30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 30!!!- Destinesia: New Definition and It's CURE

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 30- Our Final Day!

Poppies are everywhere in the Spring in Europe.  I found a portion of some lyrics by Robert Burns about poppies that spoke to me on many levels.  I included them in the background of my sketch. " Pleasures are like poppies spread,  you seize the flower it's bloom is shed. Or like a snowfalls in the river, a moment white then melts forever."  How beautiful is that?!!!  Ahhhh....

We have reached the end of our 30 Day Drawing Challenge.  30 days of drawing.  Wow!  What a great journey it's been to even write these lessons for you, and I hope it's been a pleasure for you to participate. Congratulations on arriving at the finish line!!!  You've made a huge commitment, and given yourself a gift for a lifetime.  Reach around and pat yourself on the back.  

When I see you next, I can't wait to give you a hug and share your reactions to these lessons in class.  Yesterday while you were drawing flowers, I spent a long day driving home from my painting sabbatical in Florida.  While there, I was pursuing a personal commitment to complete as many paintings as I could.  My goal was 30 Paintings, 30 Blogs in 30 Days, and I am happy to say that with a lot of hard work, and after today's blog, I will have done it.  Yay for all of us!  

A new lesson for my upcoming EAT PAINT COOK Tour.
Can't wait to teach this and other art lessons in Tuscany!
"Tuscany's Emerald City- San Gimignano" ©Rebecca Zdybel

Today's challenge- Fighting "Destinesia" or The Secret to Remembering Your Travels

I stumbled across a new word the other day that got me excited- "Destinesia". You'll find it in the Urban dictionary, describing the phenomenon of going somewhere and forgetting why you went there in the first place.  Thankfully, that isn't much of a problem for me. However, I needed a way to describe another frequently experienced phenomenon for which I did not have a good word.  Destinesia seemed the perfect word. So, So, I humbly submit this alternative definition for Destinesia: 

Destinesia:

• Going someplace and not remembering much about it. 
•  Difficulty remembering where you've been...

If you travel, you can probably relate.  You go to a town, you see the local church or the center of town, you walk around, stop and shop, have a snack or a meal, and go on to the next place.  Then you go home, and you can't remember the name, or anything more specific about the place.  You look at photos and think...hmmm.  Where was that?  

My sweet traveling companion- Maggie <3 We had so much fun in Greece! 

For a time, this phenomenon became a discouragement to traveling for me.  I got tired and bored of seeing new places and not feeling like they moved me or impacted me very much.  

Then I discovered ART focused travel and everything changed!  Now I can't get enough of going new places, drinking them into my soul and my memory banks by recording them with drawings and paintings.  

Parthenon- Athens, Greece  ©Rebecca Zdybel

Siena Rooftops 1 and 2 ©Rebecca Zdybel

The buzz of this kind of travel has become so euphoric that I have determined to spend 6 weeks traveling this autumn.  It's scary and exciting all at the same time!  I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to experience this kind of adventure and can't wait to record the journey artistically.  The quiet little corners, the sounds, the smells, the encounters with people, all lead to beautiful mental vignettes for me as I draw and paint them.  They've also resulted in some sentimental art journals that I love to share.  In this modern era, we all over-document our lives with photos.  Creating these art journals has shown me time and again how sketches are so much more personal, and people enjoy sharing them with me. Nobody wants to look at my photo albums, but they actually enjoy seeing the art journals. These sketches tell a different story than a photograph ever could.  There is real joy for me in seeing the reaction of others, and sharing the stories attached to the sketches.  I predict you might have the same experience if art journaling became part of our travel routine. 

I'd like you to experience this for yourself.  If you cannot travel with me, then you can at least record a place you've visited and connect with that place again, even now... 

