Browsing articles in "Mail"
Need Some Help Deciding on Watercolor Paper and Pens.
Q: Hi Bob,
I was very happy to stumble across your art page with cartoons and art classes….. yours are the best Ive come across as far as watching you work and of course very cute work… and I look forward to watching more. I will try to keep this short as I’m sure you get overloaded with questions. I’m new in the art world in a way that I can possible do something useful with it… having written a couple of kids books and have a creative mind that i also want to do my own art work for them… hence playing around with cartoon type art which as you know is very very fun in seeing funny things out of everyday living.
I have drawn a number of black and white ink drawings that took me half a year….. I’m very excited about the way they have turned out and want to produce a calendar with these.
So I have been doodling with different types of medium…. I’m am self taught, working with art, so any info i can get i take all in like a sponge. (cartoon idea there) I’m liking the watercolors and black ink for sure, for this project of mine.
So here comes the questions:
- My pieces i want to enlarge my drawings to about 16×20 as i have every inch covered with drawing… and easier to work larger… i will use an overhead projector to copy my drawings from ink into pencil.
- what pencil do you recommend as a layout …not to dark.
- also what type of paper are you using HP, cold pressed etc. and what thickness-or weight? I Tried a pad from local craft store and was very disappointed with the amount of pooling and buckling I got. i did not stretch it though! Do you stretch your paper for cartoon work? is there paper i can get that i do not have to stretch in larger sizes…or do you recommend buying in rolls? I am familiar with Dick Blick art supplies… or do you have any other recommendation? I want these drawings to be awesome and i know good paper comes with a price that im aware of. I also like bright colors rather than to washed out.
- also your black outline pens. Ive been trying with micopens and get frustrated that they do not want to go over certain parts of the watercolor even though it is weeks dry…. it kinda stops the ink flow…yours look like they flow very nice… i could not see what brand they were.
Well i really hope to hear back from you, as watching you work really wanted to make me get going on my drawings and adding that color Ive been waiting to do.
Many Thanks
Tracey
A: Hi Tracey,
I’m glad you enjoyed the videos and thanks for the kind words. I am in process of making more and hope to release them soon.
Try to use a soft pencil like an HB so it won’t dent the paper, then use a kneaded eraser to pick it up a bit before you paint. Don’t try to erase after you’ve painted it will pick up your colors and most of pencil line will remain.
When I work with water color I always select a paper that has a little tooth to it. I like some texture but not too much as I find it can get in the way and make creating line work difficult. I like D’arches paper. Never skimp when it comes to supplies with watercolor.
The thinner the paper the more it will buckle. Working with paper in a watercolor block can help solve that problem. I prefer to stretch my paper when time allows. The pens I used in the video are brush tipped markers by Faber Castell. If I’m working on something a little more refined I will use India Ink and a good high quality brush. Tech pens are a little too fine for the effect I am looking for especially on watercolor paper. They tend to dig into the paper and stop up just how you described.
Hope that helps, good luck with your project. Please let me know where we can find your work when it is published.
Bob
What are some tchinques to help me be a better artist?
Q: Hi, I was wondering how would you draw a giraffe and since i love art like you what are some cool things you love to draw what are some tchinques to help me be a better artist? i love the art you do and thank you for your time
WRITE BACK SOON!
Brittany
A:Hi Brittany
Thanks for your email. There are a couple of things you can do to improve drawing skills. The best way is to draw as much as you can. I like to carry a sketchbook wherever I go and draw whenever I can. Draw whatever interests you the most because then it will always be fun. My favorite things to draw are cartoon animals, monsters…the sillier the better. Sign up for as many art classes as you can find and don’t be afraid to try new things.
Have fun and keep on drawing….
Bob
PS- I’m planning to do some new videos next year and will definitely add a giraffe to the list.