In December, when we went into a COVID related regional lockdown, I began a notebook for doing small imaginative sketches. I thought that since I could not get out for plein air painting, that at least I could learn a little more about composition and the elements and principles of design. I really look forward to these exercises and at this point a second little notebook has replaced the first.

The idea is to spend 20 minutes or so just putting down random marks in a relaxed, non judgmental manner. At some point you stop, take a look at what is on the paper, maybe turn the page upside down, and notice what you might make from it. Then you get picky and get to work.

Here is today’s little sketch. My favorite part is the section in the middle that goes between the two faces and moves from green to blue to yellow.