The idyllic courtyard at beautiful La Finca Del Niño in Spain
Gateway to Heaven ©Rebecca Zdybel

So here is your Drawing Challenge for Today:  Fight Destinesia and DRAW a place you have visited

• Think of a place you've visited and loved.  Go back through your photos, or go to Google Images and search for images of that place. (If you missed Day 28's lesson on how to do this here is the link: How to use Google Images)
• Take that image and draw it using one of the many different approaches to sketching you've learned during this challenge.  Here's a short list of ideas for techniques (all of them are associated with lessons from this 30 Day Challenge): 
• Draw with a water soluble marker (e.g. Elegant Writer or Tombow)
• Do a continuous line contour drawing of your subject 
• Draw your photo reference upside down
• Draw the negative spaces within and around the positive shapes in your photo
• Vignette your subject 
• Add words to tell a little story about why that place has meaning for you
• Frame your subject with lines or words
• Create a toned ground and sketch your subject on that surface
• Add shadows to create linkage between multiple subjects
• Add watercolor to your sketch 
• Create a Zentangle within your sketch

This list could go on and on... You can use any of my ideas or think about coming up with YOUR OWN approach to the subject.  I've given you wings, now it's time to FLY!!

If you feel the wind beneath your wings and like the idea of an ADVENTURE with ART as a FOCUS, I encourage you to come with me to TUSCANY.  My next big adventure will include my EAT PAINT COOK Tour of Tuscany Oct 3-10, 2015.  I have a really nice group of people assembling around this trip, and we look forward to incredible food, scenery, art lessons, and cooking classes, capped off with live music in the evenings.  You can see my brochure here on my website: EAT PAINT COOK Tour of Tuscany- Click this link

New Classes Begin: 

Watercolor Wednesdays 1-4PM Begin again on June 10
Saturday Sessions 1-4  will begin June 13 
(Reserve your seat in advance for all classes, please)
Be sure to check my calendar on the website for any changes in schedule. Contact me for more info: Rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

My website will be changing platforms soon:  If you are a current subscriber a notification will soon arrive in your inbox and ask you to confirm your subscription again.  Just click that confirmation and you will continue to receive updates to this blog directly to your email inbox.  You can become a subscriber by entering your email into the box along the right edge of my homepage (in desktop view).  If you are a mobile subscriber, you may need to go to desktop view to see it.  If you'd like to subscribe and have not been able to do so, please email me and I will send you a link.   My email address is rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com.  

I have lots of new ideas and lessons I plan to share.  I also will be traveling extensively during September and October and will be blogging about my adventures and my art along the way.  If you subscribe today you'll be kept up to date and share the all the fun. I hope you do! <3 

This scene was just down the street from my hotel in Toulouse.
Bienvenue à Toulouse ©Rebecca Zdybel

These Banana trees were everywhere in Spain.
Banana Beach  ©Rebecca Zdybel

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 29- Draw Flowers

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 29- Draw flowers

Elegant Writer and Watercolor 

Tombow 947 and Watercolor

Congratulations! Tomorrow you will be able to say you committed and completed 30 Days of Drawing!  I was discussing the joy and the zen of drawing yesterday.  I paint, and of course I love painting.  I also love to draw and sketch, and surprisingly I sketch for a little different reason.  When I draw, I am very present wherever I am.  I am seeing intently and noticing my surroundings.  When I paint, I tend to be transported and the process is more "otherworldly".  I'm not sure if anyone else can relate to that, but there it is. If you have thoughts on this I'd love you to comment and hear your opinions.

That's why I love to draw and paint on location.  Art journaling is incredibly fun and almost my preferred way to make art when I travel...it forges an incredible bond with wherever I am.  I hope you'll pardon me taking a moment to encourage you to join me for my EAT, PAINT, COOK Tour of Tuscany Oct. 3-10, 2015.  It is art travel at it's finest.  It's incredible...and I'm not just saying that!  Drawing, Painting, Eating chef prepared meals, seeing gorgeous Tuscan hill towns and vineyards, sampling local wines, cooking lessons, drivers to all our destinations, and music in the evenings...ahhh, I can't wait to get back there and would love to have you join me!  See the brochure on my home page in desktop view, or follow this link:  Eat Paint Cook Tour of Tuscany 10-3 to 10-10-2015

Misty Morning in Tuscany ©Rebecca Zdybel
The view from one of our little hill towns is panoramic
and lends itself to paintings like this little watercolor sketch.
Join me and I'll take you there and show you how...

