
You have never owned a bike?! Shocking! Ahh the summer of '76. That was the heatwave, right? It was also the year Mr Pippa was born!
I really like these drawings. I'm glad you shared all of them. I always like the drawings you do with writing around them, but I also love the clean look of the final one.
Hello People, I was on a holiday for a month just passing by read this interesting post its great to see that every thing here is getting more lively...thanks a lot for these keep them coming....
Oh, wonderful. Love all three versions, with a slight preference for the first one. When I look at your drawings, I feel exactly like when I was a child looking at Walt Disney's drawings - it seems to me your drawings make things neater, more approachable and more lovable.
I've been meaning to draw this view for so long. Well, ever since I saw that there was an Everyday Matters challenge called 'draw the view from a window of your house'. It seems an appropriate time to finally get around to it. Before the reassuring view of Jo and Nick's house is no longer part of my everyday life.
Everyday Matters #18, the view from my window. See the rest of my Everyday Matters set HERE.
0 Comments on perfect weather to fly as of 1/1/1900
I really like this one. Your work tends to have a very detailed look, bordering on overworked. I think the simple silhouettes really help to balance things out. Well done!
that's so lovely. i love the simple line work for the forground detail. the frame and your cat. really pops the view. and not something i would have thought of.
Wow, how cool. I love this, even though it's quite a departure from a lot of your other work. The decision to leave the interior stuff in outline is genius, it works so well. Beautiful!
What a lovely view. This drawing is lovely. What I particularly love is the linear frame of the window and the cat - it draws the eye into the view more. Really lovely. Glad you were able to draw the view before you moved. Hope that's all going well.
Pippins x
Ps You wouldn't believe the kind of things which were going through my mind when I saw a comment further up from a Pippa. First I thought that I was going mad and that I had commenting before looking at the drawing. Then I thought that someone was pretending to be me! No, just someone with the same name. Panic over.
I absolutly love this!!!! For tons of reasons, mainly the view and the way it works with white space. It makes me want to paint! I'm going to paint this weekend, sod the jobs!
Jo, I'm so glad you like it. I was going to tell you about it, but you get here before I could! I shall miss the view. Oh, and if you click on the link for my Everyday Matters set, you can see your house right next to Ged's guitar.
What a wonderful drawing a design, Andrea. The cat's negative shape draws your eyes to the subject and the casually drawn window holds it all together. This would make a great serigraph; have you ever thought about doing a print of this?
I'm actually kind of sad for you that you have to move. I feel like we're a part of that house too from seeing your house from various angles in your drawing. I love when you use different colored pens like this! Adds to the bitter sweetness.
Anonymous said, on 2/9/2009 8:04:00 PM
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A couple of oldies here, from my Everyday Matters challenges. Or maybe, they are newies to the newcomers to my blog.
draw something yellow
Either way, there is a point (oh God, sorry for that awful pun) to me posting these. There is a question I've been meaning to ask ever since I started this blog. I do love to use colour pencil, but it often gets sidelined it for pen. I want to do a series of drawings in colour pencil soon. So I've started getting warmed up again. But, every time I do start using them I remember exactly why they got sidelined in the first place. And, that is the matter of them always always ALWAYS bloody snapping and breaking when being sharpened. It's just so annoying.
draw your palette
I've come to the conclusion it must be down to the pencil sharpener. It doesn't happen ever with graphite. And, as it would be a bit of a coincidence if every single colour pencil I own (from many different brands) were snapped before I'd bought them, I think it has to be the sharpener. So any pencil sharpener advice would be very welcome. The type of sharpener you use? The brand? How long they last? There's a fiver in it, for you. Cheers, folks.
0 Comments on catch the breeze and winter chills as of 1/1/1900
Hi Andrea, I also have a love/hate relationship with colored pencils. I use an electric pencil sharpener and then I keep a drafting pencil sharpener on hand to just sharpen the tips a little at a time as I need them. It is just a pencil sharpener screwed onto a cylindrical base that catches the shavings http://www.dickblick.com/zz214/01/. The only thing that I know about the leads breaking is that if you drop your pencils or tap them against something it will break the lead inside the pencil and then you are doomed to breakage for the life of that pencil. =( I also sometimes use sandpaper. I am sure there are others way more experienced than I who can give you better advice. Hey! How about those colored pencils that are all lead and no wood? maybe that would be better. =)
The only time this ever happens to me is if the pencil got dropped and the quality of the pencil matters too. Your drawings are so intensely observant!
