Category Archives: Staycation Series

Take a moment to remember that you are breathtaking! Take a deep breath — it’s what keeps you alive. There’s a lot on your to-do list, but, just for now, set aside all those other things and take a moment to learn or refresh some drawing tricks. Another deep breath… Glorious! Now, let’s be curious and have fun.

This week we’ll learn more pencil tricks for drawing accurately.… Read the rest

When things just aren’t looking “right” in your drawing, you might want to use some techniques that will help you assess what you are seeing. Think of these techniques as sight-check akin to spell-check in writing.

This may take you out of the flow for a few moments, but the logical way of seeing is absorbing in it’s own way. It feels good to draw things in their right relationship to to everything else.… Read the rest

There can be beauty in the space between things. Those shapes are called “negative” and they can help you draw the “positive” shapes of your subject.

Do you see the shape of the space that isn’t what you think you are painting or drawing?

These shapes can have evocative elegance and add to the rhythm and definition of your subject, but the primary reason to learn to observe them carefully is that by doing so you can much better see the shapes of the things you think of as your subject.… Read the rest

Even though imaginary, a Passion Meter is an irreplaceable tool. Keep yours calibrated and near at hand. Go ahead and envision one now — make it similar to an applause meter. Put Boring / Shoot me Now on the left and go up to Fascinating / My Teeth Ache to Paint This on the right.

Follow your own guidance. You’ve got too many other things that you could be doing to get trapped in a creative adventure that doesn’t bring you joy or have enough passion behind it to propel you through the work.… Read the rest