During our 30 Day Challenge, you've processed a truckload of information, so I'm going to keep it simple today and let you get right to it.  Let's celebrate spring and the glorious beauty of flowers!  

Today's Drawing challenge: 

• Take some real flowers, or real artificial flowers and draw from life, OR find a photo reference and use that for your drawing.  You may use any materials you'd like
• When finished you can send me a photo!

Here are a few sketches from fellow artists and past days of the Challenge:

So much fun to see what you do with these challenges!

Special Notice: 
My website will be changing to become more mobile friendly and add some new features.  If you are a subscriber, you will need to update your subscription.  A new notification will soon arrive in your inbox and ask for you to confirm your subscription.  It will be from my website server.  Just click that confirmation and you will continue to receive updates to this blog directly to your email inbox.  There is a button on my home page that allows you to subscribe, but if you'd like to subscribe and have not been able to do so, please email me and I will send you that link.   My email address is rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com.  I have lots of new ideas and lessons I plan to share over the next few months.  I also will be traveling extensively during September and October and will be blogging about my adventures and my art along the way.  If you subscribe today you'll be kept up to date and share the all the fun!  I hope you do... <3

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you give attribution and include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 28- Draw from a Google Image

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 28- Draw from a Google Image


Vegetable or Fruit? Tomato or Tohmahtoh? I never knew how beautiful artichokes can be.  While researching artichokes, I discovered the artichoke flower, and I had to include it in my sketch of French artichokes.  How did I discover the artichoke flower? Answer- Google Images.  If you've never tried looking on this site for reference images, then you NEED to go there.  

  
Examples of photos I found on Google Images


How to use Google Images: 

• There's two ways to get to Google Images...When I go to Google on my desktop, up in the top right corner of the screen the word "IMAGES" is next to my name.  If you click on that word, it will take you directly to the Google IMAGES site.   

• You can also go to the Google website and you search the word "images" Google IMAGES will come up as the first option.  Click on it and a world, no a UNIVERSE! of images will be at your fingertips.  I go there very frequently when I have a project in mind to obtain reference photos or begin to wrap my mind around a subject and various ways to treat it.  That's what I'm going to have you do today.

 I always try to Draw from LIFE or 

Draw from PHOTO references.

When doing realistic artwork, it's my assertion that you should always be looking at a reference of some sort.  Every time I draw from inside my head without looking, things quickly go wrong.  Objects simply don't appear as I imagine they do.  Does this surprise you?  If you have trouble drawing, try LOOKING more carefully at your subject.  I bet you'll see improvement in your work. (Make sure you put your glasses on, haha!) 

The other day I had you draw a Teacup from life.  This can be a challenge.  You have to sit still.  Often, it's helpful to close an eye (to keep the slight perspective difference between your eyes at a minimum). Composing your subject can be difficult.  You have to answer a host of questions just to get started: where to put it on the page? how large shall you make it?  Will it go off the page and where?  Will you draw the entire object? From what perspective will you draw it?  Whew!  No wonder it's hard to know where to begin sometimes!

Photos are great, and to avoid any controversy, the best ones to use are your own. This avoids lots of issues. But let's face it, we don't always have photos of what we need.  That's when Google Images is a goldmine, but CAUTION!  How to avoid getting in trouble for copying someone else's work: 

Drawing from a photo reference immediately answers some of the problems that need to be addressed when starting a project.  With that photo, your perspective is already decided upon, and your image has already been composed and sized within the frame.  This is why photo references can be so helpful.  This is also why images are considered intellectual property.  The photo artist has composed, cropped, and captured a unique perspective on the subject.  If you use someone's photo as a reference, you must keep in mind that you are copying someone else's work.  However, it's not black and white.  The lines are gray, and I try to use a common sense approach.  If I use someone else's photo, I try to make it so that the photographer will not recognize their work in mine.  I personally do not think it is wrong to be inspired by other artists.  I do think it's wrong to copy, unless you are in a class or beginning as a painter. However, if you are going to enter shows or sell your work, many art organizations who host juried shows will reject you and possibly embarrass you if they withdraw an award due to copying.  Be very careful how you use other people's images!  The general rule for me is this:  If it's someone else's image, I don't enter it in shows.  If I've copied someone else's painting, then I also don't enter it in shows and I personally feel it also should not be sold.  Do you see the lines getting grayer here?  If you are working with a teacher and you copy their painting, I would suggest you check with your teacher and get permission prior to entering or selling.  This will help you avoid any future awkward moments.

