Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Moleskine Exchange, First Entry

This was not easy for me! I had already felt the block coming, then to receive Dan's moleskine...it was enough to send me reeling into the abyss. But, I've done a lot of thinking about that block and this is what I decided- Focusing too much on learning watercolor, I was doing quick sketches in order to add some color and play with the paint. It doesn't sound like a bad thing, does it? But, by doing quick sketches and immediately going to the painting, I was never allowing myself to get into the sketch zone. (Saying that reminds me of the "Suck zone" from the movie Twister!) It didn't take long to loose my rhythm, and the pencil began to feel awkward in my hand. I learn a lot by watching Wil, and I noticed that even though he paints, he still does a lot of sketching. I never realized that I could be doing art everyday, and still not be doing enough drawing to maintain skill. I need to paint to get better at painting, but still need to sketch to not get worse at sketching! And a good sketch is important to a good painting!

So this is what I initially showed Dan as my first entry. I was excited that he noticed how I played with the light to which he had hinted with the sunglasses on his figure. Because the lady I drew had her back to that light, I pushed her sunglasses up on her head, then added the shadows. He noticed that I had kept it in pencil and asked what my thoughts were on that. Well, my thoughts were that I hoped he wouldn't notice!! Or that he would choose to ink that himself because my pen and I hadn't been getting along very well! I knew it needed to be inked though, so I did go back and do it. Luckily I didn't make a mess and I do think it looks better now.



Deciding what to add to Dan's drawing was very difficult for me. Did I want it to be more of a montage of sketches? Should I start telling a story? Of course, crazy ideas popped into my head, playing with scale, putting bizarre people in the background. The possibilities were endless and overloaded my brain! So, I just decided to keep it simple. Dan's figure was turned and I felt she needed to be looking at something. Perhaps it is not the most creative solution, but considering my recent state of mind, it needed to be simple. Maybe next time I'll pull out the wild card!

19 comments:

  1. Raena this is excellent - you have convincing light and a natural looking pose. I'm curious why you felt it needed inking though - I think it looks perfect without it as well- pencil's a perfectly good medium in it's own right for me, as well as pen.

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  2. You did really great! I love the light and I love the whole picture! I think inking was a very good idea, it just seems to bring the two together. It makes it look a lot more... "one"/"whole". I'm so curious how this project will continue!

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  3. The sketch is very much alive and natural. This is how a chance meeting in the street looks like. I will be waiting to see what's next.

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  4. Raena- she looks wonderful! The simple solution is often the best solution. I wouldn't have realized that two different artists did this conversation. It will be interesting to see how your styles as a team evolve. Great job!

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  5. This came out wonderfully & now I am in the hot seat! The picture was great without ink, but since mine was inked, like E*phi I thought that there would be more coherence if both were that way. I'm glad you felt the same way.

    Maybe our next page can be pencil only or something else altogether. This (I hope) is just the beginning. If every picture is done the same way, then we won't benefit as much, I think. We really should shoot for different ideas each page to help us expand and learn. To challenge us. But have some kind of internal logic within each picture. [The real challenge in the future may be for us not to be so uptight so as not to experiment at all!]. In any event I think starting conservatively for this first page was the right thing for both of us.

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  6. It would be tough adding to someone else's drawing. You did a great job. I do have an observation--left lady is wearing long sleeves; right lady has shed her jacket. It's getting warmer.

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  7. I just love your idea and the whole result is great. As Raena said it might be the start for a story... or not, it's up to you ! Anyway congratulations for the "intimacy" between these two ladies chatting away! Great sketches on both sides. Looking forward to seeing more ...

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  8. It is really good, lively, and very much the same style. You are both very brave performing live...I am waiting for the next episode.

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  9. Wow and double Wow! this piece came out great. One thought about your exchange. If you are going to use a new theme for the next exchange, then should Raena go first?

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  10. I am amazed. This is fantastic, the way the figures interact is perfect. It will be so much fun following this journal's adventures!

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  11. The whole painting is great, but her jeans are out of this world.

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  12. Your are a genius. I would never have known what to put in and make it fit perfectly as you did. Lovely work.

    ps--you wanted to know concerning deleting a photo from a post using the menu that comes up when you click on the picture. No it does not remove or change anything else- only the photo.

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  13. I think she looks great, very natural. The way the light plays on her clothes is awesome, and the whole drawing works perfectly. Impressive work!
    And reading you, I realise (once more) that until I start to draw/paint everyday I'll never improve...
    Thanks for your encouraging support and inspirational work and posts!

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  14. This is simply the coolest thing ever! I'd love to see more more more ^^ You and Dan definitely are collaborating very well here. Different styles, and different techniques, but similar in depth! Very very interesting!

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  15. I've received the sketchbook!:) It is so exciting to get in the mail! And, Raena, let me tell you - the original is so much better even than the scan. It is so good! (So much for artist's block..pah, on that!) Nothing like original art. So I had some ideas, which seeing the original I have totally rejected - and have some different thoughts entirely, playing with the light that you portrayed so well..we will see.

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  16. It was great to hang out and catch up on your blog this evening. I've never participated in one of the moley exchanges--it feels too intimidating to me. I could relate to much of what you said in the past few posts about losing the muse, dancing, blog writing taking too long, and even posting an uncomplimentary self portrait. I'm glad you got your creative juices back and are going full steam ahead again! Your fake journal looks like fun. I started one too but haven't gotten around to posting it yet.

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  17. Great idea you came up with, Raena! I loved hearing your thought process on this, as well as Dan's thoughts, and also on where to go from here. Great collaboration by both of you!

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  18. Wow I believe you suffer from the same rough inner critic I do. I think your drawing & painting is awesome. I only wish I drew that well. You can see my pages at http://apaperaddict.com/tag/journal-pages/
    If you desire.
    Great work

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  19. Great work Raena think it is the perfect solution. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

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