Can’t stop thinking

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan

Now that's an idea - 1

I notice that I have a theme running off and on through my blog entries, the theme of exploring the ways people work to understand elusive ideas. This sketch goes back to this theme again.

This time I wanted to show how the beauty of an idea causes the thinkers to be captivated by it.  I began by repeatedly sketching the same two figures and then made a plan to guide a final sketch. First I wanted to show what the two were doing and feeling and used exaggeration to make it clear for the viewer. Both figures are animated, both have lively expressions and both have their eyes glued to the computer.  Next I needed to add the kind of detail that showed they are working on an idea at home and not watching a video on the computer. The book was added to suggest they were working on an idea, the dishes to suggest they were so engaged that they worked through a meal, the vase and flowers to show the location is likely a home, and the bright light behind them to show that the beautiful December day cannot compete with their idea.

I drew in ink and watercolor.

 

Posted in Body Language, Groups Interacting, People Learning | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A quiet moment

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan

HC4 - 1 (3)

I wanted to capture the feeling of a relaxing end to a family day. I wanted to suggest a moment of restoration through body language and symbols. I drew several quick sketches before I could settle in on which pieces of the scene to include. I went with one person wrapped in a warm blanket sitting by a fire on a computer.

I drew in ink and watercolor and then went to Procreate to adjust the fireplace a bit.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Version 2

I don’t usually draw from photos but could not resist a photo my sister sent of her new grandson. I was struck by how the child’s hands communicated his vulnerability and the adult’s hands communicated an unspoken pledge of love and care. Additionally, the way the child was lifted up high for all to see shows the joy his arrival brought his family. My holiday wish for all of us is to be in relationships such as this one, relationships of love, care, growth, protection, joy and splendid times.

I drew in pencil and ink and then added watercolor.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to All!

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan | 9 Comments

Parking lot

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan

Parking lot - 1 (2)

 

It may seem strange but I love going to this parking lot because of the palm trees and hillside. We had a beautiful cloudy morning and I was happily waiting in the parking lot before the stores opened. I wanted to convey how the trees and sky rise above and contrast with the cars and building. I was on the third sketch and not coming close to doing justice to my plan when I remembered that I could use both sides of my small 5 X 8 inch sketchbook in a portrait orientation and capture the rise of the hills, trees and sky above the cars in the lot. This sketch comes closer to what I wanted. Unfortunately, my scanner is too small for the 16-inch height. I had to use a photo and the colors do not reproduce as well as I would like.

I drew in ink and watercolor.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pause for a bite

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan

Version 3

Looking again at my sketches from yesterday I find I like this 5- minute piece better than the 50-minute sketch I posted yesterday. This quick sketch has a loose and fluid feeling and makes me curious about what the couple was experiencing together.

I was doing warm-up sketches of whatever was in front of me. I happened to catch a couple stopping for a sandwich. I was not trying to tell a story with this sketch, as I was with Elephants.  If I had been, I would have had both the woman and man looking off to their right as both appeared more interested in the exhibit than in their lunch.

I sketched in marker and watercolor.

 

Posted in Body Language, Facial Expression, Groups Interacting | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Elephants

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan

At the zoo - 1 (1)

The elephants at the zoo were active today; perhaps they were enjoying our nippy weather. Their activity called for lots of watching and picture taking from the crowd, which gave me stationary models. I wanted to capture the attention and regard the observers have for the elephants which shows in their gaze and picture taking.

I drew in pencil and watercolor and later added marker and more color.

Posted in Body Language, Groups Interacting | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Next number please

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Sarah Sullivan

Waiting - 1 (1)

I was waiting in a customer service line for my number to be called, along with other shoppers. It was crowded and the pace was slow so I began to sketch three women who, from my vantage point, pretty much looked like they shared a single body. The more I looked at this sketch, the more I liked it because it says something about the experience of waiting. The center woman is staring at the ‘Serving Customer Number ___’ display, while the others are staring off into space, possibly thinking about everything they have to do. The holiday lights suggest a purpose for the shopping and the white space says something about the impersonal setting of a large store.

I used a soluble pencil and later added a wash of red and brown.

Posted in Body Language, Groups Interacting, Story Creation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment