Community Sketchbook

Powdered Toast Girl

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:02:00 +0000

There are no good excuses for my delinquent posts here on the community sketchbook... aside from my focus drifting to my baby and me. He/she was due almost a week ago, and I'm patiently (or not) waiting for the grand entrance into this world. In the meantime, I decided I should post something here, so when I found the new sketchbook that Powdered Toast Girl began, I couldn't resist! Check out this sketchbook!

On another note, I'm looking for searching for more individuals who want to be authors here on the sketchbook. If you want to help out, please contact me: scribbles@shawnahandke.com. (If I'm a little slow to respond, just know that it may have to do with my new life as a first time mom. I may be changing a dirty diaper or feeding...)

where does a sketch go after it's sketched?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:26:00 +0000

ohArlene!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:30:00 +0000

I found ohArlene's comics a few weeks ago. I loved her sense of humour so much I ended up reading my way through her entire photostream. Partly, I confess, it was because I saw some of my own eccentricities related in her autobiographical comics and I was ablt to show them to my partner and say look! I'm not so strange after all! But it was mainly her sense of timing and ability to make the mundane and everyday stuff of life humourous and worth recording.

Please Don't, by ohArlene

Inventing Memories, by Nura_P

I love this one:

I Know You Listen, by Nura_P

I Love You, by Nura_P

I hope you enjoy her work.

Journal Entries

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Ride by inkydarlin

Yosemite Pine Cone by John Woolley

Sitting behind my market stall by the lime green cardi

Untitled by Heidi Burton

Jul 22 Art by Capt Elaine

finding the good by danny mansmith

Missing

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:55:00 +0000

So..... I've missed the community sketchbook community for quite some time! I've been out on vacations, and the computer we took with us was broken. Yikes! It was a good time without a lot of electronic interference, but I also missed a world of sketches and other things that have been happening. Now, I'm back. I just wanted to begin by posting a few of the sketches that really stand out to me right now. Plus, some of these sketches are by our newest members.

Akkordeon by Flaf

EUBIE IN CONCERT by John Woolley

High Street Oxford by Allen Pirabu

Untitled by Elaine Miller

#23, Draw instead of watching the telly by Lou Simmons

Healing the Shame

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:08:00 +0000

I just found these sketches by Coorain spontaneous and filled with freedom. I love the way that he chooses to work with Healing the Shame That Binds You. This 1988 self help guide has been miraculously transformed into a brilliant sketchbook.

Check out more of Coorain's sketches here.

Animals

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Animal sketches have been on my mind, because I'm using them in our baby's nursery. Here are a few that I'm rather fond of...

And here's one that I created for the nursery.

Book By Its Cover

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:58:00 +0000

If you haven't checked out the site, Book By Its Cover yet, you should! It offers loads of inspiration for any artist or living human being. Today I just observed that there is a new feature in their sketchbook series on Jenny Volvovski. She is the graphic designer for ALSO, and her sketchbooks offer a fresh bit of humor. So if you're looking for a way to brighten your Friday, check out her sketchbook pages. As it's stated best on Book By Its Cover, these sketches are one part "diagram" and one part "diary."

Something of Value

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:06:00 +0000

The analogue book, Something of Value, is about to begin it's journey. This book is a fantastic piece in and of itself, and we should all thank Jan Allsopp for creating it for us! So if you have already contacted me with your name and mailing address, I will soon be talking to you about the mailing process. If you have not yet contacted me with that information, we still have some room for new artists to participate, so please send me an e-mail.

A little about the book: It has been made by rebinding a 1955 edition of Robert Ruark's "Something Of Value" published by Hamish Hamilton Ltd, London. The particular book was chosen for it's title, the size of the book and the fact that it was in reasonable condition. I have never read the book and don't really know what it is about! But it seemed apt for this project to me. I began by disassembling it, removing the original book block from the covers and reinforcing the covers to help it to last its future journeys. Then I separated each page from the book block. Unfortunately it didn't contain much of interest (to the sketch artist!) in its pages, so while I selected a few to go back into the book later, I also dipped into my stash of pages from other old books to add a bit of visual interest with different sizes of papers and different subject matters. I cut new pages of the book from a variety of art papers - Arches 185gsm, both hot and cold press watercolour papers, my favourite sketchbook paper Art Spectrum Draw & Wash, Canson Montval watercolour paper, Stonehenge drawing paper, Canson acrylic sketch paper and some found papers including grid, exercise book and pages with writing guides. When I stitched the new book block together with waxed linen thread, it made a wonderfully eclectic basis for a wide variety of sketches. Artists will be able to select a page that will support their kind of artistic expression. Text pages can be gessoed over or collaged onto. Watercolour pages can take other wet media and the drawing papers are very versitile. I added 2 ribbon page markers to the book and new endpages. These I made from some really rustic handmade paper I found in our local artisan market down by the harbour. I really wanted to leave their deckle edges complete but they were just slightly too large for the book. A little bit of exercising the grey matter later I came up with what I think is an ingenius solution! I used the excess width to create a tab that I could sew envelope pockets on to both front and back. I made the envelopes so they still function well even after sewing. They will be great for artists to slip their cards, notes or info into so it is all kept together as the book travels the globe. Once the book was firmly reattached to its covers I added a little pocket that holds a card of mine that documents the rebinding. I usually make these envelopes out of discarded pages from the book itself, but this time I was lucky enough to have the crumbling remains of the original dust jacket. I used the spine section with the title showing. To me it's a lovely way to keep in mind the origin of the sketchbook, which over time will look less and less like a novel and more and more like an artists sketchbook! I really can't wait to see what happens to our book now!

Love for Spring

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:20:00 +0000

I apologize for my lack of posts lately, but spring has sprung and is keeping me rather busy! Whenever I'm not working on new drawings or sketching, you can find me in the garden or on my bike.

Untitled by o lie

I'm trying to take full advantage of the good weather and my health, because I'm pregnant now. And I don't believe I'll be able to ride my bike during the entire pregnancy. Gardening... now that's another story. So on behalf of the fun spring days I've been partaking in, I chose some sketches to compliment my love for spring.

18 by c'est bon

The flowers are in bloom, and I'll be visiting the farmer's market next week!

Dreaming of Spring by Handcrafted

At the Market by Peter Hart

And if you want the free download that I've created on behalf of the Indie Fixx Free Your Soul project, simply click here to find out more and download the print for yourself.

Cecilia Levy

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:05:00 +0000

I recently discovered Cecilia Levy's artwork, and I am fascinated with her use of vintage paper, stitching, and simplistic drawings. She has a unique way of combining the natural world with these recycled papers, as is evident with this set of drawings and paintings. I also became rather intrigued with her birds and self-portraits.

You can find more of her work here. Plus, she sells some limited edition prints and crochet sculptures in her etsy shop.

Kids' Sketches

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:33:00 +0000

I thoroughly enjoy viewing childrens' drawings, so I decided to showcase a few young artists' sketches. I feel like we adults have a lot to learn from a child; especially the freedom of expression. Most children have no inhibitions when they create!

The young artist John Woolley is a fourth grader who keeps an elaborate journal and creates some fascinating drawings and paintings.

WATER COLOR SET by John Woolley

Another young artist, Maya drew this for her mother. She is also quite talented. I really enjoy the repetition of the shapes on the owl's body.

OWL Sketch by Maya

Malcom is one other amazingly talented young artist who was six when he created this drawing. I really enjoyed seeing the layered dinosaurs in this sketch. Click here to view all of his artwork.

dinos by Malcom

One more young artist that I need to mention is a five-year old girl, Sophia. I had her over one afternoon while I lived in Boston, and she created quite the gallery in my apartment.

This is merely an example of a few talented young individuals we should be watching as they continue creating amazing art.

Something of Value

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:36:00 +0000

I'm so excited! I just received some photos of the Community Sketchbook's analogue sketchbook. It's in the book press currently being bound in its final stages.

This is the sketchbook that I've talked about before... the one that we'll begin shipping across the world to one another. Jan Allsopp has done an amazing job with the creation of this rebound sketchbook, and the best news is that we will all be able to contribute. Jan has donated all of her time, materials, and efforts to this project, so we should all send her a huge THANK YOU! So if you want to do this, e-mail her or just comment on her blog.