Hi Andrea, I remember discussions about this topic before on EDM. Lots of people found that buying pencils in Open Stock is better than a set for 2 reasons 1) It's usually cheaper and more importantly, 2) you can look at the TOP end of the pencil and see if the coloured 'lead' is centered in the wood part of the pencil. If it seems to be more to one side -closer to one edge - choose another that is centered. The off centered pencil has more stress on it as you sharpen it causing a torque (twist) and it snaps.
Also, for what it's worth: I use the old fashioned crank pencil sharpener like what we we had in grade school. With that type of sharpener I control how sharp the pencil should be and I don't waste as much as when I used an electric sharpener. Those things EAT pencils VERY quickly!!!
I understand the frustration with color pencils. I like the lack of clean up, but keeping a point on them is a pain.
1. get a centered lead - it does matter
2. best sharpener for me has been a little hand one with a cover to catch the shavings. The good news is that it's portable. The bad news is that it fills up quickly.
3. Recommendation from the girl at the shop - don't let them rattle around in the pencil bag (purse or whatever) because it breaks the lead even though the pencil looks fine. She put them in a little bag and then wrapped them up like a burrito.
I don't think i can suggest anything like the others. I just wanted to tell you that i'm so glad that i've found your blog and seen your artwork. Ever since i found your blog, i've been visiting it religiously every single day hoping that i could see something beautiful. You inspire me a lot, i love your style and love how you could crosshatch so well. I'm excited for your new coloured pencil drawings, keep them coming. Thank you for your art work. thank you.
I started sharpening with a razor - I use one of those box-cutters to do it. I think it causes breakages less often, but it is kinda messy. I like the point that I get with my hand sharpener (the prismacolor one that has a cover) but it fills up fast and I think it eats the pencil faster than when I sharpen with the blade.
Do you know that since that shavings drawing a couple of years ago (or so), i have not sharpened a pencil and seen the shavings fall without thinking of you? I kid you not. And every time, i think "there is no way in hell i could draw those".
My Coloursofts never break. But my Prismas always do - skinny leads. But then, I do use my coloured pencils as if I'm trying to carve the wood with them, rather than draw with them. I use one of those tiny little silver sharpeners. The "KUM" brand has worked best for me.
Have a quick peek at what I did to my green pencils recently, if you like! Here: http://tinyurl.com/68867c
And oh, I love these two drawings. I hadn't seen them before, and coloured pencils are so close to my heart!
Hi Andrea, I'll echo the above comments; if your lead is not centered, you'll have a problem with colored pencils breaking. Prismacolors have been the ones I have the biggest problems with. I use a Panasonic electric auto stop pencil sharpener to get extra sharp leads when needed. The other pencil sharpener I found that works is the Dahle 155; it's not electric so it doesn't sharpen as sharply as the Panasonic. But, the hand helds drove me crazy. Have you visited http://www.scribbletalk.com/? If you want to know anything about colored pencils, these artists know it. Plus, its a nice, friendly forum.
Andrea, I'd just love to see more colour in your drawings (I love your pen drawings but I always remember that mushroom you drew and the gorgeous use of colour) - don't give up! Hope no-one else is reading this ;) because I'll say it straight - Prismacolors are crap. The Ratners of colour pencils! Try Polychromos (or anything else!) and use a bog standard Kum sharpener. They seem to always be sharp and they cost nothing. (Mind you, cp's ARE annoying if you like sharp points, I agree.) How Prismacolors pass trading standards I'll never know and everyone says they break, be careful about lead centering etc - you don't hear that with European brands and we wouldn't buy them if they were made like that. I have a box of Prismacolors I can send you if you like but they are all in bits!! ;) Love the drawings btw!!
Hi Andrea. I use karisma coloured pencils. And I sharpen mine with the old fashioned hand crank sharpener, which works great. I bought mine in Lidls for about 2.99 last year. I'm sure they'll have them in again sometime.
