Wednesday, June 3, 2009

In praise of notebook sketches



Pansies in a milk jug
Notebook sketch
marker on bond
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

A while back (November to be precise) I did a rough notebook
sketch of my friend Flora in Nova Scotia, as we talked on
Skype. . Little did I know that that one little sketch, quick
and simple would launch me into a whole
new phase of my career. I became in that instant the Skype
Sketcher, and caught the attention of Howard Wolinsky and
the US Skype blog. But I wouldn't have even published
that humble sketch, coils from the notebook and all, if
I hadn't seen a notebook sketch (much more detailed)
on David Lobenberg's blog. I am eternally grateful to
David.

So...I am working on a number of paintings, all large, and
all under wraps at the moment. I was thinking about what
to show you on my blog today, and remembered this
simple drawing I did a couple of nights ago of pansies in a
milk jug.

Watch out -- my last sketch lead from the blog, to Howard,
and from there to a wide world of opportunity.

Have an honouring-your-notebook-sketches day.
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10 comments:

  1. Liza HirstJune 3, 2009 at 11:45 PM

    Another beauty! Simple you say, yes, but actually not at all! One has to be able to do it like that! You certainly are!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barbara MuirJune 4, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    Hi Liza,

    You are so sweet. I think I am pulled by line, it's always tempting to sit for days and describe the entire world in line. But you did that so magnificently in colour in your wedding painting!

    I was amazed.

    xoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  3. lauraJune 4, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    Keeping a sketchbook is a habit I would love to get into ... I have several that I've started, but I always end up putting them aside.
    You're inspiring me to try again!
    (And thanks for the mantra!! ;-)
    I'm going to try it!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Barbara MuirJune 4, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    Hi Laura,

    I don't really keep a sketchbook, I just draw on everything, like that cool sketch you did in a car once.
    The mantra is true. So I'll try it too, only not about watercolour.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lynne GrossmanJune 5, 2009 at 12:05 AM

    This is so interesting how you became a Skype sketcher. I'm looking forward to your series and seeing more honourings of notebook sketches. I use a notebook, napkin, torn paper....once did a portrait of a sleeping daughter on a torn piece of construction paper and I *knew* from the onset, I should have grabbed a better piece and yet... some of the charm lies in the fact that it was a piece of pink construction paper that was handy...
    I smiled from your post. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AliaenaJune 5, 2009 at 12:51 AM

    Hi Barbara,
    I really love your line drawings as well. This one especially! Love seeing your comments and work every day and wishing you all the best, Aliaena

    ReplyDelete
  7. Barbara MuirJune 6, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    Hi Lynne,

    It's true that part of the charm is the piece of paper, or napkin, or back of a store receipt that's readily handy when the urge to draw hits suddenly and unexpectedly.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara MuirJune 6, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    Hi Aliaena,

    I really appreciate your kind encouragement. Your own drawing is just superb.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. eldon warrenJune 7, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    And yet another awesome drawing by the Skype Sketcher. Lovely and not as simple as you claim :)
    EW

    ReplyDelete
  10. Barbara MuirJune 10, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    Hi Eldon,

    Nonsense. Simple. Just me and a milk jug of pansies, late at night hanging out in the kitchen. That's simple. I was waiting for the kettle to boil for my hot milk.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

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