Life is a Series of Drawings

Ink Transfer Drawings

2011-08-31T10:24:00.002-04:00

Lately I've been drawn to old scientific and mechanical diagrams, including the rather fanciful vintage designs for dirigibles and hot air balloons.

I created a series of quick sketches based on some of these diagrams, then rolled the back of the sketches with printers ink. I then laid the paper lightly on top of pattern paper and retraced the image.

This technique, somewhat similar to monotype printmaking, works without a printing press. In effect, I become the printing press as I trace the images, transferring the ink on the back of the image to the paper beneath.

What I love about this technique is that you can't control it. Where ever the papers meet, the ink will transfer, thus creating rather ethereal, one-of-a-kind images.

This series was gifted to Hirsch Wellness Network for their yearly Art Lives Here auction which allows Hirsch to provide creativity workshops for cancer patients, survivors, and care givers.

Sky at the Corner of Pisgah Church and Battleground

2011-07-25T18:16:00.002-04:00

July 23, 2011

Sphygmomanometer...

2011-07-24T13:24:00.000-04:00

Kudzu Covered Trees in Danville, VA

2011-07-24T13:21:00.001-04:00

Sketchbook Project

2011-01-06T14:39:00.000-05:00

I've given up trying to make the deadline for the Sketchbook project. Maybe if I stay in my cave all day Sunday and work on nothing else I might get it done - but truth is, I have lectures to create, reports to write, and workshops to teach and am just a bit worn at the seams.

None the less, I will continue to work on it and post the images. And when I do finally finish - I'll send it in to the powers that be - I just doubt it will make it in time for the tour. wah.

Dear Hilde

2010-11-11T13:45:00.000-05:00

As a part of my 2011 Sketchbook Project research for Dirigibles and Submersibles, I've come across a number of WWII era letters that I find both charming and heroic. As I read these letters, a story began forming in my head - one that seems intent on accompany my drawings.

The story, soon to come, will present itself in a number of letters addressed to Miss Hildegard Stenson of California who has (we assume) hired a scout to search for her brother, a scientist and inventor who has gone missing in WWII Europe.

Two-man Submersible

2010-11-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Jet Pack sans Plans

2010-11-11T12:36:00.000-05:00

Sketchbook Project: Submersible #1

2010-09-19T16:15:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook Project: Submersible #1 [n. deyton]

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #7

2010-09-17T15:36:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #7 [n. deyton]

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #6

2010-09-17T15:35:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #6 [n. deyton]

New Drawing Competition

2010-09-15T13:07:00.000-04:00

Illustration by Lauren Nassef

Print Magazine is holding a Hand Drawn competition stating:

What is illustration today? Is it pen-and-ink on paper? Vectors on pixels? A cut-paper scene captured in a photograph? A hand-stitched portrait with a touch of Photoshop? We think it's all of the above. And now, we want to see what illustration is to you.

Submit your work to our first-ever illustration competition!

Guidelines
This competition is open to all participants and all illustrations styles. There are no restrictions and all entries will be judged equally.All files must be submitted electronically and be 2MB in size or smaller.

Entry fees
$40/entry
$60/campaign or series
$20/students

Deadline
October 1, 2010

Prizes!
$500 for best in show
$250 for two runner ups
Placement in the magazine and on printmag.com

Questions?

Email us at printcomp@fwmedia.com
Or call 715-445-4612 x13430

Read more at PrintMag.com: Hand Drawn

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #5

2010-09-14T11:28:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook Project: Dirigibles & Submersibles. [n. deyton]

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #4

2010-09-14T11:16:00.001-04:00

Sketchbook Project: Dirigibles & Submersibles [n. deyton]

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible #3

2010-09-12T22:00:00.000-04:00

Hospital Airship Takes Patients Above the Clouds for Healing Sunlight.

Sketchbook Project: Dirigible, continued...

2010-09-12T19:40:00.000-04:00

Dirigible: Stilt Cycle. Pencil, pen and ink, marker.

I particularly like the ghosting that is happening on the opposite page & will most likely play with that.

Sketchbook Project: Dirigibles

2010-09-12T19:36:00.000-04:00

I opted for using the lesser definition of dirigible as 'something that is capable of being steered,' so the whole thing won't be all zephyrs & subs. I thought I'd recreate a few vintage newspaper and magazine articles from the late 1800s, early 1900s to intersperse throughout the sketchbook. I'm thinking it will end up having a vintage inventor/adventurer scrap-book sort of theme. I will probably scrawl notes in the margins, draw in some yellowing scotch tape, etc.

Work in progress #1:

One Man Helicopter. Pencil, marker, pen & Ink.

The Sketchbook Project

2010-09-11T11:14:00.000-04:00

So, I received my sketchbook from The Sketchbook Project last week, and while pondering circles around it, I have yet to actually make a single mark in it. It seems I have been affected by the blank page syndrome, and while most might advise me to just dive right in - I have found the consequences of that to, more often than not, be perilous.

No, I find it best to ponder the page, allowing it to dictate - much as Michelangelo's quarried stones dictated to him. Not suggesting, by any means, that I am a Michelangelo - merely that a substrate is more than just an object or material. It is the container/holder of ideas. It can be your nemesis (as it is mine when I "dive right in"), or it can be your ally. I am hoping for the latter.

My subject, I am thrilled to report, is Dirigibles and Submersibles. A world rich with imagery, history, and wonder. Of course, the very first thing I did, when I received my sketchbook, was to look up the definitions of dirigible and submersible. (Those who know me, know that this is just what I do.) Whether or not I may think I already know the definition, I always find some nugget of wisdom (usually hearkening back to an archaic version of the word).

From Merriam Webster's mouth to my ears:

¹di·ri·gi·ble adj \ˈdir-ə-jə-bəl, də-ˈri-jə-\ : capable of being steered

Origin of DIRIGIBLE: Latin dirigere; (First Known Use: 1581)

²di·ri·gi·ble noun : airship

Origin of DIRIGIBLE:
dirigible (balloon); (
First Known Use: 1885)

¹sub·mers·ible adj \səb-ˈmər-sə-bəl\ : capable of being submerged

First Known Use of SUBMERSIBLE: 1866

²sub·mers·ible noun: something that is submersible; especially : a usually small underwater craft used especially for deep-sea research

First Known Use of SUBMERSIBLE: 1900

And so, it begins... As I finish the sketches, I will post the drawings here.

Best to all,
.n

L.A. Images: El Capitan

2010-09-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

Several times, on my days off, I would walk down to the El Capitan, just blocks from my apartment, for their Disney afternoon matinee. It was such a swank interior, with velvet seats (and non-sticky floors).

L.A. Images: The Broadway

2010-09-04T12:56:00.000-04:00

I always loved The Broadway's sign - but very rarely did I get to see it from the front.

Memories of L.A.

2010-08-23T17:34:00.000-04:00

4 years of living in L.A. and I never did see the Randy's Donut sign. *sigh* I did see someone throwing up in front of Pink's Hotdog stand though.

You win some, you lose some.

Capitol Records

2010-08-21T21:07:00.000-04:00

Capitol Records, Hollywood, CA

When it was Mann's Chinese Theater

2010-08-21T20:59:00.000-04:00

Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, CA

L.A. Drawings

2010-08-20T15:58:00.001-04:00

First four in the series of my L.A. picture book

Mel's Drive In

2010-08-20T13:56:00.000-04:00

Mel's Drive-In, WeHo, CA