Drawing: Sketchbook Highlights

While for me, as an artist, a painting will reveal itself gradually over time, however, my drawings develop very rapidly.  My studio practice is balanced with both.  During the past six months I have filled three sketchbooks with over a hundred drawings.  Below are thirty "highlights" from my sketchbooks.  The drawings are all marker and ink on paper.  The size range from 9" x 12" to 11" x 14."  Some of the drawings are studies for long term works and others are complete works in and of themselves.  The works have been completed through direct observation working plein air when outdoors, or from a still life or live model in the studio.  Most of the works are straight forward perceptual recordings, and some of the drawings are developed into a more imaginative and conceptual direction.

Many More Minnie

It might be February and cold, but Persephone is ready for spring.  Minnie Mouse as Persephone, that is.

Persephone is Minnie, sketchbook drawing, marker on Bristol paper, 11" x 14"

All dreams come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

- Walt Disney

Too Many Minnies...

in the house, results in an afternoon of sketchbook drawing.

Many Minnies, marker on Bristol paper, 11" x 14"

When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably. 

- Walt Disney

You can't force a painting.

While in many ways I would like an ETA on this work, for an artist, there is nothing more unpredictable than a painting.  It is impossible to plan the life of making a painting.  Some paintings take years, and some take a very short time.  The painting will reveal itself to the painter when it is complete.  I do recognize that the time is near for this work...but I am unsure of when.

The thing is complete when you can let it be.  - Gita Bellin

No one can ever accuse me of not being painterly!

Not today, anyway.  My "never ending painting" continues in a texturally positive form and color direction...

The thing is complete when you can let it be.  - Gita Bellin

The never ending painting rides again...

On December 17th I thought I had brought this work to a close, however this week I saw areas that I felt deserve improvement.  I think I spoke too soon.  With the help of my sketchbook drawings, I have developed the color, space and texture more throughout.  I am more satisfied with the work and feel it is a better painting today than it was a few days ago.


The thing is complete when you can let it be.  - Gita Bellin

Moving things along...

...with the guidance of my sketchbook drawings.

When I know your soul, I will paint your eyes.

- Amedeo Modigliani 

Working out the details...

...of my current painting in some sketchbook drawings.

Even when you paint, you never stop drawing.

- Igor Babailov

A Minnie addition...

...while progressing the forms, textures and colors throughout the painting.

Our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.

-Walt Disney

Another day, another mouse

A sketchbook drawing to work out the cold warm contrast pattern of the three mouse painting.

He who wishes to become a master of color must see, feel, and experience each individual color in its endless combinations with all other colors. 

-Johannes Itten

It's all about the application...

...of the paint.  Moving things forward, moving things along.

Don't stress over anything you can't change.

- Mickey Mouse

To laugh at yourself, is to love yourself.

-Mickey Mouse

A New Year, a new painting

No greater excitement than in starting a new painting.  Every mark full of the potential for a brilliant outcome.  Here is to striving to maintaining the carefree attitude of a painting's beginning throughout!

“Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgandy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.” 

-Jack Kerouac, On the Road