We have heard a lot about mindfulness over the past year or so, particularly about the art of colouring and how it helps many to centre themselves and slow a fast paced world.
When the world becomes so fast paced that I need to draw breath, drawing is my continual go to.
It enables my mind to rest, to feel through my fingertips and ultimately put onto paper what I cannot express verbally.
Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence. – Henry Matisse (taken from www.brainyquote.com)
In my studio you will find – much to the exasperation of my husband – many sheets of fine art paper, big and small, waiting for their turn to be used.
I’ve always been a lover of books, and I too am like many who find absolute comfort in a good book, and share the enthusiasm of visiting the local library or book store for the next adventure. Book clubs abound and for good reason.
I liken my love of drawing to reading. While being among a library of fine literary is amazing, for me, finding that zone of bliss isn’t a hard thing to do.
It is when I am in my studio, surrounded by the sheets of beautiful papers which offer unlimited possibilities of artworks yet to be created.
As I start to draw, I am transported, being so focused on the subject matter that everything else seems to fade away and just for that time, the world stops.
Drawing is the art of being able to leave an accurate record of the experience of what one isn’t, of what one doesn’t know. A great drawer is either confirming beautifully what is commonplace or probing authoritatively the unknown. – Brett Whiteley (taken from www.art-quotes.com)
For some time now I have been using Zig archival pigment pens, which I will continue to use, however lately I have also begun to use Dip Ink Pens.
Each time I pick up the nib, I feel transported back to times gone by, once a daily occurrence, now a choice.
While the Zig pens offer immediacy and speed, the dip pens have slowed my pace, providing more time for consideration of each mark I make. This process is no different to painting, learning how much tension to place of the Dip Pen, for much pressure and how wide the resulting mark will be.
I look forward to the drawings yet to come, and incorporating them into my artworks, as I did with the Beach View II painting.
It’s wonderful to find another tool to slow the pace, and allow for contemplation, consideration and enjoyment in each drawing.
Do you use dip pens in your artworks? Leave a comment and share your experiences!
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