My goal with this sketchbook is to publish the images of the work as it is completed here on the blog, and once the book's pages are filled, I would like to have an exhibition with artwork from selected artists who have contributed to the pages.

Now, if you're interested in contributing to the Community Sketchbook's Something of Value, leave a comment here. Or you can simply send me your name, e-mail address, and snail mail address at scribbles[at]shawnahandke.com.

If you would like to read more about the creation of this beautifully rebound sketchbook, click here to read Jan's article.

Nura-p

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Have you seen Nura__'s work yet? Her illustrations are simultaneaously challenging, naive, warm and highly sophisticated - I love them:

Untitled, by Nura_P

Inventing Memories, by Nura_P

I love this one:

I Know You Listen, by Nura_P

I Love You, by Nura_P

I hope you enjoy her work.

Black and White

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:32:00 +0000

I have to admit that I haven't done the greatest job posting to the Community Sketchbook lately, but there are several amazing sketches that have been shared with the flickr group. Nonetheless, I found a few recent sketches rather empowering, and I felt compelled to share these moving black and white sketches.

DARK by K. Hsinmin

Bonestitch by Arlee Barr

after Picasso by Peter Hart

In other news, I'll have an update this week about the real sketchbook that we'll begin shipping from one place to another. If you still have not signed up to participate in this part of the Community Sketchbook, please send me an e-mail now!

Allen Pirabu

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:26:00 +0000

Yes it's definitely a series. Allen Pirabu's sketches are just lovely in my opinion. Fluid and full of character:

503, by Allen Pirabu

490, by Allen Pirabu

I love the guy on the left, below:

422, by Allen Pirabu

Life drawing 23, by Allen Pirabu

As he says in his profile, he loves drawing: that, I think, is very clear. And he also loves people too - these drawings are full of warmth. Well worth spending some time with.

Frida Frida

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:53:00 +0000

I can feel a series coming on: single artist features. This week I'd like to share Frida Frida's sketches with you. I really enjoy her looseness and the freedom with which she uses colour. Whether it's coloured pencils:.

The Old Man with Glasses, by Frida Frida

Media, by Frida Frida

Or watercolour:

Spikkestad, by Frida Frida

Lunch at Piazza Cavour, by Frida Frida

She uses it freely creating sketches with a sense of life, energy and freshness. Lovely!

the People in our Head

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:26:00 +0000

These are the people in our heads. I just wanted to feature a few sketches that some of the Community Sketchbook members recently created while thinking about their lives.

The thought of retracing this makes my... by The Pairabirds

Conservatoire by Alain Bertin

part dork. part Jason. part alien. by artfisch

Untitled by Danny Mansmith

The Notebook of Nat Koffman

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:01:00 +0000

I recently picked up some inexpensive used books at one of the book shops that was going out of business here in town. I was sad to see the shop close, but I have some unique treasures from their sad departure. I found this book, entitled The Notebook of Nat Koffman, and I liked the writing that I found. I had not heard of Nat Koffman before this, but I thought it was worth the few pennies the book cost me. Well, I've decided that I should share a page or two with you here and there, inspiring you just as much as I've been inspired by these writings.

The first excerpt I will share is from the section entitled, The Artist in Relation to Society. I simply thought Art as a Record was appropriate to share here, because recording what we see is sometimes how I would define sketching (or keeping a sketchbook).

I hope you are as inspired by these writings as I am.
And if you want to learn more about Nat Koffman, you can download a short bio here.

Capturing the City

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Each of these artists have a unique way of capturing the places they live and visit.

Downtown El Paso by Tim Razo

Marché rue La Fayette by Alain Bertin

Panoramic wheel by La Ola

Subvergence by Sharon Frost

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart by Flaf

These are the people You Meet on the Streets

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Today, I took a walk through the streets of NYC, and I ran into a few people. I didn't know the people I met, but I knew that they were people I should know. In fact, the more I observed their beauty, elegance, and eccentric behaviors, the more I felt I had met them in a past life. In fact, I had.