Impermanence by Sheryl Luxenburg.  The stock photos she used to derive her painting are below. 

These stock photos were combined for a painting which won the AWS gold medal in 2008. If you're curious, here's an article that tells what can happen even if you buy the license to use an image.  Sheryl Luxenburg had her award withdrawn and is now banned from participation due to violation of the AWS show's stipulation that work must be original:  Innocent mistake led to controversy: disgraced artist and Statement by AWS regarding controversy over Impermanence-2008 Gold medal withdrawal.  We all need to make sure to avoid that kind of situation.

OK, I've gotten a bit wordy today, but some days I just have a lot to tell you =). 
Here's your Challenge for Day 28 of our 30 Day Challenge:  

• Go to Google Images and research a vegetable or fruit and find a reference or a few references.  If you want to draw artichokes, it's allowed, despite the fact that it's really a flower! ;-)
• Print out your favorites and then use them to create a drawing.  You may use your weapon of choice, so long as it doesn't hurt anyone. lol
• You may draw, color, or whatever your little heart desires for this sketch. You've earned it after 28 days of dedication!
• Take a photo of your sketch and send it my way.  I'm enjoying the exchanges I'm having with those of you who are sharing with me. Here'a a few of their sketches from Day 27 Draw a Chair:

 

Special Notice: 
My website will be changing to become more mobile friendly and add some new features.  If you are a subscriber, you will need to update your subscription.  A new notification will soon arrive in your inbox and ask for you to confirm your subscription.  It will be from my website server.  Just click that confirmation and you will continue to receive updates to this blog directly to your email inbox.  There is a button on my home page that allows you to subscribe, but if you'd like to subscribe and have not been able to do so, please email me and I will send you that link.   My email address is rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com.  I have lots of new ideas and lessons I plan to share over the next few months.  I also will be traveling extensively during September and October and will be blogging about my adventures and my art along the way.  If you subscribe today you'll be kept up to date and share the all the fun!  I hope you do... <3

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 27- Draw a Chair

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 27- Draw a Chair

©Rebecca Zdybel

Today's subject is just sitting around waiting for us to draw. Get it?  I hope I hear you smiling.  ;-)

What makes a chair challenging is that it may require you to really look carefully, because they don't look like you might think they look.  Why?  Because they are adhering to laws of PERSPECTIVE.  We all know those legs are all the same length, but they NEVER look that way.  Would you ever think a chair could stand on 2 legs?  Would you ever draw it that way? Would you ever even imagine it that way?  But look at the photo on the left...

You see...it's all a matter of perspective! Think of the chair as as a 3D Cube of sorts.  As such, the bottom of parallel chair legs will generally recede to a disappearing point on the horizon (or at the same height as the viewer's eyeline).  Similarly, the edges of square seats, and chair arms may also recede according to lines of perspective. In fact, drawing a cube around the seat of a chair as a guide of sorts can be a good idea.

Food for thought-  If an object is below the horizon line, all horizontal lines of perspective will recede UP to the horizon.  If the chair is viewed from below (with a low horizon), all horizontal lines of perspective would appear as if they are receding DOWN to the horizon.  It may sound confusing if you haven't practiced drawing your cubes, but for those of you who have, I hope this will be a helpful bit of information.  For more complete instructions on this concept follow this link: 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 18- How to Draw a Cube

The chairs above have 3 ½ legs and 3 legs...hmmm.  Who'da thunk?

Ahhh, finally a chair with 4 legs, but look!  None of them are the same length!

