Studio Practice

My Inner Monologue – The smooth paper or the textured paper. That is the question!
New grain paper is great to experiment with… How a pencil mark can alter its course because of it’s surface.

I am not sure what I favour. The smooth or the textured paper?

The textured, is more complicated, more aesthetically interesting, whereas the smooth holds a ‘solid’ form without interruptions of these textures and crevices. In short, the smooth paper creates a more aesthetically pleasing drawing. Whereas the journey of creating a drawing on the new grain paper is more interesting but doesn’t always look as good.

I’m not sure which paper to continue with…

After much deliberation on what must seem to the an outsider as a trivial question – A ‘first world’ problem, which has no merit to even think about, never mind write about. – I am moving forward with the smooth paper (for now). But will dabble with my textured paper in the future with different compositions and designs.

My inner monologue runs away with itself, sometimes into heated one man debates over every detail of my practice.

Anyway, I will get back to creating drawings…

[on smooth paper ;-)]

Adding the ‘grisaille’ layer to my latest drawing with graphite and burnishing tools.

A Short film on how I created the Sunflowers Commission (in red) for a client.

The Sunflowers Commission (in red) is inspired by Van Gogh’s Sunflower Series. The abstract drawing has been produced with ink, bubbles, watercolour, pencil and coloured pencil.

This week, I have got to that stage where I am in dire need of a brew. My trusty callus protector is doing a fine job but I have been denying myself breaks from drawing, which has lead to a sore hand that now resembles more of a claw.

Sometimes, I just get so involved in drawing and lose track of the time. When glancing at the clock, I think “just 5 more minutes, then I’ll take a break”. Inevitably, another hour passes and I tell myself the same thing, “just 5 minutes, I really see this piece going somewhere…”. 

I find it hard to pull myself away from drawing for much needed breaks for the eyes and hands. Running your own art business requires more marketing and business time then actual art production. Let’s face it, artists love to make art! That’s what we do. So to convince yourself, as an artist, to take a 10 minutes break can be extremely difficult.

I have found the less breaks I take, the more I am doing myself an injustice. Regular breaks actually keep the mind more focused. It allows my hand and eyes to adjust. The more short breaks you allow yourself the better, as then you find yourself more relaxed and motivated to continue. There is more room for your creativity.

The next time I think “just 5 more minutes”, I’ll tell myself, “No, now it is time for a cup of tea”.