About once a year I set aside a page in my sketchbook, or bullet journal, to do a marker test. I go through every pen I own including Sharpies, highlighters, Bic Permanent Markers, Crayola markers, Stabilo pens, Expo dry erase markers and everything in between. I document the quality and determine whether to keep or toss the utensil. I find it’s easy to collect art materials, especially when you’re like me and switch mediums regularly. It’s important to know that when I reach for a certain pen or marker, it’s going to work the way I want it to. I do keep a page at the back of my sketchbook open for testing mediums, but it’s an important part of the process of creating art to go with the flow and just draw.
My wife just added Slaughterhouse Five to my collection of classic graphic novels. I was making written entry in one of my journals, was circumstantially jumping around to different subjects, and thought of Billy Pilgrim.
The last few days, I've been going through my drawing journals dating back to 1977, mainly to purge them, but also to reminiscence. I laughed at this comic- one of many that I had forgotten about- of a conversation with an artist friend I've known since 1984, when I went to visit in her pottery shop.
I made a mess! And it makes me happy! Because I finally 'did' something after what seems like a too-long period of very little art. This is a 'no pressure' piece, playing with shapes, colours, just making marks, doodles, and just allowing things to emerge. Brilliantly therapeutic.
Another work created in Lockdown in Berlin. Drawn on a piece of drafting paper from an ingenieering student in Leipzig, 1923. Like the cellar it was found in, it expresses a longing to be outside. A longing to feel of use, a job to go to or someone to visit. It is confusion and patience drawn out thin and ready to snap at any moment.
I'm currently doing exercises from DrawABox. Although the header here is: "The Aspiration is just to fill a page. It's not a product. No one has to see it." I will probably end up posting more of these. This is not the same as the graphic journal, which is more about me, my daily activities, etc.
Page from winter art journal. Used micron .01 pen. I try to draw quickly--partly my temperament, partly about staying away from focusing on every detail.
I drew one of my toys, (almost!) every day for a year. They were all done on 6"x6" card stock with alcohol based markers. I researched every one to try and find the company, etc. These are a few of the Disney characters in my collection.
