Sunday, December 27, 2009

Menagerie.









BIRDS!
and a stag. and a wait.er.

Nat. <3

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

and dead dogs only want to live again.





I'm still trying to hone some kind of skill at drawing animals the way they look, but still keep everything in my style.
It's fun.
These are some random 11x14 sketches with pen and ink over them.
I forgot how much I love using a nib pen with actual ink.

Nat.

music: Iron and Wine - Serpent Charmer [Around the Well disc 2]

Sunday, December 13, 2009

recommended reading:

Art books and books about art and books about artists and their art are some of my favorites.
I also love to collect museum exhibit books.
I have compiled a short list of volumes I would recommend for artists/people interested in art to look at. They are in a random order and are from many aspects of art.

1. Sarah Simblet's Anatomy for the Artist
I already recommended this earlier, but I believe it is a good look at basic anatomy and a quick reference when you are away from a model or a computer.

2. Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art
From a traveling Rembrandt show I saw in Portland OR a couple of years ago. I find myself looking through it every couple of months. It is a fascinating collection of breathtaking works by both infamous artists and those who have fallen into the background. Also contains a quick and interesting history of the art of the times and the pieces themselves.

3. Tolkien's World by David Day
A beastiary of the creatures, characters, and different origin stories found in Tolkien's books. Not only for fantasy readers, but a beautiful rendition of mythic beasts and peoples. Also an inspiring example of how one might convert literature into visual renderings.

4. Julie Taymor Playing With Fire
A collection of photographs, designs, and screenshots from the numerous stage and cinematic projects Julie Taymor has worked on; from Titus Andronicus movie to The Lion King stage play and most things in between.

5. Two Worlds of Andrew Wyeth A Conversation With Andrew Wyeth by Thomas Hoving
Though it was printed by in 1978, this book has been with me for several years and I love it a great deal. Andrew Wyeth's work is an awesome sight and in a league I can only hope to dream to aspire to. The writing of Hoving and the interview are both enlightening and interesting. The image quality is lovely and it is a great reference for artists who aspire to do serious "from life" rendering.

Only five today. And you can take it or leave it, but these books have been both an inspiration and a help to me through out the last three years especially.

Nat.
<3

go to the library. go to the "N" or "700" section. enjoy.

P.S. Victoria Finlay's Color is also good.

/his cigarette is burning, but he never seems to ash/










I haven't posted in a couple of weeks because I have been busy-ish. I mean, I've had time to watch movies and go out to the bar, just haven't put my free time toward scanning and posting... so, maybe I'm a bad person, deal with it.
But I have felt guilty about it. I have been drawing less these past two weeks than usual, so I am posting a little more than usual now.
From the top:
1. my father wearing my sister's flowery headband.
2. drawing myself naked is very liberating and I like the result.
3+4. owls and hummingbirds
5. a coupla random girls and a bear quoting Kevin.
6. Sally Bowles from the movie version of "Cabaret" c. 1972
7. llamas
8. Inspired by "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" c. 2004, a film by Wes Anderson.

On the topic of Wes Anderson, I saw his film adaptation of Roald Dahl's wonderful book, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. I loved the book as a child, but I also love the movie version. A wonderful stop-motion depiction of a good story. The models and sets are amazing and the dialogue is, of course, witty and hilarious. Doff of my cap to you, Mr. Anderson.

Nat.
<3

music: Comfort Eagle by Cake [Comfort Eagle]