Saturday, November 01, 2008

draw the line


pve sketch, micron pen
My work begins with a series of what I like to refer to as notes, lines and editing in order to capture the image on paper.  I spend an inordinate amount of time looking and then making "jabs" or lines to capture what I see.  Once I feel that the piece is ready for color, I begin by formulating a color palette.  

Often - I use a simple card with a hole punch to locate the true color, especially if I am working from a photo.  Often I am surprised by the color that I see in the hole.  This simple exercise helps me to see the dark and the light, giving me a "road map" or what I like to call a to the final art.  

pve color illustration
Laying in the color, with a brush and a fast pace of "pulling and pushing" in order to give the work dimension and to draw one in.  A limited palette is also easy on the eye and accentuating the focus of the work makes one want to step inside.  If similar colors are next to one another -then the hue of that color pops when different, for example the gray blue roof next to the aqua sky.   Note the cobalt blue pots pop against the yellow. 

Hope this post inspires you to draw the line!

14 comments:

Karena said...

Yes, very fine advice for any artist! It is always nice to hear the methodology behind a creative process. Beautiful work!

pve design said...

karena,
I guess every artist works to find their own methodology..shifting and working to find their own unique way.
pve

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

That's so interesting. The hole punch idea is genius. Whatever method you employ, your work is sublime and original.

Diane said...

Great advice. I do some volunteer teaching at the High School here and I am always trying to impress on them the different ways artist work to get at the final piece... at Monday morning meeting I will show them yours..
Great work as always.

pve design said...

diane,
wish I was there to take your photo safari course.
love me new camera, fun playing around with it!
enjoy your students!
pve

heidi said...

Fascinating! I would love to see a photo of all your punched-out colors!!!

avidHOME said...

Love the road map of what an illustration needs to jump off the drawing board to become alive!

Joyce said...

Thank you for sharing. I love the punch out idea. I think it would be fun to have a bowl filled with your little punched out circles. What do you do with all the little circles that you punch out?

Elizabeth said...

You're so right about the roof and the sky. I'm no good with watercolors, because I'm so heavy-handed. Oh, to have the light touch.

jfu said...

Your love of your work is apparent in your artwork. You have inspired me to take a art class. Thank you for the inspiration. jfu

Kim said...

what a FAN-tastic idea!! I've never thought about the hole punched card! Love it! I will totally be doing that from now on!

Vana said...

This is great! I love your advice and reminded me of few tips i had received while in college...great work as usual:)

Unknown said...

Love the hole in the card idea, it's so true, color can be so different than what we're thinking it is.

My Notting Hill said...

Interesting to hear about your process.