Another Hint:  Sometimes drawing a chair by drawing the negative spaces can make everything fit together a bit easier.  This is a tried and true technique from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.  You may want to try it with these chair photos, or you may draw your own if you prefer.  If you wish to draw the negative spaces, taking a photograph is the easiest way to frame your shot and flatten the image.  Send it to your printer and you're ready to draw!  For more instructions on this way to draw follow this link:   30 Day Drawing Challenge day 6- Complex Negative Image and 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 5- Think positively about drawing Negatively

Good luck drawing your chairs!  Only 3 more days till you cross the finish line and can pat yourself on the back and say you completed 30 Days of Drawing! I'll be back tomorrow with yet another free lesson, and I hope you'll meet me here.

Special Notice: 
My website will be changing to become more mobile friendly and add some new features.  If you are a subscriber, you will need to update your subscription when it changes.  A new notification will soon arrive in your inbox and ask for you to confirm your subscription.  It will be from my website.  Just click that confirmation and you will continue to receive updates to this blog directly to your email inbox.  There is a button on my home page that allows you to subscribe, but if you'd like to subscribe and have not been able to do so, please email me and I will send you that link.   My email address is rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com.  I have lots of new ideas and lessons I plan to share over the next few months.  I also will be traveling extensively during September and October and will be blogging about my adventures and artwork along the way.  If you subscribe today you'll be kept up to date and share the all the fun!  I hope you do... <3

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 26- Free Draw

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 26- Free Draw

Day 26 of our 30 Day Drawing Challenge will be a chance to draw in your own way, with your own choice of tools.  I've given so many options over the course of this challenge.  Today you can try something again that you enjoyed, or take something that was difficult and practice it another time.  Perhaps you could combine ideas from a few different days...

©Rebecca Zdybel

For my example above, I again used the Tombow Marker 947 which I recommended you purchase.  (If you would like to get one, it's around $5-6. Here is a link:  Tombow 947 Marker- Amazon)  I then formatted with a frame and added words for content.

For this example, I searched Google for a quote about orchids.  
Then I included it as part of  my sketch.
Contour Drawing with Tombow 947 Marker and Watercolor. ©Rebecca Zdybel 

Here are some more ideas:

• Bring Balance and Content to your sketch with words...as I have in some of these sketches. For some examples of great fonts you might use follow this link:  30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 13- Find a Favorite Font
• Create a vignette version of your image or soften the background around your image.  Here's the link that explains how to do it:  30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 17- How to Vignette
• Think about formatting your image after drawing it by creating a frame that contains or intersects your image in an interesting way. Part of learning how to draw, is learning how to present your drawings and compose your work. These little drawing tricks are very helpful, but they need practice!  
• Frames, words, and a little pop of color can add pizazz and lend composition to a solitary image.  Kind of like dressing it up or putting on makeup.  Your drawing may be inherently good looking, but it may look better with a little sumpthin' sumpthin' (that's how we say it down here in the South). I explain this concept more fully here: 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 12- Draw, Format, Paint

Notice how the tape pattern on the brush handle is repeated in the background frame.
The curves of the lettering are also repeated in the curved edges of the frame.  This repetition brings harmony and improves the design of an otherwise simple sketch.  ©Rebecca Zdybel

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy the meditative and personally rewarding aspect of making time to draw.  When you do, you will really see what's in front of you.  My time spent on art is always enriching, and I hope your time spent on this challenge ends up making you feel the same.  I'll be back with another challenge for you tomorrow...

Don't forget to send me your drawings! rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Special Notice: 
My website will be changing to become more mobile friendly and add some new features.  If you are a subscriber, you will need to update your subscription.  A new notification will soon arrive in your inbox and ask for you to confirm your subscription.  It will be from my website server.  Just click that confirmation and you will continue to receive updates to this blog directly to your email inbox.  There is a button on my home page that allows you to subscribe, but if you'd like to subscribe and have not been able to do so, please email me and I will send you that link.   My email address is rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com.  I have lots of new ideas and lessons I plan to share over the next few months.  I also will be traveling extensively during September and October and will be blogging about my adventures and my art along the way.  If you subscribe today you'll be kept up to date and share the all the fun!  I hope you do... <3

Here are some photos of fellow challengers' sketches...

Elegant Writer markers in various colors.  Nice vignette in the background!  

Zentangle is addicting...and when they turn out this well you can see why! Here's a link to my lesson on How to Zentangle from Day 20: http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/2015/05/30-day-drawing-challenge-day-21_21.html

From Day 26- Draw a Teacup.  Beautifully done!

