Learn something new everyday
As you may have noticed I have been trying to learn to paint in watercolors. I believe the more I sketch and paint the better graphic designer I will be. Now, you may know that I studied graphic design in college. I had many illustration classes, but they never really taught us how to use the different mediums. It was more like, "Draw a vegetable with Prismacolor pencil" or "Illustrate an emotion with watercolor paints." Now I try to dedicate three hours, three times a week toward sketching or painting. As I improve, I get more done in those three hours—and make less of a mess doing it. The idea of dedicated studio space is becoming more and more of a need instead of a want. Every time I paint, my kitchen shuts down—which is not good considering how much my family eats. I have joined a group on FB called Virtual Paintout which uses Google Street View for inspiration to illustrate from. Google Street View is copyright free as long as you are creating art from it. It truly is a wonderful way to virtually travel the world. Every Month a new location is chosen. Here is my first attempt: location, Stavanger, Norway.
I think the only thing I like about it is the trees, maybe the sky, but no worries, I am learning and it is much more important to like where you end up, than like where you start. I had some very good critiqing from one of my favorite children's book artist. His name is Lee White check out this blog about him http://amy-baskin.blogspot.com/2010/03/crazy-day-with-lee-white.html I need to work on focal point, and color harmony—just about everything. I can't wait to use the information He gave me on my next painting. Another excellent site—for learning watercolor technique— http://www.johnlovett.com/class.htm I have been reading all day on watercolor techniques and viewing all I can find. If you are interested in taking this journey with me check out creativetechs.com and sign up for Molly Murrah's watercolor 101 starting soon. It is free if you watch it live—what a bargain.
As my age inevitably increases, I find myself surprised at how much I am turning back to the fine arts as opposed to computer arts—fine arts are constant and the computer arts are changing faster than my hair is turning gray—there is some security in that. I encourage all of my friends to challenge their brains with something new every day. It doesn't have to be art. Try a new recipe, start a journal, try a new sport, rearrange your furniture, for goodness sakes, I don't know—just turn off the TV and do it.
Update: A new challenge from a blog called the International Fake Journal Blog can be reached by clicking the "dog icon" on my side margin. I plan to take this challenge.
artist friends, please join me.