I agreed to make some numbers on a slate for a friend. She wants to make a mosaic over it. Felt like an easy request ~ I imagined using a flat paintbrush with Gesso that sticks to everything. Big Solid Block Numbers.

But when it came time to do the project, she said she just wanted me to draw Bubble Numbers with a Sharpie. Oh! That makes sense ~ there's no telling how the glue and the grout would work on gesso.

But what to draw? Now I had to revisualize. Now it felt like a job.

I would have pointed that out to her, but it felt wrong. She is a good friend, and it does sound like a quick little thing to do.

So I ended up designing the sort of numbers that would be right. In my free time. I came up with these, so I'll be ready for whatever numbers she wants.

I don't mind having to spend my time on that. It just keeps me on my toes in case it feels right to use Numbers at my next Graffiti Party:

I frequently draw Large Groups ~ even more than 7 people ~ when I'm drawing Caricatures, but I was taken by surprise when I was asked to draw a FASHION SKETCH of 6 people at a Wedding. And then, shortly after I started, I agreed to let a 7th person in. That makes me feel confused. Because I've already designed an approach for 6 people, but then... quick change.... takes me off solid ground.... onto shifting sands....

Okay. Art is in the moment. I agreed, Guests were Happy, I could not get bored, and I did whatever I did. The Fashion Sketch of 7 people flowed. (In looking back on the experience, I should have asked to see Everyone's Fashion. Some people's bodies were hidden behind others ~ just their heads popping out.) I just kept that marker moving. Good experience ~ I kinda liked Most of the decisions that I made.

The Guests Enjoyed. But it felt wrong to me. Like I was working too hard. My job includes things like sending quotes, keeping lists, preparing supplies, showing up on time..... but when it comes to the Art, it shouldn't really be Work. The Artist should be Doing it. An Artist, like a Dancer or an Actor, needs to be In The Zone to Really do it.

So when I came home, I looked into the situation for myself. To be better prepared to handle Large Group Fashion Sketches in the future. And I finally came up with a great one!

First, I tried it on my IPad. Just because I felt like using my IPad. Time-off, you know. And I figured that I would be able to make changes ~ each time I came across a moment that I wasn't enjoying. It came out looking very good ~ but I felt like it lost the immediacy of what I drew At the Event.

Still feeling interested in my situation, I picked up an old marker and a blue scrap paper ~ without even having the Reference Photo nearby. I just wanted to see if I would like the experience better if I didn't fuss with poses ~ how about a simple direct, draw each person just standing there... No. Still, too 'headsy' for me. Too many heads stuck together with just dully describing each fashion.....

Then I finally did it! I just went with the flow. No predraw. I just started with what was important, and I took it from there. Only what was needed. So much fun! I'm looking forward to doing this again. I am looking forward to my next Fashion Sketch Event!

Glad I got these out of my system. Getting ready for to draw Caricatures at today's Bat Mitzvah Celebration.

First I figured that I should get ready to draw Pretty girls. But once I started, I felt like switching to exaggerated Caricatures. Hmmm.... still in Pretty girl mode, my exaggerations were quite tame. By the time I stopped drawing, I was wishing I could find my recent studies on those fantastic cartoony things, but I didn't. So now I'm just Remembering some of the things I had been doing, and I hope they will just kick in when I Just Draw at the Event.

Caricatures

Of Your Friends and Family

Quickly drawn from Life At Your Party

Or with more Detail than you see here in today's post if drawn from your photos as a Gift