Happy Drawing!

I'll look forward to seeing what you do in your "free" time today. Don't forget to send me photos of your drawings =)

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 25- Draw a Teacup

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 25- Draw a Teacup

This sketch was done initially as a contour drawing with Tombow 947 Water-soluble Marker. Watercolor and permanent black marker also used. 
 Note the color in these shadows!  ©Rebecca Zdybel 

Guess what we are going to draw on Day 25 of our 30 Day Drawing challenge?  

That's right, a teacup.  

I've been asking a lot of you throughout the course of this challenge.  After trying lots of new things, a bit of review might be time well spent. You've earned a day where you get to make some choices in how you will draw.  Today I am only going to suggest the subject matter.  The method you use will be up to you.  

This sketch was done from life with only a Tombow 947 marker.  I had afternoon tea at a lovely Tea Room here in Venice, FL and took the opportunity to record the moment with this sketch.  So fun!  ©Rebecca Zdybel

I like to collect old china teacups, and lately I've been enjoying drawing them as well. We all probably have teacups somewhere in the cupboard, though yours may not look like mine.   Your assignment for today's drawing challenge is to find a teacup and draw it.  I want you to use all your new superpower drawing skills!  They are now becoming more finely honed with each passing day, so I'm giving you freedom to channel them...here's some thoughts:  

• Think about bringing color into your shadows.  If you use your Tombow marker again today, it will already impart a bit of color if you make it run with a wet brush.  The same would be true of other water-soluble drawing materials. 
• Consider whether you want to create a contour drawing of your subject or how you wish to approach it. (both of my sketches here began with contour drawings).  
• Perhaps you'd like to use continuous line contour, begin with a Toned Ground or take a photo and draw it upside-down.  If you're not familiar with these approaches, then you can refer to these previous lessons by following these links: 
• 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 9- Upside down drawing
• 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 7- Drawing on a Toned Ground
• 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 10- Continuous Line Contour Drawing
• 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 11- Drawing Rounded Forms
• What drawing tool will you use?  Tombow markers, Elegant writer, Pencil or perhaps some other new favorite drawing tool.  Use this lesson as an excuse to try something you've not yet tried, or to pull out something you know and love.  Whatever you choose will be perfect!
• Will you simply draw, or will you possibly add watercolor or mix drawing tools together in the sketch?  You decide.

When you finish your sketch, photograph it and send it my way so we can share the fun.  Here are a couple of nice sketches from challengers that have recently come my way: 

Day 24- Tombow Marker Sketch

Day 23- linking shapes with shadows

Enjoy your practice and I'll be back tomorrow with another fun challenge to get a fire lit under your sketchbook... or something like that ;-)

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 24- Tombow Marker Sketch

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 24- Tombow Marker Sketch

©Rebecca Zdybel 

Today I'm breaking out my Tombow Markers and doing a sketch, and I'm encouraging you to give it a try as well.  If you have another water-soluble marker, then you can substitute it for this one, but my favorite is this Burnt Sienna color  #947.
 If you would like to get one, it's around $5-6. Here is a link to order it:  Tombow 947 Marker- Amazon

One of the things I love about this marker is it's ability to almost disappear once you bring water to the paper.  However, as with most ink applications, don't be too heavy with your lines at first.  Also, this is important...if you plan to use water on your sketch, make sure that your paper is watercolor paper or mixed media paper. 

Here are a few examples of sketches I've done with this marker.  All have been drawn in my favorite sketchbook, my Aquabee Super Deluxe sketchbook.  The paper holds up well for most media, and allows me to bring water to the page without it breaking down.  

I'm not going to tell you what to draw today...keeping it short  and hoping you feel inspired to continue sketching on this 24th Day of our 30 Day challenge.  The subject matter is open, but try using your Tombow pen or a water-soluble marker if you have one.  Otherwise, you could substitute your water-soluble crayons or watercolor pencils if desired.  

Tombow 947 marker, permanent marker and white gouache
©Rebecca Zdybel 

Note: These markers come in all colors, and the sketch below is an example of the many color varieties available. I'm just sharing my favorite with you, but you might experiment and find another color your like better.  Experimenting is the perfect thing to do during a sketch challenge!

