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Message
Posted
Once upon a time as all the best stories start. I went to life drawing groups, I hopped in my car and went on a sketching day , holidays were wonderful for new subjects , any day out be it shopping, a day with friends a meal out I always had my sketch book in my bag. I became known as Mrs boring and obsessed .
Times have changed and I don’t just mean the big lock up caused by COVID 19
I’m older ,my husband is severely disabled, life is at a hectic pace.
I can still sit in my garden to draw ,I can still look out of the windows and I live in a wonderful place.i can still make a still life, or use sites like Croqis cafe.
I also use my old photographs I do have a lot ,I can also look at old sketch books for inspire.
Personally I don’t enjoy copying others work or commercial photographs.
What do you do ?or can anyone give me any suggestions.
Posted
Regular sketching, either pencil and wash in a sketchbook or oil studies on small boards, remains my chief source but I am lucky in that I have great scenery on my doorstep and few restrictions on time these days. I am surrounded by acres of farmland and a river which provide many subjects, the coast is only 20 to 30 minutes drive away so more variety there. I have nothing to complain about but often do!!
Posted
Well like Peter and Sylvia, I am surrounded by countryside and the River Trent meanders through the next field to me. So really it’s all on hand.
Like Sylvia and many others, I’ve got hundreds if not thousands of drawings to fall back on. I do find photos a good source for reference, details etc, but also find copying from them an absolute turn off.
That’s all subjects, landscapes, seascapes, portraits of famous people, or simply copying from fashion mags, not for me! And you can spot them a mile off!
Can’t offer any advice Sylvia, except keep doing what you’ve always done - get out there and be inspired!
Posted
Good question Sylvia, I shall watch what follows. Things are pretty much the same for me, you see stuff on days out, hear things when people visit. Not happening to the same degree at the moment. Other people's work can sometimes prod you into activity. I look at a lot of art, here and online. I've made a folder called 'inspiration', it contains drawings and paintings that have sparked my interest. It's got pretty big, looking through it helps. I don't copy any, but maybe I'll have a go at the subject matter in my own way. I'm into illustration of course, but that covers all forms of art.
Much of what I see and admire may not be what I want to paint, like landscapes, portraits, flowers, pets...I tend to prefer the more offbeat work. Sometimes I try to depict an idea, a cover for a favorite book, a quote, a word. Illustration maybe? But there's something in there for everybody. I recently came across a quote from Cicero...'if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.' A bit simplistic perhaps? You at least need a cup of tea as well. But I know what he means. There ought to be a picture in there.
Sometime a word provides a spark. How would I depict 'cosmopolitan'?
I make pictures along these lines all the time. Easy. But how come I'm sitting here typing this...because I can't think of anything to draw or paint.
Ho hum.
Posted
Katy...I’ve never done that I might try. Thanks for your suggestion.
Lew I love your illustrations especially your growing up ones. I did pinch a small verse of Linda Wilson’s and with her permission I illustrated it. I like words maybe I will have a go at cosmopolitan. Living in lovely places does help. I can see a few sheep and a couple of hens as I tap this out. Thanks, all suggestions gratefully received.
One of the things I have been up to ,instigated by some children down the road is painting pebbles and popping them on , owls and flowers and teddy bears sadly the teddies look a bit like puppies .
Edited
by Sylvia Evans
Posted
During the lockdown period in particular on my morning walks I’m always keeping an eye out for inspiration, and I’ve generally got a mini sketchbook with me plus pen ,pencil and maybe felts. I’ve also done a few birthday cards because not able or willing to go look for any in shops yet, and as Linda D said , hand painted cards are so much more personal and hopefully appreciated than shop bought. My daughter’s baby is due in a couple of weeks so that’s going to be a challenge to produce a card for Junior!
You do live in a lovely part of the world Sylvia, as do most of us it seems, and yet after three months of ‘safe, quiet walks’ I would really like to be sketching/painting some people and even something ‘ugly’! I also find I’m lacking inspiration at present. We all thought we’d be painting like fury at the beginning of this period, and it would be over and back to normal in a few months but obviously that’s not the case.
I do like hedgerows, bridges, landscapes, would like to be out there painting plein air but you’d need to be tucked away out of reach of the usual flies round the honeypot.
So, how about showing us those pebbles you’re painting?
Posted
I think you should paint what gives you pleasure and interest. It definitely isn't many peoples cup of tea but I am interested in cars and and i also get pleasure in painting them. So i combine my interest in going to car races, hill climbs, shows etc and taking photos from which i can then select those that i believe will make good paintings. I can also do a bit of imagination. For instance putting my car in an imagined Monaco race or even something like this one with the tyrannosaurus. This way I can keep my interest in painting fresh and alive without beginning to get bored with the same old same old! 
Posted
I find my inspiration from various sources, landscapes etc from the woodland and countryside around my area, or when away on holiday. I use photos I have taken and take parts of others and mix then to develop some paintings. For old cars, trucks and ships I use my own photos where possible and free online photos as reference . I always change the settings and colours to create a scene I want . I’ve also added several ships etc to build up a scene. Some are done as seen for historical reasons.
Like the painting Steve.
Posted
I had been finding it difficult to get painting having lost my mojo for a period of time. Happily the mojo has been found so back to painting and recently sketching.. I keep a folder come scrap book in which I collect photos, pictures and other ideas on subjects. If I am out and about I take photos of things that interests me. I would love to sketch wnen out and about but I am a bit shy doing it in public in case someone comes over to look!! However planing to give it a shot. Got a subscription for Leisure Painter which also is giving me some inspiration.
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