Practice techniques

So... Been swamped with commissions since October. Which is wonderful in many ways. For one, I LOVE being busy doing the work I love, plus there are so many different styles and mediums on these commissions, that it's a refreshing process.. Switching from art stix caricatures, to a watercolor caricature, to oil, etc is a big help in refreshing my eyes and my art brain/imagination. This is alot like my daily practice routine.

I'll let you in on a few of my "warm up" secrets that I use daily, to inspire me and get me going :)

When I get to the Caricature stand in the morning, (not complete without my Starbucks of course), I start by doing just random lines, squiggles, circles and all kinds of shapes on the paper. I always try to start out super fast, but sometimes I can be in a funk and not really want to go fast. This is where I "force" myself to think about drawing fast. Many times in the past, when getting to the stand, I'll have people already wanting a drawing before I can barely set my art bags down, or turn the lights on. In this case, I don't get to warm up like I like to, but lately that's been working out OK :) haha.. Forcing yourself and staying determined to stick with a certain "practice" or style of practice, can create a wonderful habit that you can get used to.

Another way I've been practicing lately, and encouraging the girls at the stand to do, is Memory  drawings. I've seen some of my favorite artists, such as Brian Oakes,  post things like this on facebook, and thought it was a great way to stimulate one's artist imagination. ( I used to draw "Casino" people all the time on my breaks, but Strat management has a new break area for employee's now, so I don't take the time to sit and draw in the casino. )

This guy was sitting at the roulette table about a week ago, when I was coming back from Starbucks. The top part of his head was straight across, completely flat! And you could tell he didn't have any teeth in. I knew immediately that I wanted draw him.  I don't take pictures of the memory drawing subjects, as that would defeat the purpose of it being a "memory drawing". lol. It's really fun to try to focus on the image in your brain, and do exactly what you vision on the paper, without any reference other than your brain :)

I saw this lady in the elevator a few months ago, when I was training the new girl Tami. I was trying hard to be subtle about staring at her. Elevators are small areas, and people know when you're staring at them. lol.. This lady was Japanese, and ALSO had no teeth in. Not purposely seeking out old people with no teeth. Just a happy coincidence.

This guy I saw in passing from Starbucks again, the other day. He was a total pear shape.

 So draw from memory. It's fun, and good practice both for the hand, as well as the imagination. Try to draw people that you saw just at a glance. :)






Peace Love and Paintbrushes xoxox
Amanda Nikki

An Artists Progression...proof in pictures

Hello people. Yeah I see you shaking your fingers at me. I haven't been on my blog in forever. (hmmm, I think I said that in the last couple of posts too...argh) No excuses....ok maybe one. LIFE. Everyday LIFE...it just gets in the way sometimes....

Anyhoo, today's letter is P, for Progress : ) Yes, we all face progress no matter our occupation. The truth is, we all face progress on a daily basis as humanoids. Yes, I said it. Humanoids. But this blog post is not about progression as human creatures.

This post is about/for/in thought of/ those of us artists who either; as new artists fear making mistakes, cry out in frustration because of the "I-want-to-draw/paint-better-now!!", just plain fear the process, get depressed/down on yourself BECAUSE you're not progressing as fast as YOU would like, and thus stop drawing for a short while because you want to throw yourself a pity party...even have a slight breakdown (hopefully in the comfort and privacy of your own home) and have a one-sided screaming match at your hand for not cooperating with you artbrain....as well as many other reasons I could list. To be compleeeetely and totally honest with you....I've done ALL of the above mentioned.

This blog post is to show proof that given time, practice, hard hard work at that practice, determination, and yet more practice....the lines start to fall into place a little easier...the sketching doesn't seem so tedious...you enjoy the process more and tend to zone out (then "wake up" and think "wow, I did that just now?")..you start to have fun with it, and stop thinking of it as so much "work".... Ahh...Progress. Seems like such a nicer term for "It's gonna take some time" huh?