I had exactly the same problem. I figured maybe it was to do with the softness of the lead (much softer than a HB) so I bought one of those eyeliner pencil sharpeners. Never had a problem since. Of course, you can't get a super fine point, but a bit of sandpaper or an emery board soon sorts that out :)
That was the problem that used to put me off using coloured pencils, back when I was using cheap and nasty ones (not that I'm suggesting you are using cheap and nasty ones!). But since I bought my Caran d'Ache Pablos I haven't had any probems.
sharpen with a knife, and never drop them. if you drop them, and the leads are broken... omg its not even worth trying to sharpen them! i agree with the pen thing - i always go back to my pen. but i find in my case its a sense of impatience - with pen things happen immediately, while drawing in pencil requires work that i don't have any patience for these days!
I keep reading the other comments about dropping them and that may be what is causing the leads to break, which makes me wonder how often the box of Prisma color pencils I bought was dropped before I bought it. I don't even use all of the colors, but the ones I do use break every time I sharpen them and I've never dropped mine. This is very frustrating!!
I think everyone has already covered the pencil breaking problem very well - I can only echo what has been said. No to prismas, and get a good sharpener. I never have trouble with my polychromos and coloursofts breaking. I like the little hand held sharpener Faber-Castell makes, it's nice for colored pencils. Awesome drawings here!
I use one of those little barrel type pencil sharpeners that hold the shavings - they have a slot specially designed for coloured pencils with no end to it. It means that the 'lead' isn't pushing against the end of the sharpener and they never break.
Well worth trying
I mainly use Polychromos but have a mix of other bits and pieces
I didn't read all the comments, so perhaps someone else covered it:
1. look for centered leads when you buy colored pencils 2. when pencils are dropped, the lead inside gets broken and that's why the little pieces come out even though you've just sharpened. 3. in college we used utility knives to sharped, and that worked well.
First I want to tell you how much I love your work - everyday I look forward to checking your blog.
As far as sharpening pencils, I had this problem for a long time too. At a certain point I was even using those pencil sharpeners made for makeup (like eyeliner pencils) because they seemed to break less. But eventually I picked up the trick of using knives to sharpen. Exacto knives work, but I find they feel a little bit flimsy; the best ones that I've found are utility knives. Very sharp, strong, and no chance for slicing off a finger when rummaging in a bag.
Wow. Well, thank you ALL!!! I know you guys are good but I wasn't expecting this kind of response! I guess it's one of those times when I've touched on one of those subjects that really hits a nerve.
I'm quite overwhelmed and am not sure where to start. This is great though, really.
A few of things that I've got from this;
1. it could actually be that ALL my colour pencils are actually broken? that is a shocker!
2. don't buy Prismacolour. I use Karisma (which seem to have been distcontinued) and Faber Castell - which are still all broken.
3. being extremely accident prone (clumsy) I've ruled out sharpeneing them with a blade.
4. 'centred lead' I had NEVER heard of this before.
5. and then there's the miicrowave suggestion. i'll definately give that a go and report back on it.
My problem is that I like a super sharp lead for super detailed drawings. Hmmmmm.
I'm just going to go through all this info again. Thank you SO much. You are stars!
danielle said, on 12/11/2008 11:48:00 PM
Hi Andrea, I can second the recommendation for the Dahle 155. You can get it at Dick Blick in the US, not sure about your side of the pond, though.
Andrea, your drawing of the pencil shavings is fascinating. I'm always amazed with your ability to do such wonderful detail.
I use Prismacolor pencils and prefer a very sharp point. I treat my pencils like glass Christmas ornaments to protect the leads, and I use a KUM hand-held pencil sharpener (tiny, silverish). Since it's difficult to locate replacement blades, I bought a bunch to last me forever (less than $1 each). Prismacolor once included this sharpener with their pencil sets, and I think it is now encased in their new hand sharpener with the lid and shavings holder. My electric sharpener eats them.
Any hand-held sharpener should have an opening at the point end so the point is protected from jamming.
Love my primacolor pencils though they sometimes break. I don't seem to have an extensive problem though. I can't say that my pencils get special treatment either.
I use an electric sharpener - Boston brand. It's not a fancy model, just one from the local store.
I have noticed that it works much better when you sharpen a soft graphite pencil every so often to keep the mechanism working smoothly and empty the shavings very often.
