Diversify Drawing Tools

 

Is not variety the spice of life that gives all its flavor? Drawing doesn't have to be all about pencils. Any tool that makes marks is possible for drawing in such a way that is unique to express shapes, colors, and textures.

'Freedom Parade': Drawing in Sketchbook

Drawing Tools in order of photo above:

Blue Click Inc pen,

Graphite 3B Prang, 

Pink Transfer Pencil, 

Red Vogart Pencil Crayon,  

Blue 13 Prang Pencil Crayon, 

Gold Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker, 

Black Sharpie Pen, 

Black Chisel Tip Liqui-Mark Permanent Marker.

'Freedom Parade': Abstract Drawing 9" x 12" sketchbook

'Freedom Parade' was created with 8 types of mark-making tools. You may have heard of a limited palette when painting to create a cohesive image using a similar mix of colors throughout the painting. The same theory can be used for drawing using a variety of mark-making tools but only a few choices to see how far they can express the drawing in a creative and interesting composition.

'Love 2 Be There': Collage Drawing in Sketchbook

Drawing Tools in order of above photo:

Blue 13 Prang Pencil Crayon,

Pink Transfer Pencil, 

Black Sharpie extra-fine point,

Gold Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker, 

Exacto Blade cutter,

Orange Sharpie Highlighter,

Pink Sharpie Highlighter,

Scotch Quick-Drying Glue,

Flower Order Catalog.

'Love 2 Be There': Abstract Collage Drawing in 9"x 12" Sketchbook

'Love 2 Be There' was first started with one page in the sketchbook, with spontaneous drawing marks randomly covered all over with the intention to cut the page into shapes mixing in with cut-out flowers from a magazine to be glued to a fresh sketchbook page for an abstract collage drawing.

'Matisse's Odalisque 1922': 

Sparkle Pen Drawing in Sketchbook

Drawing Tools in order of above photo:

Sparkle Pen Kit from Staples,

Yellow Ochre 383 Pencil Crayon Faber-Castell,

Red Vogart Pencil Crayon.

'Matisse's Odalisque' is my version of a 1922 painting. Henry Matisse (1869 -1954) never stopped pushing boundaries of the perception of what art can be, spite the negative rants from his peers and even loss in his income, he still, hung in there always trying out a variety of methods, and materials over his entire life. He gives me permission to just go for it. In a sketchbook, I can play around with ideas and then those ideas spark creative possibilities.

'Matisse's Odalisque 1922':  9"x 12" Sketchbook

One of my long-time favorite subjects for drawing and painting is the 'NUDE'.  Stored away in large plastic containers are rolled-up life drawings that occasionally come back to life in a new composition. Read more about the muse of drawing from professional nudes & see my life drawings here...

'Stroll the Garden Gallery': Abstract Drawing in Sketchbook

Drawing Tools in order of above photo:

Black EnerGel 0,7mm ball metal point,

White uni-ball Signo Broad,

Yellow Ochre 383 Faber-Castel Pencil Crayon,

Pink Transfer Pencil,

Red Vogart Pencil Crayon,

Blue 13 Prang Pencil Crayon,

Royal Blue 560 Berol Canadiana Pencil Crayon,

Bronze Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker,

Gold Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker.

'Stroll the Garden Gallery': Abstract Drawing in 9"x 12" Sketchbook

Sometimes a drawing says it wants to go into a painting and this is one of the drawings that is begging me to GO BIG. It would be fun to paint... on the to-do list it goes.

Close-up Detail of 'Stroll the Garden Gallery'

'Stroll the Garden Gallery' offered an interesting surprise with the Pink Transfer pencil on the paper as it was activated by the White uni-ball Signo broad pen when making stippling marks on top which created a pinkish hue with the white pen giving a slight thickness to the marks as well. I think this white pen might do the same kind of activation with watercolor pencils. My Pink Transfer pencil is normally used for marking fabric in sewing but it now lives in the old coffee tin where all the other rescue pens and pencils I find walking parking lots and streets, especially around schools.

'Struggle for Simplicity': Abstract Drawing in Sketchbook

Drawing Tools in order of above photo:

Black Sharpie Permanent Marker running out of ink for grey shade,

Gold Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker,

Bronze Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker,

Silver Metallic Sharpie Permanent Marker,

HB Pencil,

Red Vogart Pencil Crayon.

Struggle For Simplicity: Abstract Drawing in Sketchbook 9" X 12"

Struggle for Simplicity is always a nagging theme in my life. Keep-It-Simple-Stupid, also known as K.I.S.S., is wise advice whether one is an artist or just trying to enjoy life with what one has access to. 

It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child. – Pablo Picasso

Look around the house for a collection of possible mark-making tools that you usually don't use and take them out for a creative spin in your sketchbook!

Minaz