When I moved back to Las Vegas in January 2008, I was just looking for any job to get by. I faxed resume's, called places, filled out applications everywhere. Then three months after I had moved here, I hopped on craigslist.com where I knew that sometimes there were mural or portrait jobs in the art section. I thought maybe I could find a quick job I could do to get by with until I found something more permanent. Thus I found the ad seeking "Caricature Artist". Ad said will train, must love to draw, and must not be afraid of heights. I thought "What the heck?". While I was going through my files of art on my laptop, I was constantly judging it ALL. None of it seemed "good enough" to send... afterall, what if I didn't get the job?......So I almost chickened out. But in the end...I ended up sending in some of my "flimsy" cartoons....and lucky me...I got an interview.

<---- This is my very first ever Caricature from that interview 3 and a half years ago, in March 2008. I came in for my interview and the guy that is now my boss, had me draw him with a marker.


I could NOT understand THIS concept! MARKER?? No pencil first? WHHATT? I was sooo nervous, I wanted to do a good job, and I DESPERATELY needed an ART JOB. He smiled when he saw it, and said "Wow, you really like to sketch!" And as you look at it....you can really see how sketchy I am. I never thought I was particularly good at cartoons. I was always better at realistic portraits.


So, he gave me "homework", which was 4 cartoon people he had drawn, that I had to copy many times over and over, plus a few sheets of formulas. The formulas were just basic step by steps for eyes, noses, mouths, hair, etc. He had me come in every couple of days to show my homework, then gave me more etc.

<---- This one was my second attempt at the boss a few weeks later after I had practiced the formula's.

Once he felt I had practiced enough from magazine photo's and practiced the formula's, he had me come up to the stand and had me start drawing live people for free, plus tips!!! I was scared to death....He explained that drawing from magazines is way different that drawing from life.



As you can see in this caricature, my lines are much cleaner, not as sketchy...but it still needs work.

After several weeks of drawing like this, he finally started me for real. It was official. I was a caricature artist. But in those first few days/weeks/months I was constantly second-guessing myself, feeling worthless as an artist, and really feeling like I would NEVER get better.

I've always had a really intense determination for learning, especially with art, and when I want to learn a new style of art, I will buy books, practice, buy more books, look up videos, go watch other artists, etc. ANYTHING to fill up my knowledge tank in that specific area. So on my days off from the caricature stand ( I was only working a few days a week to start with ), I would go there just to watch my boss draw. Sometimes I would watch him for hours....It was inspiring, amazing, educational, and yet....sooooooo completley INTIMIDATING!!!!! ARGH! I remember there was a guy that started right after me, Alex, and we'd both be watching my boss draw...then look at each other in disbelief....He made it look so EASY!!!

I'm here to tell you that it's not easy at first. Nothing ever is. Walking for babies isn't easy at first. They fall quite a few times before they finally find their balance. Learning to cook can result in quite a few burnt meals ( I'm experienced in this as well... I used to burn macaroni n cheese) What I'm trying to say my fellow artists... DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!! Keep that determination! And DO NOT... I repeat DO NOT throw your beginning drawings away...Looking at them years from now will reeeeeeeallly help you in the future. Don't sell yourself short. Don't try to forsee what the results will be. You don't know unless you stick with it. Draw. And draw some more. Artists get better by practicing ALL THE TIME. Musicians, cooks, fashion designers, etc. etc. allllll have to practice constantly and consistently. See where I'm going?......

<---On the left is my second attempt at a self caricature, a couple days after my interview. I drew several of these, but they all look like this. lol.


The one on the right was drawn quite a few months later. The lines and shapes have more of a purpose, but you can still see that I don't have much confidence in my lines because I'm still trying to get confident with my marker. This takes alot of practice in getting to know your marker.

<--Both of these self caricatures were completed in 2010.





Two years after a rocky beginning, you can really see how my lines have becomes so much more cleaner, purposeful, and I've started playing around with exaggeration.Over those two years I learned alot about the shapes in people's faces, and really started studying what to minimize and maximize. I think at this point is when I ACTUALLY started having real true fun with caricatures :)

Check back tomorrow for more progression drawings...my 2 most recent self caricatures and 'll show some celebrity caricatures. Thanks for reading my caricature progression novel-Part 1.. Night Ya'll. I'm feeling the urge to paint.....