©Rebecca Zdybel 
This is a page from my sketchbook.
There are many zentangle patterns recorded here.
All were drawn with various colors of Tombow Markers and Staedtler Mars Black permanent inkpen. 

This challenge is a huge commitment, but you are almost done!  Keep up the good work and send me photos of your finished drawings!  Fellow challengers are drawing their hearts out and are being so dedicated!  Here are some beauties that have been sent my way:

Above: What a lovely sketch of Shadows with Color and Drawing from still life using red and blue Elegant Writer markers on Day 21 of our 30 Day Drawing Challenge. Here's the link in case you missed it: 30 day Drawing Challenge Day 21- Shadows/Color

To the right: Illustrations of Letters give a chance to practice letter making as an art form, and picture making as a means of illustration.  It's fun! If you'd like to try it, here's the link to Day 22:   30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 22- Favorite Letter Illustration

And below:  I had to include this beautiful Zentangle as a reminder of how beautiful pattern making can be.  Obviously influenced by Klimt, this student created something the great master might envy!  In case you missed that lesson, here is the link to Day 20- 30 Day Drawing Challenge- Day 20

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+ 

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 23- Linking Shapes with Shadows

30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 23- Linking Shapes with Shadows

Linkage is a design fundamental that describes the process of bringing unity to a piece of art by building connections.  Connections bring harmony and balance and all kinds of good design qualities to your work.  These connections can be made in many ways, but actual physical linking of shapes isn't always possible or may not make sense in your composition.  This is where shadows can play a very convenient role!

Designing better shapes is something we should all be thinking about.  Linking shapes is a really great way to achieve this.  For example, it's often a good idea when possible to take a series of repetitive small shapes and bring them together with connecting shapes.  This can create larger and more interesting shapes, or bring variation to what would otherwise be simple repetition. Again, this is a role that shadows were born to play!

Shadows can be anything from short and stubby to long and lean.  They can go in any direction.   They can GROW if needed to fill gaps.  They can also have color!

(We explored Color and Shadows in Day 21 of our 30 Day drawing challenge- Here's the link in case you missed it: 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 21: Shadows/Color )

For all these reasons shadows are the perfect means for designing better shapes and creating linkage within your work.

An example of how you can GROW shadows to connect otherwise disconnected shapes ©Rebecca Zdybel 

Today's Challenge: 

Step 1: Draw 3-5 disconnected shapes using a contour drawing and ink.  I love clothespins as a subject, but you can pick anything (toothbrushes, brushes, pencils, crayons...etc.)

Hint: Leave gaps here and there in the contours of your objects to allow for color to visually flow in and out of the shapes and allow for a sense of bounced color from shadow to object. 

Step 2: Use shadows to connect your shapes and form a unified drawing.  Watercolor, watercolor pencils, or watercolor crayons would be a great to use in order to create colored shadows, but colored pencils or markers could also work well. 

Note that my shadows are not realistic, but they serve to connect my shapes together and create linkage.  They also provide a cool complementary color to the warm oranges of the clothespins.  

Step 3: Send a photo of your final result to me:   rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Have fun with this drawing and file the idea away for future compositions when you sketch!  As we learn to draw, these little tricks of the trade can make our work so much better, and they are not that hard.  You just need to spend a little time digesting them. =)

Here are some drawings from the sketchbooks of more fellow Drawing Challengers:  

These all illustrate a very great danger in going down the Zentangle path...IT'S ADDICTIVE and very meditative...and BEAUTIFUL when done like these drawings demonstrate. Wow!  If you missed that lesson, it's available following this link. If you go there beware of the risk of instant addiction! 30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 20- Zentangle

I'm already looking ahead to later this week.  I will be breaking out my Tombow marker in burnt sienna color -947 for a sketch or two during the final couple of weeks of this challenge.  If you would like to get one, it's around $5-6. Here is a link:  Tombow 947 Marker- Amazon

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons: Drawing, Watercolor, Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

Join me on Google+ Rebecca Zdybel Google+