My theory on why coloured pencils break whereas graphite do not is the colour pigment (am I the first to answer this question you posted?). Pigments are powder to begin with, and so when they are compacted, they are constantly working to get back to their powder (earth) state of being. A more breakable colour pencil, given this theory is correct, might mean more true pigment and less medium. This is just a guess. I stick with Prismacolours because of the brilliance I get out of the pigment. I don't care that they break. In fact, if the pencil splits down the side, I extract the "lead" and use it like a conte crayon. Then you can rub the drawing with a sideways colour pencil if desired. Keep going strong, Andrea. You're work is as brilliant as ever. -Micah
Anonymous said, on 12/14/2008 9:53:00 PM
Might want to try a Koh-I-Noor 983 3 hole sharpener/pointer (www.hyatts.com/art/kohinoor-983-3-hole-sharpener-Q63000)for thinner core pencils. One of the holes sharpens just the wood leaving the core untouched. Rotate the sharpener and use another hole to to put a fine point the core. Third hole works like plain single hole sharpener. I have been using mine for about 20 years now with good results.
This is my first comment, so first let me thank you for your blog. It's so nice to see such wonderful work on a regular basis!
I'm afraid I don't have any pencil sharpening tips for you, however I do have a tip for you and your readers:
Derwent pencils have a factory in Keswick, Lake District. I've only ever bought my drawing pencils from the 'seconds' bin there. You can get pretty much any of the Derwent pencils you want for a fraction of the retail price. They're only seconds due to cosmetic faults such as illegible lettering etc. and all the ones I've had from there have been great! Plus, it's always a good excuse to take a trip to such a beatiful area.
I believe that, in the past, I have vowed to never ever draw anything that incorporated a light design on a dark background ever again. It really is a bugger. If you don't believe me have a go.
But, there again, I do believe that I've also vowed to never ever reveal any more of the contents of my underwear drawer.
I'm calling this one EDM #193 - Draw a close-up part of something. You can see my set of challenges, so far, HERE. I've also been interviewed this week by the lovely Laura of Make Do And Mend. And, you can read that HERE.
Should I cover my eyes and apologize? **wink** Once again, you've turned something so ordinary into something amazing. At the risk of sounding terribly "cheeky" I have to say "Nice knickers!" :D
Loved the interview and nice to see your work in a narrative, really impressed - well done you! I love the complexity of the underwear drawing - I seriously would not know where to start, it must have took you an age to work it all out! Your pen work is truly staggering and an inspiration. Keep producing magical stuff!
Oh, too cute! Love the touch of color! Never would have thought of drawing this - great idea! I think this one is going to become my second favorite of your drawings (the first being the working table you drew a while back, with a lot of stuff and books on it).
Your talent is truly amazing. I am always in awe at the fine detail of your ballpoint drawings—wow!
Jackie said, on 12/9/2008 11:11:00 PM
I just got the latest newsletter from Chronicle Books and you are one of the 5 artists they picked for there "what's in your Moleskine" contest! congrats on that! (they show one of your button drawings) I like the touch of color,too,and the interview was great.
Thank you all, folks. I'mso glad you like my knickers!
This is the LAST time I will be flashing my pants. Well, maybe...
Glad you liked the interview too. It's a very cool site. And, always well worth a visit. I was very flattered to be asked to participate.
Jules, I know what you mean about seeing some of those oldies. This set has built up since the beginning of my blog! It's nice to see some of them again (only some!), and it's quite a colourful set.
Jackie, thanks for letting me know about the Chronicle Books competition. I didn't know. That's made my day.
loved the interview andrea... really wonderful hearing what inspires and motivates others. and your work is of such a ridiculously high standard. very intimidating. and thank you for your comments on my blog. it's quite scary taking those first few steps.
It's been so long since I did an Everyday Matters challenge, so today I thought I'd have a go at the latest one which is 'draw something lucky'. This little Welsh pixie charm is supposed to be lucky. That, of course, is if you believe in luck. I don't.
Have just been looking at your recently completed sketchbook - am awestruck! Congratulations on your wonderful work - and I trust there is much more to come.
I don't hold much stock in just plain old luck either, but if you're talking about when preparedness and opportunity collide, well that's a little different.
I like this one. I always like the ones that are different from my usual style. And, the ones that others aren't that impressed by! Just look at my Fave Moley drawings.
Yep, Jim, I'm with you. That's what I believe in too.
Hey folks, I'm in a bit of a rush but wanted to post something before I go. I don't have the time to add the links that I wanted to add. I may get to add them at a later date. Seriously, I should have left the house five minutes ago. Why am I always late for everything? That's a question I will ponder for the zillionth time while I drive through the hills. To my second date in a week with Stephen Stills. Now did I ever tell you about my love for Stephen...........
