Behind the canvas: a peek into my art process
Introduction
I enjoy seeing how artists, writers and other creatives produce their work. For me it’s a learning process: what materials they use; how they use them, and where they create their art.
I started sketching in 2016: I was going overseas and took a sketchbook with me. I thought sketching would help me fill the time – and also give me something to do when sitting alone in cafes. I’d never thought of myself as an artist. I was influenced and intimidated by the illustrators whom I’d met during my publishing career: I never dreamed that anything I could produce would have value. The thing is, by putting pen to paper, I created something that was valuable to me – and that’s the point of art.
My inspiration
When I was a young girl, my father used to bring the New Yorker magazine home from the public lending library. I paged through it even before I could read, poring over the cartoons. I loved them then and now; the simplicity of the line, the amusing characters and funny anecdotes.
Cartoon for Compton Learning
As well as line drawings by Saul Steinberg in the New Yorker, I like Egon Schiele’s work. He also used simple line drawings and added colour and atmosphere to his subjects in a special way. I love colorful paintings like those by Matisse, and David Hockney, who inspired my digital art.
For my pen and ink drawings, I enjoy working quickly without too much thought - just letting the pen lead my hand through the line of the person whom I’m drawing. For my digital drawings, I spend far more time shaping and styling the image. Digital is fun because I can add and subtract, which I wouldn’t be able to do with a hand drawn piece.
Materials and tools
I started drawing on an iPad with an Apple Pencil and the Procreate app. Since taking up sketching, I've been using pen and ink with the occasional watercolour and gouache paints.
Digital collage on iPad with Procreate. Using my father’s original portrait photos together with my mid-century style sketches.
I use a fountain pen and have started using a fude nib. A fude nib allows me to draw thick and thin with the same tool, which is especially fun when drawing fast..
When I first started drawing, I had no clue about most materials: what was the difference between a 1.0 and an 0.1 nib? Happily, sketching switch Urban Sketchers taught me a lot. This group is so kind and helpful, always willing to share their knowledge and tools.
The creative process
When I sit and sketch in the street or in a café, my prime imperative is to draw quickly. I want to capture the people before they leave their table, or the street scene before it changes too much. But I did learn a tip from another urban sketcher: if people do move or leave, just replace their legs with someone else’s! For my sketches, I’m not too concerned with accuracy; more with capturing the feel or sense of a place. Another tip I learnt recently was to use my iPhone as a frame on the page. Doing this provides a canvas within the canvas, which is helpful particularly if the overall scene is a bit large or daunting to draw.
I’m an impulsive sketcher. I spend less time planning than I do drawing. And I’m quite unashamed about changing or adding to the drawing to suit my sketchbook page. It doesn’t matter to me that the proportions are not perfect; I’m more interested in capturing the signage to preserve a record of the place and time.
Studio setup
I seldom sketch in a studio. Most of my sketching is done on location. This might be in the street, in a café, on the tram, boat or plane. Sketching at airports is a great way of passing the time.
I sketch online, attending lectures or presentations. If I’m doing this for a commission, I take notes during the presentation and draw after the event. I do a draft pencil thumbnail, to check whether I’ve captured what I’m trying to say.
For a commission, I might work from a photograph, sketching a portrait or an object. I do this either on iPad or on paper. It depends on what the client wants. I like the immediacy of pen and ink on paper, but I equally like the ability to change and enhance the image digitally.
I enjoy doodling at my desk. I might do this during a presentation or just to clear my mind between tasks. My doodles sometimes become cards or bookmarks.
Time and patience
I don’t spend a great deal of time on the location sketchers – anything between 30 minutes and an hour-and-a-half at most. But it is worthwhile to spend longer if possible. It shows in the finished quality of the artwork; the detailing is always better.
On location at Praga Cafe
I first experienced what I now call ‘Slow Art’ while sketching at the National Gallery of Australia. I was there with Urban Sketchers Canberra, on a cold winter’s Sunday morning. I sat in front of a sculpture of First Nations poles. I became lost in the detail, trying to capture the patterning details. I was amazed after nearly 2 hours passed; my attention was so focused on capturing the artwork in my sketch that I forgot anything else. I learnt afterwards that this is called ‘getting into the zone’ or ‘going with the flow’. There and then I decided to study art therapy. I thought if I can experience this wonderful ‘thing’, perhaps I can teach others to do the same.
Final touches
I like to finish off my digital artworks with a bit of texture. This could be adding a ‘salt’ brush to the background colour. I’m playing around with adding a linen texture to my canvas, emulating the ‘old masters’. Sometimes I add definition with a black line or shading. Most of my art is ‘flat’ so adding these small touches can bring a bit of life to the drawing.
I always save my digital images as photographs. I like to use and re-use details from my artworks. Nothing is ever wasted, even in digital art. I add the saved image samples as backgrounds or patterns to future artworks.
I always share my images on Instagram; it’s fun to get feedback on new pieces. It gives me an idea of what is popular or what my followers would like to see more of.
Reflection and growth
In 2016 I drew my first sketch at Melbourne Airport. It was only when I started using black pen that my sketches gained some life. I think I’m at my best doing simple line drawings. But when I draw digitally, I love drawing in full, dramatic colour. I’ve learnt a lot using Procreate to add drama to my drawings.
While I like drawing quickly, I have learnt that to produce a quality artwork, I need to spend time on the drawing. Taking the time to consider the composition and particularly the colours, is always helpful. I like experimenting with various colours so using Procreate palettes is good fun.
As an artist, I’ve enjoyed and appreciated my own journey of art creation. My motto is, you’ve just got to do it! Try out all sorts of tools and mediums to find the right fit. I keep on returning to pen and ink + digital. But trying out other media informs those practices: I use the techniques in my own way.
Conclusion
I think everyone has different drivers and different ways of doing things, particularly when it comes to art. I’m interested to know what you think and how you do it. Get in touch so we can learn from each other.
I run courses to enable you to de-stress, reduce tension and spend time with likeminded people. Have a look at Slow Art for details.
You can follow me on Instagram @slow.art.life.
