Wacom’s Inkling is a digital pen that captures your sketch from paper. Recording your strokes and transferring your sketch digitally for further editing on your computer. The Inkling has a pressure sensitive ballpoint tip and can create layered sketches.

It’s exciting to see new technology unfold, bringing tools that bridge the gap between traditional, freehand sketching and digital input with a mouse or tablet. Both the iPad with its finger-painting and the Inkling give artists the tools to interact more directly with their devices, removing the clunky layer between your hand and your canvas.

A special thank you to my friend, artist Jamie Berry, who brought the Inkling to my attention. 

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Tags: digital art, iPad, methods, natural media, sketch, technology, tools

Life drawing. Ink.

I’ve been experimenting with an ink pen during my life drawing project. It makes me think of the calligraphy master who meditates for an hour before making a brush stroke. Obviously, I’m not claiming to be anywhere close to a calligraphy master, but I do find myself working at a different rhythm, pausing, and then putting down my brush stroke. Ink is so definite.

I made a series of life drawings defining shapes as either white or black. Finding a quality of mystery emerge in the drawings when resisting the temptation to add outlines or boundaries. Which leads me to a quote about art and mystery:

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.
Francis Bacon

Tags: art quotation, croquis, figure drawing, ink, life drawing, methods, natural media, quotes, tools

Dancer. Model in Motion. Coloured Pencils.

Tags: croquis, dance, figure drawing, life drawing, natural media

Siri Derkert, self portrait, 1915 | Siri Derkert, 1966 © Photo: Anna Riwkin

Siri Derkert (1888–1973). A pioneer of Swedish 20th century art.

Early cubist, modernist paintings, fashion drawings from the 1910s, portraits of children and adults, experiments with materials such as concrete, iron strips and clay are all presented in this major retrospective exhibition at the Modern Museum of Art (Moderna). A show that also paints a picture of the life of multifaceted Siri Derkert.

In her piece ‘Ristningar i naturbetong’ (Carvings in Natural Concrete) in the underground station at Östermalmstorg in Stockholm, Derkert uses a special sandblasting technique to interweave the personal with the political. The piece thematically revolves around peace, environmental questions, dance, music and rhythm.

The peace movement and feminism were major themes of her work and are as relevant today as they were at the time she explored them in art and sculpture. A very inspiring exhibition!

Siri Derkert. Carvings in Natural Concrete. 1965. iPhone photo: Kate England

Tags: exhibitions, museums, natural media, oils, sculpture

Life drawing: watercolour and ink

Life drawings in watercolour, pen and ink.

Tags: croquis, figure drawing, ink, life drawing, natural media, watercolours