You see, we walked into the club the other night and as the lights spun and people moved their bodies in tune with the music, you couldn't tell who was who. You just knew that the shadows and lights kept your eyes in a gaze that only the artist could capture. When we walked out, it was icy and snowy. We knew we would fall, but we just moved in motion as if the music was continuing to spin around in our heads. That's when it struck us, this is a person...this is ice and snow...this is a person on ice and snow...

After we spent all of our energy dancing, slipping and sliding home, we were extremely hungry. When we finally got to our door step, we met him. He was actually standing there naked and starving. We went upstairs, grabbed a blanket and took it down to him along with a fresh sandwich that we slapped together. He was eternally grateful.

When we finally settled into our comfy flat, we were zapped. We fell asleep and began dreaming. It was the most bizarre thing I've ever imagined, but this is it. My head was pounding... life was thundering... blissful death... stampedes! stampedes!. It had encompassed me!

And then I woke up. I realized all of it was a dream, but they... they were the people I had met on the streets that day.

The Brothers McLeod Sketchbook

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Many current animation artists are also illustration artists. I'm am continually inspired by their work. I recently found The Brothers McLeod and their short films. Wow! That's really all I can say. Below you can watch their short animation, Sketch Book No. 1.

"The Brothers McLeod first appeared on the animation radar when they were short-listed by BBC Talent for the New Comedy Awards in 2001. They achieved this with their first short 2D animation Highlights: Sports Day about a sports radio station’s attempts to commentate on the Piddle-on-the-Wyre village annual event."

[ Brothers McLeod on YouTube ]

Oh yeah... on another film note: the Oscars are tonight. Who do YOU think deserves an Oscar? The best thing I found was that you could watch the Oscar Animated Short films here.

samesame! the scribble project

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:51:00 +0000

So... you're looking for another reason to scribble some more? I was. So I created a scribble for samesame! the scribble project. (You can find mine here.)This simple daydream is a fun project that Lisa Currie recently started. Artists and illustrators from all over have begun scribbling on behalf of samesame! And some of my personal favorites include...

Now, download your very own samesame! by clicking here. Then, send it Lisa's way, so she can publish your scribbles for the world to see.

And on top of that project, Lisa recently created good vibe notes. If you want something new to do or are just lacking ideas for a new piece, these projects are a good way to get you brainstorming.

Beetle Love

noreply@blogger.com (sHandke ART) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:37:00 +0000

If you enjoy insects or the anatomy of colorful creatures, you'll most likely enjoy the beetle collection that Leslie Brenden has recently been creating. Her sketches have the intricate details that make some souls ache. These strange creatures take on a beautiful element with her pen, ink, watercolor, and Prismacolor pencil sketches.

"Though Leslie’s influences tend to be somewhat obscure, strange and often a bit macabre, she is an appreciator of most art forms. She is quite often inspired by imagery-often in nature that is sometimes considered “ugly or creepy” by most, which brings us to the project that she is presently working on. Leslie calls this project her “Beetle a Day” journal.

The project was born as Leslie has always watched and learned from her husband's extensive entomology hobby. She is always willing to help with his collecting insects and arachnids-killing jar always in tow. While listening to him talk so respectfully and admirably about his fondness for the amazing beetle, Leslie decided to draw some of his favorites using sources from specimens in his collection 'to' photographs. After several beetle drawings, she was hooked. The colors, shapes and visual diverseness got her hooked. She began to read about each beetle that she drew becoming more and more intrigued. The project began when she decided to commit herself to creating a beetle a day. Since the project started in early January this year, Leslie has received many inquiries as to whether or not she planned to publish. Though that was not originally her intent, Leslie and her husband have discussed the possibility and are presently courting the idea." [via Leslie Brenden's Artist Biography]

Diana Koehne

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:56:00 +0000

I've been a fan of Diana's characters for a long time now. They seem to express experience of the world in a way that is both humourous and moving. And I love the rawness of her mark making.

Change, by Diana Koehne

Untitled, by Diana Koehne

..., by Diana Koehne