All Pencils Have A Purpose

People ask me, “Hey Tom, do you want some Crayola colored pencils? My children no longer use them.”

I never say no! In my world of art I use four types of pencils, and each brand has its own character. Some have a light and pastel appearance while others have a rich and more opaque look.

For example, when I’m creating a highlight or reflection in my illustration Crayola and Rose Art pencils are the best choice. After using the pencils, I’ll skid a kneadable eraser over a chosen area to develop a highlight.

On the other hand, when trying to achieve a darker richer look, Prismacolor is the best!  Prisma and Derwent pencils also offer colors that the others do not carry.

You wouldn’t believe the different textures and colors you can create with the various brands of colored pencils out there.

So if you have colored pencils your family no longer uses and you don’t know what to do with them… send them my way. I never say no!

Yours truly,

Thanksgiving

Here we are: Thanksgiving is upon us once again. I’m always grateful for this time of year because it gives me the chance to look back and reflect on these past twelve months and everything God has blessed me with.

Tomorrow, when I sit at our dining room table and look at my wife, children and other family members, I will be reminded that they have been placed in my life as the most important gift I’ll ever receive. Oftentimes, during the hustle of every day life I find myself forgetting that these people who influence every aspect of my life are the most important.

I look forward to eating a meal prepared by the hands of my wife and loved ones, laughing, reminiscing and preparing for the next year to come. Is there any way to show any measurable degree of gratitude towards God? All I can do is try to imitate his goodness by being sensitive to the needs of others and working to be the best version of myself every day.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Feed the Passion

Passion is defined as, "An intense desire or enthusiasm for something."

Artists have an insatiable need to create. I parallel an artist's career to some extent with an actor or actress traveling to Hollywood, taking a job or a number of jobs to support him or herself financially, and waiting for a shot on stage.

Since my leaving the graphic design field to pursue fine art, I have had to put on many different hats - taking jobs I would never have predicted doing in a million years. All unrelated to my field of expertise.

Taking the leap into acting, singing, writing, photography and art can be a rewarding experience but be prepared because it does have its challenges. I believe it's worth it! 

Yours truly,

How Long Does it Take?

This question is usually the first one asked of me when someone is viewing my art.

When I start a new project, I usually have good intentions to keep a record of the time it takes to complete the artwork. I used to record my work time when I was a freelance artist because it was how I billed my clients. Now that I’m working for myself, time isn’t a large priority.

Time spent during a project isn’t just time on the drawing board. Coming up with a concept, preparing a scene with props, staging a photo shoot, and working on sketches all add to the final number.

The concepts created come from observing everyday life and watching art trends. I have to be comfortable with what I’m drawing. Let’s say, for instance, I’m drawing a cowboy. Since I am always striving to be accurate, that could be difficult for me because I’m not entirely knowledgeable with that subject. Oftentimes a new idea will develop from daydreaming. You would be surprised how often that happens with artists!

A good amount of time is spent collecting the props. You probably wouldn’t believe it but finding the right person, animal, and objects for a scene can send me on a wild goose chase. When preparing the scene, I always go back to the basic rule of “left to right.” I try to steer my audience’s eye in the direction I want, so placement of the objects in the scene is crucial.

The photo shoot is important in order to record a pose, an expression, and a detailed portion of the scene. For instance, taking a photo of a person’s hand. Each finger is unique and different from the others. It’s all about the little details and the photo helps me capture that. It’s also important to record the correct lighting and shadows. If they are not precise, they can ruin a picture.

When I’m drawing, I take my time because getting ahead of myself can spell disaster. If I were to rush and make a mistake, chances are I would either have to add an object or subtract something from the scene.

The pencils I work with come in many brands, levels of hardness, and richness. I use a variety of brands at different times. Being mindful of which pencils to use at certain times can be laborious and oftentimes takes quite a bit of time. 

Overworking the paper is also another situation that could arise if I’m not careful. Mistakes and corrections do happen, but if you make too many, the surface of the paper will start to break down.

When you’re working too fast, the result may be what is called, waxing. Waxing is when you place too many layers of pigment on one spot and the tooth texture on the paper’s surface has been destroyed. The paper’s ability to receive any more pigment has left town. At that point it’s a rescue, if at all possible!

When I believe I have completed the work, I will either have a feeling of satisfaction or reservations. The next step is to place the piece into storage and take a break from looking at it. Oftentimes, not looking at it for a few days or more can be beneficial because you have been staring at it for so long! When I return after some time, I usually see a mistake or discover places where I can further enhance the work.

In closing, making a work of art takes a lot of time. When I’m finished, I can’t wait to go out and celebrate!

Yours Truly,

No Man's An Island

While working at an advertising agency, my former creative director walked into our studio and slapped this slogan onto our wall.

“No man’s an island.”

We waited until he cycled through the art department again and then we asked him what it meant.

He said, “An artist needs to tap into all the resources he can find.”

Studying those who have gone before you in the art field, as well as your own peers, gives you a resource when you are creating. You take all of these ideas, concepts, and techniques into mind and use them to create something of your own.

Since this discussion, I have taken this advice and applied it to my professional art career. I have always been passionate about art and find myself studying books, magazines, and Internet articles daily. Learning more about others’ work helps inspire me.

When you have grasped this concept, you will be ready to create a work of art.

Yours Truly,