(Oh, and I'm calling this one Everyday Matters Challenge 164, draw a camera.)
20 Comments on isn't it so, last added: 10/25/2008
Wonderful values as always Andrea...Enjoy Steven to the max...I know I always do...um, that sounds naughty... I'm talking about the singer songwriter folks. LOL:)
The strap -- oh, the strap. This is another beauty in the series, Andrea. It looks as though it wants to turn its back to us. I love it. I can't believe we were both drawing a camera again at the same time.
Andrea: The more I look at your art work, the more amazed and floored I am... I can't tell you... you've given a new meaning to art appreciation... and my students ADORE IT. I teach literature and writing and I sent my students to your flickr page to look for things to write about! Now they want to do it every week!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! a grateful "father" ;-)
Wow, you are an inspiration to a lot of folks Andrea ... as you are to me. Loved that comment about the students using your work to provoke writings. YOU ROCK GF!!!!
When I say 'date', well, that is not strictly true. I just went to see him in concert twice in one week. It's an obscure crush, I know, but I think it's obvious, by now, that I am just a little unusual.
Thanks for such kind words. This camera drawing was a commissioned piece. I hope the owners like it.
JCR, thank you so much. I'm pretty blown away by that. Thanks.
As you might imagine, it is a rather sophisticated and professional setup here at AJ head-quarters. Recently, I have relocated my studio - from the armchair to the kitchen table.
Also, recently, I have been rediscovering the work of, a childhood hero of mine, Ronald Searle. His work had such an effect on me when I was a kid. It was around that time I fell in love with illustration. The magic of illustration. I was thinking about all of that when I did the bottom of the two drawings.
Anyway, you know the drill; click on image to view.
30 Comments on once, twice, three times a table, last added: 6/10/2008
The juicy cat nose touch!!! Oh Andrea, this is one of the very many, many brilliant details about this illustration. I particularly am drawn to the shift of style in this one -- though it is unmistakably an AJ.
I love both these drawings. I agree, a different style for you, especially the top one. The descriptions are hysterical. My son was asking what I was laughing at. Can't wait to see what you do with the dead bugs!
I was undecided about posting these. The first drawing is defiantely a change in style. In fact, it was only half finished but I liked it like that. So, amazingly, I left it rather than cross-hatch it to buggery. That's why I had another go at drawing it - which turned into the second drawing.
OK, I have stopped dribbling and jibbering and shall now attempt a slightly more articulate comment.
You are so skilled at integrating the written stuff into your drawings that, had you not posted the first drawing, it would have been impossible for me to visualise the scene without the annotations!
The first one's great, but when you're spoilt by having the second version to compare it to, it's rather like a vase with no flowers in it.
Gosh, I haven't been here in a while, Andrea, and these drawings are wonderful. I loved looking at every little thing on the labeled version of your desk. (And I clicked on the link back to the green armchair, too.) Wonderful work.
WOW! I love them both. I always like drawings with your handwriting in them. You have such lovely handwriting and the things you write make me laugh. This going to become a flickr fave!
Absolutely amazing. I don't know how you do it but you keep your art so fresh and fun. When are you going to start selling on Etsy?
Anonymous said, on 5/19/2008 3:59:00 PM
Hello! I passed by a few days ago and spent a long time loking at your first table drawing. Then I read your words. Then I went to pick a pen and some paper and made a drawing. It was my first since I was a kid, maybe twenty years ago. Apart from being great, your drawings remind me of what used to inspire and make me happy when I was a kid. I'm very happy now! Thank you! Delph
Nope, Suzanne. It's not one of the dead ones. Those are the casualties along the way. Our drawing bugs are HARDCORE. I like to see mine as the Keith Richards of drawing bugs!
In fact it's probably like Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne and Shane McGowan on a night out, when all those drawing bugs get together.
There is not a great deal of drawing going on at the moment. I'm still wiped out after the last one. And still no colour. I do, however, have a pile of half finished drawings that seems to be growing all the time. Thought I'd finish one today. This one.
Everyday Matters #17, draw a musical instrument.
21 Comments on the line it is drawn, last added: 3/24/2008
Very cool indeed. Finish off those drawings - or at least show us the half-finished drawings?
PamYla said, on 3/15/2008 9:23:00 AM
Beautiful drawing!
