Tips Blog — Sketchbook

It’s nice to get back to these hot shots. I’m so sorry for the massive long wait!

This is Hot shot 21 and it’s all about being able to sketch things when they move and not get frustrated!

Towards the end I’ll be updating you with somethings that  I have been up to and  involved in,  during the long wait and where I’ll be demonstrating before the year ends. Also if you are based in London and want a free ticket to take part the open Studio at Heatherley’s, please let me know and I’ll send you a half day free session to either draw or paint from the model in the open studio at Heatherley’s School of Fine Art, starting off in September.

Let’s start with the Hot Shot first!

After another break I’m happy to get these two great HOT SHOTS to inspire your sketching!! Before I get going I’ll just love to say my exhibition of paintings and drawings of York is currently on at The Kentmere House Gallery, York. I also have an article in The Artist Magazine (December Issue) titled, “Sketching a Passion”- in the article I explain how I transform my sketches from black and white to colour. Do get a copy if you can, it’s a good read…..I’ll be sharing some of the tips in it later on this blog.

If you missed my last post which was way back in August, please click HERE

I am really thrilled to get back to blogging again, it’s been a busy summer for me-I recently took part in a plein air painting Competition in London called “Pintar Rapido”- I happened to win the First Prize, you can read about it HERE ! I have also been painting in York, that was a wonderful experience-you can read my blogposts about it by clicking HERE. I have also been illustrating two children’s books which I’ll let you know about once they are published!

Hope you have kept your sketching going?

This HOT SHOT is all about the one thing we all use while sketching-THE LINE!! The line for the sketcher is the most powerful tool! If the lines can speak, the sketch will have a great IMPACT!

But this HOT SHOT is not only about LINES but also about VARYING THE WEIGHT OF YOUR LINES!

I really can’t wait to keep rambling on, but if you missed my last HOT SHOT you can click HERE, it was all about WHAT TO EMPHASIZE in your sketches.

I’m always excited to post something new here! This tip or should I say hot shot, is really one of those that reveal the difference between the pro- artist and the amateur. But even the amateur can develop this mind-set and watch their work advance! This hot shot is what to leave out, more what what to put in.

It is about where to work and where not to work. You don’t have to over labour your sketches.

Think in terms of where you want you viewer to focus on…… think of what you really want to emphasize! Anyway, before I keep rambling on, Please click HERE if you missed my last HOT SHOT on letting who you are show through your sketches!

It’s great to get into my Hot Shots again!!!  If this is your first time here, this is where I share my tips on sketching! I call the tips-Hot Shots! This Hot Shot has a very long title-and that’s the only way I could put it!

I say this to art students and sometimes I get that ‘look-back’. They look back and say, “but I know that!” But it’s one thing to know it and it’s another thing, to make sure one practices what one knows!

So lets get into it but if you missed HOT SHOT 10 which focused on the structure of whatever you plan to sketch, click HERE