Amanda

Practice + Determination + Time = Progress

The sketchbook I started in November 2010 during my first ISCA was officially filled up on Jan 6, 2011! YAY!! I can't completley describe how it feels to fill up a sketchbook and NEEDING to buy a new one because of such immense inspiration. = )

Lets just say, I'm a happy girl =)

Not to mention, I filled it up just in time to get a new one a couple of days before I left for Cripple Con 4 in Texas ( Will touch more on that in another post)

This is my new favorite type of sketchbook (besides my pocket watercolor sketchbook). I can do all kinds of sketches on this paper, including watercolor, which is one of my top favorite mediums.

Most of the pages have been filled up with mostly casino gesture sketches, and pen sketches from Mark Simons Facial Expressions photo reference book.

My first gesture drawing in the sketchbook was done with a uniball pen, (which is an old one I had lying around, and now I can't seem to find it anywhere, and it's become one of my favorite sketching pens.)

During the ISCA that was here in Vegas in November 2010, I wasn't able to attend every day or compete. My boss bought 2 guest passes, that myself and the other girls at the stand traded on days we were sheduled off etc.

I remember I did this drawing on wednesday Nov 10th, because it was the day Stephen Silver had a seminar talking about his character designs. His seminar REALLY motivated me, as he always does =)

And as you can see, I wrote some notes to myself in the margins as I was drawing, and I've done it ever since. Amazing to think how little notes to yourself while your drawing, can REALLY influence you later on.

I'm not going to share every single gesture drawing I did, so I've selected just a few; ones that I think show progress in learning how to capture gesture/shape/form and even personality in just a few quick strokes.

I'm not always good at these, and they aren't really meant to be perfect. One thing I feel I've really learned from doing gesture drawings, is that I observe better. Which has helped so much in retail caricature. Observing better and quicker can really make or break a fast AND great caricature. Cuz lets face it: we love it when it's both fast and great. I know I continually try to strive for that.

There are so many lovely shaped people in the world, and I don't think I ever really took the time to notice that....until I started gesture drawing.....wierd but true....

Heres another casino sketch

(done with just a regular blue ballpoint pen)

Another great way to practice, is using Mark Simon's Facial Expressions book. This book is packed with many different angles of peoples faces, with numerous expressions that are soooo much fun and challenging to draw. =)

This is what really got me hooked on these pen sketches (like you see at the left).

Currently, I'm sorta teaching myself how to do cross-hatch shading in caricature. I can't seem to find any good book or you tube videos(that AREN'T sped up) that give good lessons on pen cross-hatch shading. So I'm just learning as I go, really.

Buy Mark Simon's "Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference For Artists
This one has 20 year olds to a really wrinkly 80 something lady.

You can also purchase a book by Mark that has reference of Babies & Toddlers to Teens, which I def plan on getting!

Buy Mark Simon's "Facial Expressions Babies to Teens: A Visual Reference For Artists

I conclude this post with one final sketchbook piece

( And I should clarify, that when I do the pen sketches from Marks book(s), I don't do any pre-sketches with pencil or anything that can be erased. I do a light pre sketch of overal shapes with the pen, and get darker and make changes as I go - I believe this also helps me in the observing process. Plus it's a challenge, and I LOVE a challenge = )

= ) Peace Love and Paintbrushes

I love the way pen looks and feels on this paper, and as you can see I've been doing a lot of drawing : )

Making Progress....reflecting

In the past 2/3 months since I last posted, alot has changed. I like to consider myself humble. Humble as an artist, a woman, and person. Since I consider myself pretty humble, I'm hoping my thoughts don't get portrayed as conceited or arrogant. If so oh well... I've seen a HUGE change in my art over the last few weeks. Seeing myself grow is amazing to me. (This is what I don't want misconstrued) Being able to look back at my old sketchbooks from years ago, or even caricatures I just did last year...and seeing the changes that have happened to me...still amaze me....and I think "Wow..I can't believe I did that.." .....but I still try to always remain humble. Confidence should never be confused with arrogance (or cockiness).