Computerarte said, on 3/15/2008 9:53:00 AM
Great!
no way said, on 3/15/2008 9:56:00 AM
Great strings-especially the one facing toward the viewer-that angle is a tough one.
I love looking at everything on your sketchblog-especially the older stuff I never saw when it was originally posted. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Alan said, on 3/15/2008 10:28:00 AM
great drawing.
Jennifer Lawson said, on 3/15/2008 10:33:00 AM
Beautiful! Love the way you cropped the instrument.
Teri C said, on 3/15/2008 11:05:00 AM
What an interesting viewpoint!! Love those strings.
wagonized said, on 3/15/2008 11:15:00 AM
That's a very sweet one. Some people like to cut their strings at the end there, but i like twirling them just like that.
juj said, on 3/15/2008 12:27:00 PM
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with a pile of half-finished drawings sitting around their house (stuffed in their bag, under the bed...) I often wonder how is it I am so great at starting something new, and not so great at finishing anything? especially lately...
You were certainly great at finishing one of yours tho - simply beautiful. And I LOVE those curly guitar strings!!
Shelly McC said, on 3/15/2008 5:11:00 PM
Wow! Gorgeous!
Peceli and Wendy's Blog said, on 3/16/2008 4:21:00 AM
Super drawing and curved lines are more interesting than straight lines on the page. Musical instruments have great shapes to draw, especially the strings. w.
littlemithi said, on 3/16/2008 5:12:00 AM
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... is all I can say ;)
Blanquita de los Bosques said, on 3/16/2008 9:58:00 AM
I love the picture and the texture! Great!
Pajara Pinta said, on 3/16/2008 2:50:00 PM
Hello! I found your blog at jacketflap and I wanted to let you know how much I love your work! is really beautiful!!!
come visit me some day!
www.caracarmina.blogspot.com is about children illustration!
ciao now!
andrea joseph's sketchblog said, on 3/16/2008 8:06:00 PM
Thank you all folks. I definately had doubts about posting this. There is something wrong with it but I can't put my finger on what. It just looked like such a good subject. Especially those twirly strings.
Lots more halfifnished drawings, but they usually are half finished for a reason - they are no good. God, I'm the worse self-critic.
Thank you all.
Gillian said, on 3/17/2008 5:56:00 AM
Very clever drawing - it has an almost abstract quality. I love the way the strings curl round, giving movement to the piece.
Just because said, on 3/17/2008 12:00:00 PM
Are we not our own worst critiques? For us novices, your work is compelling and striking. Even your not-so-finished work is a masterpiece for those of us who are striving to get better at our craft. Keep up the great work!
Mark
E-J said, on 3/18/2008 1:50:00 PM
My eye cannot see whatever wrong thing is troubling yours. (That's probably why I can't draw like this!)
And finished schminished. I'd love to see the unfinished stuff!
Scrappy Cat said, on 3/20/2008 9:46:00 PM
I love this! It's really cool.
andrea joseph's sketchblog said, on 3/23/2008 9:36:00 AM
Thank you, folks.
Siret said, on 3/24/2008 6:05:00 AM
Very nice MATRIX guitar! I like your illustrations very much!
Gosh, this is so amazing when seen in the larger, clicked-on format! Wonderful, Andrea--I really like your quirky yet classical style ;D.
beckasharpe said, on 2/29/2008 9:28:00 AM
I love your attention to detail, especially when drawing little things! :o)
Karen Blados said, on 2/29/2008 10:13:00 AM
you have way more patience than the average artist. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G-!
Teri C said, on 2/29/2008 10:23:00 AM
OMG!!! Who would have thought of drawing something like except you!! Fabulous!!
Nina Johansson said, on 2/29/2008 10:39:00 AM
Oh, you have captured my favorite spice here! Favorite not because of their taste, but because of how pretty they are. Fantastic drawing, I never thought to draw ALL the star anises in the package... Beautiful!
weebug said, on 2/29/2008 11:01:00 AM
very cool! i wouldn't think that there was so much variety in the details!
