Monday, May 01, 2006

A Week in Melbourne

I'm back (and almost recovered) from a week in Melbourne. I had a lovely time with family there - lots of fun with 3 year old Michael. Consequently not a lot of sketching time and what time I had was brief. These are two quick sketches.



I'm practising the 'art' of quick sketching. Does anyone have any tips? I want to capture the essence and a little detail in the shortest possible time - I'm preparing for a big trip away and want to be ready, skills wise.

8 comments:

Lin said...

THIS IS TERRIFIC~! wHAT GREAT detail you got in !!!

DALowe Artist said...

I think you've got it without any tips! This is great. I guess if I could suggest anything, it would be to concentrate on getting the gesture and the mood of the scene and worry less about the details. That could apply to life as well - worry less about the "details." :-) Really only time and practice allow us to really loosen up. The more quick sketches you do, the better you are at it. Your hand-eye coordination improves. I have learned to sketch quickly out of necessity and by doing it A LOT. I learned a lot by sketching musicians on stage. My soon to be ex-husband and I were big bluegrass fans and I would try and sketch them as they played. I sketch a lot on my lunch break which is only 45 minutes long, and in my car as I'm riding (even driving sometimes)! The best sketches I think are the ones we don't labor over.

Linda T said...

These are terrific. Your lines are great. I'd suggest keeping up what you are already doing--it's so good!! Another idea is to focus on one area to detail and just hint at the rest of the surroundings. But these are awesome. Feels like I am there!

Linda said...

These are great! Looks like you've got the essence of quick sketching down... maybe you just need to do it more often so you are more comfortable with it!

Tami said...

I agree with every one else, you have done a great job, catching the gestures seems to be the trick (from what I have read), still just a beginner myself so all I ever hear or think is Practice, Practice, Practice.

Anastasia said...

i love your style and the detail in your illustrations is superb!!!

melissa said...

Geez! I would say you've got it already. Nicely done.

Lydia Velarde said...

Fast sketching techniques by david rankin has some good exercises for practicing.