Time. Every artists love and enemy at the same time. In the [time] of these last few months that I have SHAMEFULLY have not blogged, alot of growing has been going on with me. I analyze my art alot (but then again, don't ALL artists?) I know I tend to over judge myself ALOT...But I think I've learned ....how to do it the proper way. Or at least I feel like

I'm learning how to.

Maybe I should clarify some things before I continue to ramble on and on....

My last post was in October. I went to my first Caricature Convention EVER in November. The ISCA is now one of my favorite places to be... in so many more ways than I could describe. Even tho its only been about a month since the con, I'm still feeling the side effects.



Being in a large ball room with other artists, other crazy-like-minded-goofy humored-wierd-nerdy-art-people made me feel more at Home than I've ever felt. I felt like I belonged. I'm not saying I never felt like I belonged to anything, but I don't know how else to explain it. Even tho I had never been to an ISCA con, I felt like I KNEW these people. I KNEW this place. I KNEW what was going on.. Home. : ) A place of comfort and completely content. ..Ah whatever, you get what I'm saying ( yes you- my 6 followers..haha)




(If you'd like to see more photo's from this years 2010 ISCA Convention, add me on Facebook!
and check out my ISCA album!!! )



So I've walked away from the con with a new outlook. Fresh. Daring. Creative. Exciting. A blank canvas, so to speak :)



I've been doodling alot more, on a daily basis. For Instance, I draw on all of my breaks at work. (And I went and sat at a Starbucks in Barnes and Noble for a few hours the other day..More on that later) And I don't just draw. I've been drawing what I observe. For ME that is a huge challenge, because before the con, for some reason....I gave up waaay too easily when I'd start drawing an observation. No MORE! Casinos have some really....odd and awesome people wandering around aimlessly. Big people, small people, wierd looking people, beautiful people, fake looking people.....old people, young people, and oh yeah...LOTS OF DRUNK PEOPLE!!!




So my next postings in the coming few days will be some of my "casino observations"....

Heres a sneak peek a just one of my many casino doodlings. This one I added watercolor to when I got home.


Peace Love and Paintbrushes,
Amanda Nikki

Update

Wow...June feels like such a long time ago....but then again it feels like just last week too. :) I've been practicing A LOT, and I've got a lot of art done, but I've been posting it all to facebook.

I've mainly been working on pushing myself with caricatures. The caricature convention is just a few weeks away. I won't have a booth set up, I'll just be going as a guest, so I have no idea why I'm pushing myself so hard...lol....But it's been fun anyways. :)

Working on a lot of my watercolors too..FINALLY....getting ready for the copyright paperwork so I can get the ball rolling with my portfolio. The past few months, I've been neglecting my watercolor Illustrations, as well as all the stuff I need to get done to get the portfolio(s) and mail promo's ready to send out. So much to do, so little time, and even less funds to do it!!!

Anyways, sorry for the short update. Will try to post some new art soon.

Inspiration drawings

I've been working really hard on my character design. Between Joe and stephens books, I've been disciplining myself to draw a few new zany characters each day. I'm not as free with the face parts as Stephen Silver is, but then again I just started doing these toon people back in January after I got Stephens book in the mail. These books really help alot, especially on days when you feel like you have no oomph to draw. Some days, It's like my hand has never used a marker or pencil before. It sounds crazy, but there are days like that. Some days when I don't even want to LOOK at a marker. But latley...that hasn't happened so much.



I've been using the Faber Castell Pitt Brush pens to color my characters. I'm not crazy about the way they blend, but it works for now. Just to get the idea's out of my head. I really don't want to get the copic sketch markers, or the prismacolors because of how bad they smell. I have enough headaches. So I've been doing extensive searches on Dick Blick and other websites, to find good quality artist illustration markers that DON'T SMELL. I found a few that I'm still thinking about. I did buy a couple different flesh toned Tom Bow markers. So far I like them mainly for the skin tones.

Tree grown into Heart

Yet another drawing done on a slow night, last winter.