Ann said, on 2/29/2008 1:51:00 PM
I so enjoy your drawings! As others already said, fun to see it in it's larger format - so much detail - amazing :)
Knitting Painter Woman said, on 2/29/2008 2:47:00 PM
Holy smoke! I don't know which is more surprising, your attention to detail, or HOW FEW STAR ANISESESES there are in a jar!! I bet they smelled good, too. Here's a miniature rendering of a jar of cinnamon: ^
aka Moomstex on EDM
littlemithi said, on 2/29/2008 2:49:00 PM
Aaaahhhhh SOOOOOO lovely!!!! Would so use that as a kitchen wallpaper or wrapping paper for bread or something ....
Margaret Ann said, on 2/29/2008 2:52:00 PM
I love the fact that you were up drawing these in the wee hours of the morning...I adore your gentle, delicate touch...and...I am flabbergasted by your exceptional level of patience! Another masterpiece! ;)
wagonized said, on 2/29/2008 8:17:00 PM
Beautiful piece. I would love this framed in my kitchen. Great choice for the Illustration Friday theme.
no way said, on 3/1/2008 8:30:00 AM
Patience! I love this drawing.
MILLY said, on 3/1/2008 10:06:00 AM
Lovely as always. Loved the red and green boxes, are we going to get other colours..hope so.
andrea joseph's sketchblog said, on 3/1/2008 4:51:00 PM
Thanks folks,
Yeah, the star anise is the prettiest of all the spices, and it was the sweetest smelling subject.
I think this one looks better in 'real life'. A bit disappointing on screen. Oh well.
Cheers, gang.
Genine said, on 3/2/2008 8:23:00 AM
Andrea this is amazing. this has to be one of my favorites! Your patience and talent are insane.
Yellow said, on 3/2/2008 11:26:00 AM
This is lovely. Again, your eye for composition is fantastic.
O my gosh!! I feel like I've stumbled upon the most wonderful treasure. Wow! Impressive & beautiful.
Just because said, on 2/23/2008 6:22:00 AM
Looks like an illustration out of a book. Thanks for using your gift and sharing it with the world.
Mark
thats just it said, on 2/23/2008 10:24:00 AM
This is great.
I also wanted to thank you for all of your comments on my blog. It is still a bit of a fresh blog and any comment is awesome. Thanks
Anonymous said, on 2/23/2008 11:17:00 AM
Andrea, This EDM challenge was well worth waiting for. Your ability to construct depth and layers - as well as the muted colors always "blows me away." Shirley http://www.paperandthreads.com
Joan Y said, on 2/23/2008 12:13:00 PM
I am *green* with envy Andrea! I love your little, color coordinated collections!
Teri C said, on 2/23/2008 1:05:00 PM
Another beauty Andrea! So little and yet a big punch.
gabi campanario said, on 2/23/2008 8:34:00 PM
your compositions are so engaging, they make me want to spend hours looking at all the details. awesome work!
Ann said, on 2/23/2008 9:21:00 PM
Absolutely wonderful! I love it and especially the little gnome inside the bottle :)
Shelly McC said, on 2/24/2008 2:42:00 AM
Stunning!
Computerarte said, on 2/24/2008 6:31:00 AM
LOvely like always!
Jennifer Lawson said, on 2/24/2008 8:30:00 AM
Beautiful! Such an wonderful way to express the EDM challenge of drawing something green. I would probably do lettuce or broccoli, or I am sure I have some green shoes somewhere in that closet.
E-J said, on 2/24/2008 3:56:00 PM
Since this was "my" EDM challenge, I went back and looked at my entry for it, and remembered that I had dedicated it to you. The interesting thing was that in your comment, you mentioned that green was your favourite colour ... so I'm sort of hoping that there will be more drawings like this one, where green plays a major role ... It's lovely.
Please can I send you a couple of Moos?
janey said, on 2/24/2008 6:17:00 PM
This is like looking at clouds. I'm sure I see that little button smiling. How adorable.
andrea joseph's sketchblog said, on 2/24/2008 6:55:00 PM
Thanks everyone.
Glad you like this one, I like it too.
EJ, I remember your post, and it had the same title I believe? I'd love you to send me some Moos - we can do a swap.
Cheers folks.
Parrish70 said, on 2/24/2008 8:32:00 PM
Andrea, I discovered your blog today and it jumped to the top of my favorites list! Your art is amazing and I am really enjoying browsing through all your older posts. Colleen
Desiree said, on 2/25/2008 2:22:00 AM
I have given you an award on my blog for your inspirational blog and artwork. I just love stopping by and exploring your work!
Joan Sandford-Cook said, on 2/25/2008 10:52:00 AM
Trying to work back as to how I found you. Started with Anita giving me an award and reading blogs of the others she chose. Then reading their choices and THEN WHAM there I was looking at your beautiful creative pieces. Where do you get such lovely ideas? Your profile says you live in the UK but where????You seem to know EJ from the Fens and I'm in Norfolk. You've been quickly added to my favourites.
Eric Orchard said, on 2/25/2008 11:22:00 AM
This one is great, the colour is wonderful.
Lost In Wonder said, on 2/25/2008 5:28:00 PM
Oh, I feel like I've found a real gem by stumbling into your blog. You have such a delightful style and outlook on the world around you.
Ann said, on 2/25/2008 8:52:00 PM
Andrea, I have give you an award too! Check my blog if you want to participate :)
Margaret Ann said, on 2/25/2008 9:06:00 PM
Andrea,
OOOH..Sorry about the deletion above...I tried to correct a typo...and "poof" it was gone!
You INSPIRE ME! The tender, delicate interpretation of daily life in your drawings makes my heart smile.
PamYla said, on 2/26/2008 1:39:00 AM
Beautiful! Your drawings always have such a beautiful 3d feel to them, like you can pick them right up
andrea joseph's sketchblog said, on 2/26/2008 7:10:00 AM
Thanks, everyone.
And, welcome to all the new visitors. I'm not sure how you found me but it's nice to 'see' you. Thanks for all the awards too.(Actually, come to think of it, that's probabaly where all the new visitors have come from).
Joan, I'm from Wales but I live in the Peak district. The other side of the country from you, EJ, Anita etc.
I can't tell if my rendition of this 1920 something home or the home itself evokes the memory. I never lived there but have been fascinated for as long as i can remember by this stucco home setting as it does today on a hillside. It represents to me a simpler time I would have loved to visit. So my contribution to this week's theme REMEMBER. Enjoy.
0 Comments on REMEMBER as of 1/1/1900
Alina Chau said, on 4/27/2007 8:29:00 AM
Lovely!!
summbumm77 said, on 4/27/2007 8:35:00 AM
cute. i am also fascinated by this style of home.
Makita said, on 4/27/2007 8:56:00 AM
Beautiful. Very calm and peaceful looking.
A Sepia Colored Photo said, on 4/28/2007 12:56:00 PM
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Can't wait to get my copy! I saw your drawings in there, so rich as always, look forward to seeing them on paper.
Congratulations-- I've pre-ordered mind already!
---Laura
I want one too I've been popping around seeing all the other familiar faces with spots between the covers Danny has a lot of good company
I just received my copy, and was so thrilled to see your brilliant work included. I love owning your zines, and am so inspired by your incredible drawings.
Congratulations!
I have come across your blog and love your work. Don't seem to be able to follow you, but will still pop over occasionally
I have come across your blog and love your work. Don't seem to be able to follow you, but will still pop over occasionally
congratulations my copy should be here any day now.
I'm soooo looking forward to this book! But - having to wait until March? *sob*
Thrilled for you Andrea! That is so great! I have several of Danny's books already.. can't wait to get this one now.. and to see which of your travel drawings he chose for the book. Big congratulations to you! Tim @poetreats
Thrilled for you Andrea! That is so great! I have several of Danny's books already.. can't wait to get this one now.. and to see which of your travel drawings he chose for the book. Big congratulations to you! Tim @poetreats
Congratulations! I can't wait to receive my copy and get a peek inside.
Congratulations! Well deserved!
Thank you thank you thank you!
I'm thrilled to be involved. I should also have mentioned that I piched this photo from danny's blog. I havent got my copy yet, it's making it's way across the pond as I type.
Cheers, guys. Can't wait to see some of you in there too.
This is going to sound a little bizarre (you might not even believe me) but what the hell...
I remember 'borrowing' one of Danny Greggory's books from the artroom library at school years ago; and I recognised a lot of names, but I remember being disappointed that yours wasn't one of them! I always thought your work would have been a perfect fit, and I honestly thought that book would be made so much better if your work had been a part of it! So saying, I'm delighted that it's happened! I'll have to get my hands on a copy soon!
Many congratulations!
That is so sweet 'Anonymous', I'm really touched. And funnily enough, my copy arrived about an hour ago. It's absolutely amazing. Thanks again, you, and the book, have made my day.